Abstract: A Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) and double-layer nozzle based high efficiency, lightweight, low cost, compact, portable fiber-optic connector cleaning apparatus useful for various fiber optic communications applications such as fiber optic cable plant maintenance. The double-layer nozzle design enables the delivery of compressed, filtered air and solvent to connector surfaces. A built-in MEMS pump sucks the air and solvent back to remove particles and contaminations without leaving residues and without scratching the connector surfaces. An interchangeable external needle allows the cleaner to quickly adapt to all kinds of fiber optic connectors. No disassembly is required. The connector cleaner is therefore both fast and effective at cleaning various male and female fiber optic connectors. The fiber optic connector cleaner with 3–5 cc solvent weighs less than half a pound and can be held and operated by one hand.

Abstract: Method and system for flattening tilt gain with a digital title gain equalizer (“DTGE”) constructed with a linear tilt optical filter (“LTOF”). In a first embodiment, a DTGE flattens tilt gain with a combination of LTOF and a rotative half-wave plate. In a second embodiment, a DTGE flattens tilt gain with a combination of LTOF and variable Faraday rotators.

Abstract: A planar 2×2 switch is provided for controllably coupling first and second input channels to first and second output channels. The switch includes a first reflector that is movable between a first position and a second position. When the first reflector is in its second position, it reflects light from the first input channel to the second output channel and reflects light from the second input channel to the first output channel. When the first reflection is in its first position, it does not affect the optical beams in the switch. Instead, these beams are reflected by a second reflector which has two reflective surfaces. The second reflector reflects light from the first input channel to the first output channel and reflects light from the second input channel to the second output channel. Switches having a larger number of input and output channels are also provided.