Abstract: In a device having a fiber-optic cables, one that is normally an input and one that is normally an out output for light transmission through the device, a first polarization sensitive deflector encompassing the normal input beam and a second polarization sensitive deflector encompassing the normal output beam is followed by a polarization interchanger that interchanges the polarization of beams traveling from the input to the output and leaves unchanged the polarization of beams traveling from the output to the input. This is, in turn, followed by a third polarization sensitive deflector encompassing the input beam and a fourth polarization sensitive deflector encompassing the output beam. Lastly, a lens having a reflector on the side opposite the input and output fibers reflects light beams from the input to the output and conversely.

Abstract: The invention provides a fiber-optic 2×2 switch using a dual-fiber 50:50 input coupler and a dual-fiber 50:50 output coupler. One fiber from each coupler makes contact to an inner transparent electrode on a planar layer of electro-optic material and the other fibers make contact to an outer transparent electrode on the layer. The electro-optic layer has its other side coated with a transparent electrode which is placed in optical contact with one end of a GRIN lens. The fibers are arranged so that the inner fibers are at conjugate points and the outer fibers also at conjugate points of the lens. The other end of the lens is coated with a mirror. Applying a voltage between either the inner or outer electrode changes the optical path length for the light from and to the fibers traveling through the material under the selected electrode causing the light from the two input fibers to be switched between the two output fibers. 2×N switches can be constructed by concatenating 2×2 switches.

Abstract: A solid state device used to modulate the intensity of reflected or transmitted light by modulating with an external voltage the optical thickness of a thin film ferroelectric placed in an etalon cavity is disclosed. The device is constructed by selecting a generally planar supporting substrate, preferably silicon or sapphire in order to be compatible with silicon integrated circuits. A dielectric stack consisting of alternating layers of different index of refraction materials, also specifically selected to be compatible with later growth of the thin film ferroelectric, is deposited thereon to form a partially reflective and partially transmitting mirror, followed by a transparent electrically conductive layer. The thin film ferroelectric is deposited on the conductive layer, followed by a second transparent conductive layer and a second dielectric stack. Leads are connected to the conductive layers and in turn to a voltage generator.

Abstract: There is provided a device for use with fiber-optic cables for polarization insensitive amplitude modulation of light comprising a planar electro-optic layer with a reflective conductive mirror electrode on one side and a pair of transparent conductive electrodes on the other. The transparent conductive electrodes have a small separation along a straight line. A GRIN lens has one end in optical contact with the transparent conductive electrodes with its axis located over the line separating the electrodes. An input optical fiber and an output optical fiber are placed in optical contact with the other end of the lens at points which are symmetrically displaced from the axis of the lens. Light coming from input fiber is collimated by the GRIN lens and directed to the transparent electrodes, through the electro-optic layer and to the mirror from which it is reflected and refocused by the GRIN lens onto the output fiber.

Abstract: An optical modulator is provided to control the intensity of a transmitted or reflected light. In a transmission mode, a separator splits arbitrarily polarized light into two polarization rays and one is made to travel a separate path from the other. A recombiner causes the two rays to recombine at an output unless an electro-optic phase retarder changes the polarization of the two rays, in which case, both of them miss the output by an amount which is a function of the voltage on the retarder. A normally-off version with low polarization mode dispersion is obtained by changing the orientation of the recombiner. A normally-on version with low polarization mode dispersion is obtained with a passive polarization direction rotator. Similar results can be obtained in a reflection mode where the input and output are on the same side of the modulator. Versions using a GRIN lens are particularly suited to modulation of light out of and back into fiber-optic cables.

Abstract: A system for aligning the optical components of a chemical analysis system in which capillaries or optical fibers are supported by a micromachined substrate. The system provides for alignment of elements of an electrophoresis system in an efficient high sampling rate capability.

Abstract: The invention provides a structure comprising a high temperature superconducting layer deposited on a ceramic polycrystalline ferrite plate suitable for making commercial microwave devices. In one embodiment, the high temperature superconductor is yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO), the ferrite is yttrium iron garnet (YIG), and the microwave device is a phase shifter. The method of making this embodiment comprises, polishing the YIG plate, depositing biaxially oriented yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) to form a crystalline template using an ion-beam-assisted-deposition technique, depositing a CeO.sub.2 lattice matching buffer layer using pulsed laser deposition, depositing YBCO using pulsed laser deposition, and annealing the YBCO in oxygen. Etching the YBCO to form a meanderline patterned waveguide results in a high figure-of-merit microwave phase shifter when the device is cooled with liquid nitrogen and an external magnetic field is applied.

Abstract: A system for aligning the optical components of a chemical analysis system in which capillaries or optical fibers are supported by a micromechanied substrate. The system provides for alignment of elements of an electrophoresis system in an efficient high sampling rate capability.