Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the present invention provides for a polymer comprised of a general composition. The polymer has a first rare earth element, a second rare earth element, one of the elements of Group VIA, one of the elements of Group VA, a first fully halogenated organic group, a second fully halogenated organic group. A method of manufacturing the polymer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A waveguide optical amplifier is disclosed. The waveguide optical amplifier includes a generally planar substrate and a lower cladding disposed on the substrate. A first barrier is disposed on the lower cladding and a core is disposed on at least a portion of the first barrier.

Abstract: A dual mode electronic amplifier controller is disclosed. The amplifier includes a first amplifier electronically connectable to an optical input signal and a second amplifier electronically connectable to an optical output signal. The first amplifier has a first output and the second amplifier has a second output. The amplifier controller further includes a microprocessor electronically connected to the first and second outputs. The microprocessor is adapted to operate in one of a first mode wherein the microprocessor compares functions of the first and second outputs and generates a first microprocessor output, and a second mode wherein the microprocessor compares the second output to a predetermined value and generates a second microprocessor output, such that, in either the first or second modes, each of the first and second microprocessor outputs is adapted to adjust electrical current to a laser.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier module is disclosed which comprises a signal path located between a signal input and a signal output. A WDM coupler and an amplifying gain medium are disposed along the signal path. A pump laser is disposed out of the signal path in a manner that allows a pump signal from the pump laser to reflect off the WDM coupler and enter the signal path. An embodiment utilizing a second WDM coupler and a second pump laser is also disclosed.

Abstract: A broadband optical amplifier is disclosed. The amplifier includes an input having a plurality of optical wavelengths, including optical wavelengths between 1610 and 1620 nanometers, and a first optical splitter optically connected to the input. The first optical splitter splits the input into a first band signal portion, a second band signal portion, and a third band signal portion. An amplifying portion is optically disposed along each of the first, second, and third band signal portions optically downstream from the first optical splitter. A first optical combiner is optically connected to the first, second, and third band signal portions to form an output. A method of amplifying a broadband optical signal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer blend is provided. The blend includes poly[2,2-bistrifluoromethyl-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene] and poly[2,2,4-trifluoro-5-trifluoromethoxy-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene]. A method of manufacturing the blend is also provided. An optical waveguide and a method of fabricating the optical waveguide using the polymer blend are also provided.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier module is disclosed which comprises a signal path locatee between a signal input and a signal output. A WDM coupler and an amplifying gain medium are disposed along the signal path. A pump laser is disposed out of the signal path in a manner that allows a pump signal from the pump laser to reflect off the WDM coupler and enter the signal path. An embodiment utilizing a second WDM coupler and a second pump laser is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is provided. The optical waveguide includes a polymer substrate and a lower cladding disposed on the substrate. The lower cladding is a first perhalogenated polymer. The optical waveguide also includes a core disposed on at least a portion of the lower cladding. A method of manufacturing the optical waveguide is also provided.

Abstract: A waveguide optical amplifier is disclosed. The waveguide optical amplifier includes a generally planar substrate and a lower cladding disposed on the substrate. A first barrier is disposed on the lower cladding and a core is disposed on at least a portion of the first barrier.

Abstract: A reconfigurable optical filter includes a polymer waveguide core, at least one optical grating formed within the waveguide core, waveguide cladding surrounding the waveguide core, and one or more temperature control elements capable of changing the temperature of the optical gratings. Changing the temperature of the gratings adjust the attenuation spectrum of the filter. A control system may be used to adjust the attenuation spectrum of the filter to achieve a desired output, which may include flattening the non-uniform gain of rare-earth optical amplifiers.

Abstract: A tunable waveguide laser includes a laser cavity with a length of polymer waveguide doped with rare-earth elements and having reflectors at either end. The output wavelength of the waveguide laser depends on the configuration of the reflectors, which are generally optical gratings. Temperature control elements, such as resistive heaters, are used to adjust the temperature of the reflectors. The change in temperature causes a change in the configuration of the reflectors resulting in a shift in output wavelength. The temperature of the reflectors are controlled to achieve a desired output wavelength.

Abstract: An L band optical amplifier in disclosed. The amplifier includes a signal line for transmitting a signal light in a first direction. The signal line includes an input, an output disposed optically downstream of the input, and a first amplifying gain medium optically disposed between the input and the output. A first laser is optically aligned with the first amplifying gain medium to transmit a first pump light to the first amplifying gain medium toward the output. A first reflector is disposed along the signal line between the first amplifying gain medium and the output to reflect a first bandwidth of light from the first amplifying gain medium back into the first amplifying gain medium. A second laser is optically aligned with the first amplifying gain medium to transmit a second pump light to the first amplifying gain medium toward the input.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the present invention provides for a polymer comprised of a general composition. The polymer has a first rare earth element, a second rare earth element, one of the elements of Group VIA, one of the elements of Group VA, a first fully halogenated organic group, a second fully halogenated organic group. A method of manufacturing the polymer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A planar optical waveguide is provided. The waveguide includes a substrate having a top surface, a first end, an opposing second end, and a first channel extending from the first end toward the second end along the top surface. The first channel has a first sidewall extending toward the second end, a second sidewall extending toward the second end, and an endwall engaging the first sidewall and the second sidewall. A cladding layer is disposed on the top surface of the substrate. A core is disposed within the cladding layer. The core has a first end generally co-planar with the endwall and a second end. A method of manufacturing the waveguide and connecting the waveguide to an optical fiber is also provided.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is disclosed. The waveguide includes a first cladding layer having a first exposed surface portion and a second surface portion generally opposing the first exposed surface portion, and a core disposed on a portion of the second surface portion. The core has a first end and a second end. The waveguide also includes a second cladding layer having a first exposed surface portion and a second surface portion generally opposing the first exposed surface portion. The second surface portion of the second cladding layer is disposed on the core and a remaining portion of the second surface portion of the first cladding layer. An optical waveguide assembly incorporating the optical waveguide and a method of manufacturing the waveguide are also disclosed.

Abstract: A planar optical waveguide is disclosed. The waveguide includes a substrate, a first cladding disposed on the substrate, and a first core disposed on a first portion of the first cladding. The first core is constructed from a first material. The optical waveguide also includes a second core disposed on a second portion of the first cladding, with the second core being constructed from a second material and a second cladding disposed on the first core, the second core, and a remaining portion of the first cladding. A method of manufacturing the waveguide is also disclosed.

Abstract: An L band optical amplifier in disclosed. The optical amplifier includes a signal line for transmitting a light signal in a first direction. The signal line has an input, an output disposed optically downstream of the input, and an amplifying gain medium optically disposed between the input and the output. The optical amplifier further includes a laser optically connected to the first amplifying gain medium and an apparatus for directing C band light generated in a second direction, opposite the first direction, into the amplifying gain medium.

Abstract: A channel waveguide optical amplifier is disclosed. The amplifier includes a substrate and an optical waveguide channel disposed on the substrate. The optical waveguide channel includes a first generally spiraling portion having a first free end and a first connected end, a second generally spiraling portion having a second free end and a second connected end, and a transition portion. The transition portion has a first transition section connected to the first connected end, a second transition section connected to the second connected end, and an inflection between the first and second transition sections. An amplifier assembly incorporating the channel waveguide and a method of amplifying a light signal are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual mode electronic amplifier controller is disclosed. The amplifier includes a first amplifier electronically connectable to an optical input signal and a second amplifier electronically connectable to an optical output signal. The first amplifier has a first output and the second amplifier has a second output. The amplifier controller further includes a microprocessor electronically connected to the first and second outputs. The microprocessor is adapted to operate in one of a first mode wherein the microprocessor compares functions of the first and second outputs and generates a first microprocessor output, and a second mode wherein the microprocessor compares the second output to a predetermined value and generates a second microprocessor output, such that, in either the first or second modes, each of the first and second microprocessor outputs is adapted to adjust electrical current to a laser.