Abstract: An optical switch for switching an optical path by changing the refractive index of the circumference of a light coupling region of a directional coupler is disclosed. Such a change is accomplished by a photochromic compound in the circumferential medium of the light coupling region. Such a photochromic compound when beamed with light of a specific wavelength undergoes a photochromic reaction which changes the refractive index of the circumferential medium of the light coupling region. Such a reaction is reversible when beamed with light of another specific wavelength.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector pair is provided, which includes a plug assembly and a receptacle. An optical connection can be repeatedly made and broken by insertion and withdrawal, repectively, of the plug assembly relative to the receptacle. The final alignment of the mating fiber ends is provided by a pair of silicon blocks, each having a guiding groove formed in one surface. One block is included in the receptacle, and the other block is included in the plug assembly. One fiber end is affixed in each groove. The act of inserting the plug assembly in the receptacle brings the grooved surfaces together such that each fiber is captured by the opposing groove.

Abstract: An electro-optic waveguide device (10) comprises an assembly of waveguides (30) connected to a common light input region (41) and forming a common far field diffraction pattern (44). The device (10) comprises an n.sup.+ GaAs substrate (14) bearing a waveguide lower cladding layer (16) of n.sup.+ Ga.sub.0.9 Al.sub.0.1 As, which is in turn surmounted by a waveguide core layer (18) of n.sup.- GaAs. The layer (18) has grooves (20) defining the waveguides (30), each of which has a respective Schottky contact (32). Each contact (32) is biased negative with respect to the substrate (14), which reverse biases the respective Schottky diode waveguide structure. The waveguide core layer (18) has electro-optic properties, and its refractive index varies with electric field. The phase of light emerging from each waveguide is therefore independently variable by means of its applied bias voltage.

Abstract: A mode converter comprises an a-axis LiNbO.sub.3 optical fiber exhibiting a ferroelectric bi-domain structure. The fiber is subject to an electrical field that induces a +.pi./2 phase retardation in one domain of the fiber and a -.pi./2 phase retardation in the other domain. A light signal launched in the fundamental mode of the fiber is converted into a light signal propagating in the second order mode. When the electrical field is selected so that the phase retardations are not multiples of .pi./2, the mode conversion is partial and the LiNbO.sub.3 fiber can operate as an optical switch or as an amplitude modulator. The mode converter can also be operated as a second harmonic generator. The fiber is heated to a phase matching temperature so that a signal launched in the fundamental mode of the fiber and at a frequency .omega. is converted to the second order mode at a frequency 2.omega.. The LiNbO.sub.3 fiber can also simultaneously operate as an optical switch and as a second harmonic generator.

Abstract: An integrated optical device including a direction coupler between first and second waveguides whereby to transfer light energy between the first and second waveguides, the directional coupler including a first region in which the first and second waveguides converge towards one another while the electromagnetic field regions associated with the waveguides interact, and a second region in which the first and second waveguides are merged into a single waveguide structure having at least twice the width of the first or second waveguide, the first and second regions being dimensioned to control or eliminate the dependence of the directional coupler upon polarization of light in the waveguides.

Abstract: Plug for fiber-optic waveguide with an optically active core, a jacket surrounding the core, as well as an outer coating arranged around it for detachable coupling to electro-optical components emitting high-energy laser light.

Abstract: Two sets of optical fiber ends to be connected are contained in opposing v-grooves in the respective interiors of a first (left) and a second (right) mating housings. In the unengaged position, the housing accesses are closed to protect the fibers. In the engaged position, the two housings form a protective enclosure. Each housing include mechanisms which are actuated by surface features of the other housing during mating engagement, to open the access doors to the housing interiors. Each fiber groove contains a fixed alignment ball whose center is on the fiber core axis. In the left housing, the v-groove in which the fiber and ball are contained, is formed on the underside of a pivotally mounted finger. When not engaged to the right housing, the finger is held in a retracted position. As the two housings engage, an actuator slidably mounted in the left housing is moved inwardly by contact with the right housing.

Abstract: The alignment of an optical fiber (2) with a light port (18) of an I/O chip (10) is facilitated by a fiber carrier (20) having a surface (22) in which a plurality of closely spaced, axially extending fiber carrying grooves (30) are formed. The end (4) of an optical fiber (2) is supported in a first narrower and shallower V-shaped groove segment (32) with the tip (6) of the fiber (2) extending in a cantilevered fashion over a second wider and deeper V-shaped groove segment (34) with the tip end face (8) in facing relationship with the I/O chip (10). A ground electrode (40) is disposed on a wall of the first groove segment (32) in contact with the received end 4 of the fiber (2) for electrically grounding the fiber. A pair of independently energizible actuator electrodes (42, 44) are disposed on opposed side walls of the second groove segment (34).

Abstract: Switch and system for the switching of integrated optical multichannels and switch production method. The switch comprises a substrate (2) supporting a buffer film (12), a recess (24) made in the buffer film and the substrate, one input microguide (18) and two adjacent output microguides (20, 22), the input and output microguides being disposed on both sides of the recess and orientated approximately along a first direction, a flexible girder (26) defined in the buffer film and equipped with a central microguide (32) over its entire length orientated along the first direction, this girder comprising one free extremity able to deform in the recess along a second direction parallel to the surface of the substrate and perpendicular to the first direction, the central microguide being situated in the prolongation of the input microguide, and excitation means (36, 38, 44, 46, 40, 48) to bring the free extremity of the central microguide of the girder into the prolongation of one of the output microguides.

Abstract: Metal pipes containing optical fibers are connected to each other directly or indirectly by use of a sleeve. In case of using the sleeve, the sleeve is connected at one end to one of the metal pipes, after the optical fibers are connected. Then, the sleeve is elongated by a predetermined length, so that the sleeve is connected at the other end to the other metal pipe. Consequently, no tensile stress resides in the connected optical fibers in the connected structure. When the metal pipes are connected directly to each other, one or both of the metal pipes are elongated, after the optical fibers are connected. Then, the metal pipes are connected by used of the elongated portions. Consequently, the same result is obtained as using the sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus connects a single-mode optical fiber in a transmitting side to a multi-mode optical fiber in a receiving side without a deterioration of baseband transmission characteristics. The apparatus optically connects the single-mode fiber to the multi-mode fiber with an optical axes displacement therebetween, so that an optical signal to a multi-mode optical fiber from a single mode optical fiber is incident in a steady state mode including not only lower mode, but higher mode. In one embodiment, the optical axes displacement is achieved by axial displacement between the single-mode fiber and multi-mode fiber. In another embodiment, the optical axes displacement is achieved by an angle displacement between the single-mode fiber and multi-mode fiber.

Abstract: Melt-processible copolymers of at least two halogenated comonomers from a defined class, especially perhalogenated comonomers, and particularly perfluorinated comonomers, of improved thermal stability are obtained by first contacting the copolymers with a stabilizing agent selected from bases (ammonia or amines) having a boiling point at normal pressure of at most 130.degree. C. and tertiary alcohols having up to 8 carbon atoms, to form an intermediate, drying the intermediate at about 70.degree.-150.degree. C., and fluorinating the intermediate at a temperature between 20.degree. C. and the lowest temperature at which the copolymer exhibits a solid state transistion, then removing excess fluorine and by-products and recovering the stabilized copolymer. Such stabilized copolymers are useful for a variety of technically important applications, including as cladding for optical fibers, substrates for electronic components, thermal laminates, pipes, tubes, and fittings, etc.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical switch for a sensor. The optical switch conducts radiation emitted from a radiation source into a fiber leading to the sensor and conducts radiation returning from this fiber onto an optoelectric receiver. The optical switch includes a filter having wavelength-dependent transmission and reflection characteristics as well as optical components for collimating or focusing. The optical components together with the filter define a component unit in the form of an acute angle optical switch. The optical switch also has a first beam splitter mounted downstream of the component for collimating the radiation emitted by the radiation source. The beam splitter splits off a component of the radiation emitted by the radiation source as a reference beam and the reference beam is guided via deflecting prisms and spacers to a second beam splitter.

Abstract: A means for encasing fiber optical cable is presented which provides both ease of installation and strength. The casing is made of two identical halves which are manufactured from standard angle iron. The two identical halves are joined together at the bottom by pinned hinges and at the top by off-set corresponding bolt holes and bolts. One end of the main casing has a male projection with bolt notches which is inserted into the female end of a second length of casing. The female end of the casing has bolt holes at the top and bottom. When bolts are inserted through the bolt holes and the outer female end is tightened about the inner male projection, a firm and secure connection between the two lengths of casing is accomplished. The pinned hinges on the bottom of the two halves allow the halves to open up so that the casing can be placed around the optical fiber cable. The two halves are then closed and clamped together to form a strong and permanent protection for the optical fiber cable.

Abstract: Efficient coupling between an optoelectronic device (13) and an optical fiber (15) is obtained by using different monocrystalline elements of different crystallographic orientation for mounting, respectively, the fiber and the optoelectronic device. For example, the crystallographic orientation of an upper monocrystalline element (17) is chosen such that a horizontal groove (20) for supporting the optical fiber and a reflecting surface (19) for directing light into the fiber may both be made by anisotropic etching. The crystallographic orientation of a lower monocrystalline silicon element is chosen such that appropriate etching will yield a mounting surface (23) for the optoelectronic device (13) which is suitable for directing light from the reflecting surface (19) into the optical fiber (15) with maximum efficiency. In one illustrative embodiment, the upper monocrystalline element (17) is {100} silicon, and the lower monocrystalline element (18) is {112} silicon.

Abstract: An optical interconnect for coupling a collimated free space light beam to a raised channel waveguide formed on a substrate. A modified graded index rod lens has a flattened polished surface parallel to its optical axis. The rod lens is positioned with the flattened surface adjacent the substrate and an endface spaced from the waveguide endface so that a collimated light beam entering the lens will be focused onto the waveguide endface.

Abstract: A unitary circuit structure has an electric and/or optical transmission medium. The structure includes at least one of an optical signal transmission medium (22), an electric signal transmission medium (1, 8, 21, 41), and an electric power transmission medium (23) which are insert-molded in a plastic which forms a housing (7, 24) for electronic and electric devices and parts. The circuit structure serves as both conductive circuits and housing so that the electronic and electric devices and parts can be wired and mounted at high density.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated optical preamplifier comprises an amplifying region, an optical detection region for detecting amplified light, and an optically transparent and electrically insulating isolation region interposed between the amplifying and optical detection regions. The amplifying region achieves reduced facet reflectivity by being designed to have a large spot size, single-traverse mode waveguide amplifier oriented at an angle with respect to a crystal plane through the preamplifier. The isolation region is preferably an air gap.

Abstract: An optical fiber link card communication module, and process for fabricating the module, where the module provides a parallel electrical interface to the user, facilitates high speed serial transmission of data over an optical data link, and contains a plurality of converters for performing conversions between both electrical and optical signals. A preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates fabricating the optical communication module on a single multilayer card with all the transmitter electrical components being located on one side of the card, all receiver electrical components being located on the other side of the card, and the transmitter and receiver components being separated by shielding layers in the card. By using two transmitter/receiver pairs (with the transmitters and receivers being located on respective sides of the card) an embodiment of the invention provides for double full duplex communications.

Abstract: A transparent substrate is covered with a metal layer which serves as an etch mask for forming a groove, and from which regions are formed which constitute electrodes. At least the groove and the adjacent areas of the substrate are then covered with a layer of a material having electrooptical properties, the material in the groove forming an optical waveguide.