Abstract: A method and apparatus for examining internal components of a sealed container is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of attaching an acoustic sensor to an outer surface of the sealed container and moving the sealed container about at least one axis of the sealed container. An audio signal is received from the acoustic sensor, where the audio signal is generated by a component within the sealed container that is put into motion as a result of the step of moving the sealed container about the at least one axis. The audio signal is analyzed to determine the frequency of the signal. In an embodiment for an apparatus of the present invention, an acoustic sensor is attached to the sealed container. An amplifier is coupled to the acoustic sensor and receives an audio signal from the acoustic sensor. The audio signal is generated by a component within the sealed container that is put into motion as a result of movement of the sealed container.

Abstract: A desiccant package is provided that includes a housing having at least one opening. A desiccant material is located in the housing. A sealing element, which is secured over the opening, includes a water-permeable membrane. The sealing element reduces the rate at which moisture enters the desiccant container and prevents fine particles from escaping from the package.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning electrodes of an optical fiber splicing apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning apparatus includes a plurality of tungsten wires and a support member. The plurality of tungsten wires are coupled to the support member at a first end of the support member. The cleaning apparatus may also include a cover that is slidably disposed on the support member. The cover is slidable between a first position where the cover is disposed away from the plurality of tungsten wires and a second position where the plurality of tungsten wires are received within the cover.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the system performance of an optical transmission system that supports an optical signal having a plurality of channels. The method begins by selecting a set of parameters defining characteristics of the transmission system. Exemplary parameters include, for example, the system's length, bit rate, the number of amplifiers and channels employed, and the wavelengths of the channels and their respective power levels. The method continues by determining a baseline value of the system performance that accounts for fiber loss, optical amplifier gain and noise, and system gain equalization. Next, a first penalty to the baseline system performance is determined. The first penalty arises from a nonlinear interaction between the optical signal and amplified spontaneous emission. A second penalty to the baseline system performance is then determined. The second penalty arises from self-phase modulation and cross-phase modulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides pump energy to an optical fiber located along an optical transmission path. The optical fiber imparts Raman amplification to an optical signal traveling therein when pumped at a pump wavelength. In accordance with the method, a first beam of pump energy is generated at the pump wavelength of the optical signal and a second beam of pump energy at a wavelength one Raman Stokes order below the pump wavelength. The first beam of pump energy is introduced to the optical fiber so that it contrapropagates with respect to the optical signal. The second beam of pump energy is introduced to the optical fiber so that it co-propagates with respect to the optical signal. The second beam of pump energy does not pump the signal (thus minimizing noise) but rather serves to pump the first pump beam by the production of Raman Stokes- shifted light.