Abstract: A high-density optical module system of the present invention comprises: a multi-tier housing assembly, multiple sliding tray assemblies engaged inside each of the multi-tier housing assembly and is moveable inwardly and outwardly within the multi-tier housing assembly with the handle bar; and a multiple rows of the multi-port modules arranged in horizontal arrays containing plural ports connected to the cable adaptors, wherein the multi-port modules are fastened into the sliding tray assembly. The height of the high-density optical module system is approximately 1 RU (19 inches) containing at least 216 LC or 108 SC multiple connector ports.

Abstract: A high-density optical module system of the present invention comprises: a multi-tier housing assembly, multiple sliding tray assemblies engaged inside each of the multi-tier housing assembly and is moveable inwardly and outwardly within the multi-tier housing assembly with the handle bar; and a multiple rows of the multi-port modules arranged in horizontal arrays containing plural ports connected to the cable adaptors, wherein the multi-port modules are fastened into the sliding tray assembly. The height of the high-density optical module system is approximately 1RU (19 inches) containing at least 216 LC or 108 SC multiple connector ports.

Abstract: A high-density optical module system of the present invention comprises: a multi-tier housing assembly, multiple sliding tray assemblies engaged inside each of the multi-tier housing assembly and is moveable inwardly and outwardly within the multi-tier housing assembly with the handle bar; and a multiple rows of the multi-port modules arranged in horizontal arrays containing plural ports connected to the cable adaptors, wherein the multi-port modules are fastened into the sliding tray assembly. The height of the high-density optical module system is approximately 1 RU (19 inches) containing at least 216 LC or 108 SC multiple connector ports.

Abstract: A high-density optical module system of the present invention comprises: a multi-tier housing assembly, multiple sliding tray assemblies engaged inside each of the multi-tier housing assembly and is moveable inwardly and outwardly within the multi-tier housing assembly with the handle bar; and a multiple rows of the multi-port modules arranged in horizontal arrays containing plural ports connected to the cable adaptors, wherein the multi-port modules are fastened into the sliding tray assembly. The height of the high-density optical module system is approximately 1RU (19 inches) containing at least 216 LC or 108 SC multiple connector ports.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface interaction type multimode optical fiber coupler. A representative embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of optical fibers with at least one having an expanded core section. Sections of the optical fibers including at least a portion of the expanded core sections are fused together forming a fused section. At least one of the optical fibers is suitable for multimode operations. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabrication an optical fiber coupler comprises: providing a plurality of optical fibers with at least one having an expanded core section; and maintaining sections of the optical fibers including at least a portion of the expanded core sections in contact and simultaneously heating at least a portion of the sections that are in contact to form a fused section until a predetermined end condition is reached.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface interaction type multimode optical fiber coupler. A representative embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of optical fibers with each having an expanded core section. The expanded core sections of the optical fibers are fused together forming a fused section. Each of the optical fibers is optically coupled with at least one other optical fiber primarily through surface interaction in the fused section. The optical fibers are suitable for multimode operations. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabrication an optical fiber coupler comprises: providing a plurality of optical fibers with each having an expanded core section; and maintaining at least a portion of the expanded core sections in contact and simultaneously heating at least a portion of the expanded core sections that are in contact to form a fused section until a predetermined end condition is reached.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a 1×N optical switch includes: a plurality of co-planar, parallel output optical fiber collimators oriented to receive light substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction; and a plurality of switching units each corresponding to an output collimator. Each switching unit includes a rhomboid switching prism movable between a first position and a second position, and a fixed right-angle reflector facing the output collimator. When the switching prism is in the first position, the switching prism receives a longitudinal light beam and directs the light beam to the reflector for transmission to the output collimator. When the switching prism is in the second position, the switching prism is situated out of a path of the light beam. The described configurations may be optically reversed to yield N×1 switches.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an optical switch includes multiple individually-retractable wedge switching prisms stacked in a longitudinal channel, corresponding plural transverse-translation rhomboid prisms extending transversely away from the longitudinal channel, and corresponding plural fiber collimators oriented longitudinally and aligned along a transverse line on both sides of the longitudinal channel. To switch light to a selected fiber collimator, its corresponding wedge switching prism is inserted in the longitudinal channel to deflect light to a corresponding transverse-translation prism and on to the selected fiber collimator; the other switching prisms are retracted from the channel. In some embodiments, longitudinally-adjacent switching prisms are oriented in opposite directions. A reverse-deflection wedge prism can be provided between each switching prism and its corresponding transverse-translation prism.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an optical module package includes a housing, a plurality of optical fiber cables connected to the housing, and optical fiber connectors terminating each cable. Each optical fiber cable may include an optical fiber, two concentric flexible protective tubes enclosing the fiber, and aramid (e.g. Kevlar®) fibers disposed between the protective tubes. Each protective tube is capable of longitudinally sliding relative to the optical fiber along at least part of the cable, to release stresses resulting from differential thermal expansion of the optical fiber and the protective tubes. Each optical fiber may be held fixed relative to the housing and distal connectors, and one or both of the ends of the protective tubes may be free to move. The protective tubes may also be held fixed relative to the housing, and the optical fiber(s) allowed to move within the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ruggedized optical fiber collimator. An embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, an optical fiber, a collimating lens system comprising at least one lens, and an inner tube. The optical fiber extends into the housing through the inner tube. The housing houses the inner tube and the collimating lens system. The optical fiber terminates in the housing. The housing, the optical fiber, the collimating lens system and the inner tube are arranged to perform the function of an optical fiber collimator. The inner tube is made from an optical fiber compatible material. Examples of the optical fiber compatible material include ruby, quartz, and sapphire.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an optical switch includes: a first dual-fiber collimator comprising a first pair of optical fibers; a second fiber collimator comprising an output optical fiber; a switching prism movable between a first position and a second position, and a first mirror facing the first collimator. In the first position, the switching prism directs light from an input fiber of the first collimator into the output fiber of the second collimator. In the second position, the switching prism is positioned out of an optical path of light emitted from the input fiber of the first collimator. The first mirror is aligned to reflect light from the input fiber of the first collimator into an output fiber of the first collimator when the switching prism is in the second position. The second collimator may be a dual-fiber collimator, and a second mirror may be placed facing the second collimator.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a motorized variable optical attenuator comprises an input fiber collimator; an output fiber collimator disposed substantially along the first collimator; and a right-angle reflector movable relative to the input collimator and the output collimator along a translation direction forming a non-zero angle with a direction of a light beam emitted by the input collimator. The reflector comprises two mutually-perpendicular reflective surfaces for sequentially reflecting the light beam emitted by the input collimator to the output collimator. A variable attenuation imparted by the attenuator on the light beam is determined by a position of the reflector relative to the input collimator and the output collimator, along the translation direction. The reflector preferably comprises a right-angle prism adhered to a nut mounted on a threaded axle driven by a stepper motor. The attenuator can achieve stable, ripple-free attenuation characteristics at insertion losses beyond ?40 dB.

Abstract: An improved optical isolator having a pre-aligned first and second collimator and a pre-aligned core assembly joined with the first collimator, the first and second collimators and core assembly all disposed within a housing tube. The core assembly is aligned with and joined directly to the first collimator and fits snugly within the housing tube. The second collimator fits within the housing tube such that it can be aligned with core assembly to minimize insertion loss. The first and second collimators are connected to the housing tube by solder joints, at least one of which is made from a low temperature solder. The core assembly includes a cylindrical permanent magnet, a pair of birefringent wedges and an optical rotator. The optical rotator is joined to a wedge on either side and the combined structure is affixed to the cylindrical permanent magnet.

Abstract: A 1×N optical switch includes an input fiber collimator, an x-y scanning device including two perpendicular galvanometer-driven rotatable mirrors, and a 2-D array of output fiber collimators arranged over an output surface so as to be aligned with a corresponding ray extending from the x-y scanning device. Each of the output fiber collimators corresponds to a unique pair of rotation angles of the two mirrors. The output surface can have a spherical curvature, or a curvature which accounts for the dependency of optical path on the angles of the two mirrors. The switch allows improved switching speeds, accuracy, and reduced and uniform insertion losses. The architecture can be used for N×M switches and N×M cross-connects.

Abstract: A mechanically-adjustable variable optical attenuator includes an azimuthally-tapering, rotatable beam attenuator. In a plane perpendicular to the light beam to be attenuated, the projection of the beam attenuator comprises a sharp distal tip, a proximal region, and a concave curved light-blocking surface narrowing from the proximal region to the distal tip. The extent of the beam attenuator obstructing the light beam is varied by rotating the beam attenuator about a rotation axis perpendicular to the light beam direction. The beam attenuator geometry allows achieving high resolutions while limiting the beam attenuator size. The attenuated light beam can be a single-mode or multi-mode light beam.

Abstract: An improved optical isolator having a pre-aligned first and second collimator and a pre-aligned core assembly joined with the first collimator, the first and second collimators and core assembly all disposed within a housing tube. The core assembly is aligned with and joined directly to the first collimator and fits snugly within the housing tube. The second collimator fits within the housing tube such that it can be aligned with core assembly to minimize insertion loss. The first and second collimators are connected to the housing tube by solder joints, at least one of which is made from a low temperature solder. The core assembly includes a cylindrical permanent magnet, a pair of birefringent wedges and an optical rotator. The optical rotator is joined to a wedge on either side and the combined structure is affixed to the cylindrical permanent magnet.

Abstract: A mechanically-adjustable variable optical attenuator includes a beam attenuator shaped as a concave quasi-cone. The beam attenuator has a sharp tip and a base, and can be rotationally symmetric with respect to a central axis extending between the tip and the base. The beam attenuator is positioned with its central axis perpendicular to the direction of the light beam to be attenuated. The extent of the beam attenuator obstructing the light beam is varied by moving the beam attenuator into and out of the light beam. The inwardly-curving, quasi-cone shape of the beam attenuator allows achieving a high resolution while limiting the beam attenuator size.