Abstract: A configurable wavelength multiplexing device having first, second, and third reflectors. The first reflector has a first state in which it transmits incoming light (having first and second wavelengths) along a first transmitted path and a second state in which it reflects the light along a first reflected path. The second reflector reflects the first wavelength and transmits the second wavelength. The third reflector reflects the first wavelength. The first, second, and third reflectors are oriented so that when the incoming light is transmitted along the first transmitted path, the first wavelength is reflected by the second and third reflectors to travel along second and third reflected paths, the third reflected path intersects the first reflector at an angle such that the first wavelength is transmitted by the first reflector and continues on the first reflected path, and the second wavelength is transmitted by the second reflector.

Abstract: A light beam location adjustment device. The device includes a bulb and a bulb holder and a pivot mount. A reflector is directly attached to the pivot mount. A first pivot mechanism is provided to pivot the pivot mount about a first axis. The first pivot mechanism includes a hinge at the first axis with the pivot mechanism moved by a first adjustment pin. A second pivot mechanism is provided to pivot the pivot mount about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The second pivot mechanism includes a pivot connected to the pivot mount which will rotate the pivot mount in response to movement of the pivot.

Abstract: A device and method of manufacturing a single layer multi-state ultra-fast cholesteric liquid crystal includes two optically transparent states with a liquid crystal arranged therebetween, and changing the optical states of the liquid crystal ranging from one state to any combination of broadband reflection, tunable narrow band reflection, light scattering, and transparency in accordance with a voltage applied to the device. A surfactant can be added to reduce the response time and a dichroic dye may be added to include the property of light absorption and reduce the bandwidth. The device can provide any and all of the aforementioned optical states for infrared light, visible light, and ultra-violet light. The desired outputs can be formed according to need, so that predetermined optical states can operate with either no voltage or a particular voltage or voltage range.

Abstract: A rotatable light device having at least a pair of light bulbs. An elongated bulb housing retains the light bulbs. The bulb housing has an axis of rotation passing through a pair of opposed bushings, with at least one set of power supply wires extending from the bulbs through one of the bushings. A pivot bracket receives the bushings so that the bulb housing can rotate with respect to the bracket 360° about the axis. Alternate and replaceable fastening mechanisms are provided extending from the pivot bracket with the fastening mechanisms being detachable from the bracket.

Abstract: A laser diode package includes a heat sink, a laser diode, and an electrically nonconductive (i.e. insulative) substrate. The laser diode has an emitting surface and a reflective surface opposing the emitting surface. The laser diode further has first and second side surfaces between the emitting and reflective surfaces. The heat sink has an upper surface and a lower surface. The first side surface of the laser diode is attached to the heat sink adjacent to the upper surface. The substrate is attached to the lower surface of the heat sink. The heat sink is made of heat conducting metal such as copper and the substrate is preferably made from gallium arsenide. The substrate is soldered to the heat sink as is the laser diode bar. Due to the presence of the substrate at the lower end of the heat sink, each individual laser diode package has its own electrical isolation. Several packages can be easily attached together to form a laser diode array.

Abstract: A device for generating an electrical signal that is a function of the optical power in an optical fiber. The device is comprised of a support substrate, a fused, bi-conically-tapered splitter-coupler, and a glass bead securing an optical fiber extending from the splitter-coupler to the substrate. An opening in the glass bead forms a gap in the optical fiber. A light-sensitive device is disposed in the opening to receive light traveling through the optical fiber from the splitter-coupler.

Abstract: A multipole beamline magnet (10) includes a plurality of stationary poles (12) formed of ferromagnetic material and one or more permanent magnets (14) that are disposed between the plurality of stationary poles. Each of the permanent magnets supplies magnetomotive force to two adjacent stationary poles, so that the poles produce a magnetic field in a central space (16) defined by the poles. A mechanical axis (18) of the beamline magnet is defined to extend through the central space, perpendicularly to the plane defined by the poles and the magnets. The beamline magnet further includes a linear drive (20) that is adapted to move the permanent magnet(s) perpendicularly to the mechanical axis. Thus constructed, the beamline magnet produces a high-quality field using its stationary poles, and further allows for selective adjustment of the magnetic field strength and the magnetic centerline by collectively or selectively moving the permanent magnets.

Abstract: A passively cooled solid-state laser system for producing high-output power is set forth. The system includes an optics bench assembly containing a laser head assembly which generates a high-power laser beam. A laser medium heat sink assembly is positioned in thermal communication with the laser medium for conductively dissipating waste heat and controlling the temperature of the laser medium. A diode array heat sink assembly is positioned in thermal communication with the laser diode array assembly for conductively dissipating waste heat and controlling the temperature of the laser diode array assembly. The heat sink assemblies include heat exchangers with extending surfaces in intimate contact with phase change material. When the laser system is operating, the phase change material transitions from solid to liquid phase.

Abstract: A device for generating an electrical signal that is a function of the optical power in an optical fiber. The device is comprised of a support substrate, a fused, bi-conically-tapered splitter-coupler, and a glass bead securing an optical fiber extending from the splitter-coupler to the substrate. An opening in the glass bead forms a gap in the optical fiber. A light-sensitive device is disposed in the opening to receive light traveling through the optical fiber from the splitter-coupler.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a pivotally actuated tracer which traces an object (e.g., a frame mount of an eyeglass frame, a lens, or a lens pattern) while the object is held in a more-vertical-than-horizontal orientation. The control system comprises a trace control element and a gravity compensation element. The trace control element applies control signals to the pivotally actuated tracer. In response, the object engager of the tracer is pivotally actuated against and along the object to be traced with a biasing force toward the object. The gravity compensation element is adapted to compensate for the effects of gravity on the object engager by causing a varying pivoting force to be exerted on the object engager. The pivoting force varies depending on the rotational orientation of the object engager to keep the biasing force substantially constant along the object. Also provided is a data acquisition system for the tracer.

Abstract: A tunable laser system comprises an externalcavity laser diode in combination with an optically coupled waveguide having a Bragg grating formed therein. The laser diode provides a gain medium characterized by a first band of wavelengths. A portion of the fiber and the grating help define an external resonant cavity. The grating limits the wavelengths exiting the external cavity to a second band that is typically much narrower than the first band. The grating region of the waveguide is thermally coupled to a heating element having an associated temperature controller for controllably varying the temperature of the grating region and thus changing the optical pitch of the grating and thus the second band. The grating region of the waveguide can alternatively, or additionally, be subjected to acoustic energy to change the optical pitch of the grating.

Abstract: A multipole beamline magnet (10) includes a plurality of stationary poles (12) formed of ferromagnetic material and one or more permanent magnets (14) that are disposed between the plurality of stationary poles. Each of the permanent magnets supplies magnetomotive force to two adjacent stationary poles, so that the poles produce a magnetic field in a central space (16) defined by the poles. A mechanical axis (18) of the beamline magnet is defined to extend through the central space, perpendicularly to the plane defined by the poles and the magnets. The beamline magnet further includes a linear drive (20) that is adapted to move the permanent magnet(s) perpendicularly to the mechanical axis. Thus constructed, the beamline magnet produces a high-quality field using its stationary poles, and further allows for selective adjustment of the magnetic field strength and the magnetic centerline by collectively or selectively moving the permanent magnets.

Abstract: The non-blocking micro-optic switch matrix (NMSM) includes a plurality of optical routing elements (OREs) forming an M×N matrix. Each ORE of the plurality includes a first and second wafer prism having a gap disposed therebetween. A body of transparent solid material disposed in the gap has a contracted state at a first temperature and an expanded state at a second temperature. The contracted state defines an air gap in the path of light traveling along a first axis, causing light to be deflected along a second axis through total internal reflection. The first and second axes are at a non-zero angle with respect to one another. The expanded state of the transparent material removes the air gap disposed in the path of light traveling along the first axis allowing light to pass through the first wafer prism, through the body of transparent material and into the second wafer prism.

Abstract: A package for a fiber optic device or fiber optic component having at least one optical fiber extending therefrom. The package is comprised of a support substrate for supporting the optical device or optic component, the support substrate having at least one optical fiber extending therefrom. A housing surrounds the substrate and has an opening at one end. At least one optical fiber extends through the opening. A layer of metal seals the opening of each end of the tube and the glass fiber cladding where the optical fiber extends through the layer of metal. The layer of metal is applied using a thin film deposition process, such as ion-beam assisted deposition, electron-beam deposition, or ion-beam deposition.

Abstract: A axis alignment device has been provided which permits a laser beam to be precisely aligned with a gun bore whose axis is being projected, for the purpose of aligning an optical sight. The axis alignment tool's onepiece body inherently improves the accuracy of the design, while being adaptable to mate with a large variety of gun bore sizes. The alignment device includes a universal seating mechanism for mounting in a muzzle. A bore adapter fits over one end of the one-piece body and is adjusted to snugly fit inside the bore. The alignment devices is designed to operate with an array of bore adapters, that fit a corresponding array of bore diameters. The alignment device also includes a rotary switch which acts as a battery housing, so that batteries can be changed without the disassembly of the alignment device.

Abstract: A package for a fiber optic device or component comprised of an elongated support substrate for supporting an optical device or component having at least one optical fiber extending therefrom. The optical fiber has an inner glass core and a glass cladding surrounded by an outer buffer. An elongated glass tube is dimensioned to receive the support substrate. The glass tube has open ends. The at least one optical fiber extends through one of the open ends with the outer buffer removed from the optical fiber in the vicinity of the open end. A glass seal surrounds the inner glass fiber closing the open ends.

Abstract: An optical routing element (ORE) that can be incorporated into a variety of configurations, to provide the basis for such devices as crossbar switches, wavelength division multiplexers, and add/drop multiplexers. The ORE includes first, second, and third waveguide segments. The first and second waveguide segments extend along a common axis, and are separated by a routing region. The third waveguide segment extends from the routing region at a non-zero angle with respect to the common axis. The routing region is occupied by a selectively reflecting element that selectively reflects light based on a state of the element or a property of the light. The selectively reflecting element may be a thermal expansion element (TEE) or a wavelength-selective filter. A TEE has a body of material having contracted and expanded states at respective first and second temperatures.

Abstract: A passively cooled solid-state laser system for producing high-output power is set forth. The system includes an optics bench assembly containing a laser head assembly which generates a high-power laser beam. A laser medium heat sink assembly is positioned in thermal communication with the laser medium for conductively dissipating waste heat and controlling the temperature of the laser medium. A diode array heat sink assembly is positioned in thermal communication with the laser diode array assembly for conductively dissipating waste heat and controlling the temperature of the laser diode array assembly. The heat sink assemblies include heat exchangers with extending surfaces in intimate contact with phase change material. When the laser system is operating, the phase change material transitions from solid to liquid phase.