Abstract: Fiber Bragg writing devices comprising solid state lasers are provided. The solid state lasers comprise optical parametric oscillators and emit moderate peak-power output beams at wavelengths which are suitable for efficient production of fiber Bragg gratings without causing embrittlement of the optical waveguide. These solid state lasers generate output beams with wavelengths of approximately 240 nm, in order to match the primary absorption peak in the ultraviolet range for a typical optical waveguide. Some of these solid state lasers generate tunable wavelength beams using an optical parametric oscillator (“OPO”), then generate harmonics of these tunable beams. Other lasers mix the tunable beam with fixed wavelengths derived from the pump laser to reach the desired output wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical fibers and especially to optical fibers having microstructures in core and/or cladding region(s). The fibers may be utilized for dispersion compensation and non-linear applications.

Abstract: An optical router integrated in an InP-based substrate bonded to a single thermo-electric cooler for packet-based networks utilizing wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) on silica fibers. Input and output arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) respectively demultiplex and multiplex the WDM signals to and from multiple transmission fibers. Input and output wavelength converters are connected between the input and outputs AWGs and a switching AWG. The output converts may include a tunable laser and interferometer formed in the same substrate. The header information is preferably carried out-of-channel from the WDM data signals, either in the same fiber band or a different one. Photodetectors and laser diodes are formed in the same substrate.

Abstract: This invention discloses a novel method of manufacturing optical communications infrastructures that are implemented on a flat semiconductor wafer. This invention has the following characteristics which enable the efficient manufacturing of a combination of elements onto such a wafer: the inherent surface flatness, crystal purity and uniformity over a relatively large dimension for semiconductor wafers; the low cost and wide availability of such wafers; and the ability to combine several types of elements onto the wafer, on a very dense scale, and in a highly repeatable and mechanically aligned manner.

Abstract: An optical module that is easy to manufacture and may arrange and position an optical element mounting substrate and a package with high precision is provided. A substrate side positioning groove portion is formed in an optical element mounting surface of the optical element mounting substrate on which an optical element is mounted, and a package side positioning groove portion is formed in the package on which the optical element mounting substrate is arranged. The optical element mounting substrate and the package are overlapped with each other with the substrate side positioning groove portion and the package side positioning groove portion facing each other. An optical fiber that is a positioning member is inserted between the positioning groove portions. Thus, the optical element mounting substrate and the package are positioned relative to each other. The respective positioning groove portions on the substrate side and on the package side may readily be formed with high precision.

Abstract: A method of modulating an optical signal is provided comprising the steps of providing a first electric field in a first optical signal path, providing a second electric field in a second optical signal path, transmitting an optical signal along the first optical signal path and the second optical signal path, amplitude modulating the optical signal via the first electric field and the second electric field, and phase modulating the optical signal via the first electric field and the second electric field. A clock source and a data source are ANDed to provide a data modulated RF signal on an offset waveguide electrode for generating the first and second electric fields. The magnitude of the electric field of the first electric field in the first optical signal path is greater than the magnitude of the electric field of the second electric field in the second optical signal path.

Abstract: An optical switch is provided with an optical-fiber-arraying-member 1 in which a plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves 1a extending along radial directions of a virtual circle are radially formed in a predetermined surface of a base material, a plurality of array-side optical fibers 2 arrayed in the plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves 1a of the optical-fiber-arraying-member 1, and a moving-side optical fiber 4 to be selectively optically connected to either of the plurality of array-side optical fibers 2; the moving-side optical fiber 4 and the optical-fiber-arraying-member 1 are rotated relative to each other about a center axis 1o of the virtual circle, and the moving-side optical fiber 4 is selectively optically connected to the array-side optical fiber 2 selected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple core optical waveguide fiber having a negative total dispersion and negative total dispersion slope tailored to compensate the total dispersion of a typical high performance transmission fiber over a selected wavelength range. Also disclosed is a method of making the multiple core optical waveguide fiber and a compensated link using the multiple core fiber. The simplicity of the refractive index profiles of the constituent cores provides ease of manufacture of the multiple core structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encapsulating optoelectronic devices provides for accurately positioning and shaping an encapsulant by actively referencing the device die upon which the optoelectronic devices are formed. A molding tool is accurately aligned to the optoelectronic devices in the x, y and &thgr; directions using mechanical guides and is aligned in the z direction by actively referencing the device die. The shaped encapsulant is preferably an angled wedge having a minimum thickness over the optoelectronic devices to provide a high coupling efficiency and an increased thickness in other portions to fully encapsulate wire bond connections, for example. The method also provides for using the mechanical guides to align and couple optical fibers to the optoelectronic devices. In one exemplary embodiment, the end face of the optical fiber forms a conterminous interface with the top surface of the encapsulant, and the interface is obliquely angled with respect to the surface of the device die.

Abstract: Described is an optical cross-connect switch having substantially reduced polarization dependent loss in comparison to conventional optical cross-connect switches. The switch includes a first mirror array and a second mirror array defining a first array plane and a second array plane, respectively. The first mirror array reflects an array of optical beams received along a first optical axis to be substantially parallel to a second axis. The first array plane defines a pair of axes orthogonal to each of the first and second optical axes. One of the pair of axes is parallel to the first array plane. The second mirror array is positioned to receive the array of optical beams after reflection from the first mirror array such that the other of the pair of axes is parallel to the second array plane.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an optical switch is described. The method and system include providing a triple fiber collimator, a beam deflector and a reflector. The triple fiber collimator is for receiving an optical signal from a first fiber and outputting the optical signal to a second fiber or a third fiber. The beam deflector has a first portion and a second portion. The beam deflector resides between the reflector and the triple fiber collimator. The optical signal travels through the first portion of the beam deflector, is reflected by the reflector and is output over the second fiber when the beam deflector is in a first position. The optical signal travels through the second portion of the beam deflector, is reflected by the reflector and is output over the third fiber when the beam deflector is in a second position.

Abstract: A fiber optic wavelength switch that includes a front-end unit having optical ports for receiving and transmitting optical signals; a wavelength dispersion element (e.g., diffraction grating, prism, etc.) for defining a dispersion plane; a light redirecting element (e.g., spherical reflector) associated with the wavelength dispersion element; and an actuation array (e.g., MEMS) operative with the light redirecting element for tilting an optical signal substantially perpendicular to the dispersion plane defined by the wavelength dispersion element. The wavelength switch can be implemented as a one input/output port and several add/drop ports type device, which can add/drop wavelengths from/to the in/out port. The front-end unit having a fiber array coupled to a micro-lens array with optical signals from the micro-lens being directed by a further lens.

Abstract: Linear polarized light beams are separated by wavelength separation filters 28a, 28b, and 28c, and make incidence with every two wavelength components either into a polarized light conversion element 20b or into polarized light conversion element 20c, and the optical paths for the light beams separated into two by the polarized light conversion element 20a are joined to form one light beam path for every waveform component. The optical signals of the four wavelength components are reflected either by a mirror 31b or by a mirror 31c, are converged by such as a hologram lens 40c, and, after being reflected by a mirror 32, are detected for every wavelength component by the photo detector array 36.

Abstract: An optical communication module for optical signal transmission having a structure adopting folding at a filter and a process for producing the same is disclosed. An optical waveguide is formed as a straight waveguide for send/receive of an optical signal. A groove is formed on the optical waveguide substrate. The groove is preferably a V groove positioned diagonally to the axial center line of the substrate. The V groove is disposed in the same direction as an optical waveguide. The above construction can realize an optical send/receive module, which can eliminate the need to provide a bent waveguide, enables all waveguides to be constructed by a straight waveguide, has a small size, and can realize mass production at low cost.

Abstract: A hybrid active-passive signal bandpass filter comprising an active filter arranged in use to operate at a fundamental frequency which is a sub-multiple of a desired filter frequency of the bandpass filter, and a passive filter arranged in use to eliminate any pass bands in the frequency response of the active filter other than at the desired filter frequency for providing the pass band signal of the bandpass filter.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector including a ferrule that is compatible with a mini-MT ferrule and an E-ferrule and, if sized properly, an MT ferrule is provided. Additionally, a guide pin retention mechanism is provided that permits guide pins to be inserted in the field following assembly of the connector and polishing of the front face of the ferrule. The connector includes a ferrule having a shank and a first shoulder portion proximate one end of the shank. The first shoulder portion has a cross-sectional profile that is larger than the shank. The ferrule may also include a second shoulder portion proximate the first shoulder portion that is smaller in lateral cross-section than the first shoulder portion. The connector can also include a pin retainer for engaging guide pins that extend along the second shoulder portion.

Abstract: There are provided a glass substrate for mounting optical parts capable of mounting a plurality of optical parts having different diameters by positioning the optical parts precisely, comprising: a groove for securing a first optical part having a relatively small diameter among a plurality of optical parts, V-shaped grooves formed on either side of the groove for securing a first optical part, and a groove for securing a second optical part formed so that outer tapered sections of the V-shaped grooves become outer grooves for securing an optical part having a relatively large diameter among a plurality of optical parts; a method for producing the same, and an assembly using the substrate.

Abstract: A device for injecting light from one of a first group of optical fibers into a corresponding one of a second group of optical fibers includes a holder for locating each of the fibers in the first and second groups, a clamp for securing fibers in the second group to the holder, and a depressor for laterally displacing each of the fibers in the second group, thus forming a bend in each of the fibers in the second group. The maximum curvature in the bend occurs where the fibers in the second group exit the clamp. Light is injected from fibers in the first group into corresponding fibers in the second group at the point of maximum curvature. An optical gel may be used to used to promote optical coupling between fibers in the first group and fibers in the second group. The optical fibers in the second group may include a lens for focusing the light to be injected. The device can function in reverse to extract light from fibers in the second group into fibers in the first group.

Abstract: A groove assembly for holding at least one fiber optic. The assembly includes a base, a cover and a small carrier disposed between the base and the cover. The carrier has at least one groove. At least one fiber optic is disposed in this groove and terminates at an edge surface of the carrier. The base and cover have respective edge surfaces serving as attachment surfaces for attachment of the assembly to a planar lightwave circuit (PLC). The PLC has at least one waveguide terminating at an edge, to which the fiber requires alignment. The base and/or cover are preferably formed from a material enabling attachment to the PLC, e.g., transparent to energy used for curing an adhesive. The carrier is formed from material enabling a substantially more precise formation of the grooves, e.g., silicon.

Abstract: An optical communication line having optical fiber amplifiers including a pump laser can be configured to suppress the transmission of optical signals by reducing the power of the pump laser. In order that the portion of the line downstream of the amplifier can be monitored for fiber breaks causing only negligible crosstalk with a parallel working line, and with the elimination of the risk of mistaking reflections from a working line for light emitted by the standby amplifier, the light emitted by the standby amplifier is modulated by a low frequency control tone. The modulated laser light causes modulation of the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) generated in the amplifier to create a control tone. Monitoring means disposed at the end of the optical line detect this control tone and use this as the criteria for a functional connection downstream the amplifier.