Abstract: A monolithic ferrule/endcap/optical fiber structure is provided wherein an optical fiber is terminated in a ferrule and bonded by fusion to form a monolithic unit which minimizes optical loss and is typically capable of transmitting high power laser radiation, preferably on the order of 500 W and higher, without damage to the optical fiber and ferrule. Ferrule, endcap, optical fiber and fusible powder are composed of material of substantially the same physical characteristics such that, when all are fused together, the structure so formed is monolithic and the optical path is transparent.

Abstract: A monolithic ferrule/endcap/optical fiber structure is provided wherein an optical fiber is terminated in a ferrule and bonded by fusion to form a monolithic unit which minimizes optical loss and is typically capable of transmitting high power laser radiation, preferably on the order of 500 W and higher, without damage to the optical fiber and ferrule. Ferrule, endcap, optical fiber and fusible powder are composed of material of substantially the same physical characteristics such that, when all are fused together, the structure so formed is monolithic and the optical path is transparent.

Abstract: Devices and methods for equalizing the gain of an optical amplifier are described. For devices including harmonic filters that are controllable by amplitude control voltages and phase control voltages, techniques for controlling the amplitude control voltages and phase control voltages are presented. Additionally, device architectures are described by which an incoming optical signal is equalized to compensate for uneven gain in prior amplifiers or other optical components, and in which the incoming optical signal is received at a beam displacer and separated into orthogonal component beams, wherein the beams are counter-propagated through the equalizer in opposite directions through the same spatial path so as to minimize or eliminate the effects spatially dependent imperfections in the equalizer.

Abstract: An optical processing device includes a polarization modulator operable to change a polarization state of an input optical signal based at least in part on a control voltage applied to a liquid crystal material associated with the polarization modulator. The control voltage is based at least in part on a temperature of the liquid crystal material.

Abstract: An optical device for demultiplexing an optical signal comprises a grating that receives an optical signal comprising a plurality of wavelength channels, and generates a plurality of spatially separated light beams. Each light beam is associated with a particular wavelength channel. The optical device further comprises an optical element that at least partially compensates a temperature based frequency shift associated with the spatially separated light beams. The optical device further comprises a plurality of lenses and a plurality of fibers. The plurality of lenses are arranged such that a spacing between at least a pair of lenses is determined to at least partially compensate a non-linearity introduced by the grating. Each fiber is associated with a corresponding lens and receives a corresponding light beam. At least one fiber is placed a distance that is less than a focal length associated with its corresponding lens.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing device is presented utilizing a polarization-based filter to separate odd and even wavelengths, or upper and lower channels of an input optical signal. The wavelength filter first converts the input signal to a predetermined polarization. A series of birefringent waveplates provide a polarization-dependent optical transmission function such that the polarized beam is decomposed into a first beam component carrying the first spectral band at a first polarization and a second beam component carrying the second spectral band at a second, orthogonal polarization. A beam displacer spatially separates the beam components into a pair of orthogonally-polarized beams. A quarter-wave plate converts these orthogonally-polarized beams into a pair of circularly-polarized beams, which are reflected by a mirror back along parallel optical paths through the quarter-wave plate, beam displacer, and waveplates.

Abstract: An optical wavelength router separates an input signal into two complementary output signals. A beamsplitter of the wavelength router separates the input signal into a first beam and a second beam. A first resonator reflects the first beam producing a group delay that is dependent on wavelength. Similarly, a second resonator reflects the second beam. The center wavelength of the second resonator is offset relative to that of the first resonator by one half of the free spectral range of the first resonator, so that the resonance frequencies of the second resonator are matched to the anti-resonance frequencies of the first resonator. The beams reflected by the resonators interfere within the beamsplitter to produce two output signals containing complementary subsets of the spectrum of the input signal (e.g., even optical channels are routed to a first output port and the odd optical channels are routed to a second output port).

Abstract: A visual aid for individuals with color vision deficiencies comprises a pair of optical elements shaped to be placed in front of an individual's eyes. An interference coating is applied to one surface of each element, preferably the back surface. The interference coating comprises a stack of dielectric film of selected structure. The stack of interference films is structured to give the optical elements pre-selected spectral transmission curves. An anti-reflection coating may be applied to the front surface of each element.

Abstract: A photoemission radiant heater includes a chamber having an interior reflective surface, a first end and a second end; a means for generating photons within the chamber wherein photons are reflected off the interior reflective surface of the chamber; a black body means having a portion thereof located in a position to absorb radiant energy from within the reflective chamber; means for blowing air over the black body means wherein heat is transferred from the black body means to the air. A means for concentrating photons such as a lens or convex reflective shield may be included within the chamber and the black body means may be located either within the core of the chamber, or at a first end of the chamber where it may or may not contain a plurality of members which extend out of the chamber axially along the length of the chamber. Air is blown over the black body means to absorb energy therefrom.

Abstract: An optical microphone includes a vibrating membrane defining a diaphragm for receiving acoustic signals. An optical element such as a lens is attached for vibrating with the membrane in direct relationship with the acoustic input signals. Fixed fiber optic cables may be placed in alignment with the lens for directing the initial light toward the lens and transmit the directed light from the lens. A single or dual fiber optic geometry may be used with the vibrating lens.

Abstract: A planar unidirectional solid state laser is realized in non-birefringent (isotropic or cubic) material by inducing a reciprocal polarization rotation along a lasing path within the material through a mechanical stress or by modifying the material to change the index of refraction along the lasing path. Together with means for providing nonreciprocal polarization rotation, such as with the Faraday Effect, the invention enables construction of unidirectional lasers, and more specifically thick film, single-frequency CW or Q-switched tunable ring lasers, with the advantage of both flat and ring structures. A variable-output coupled solid state ring laser employing an evanescent wave output coupling in the form of a prism is also described.

Abstract: Plastic injection-compression multi-cavity molding of flash-free improved-cleanliness thermoplastic spectacle lenses (16) are suitable to be robotically dip hardcoated. Special spring-loaded (25, 26) molds having variable-volume mold cavities are used in an injection-compression molding process to form, without parting line flash, pairs of a wide range of differing optical power of polycarbonate Rx spectacle lenses (16). These pairs have special molded-on design features which are specially suited for full automation, starting with a novel way for ejection out of the mold into a takeout robot which is integrated via full automation with subsequent dip hardcoating. A molded-on tab with each pair of lenses is specially suited for manipulation by SCARA type robot.