Abstract: Solar resistant fused silica optical fiber is made by heating the starter rod, drawing the fiber, and preferably immediately diffusing hydrogen into the fiber, then promptly covering the hydrogen diffused fiber with hermetic coating to trap the hydrogen within the fiber. The presence of hydrogen in the fiber neutralizes UV radiation induced defects and because the hydrogen can only migrate through the fiber ends, the life of the solar resistant fiber for transmission wavelengths is increased by several years over conventional solar resistant fiber.

Abstract: A passive optical-connection network having a protection configuration consists of at least two subnetworks (1, 2), each comprising an access node (1.1, 2.1), a feed network (1.2, 2.2), and a tree-shapedly branched access network (1.3, 2.3). According to this protection configuration there is coupled an end (1.7, 2.7) of a feed network (1, 2), both over a first set (s1) of switches by way of operational connections (1.22 and 2.22) to access ports (1.14 and 2.14) of the access network of the own subnetwork, and over a second set (s2) of switches by way of protection connections (1.23 and 2.23) to corresponding access ports (2.14 and 1.14) of the access network of another subnetwork. The advantage is that corresponding parts of neighbouring similar subnetworks may be used multiply in failure situations without duplicating costly network parts.

Abstract: Optical 1.times.N and N.times.N switching matrix has a tree structure. In the case of 1.times.N switching matrices having a tree structure, in which an optical input (1.sub.0) is connected to N outputs (1.sub.1) by means of an optical waveguide structure (1) which branches like a tree, and in which an optical changeover switch (4) is arranged in each junction point (3) of the waveguide structure, it is intended to improve the crosstalk suppression. To this end, in each case one gate switch (5) is assigned to each output (1.sub.1) for optional release and blocking of this output (1.sub.1) as a function of a switching state of the changeover switch (4) of a junction point (3) from which a branching waveguide (11) is connected to this output (1.sub.1). An N.times.N switching matrix, which is also described, having greatly improved crosstalk suppression can be obtained with such 1.times.N switching matrices. The switching matrix is used in optical communications networks, for example telecommunications networks.

Abstract: An electronic component (10) for aligning a light transmitting structure (19) such as an optical fiber or a waveguide, includes a semiconductor substrate (11) which contains or supports at least one semiconductor device (12). To provide electrical isolation and mechanical protection for the semiconductor device (12), a passivation layer (25) is disposed over the semiconductor substrate (11). At least one alignment feature (14) for the light transmitting structure (19) is provided over the passivation layer (25) and over the semiconductor device (12). The alignment feature (14) is manufactured simultaneously during a flip chip bump process which eliminates the necessity for extra processing steps while providing additional alignment functionality.

Abstract: A lens having at least one oxidized layer is provided. Numerous structures for the lens are discussed. Additionally, methods for manufacturing the lens are also discussed. The methods include: 1) variation in thickness of oxidizable layers; 2) variation in thickness of non-oxidizable layers; 3) variation in Al concentration of oxidizable layers; 4) variation in Al concentration of non-oxidizable layers; 5) variation in doping concentration of oxidizable layers; 6) use of interdiffusion between oxidizable and non-oxidizable; 7) local variation in ion implantation dose; and 8) variation in mesa diameter.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a tubular glass cladding with a central opening filled with a colloidal solution of quantum dots in a support medium. The quantum dots may be caused to produce luminescence in response to input optical radiation, for example to produce optical amplification or laser radiation. A waveguide with an active medium comprising colloidal quantum dots is provided.

Abstract: A splice tray for accommodating optical fibers comprises a body with a plurality of splice holders at fixed locations thereon, the body having fiber access points at which fiber can enter and leave the body. Fiber paths are provided on the body leading from the access points to and from each splice holder, and each holder is adapted to receive and hold a splice reinforcer within which a fiber splice is present. The length of fiber is accommodated on either side of the splice. An adapter is used with a clip-on power meter to take readings of the transmissivity of fibers stored on storage leaves mounted on the tray body.

Abstract: A vertical-cavity surface-emitting semiconductor laser has first and second semiconductor multi-layered films, an active layer, and third and fourth semiconductor multi-layered films which are piled up on a GaAs substrate in that order. Furthermore, the first film is formed by piling up Al.sub.x1 Ga.sub.1-x1 As layers (0.ltoreq.x1.ltoreq.1) and Al.sub.x2 Ga.sub.1-x2 As layers (0.ltoreq.x2.ltoreq.1) one after the other by turns. The second film is formed by piling up In.sub.x3 Ga.sub.1-x3 As.sub.y3 P.sub.1-y3 layers (0.ltoreq.x3, y3.ltoreq.1) and In.sub.x4 Ga.sub.1-x4 As.sub.y4 P.sub.1-y4 layers (0.ltoreq.x4, y4.ltoreq.1) one after the other by turns. The active layer is provided as an In.sub.x5 Ga.sub.1-x5 As.sub.y5 P.sub.1-y5 layer (0.ltoreq.x5, y5.ltoreq.1). The third film is formed by piling up In.sub.x6 Ga.sub.1-x6 AS.sub.y6 P.sub.1-y6 layers (0.ltoreq.x6, y6.ltoreq.1) and In.sub.x7 Ga.sub.1-x7 As.sub.y7 P.sub.1-y7 layers (0.ltoreq.x7, y7.ltoreq.1) one after the other by turns.

Abstract: A low cost and rugged apparatus for assessing damage to a ship's hull. Parallel optical fibers run along the ship's hull. If damage occurs, the fibers are broken and the breaks are detected by a centrally located unit. The location and extent of damage can be accurately determined. The fibers can also be used to detect fires and to convey operator induced alarm signals.

Abstract: An optical interconnection arrangement comprises a plurality of substantially parallel optical interconnection channels. In each channel, there are an optical source, an optical receiver, a first lens and a second lens. The first lens conveys light from the source to the second lens, and the second lens refocusses the light at the receiver. Each source and the associated first lens are offset one relative to the other by a predetermined distance in a direction transverse to an optical axis of the first lens. The corresponding receiver and the associated second lens are offset one relative to the other by the same distance but in the opposite direction to the offset between the source and first lens. Each offset is equal and opposite to the corresponding offset in an adjacent channel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a directional optical coupler including at least two optical guide cores (26, 28), in silica, lying on a cladding (24) in a mineral dielectric material, and a covering layer (30) in a polymer material, which covers the two optical guide cores, and whose index is less than that of the optical guide cores.

Abstract: The method builds upon the highly repeatable properties of commercial optical fiber, and using commercial fiber for the waveguides in a fabric of optical switches. The method describes assembly of the fabric, locating the intersections, and a structure for placing the mating resistor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor laser having light emitting wavelengths from blue to UV, more specifically a semiconductor laser which can form a laser resonator by perpendicular cleavage of the substrate and a method for fabricating the semiconductor laser. The semiconductor laser comprises a single crystal substrate 10 of cubic system, and an epitaxial crystal layer 12 with the laser resonator formed by cleavage planes 30 thereof. Cleavage planes 28 of the single crystal substrate 10 and the cleavage planes 30 of the epitaxial crystal layer 12 are not parallel with each other, and the intersection between the cleavage planes 30 of the epitaxial crystal layer 12 and the surface of the single crystal substrate substantially agrees with the intersection L between the cleavage planes 28 of the single crystal substrate 10 and the surface of the single crystal substrate 10.

Abstract: A plurality of lasers (having openings 170) are formed at predetermined positions at equal intervals on at least two main scanning lines on a semiconductor substrate 100. The lasers have each a predetermined beam diameter and take different positions in the main scanning direction, thereby providing a two-dimensional surface emitting laser array emitting laser beams through a lens system to form a pixel line with no gap on the main scanning line of an image formation face moving in the sub-scanning direction. The two-dimensional surface emission laser array is used to provide a laser beam scanner, a laser beam recorder, and a laser beam recording method.

Abstract: The present invention is a fiber optic cable connector for providing a low cost connector that provides strain relief to optical fibers without compromising an optical coupling. The cable connector has a connector body that has front and back ends. The front end of the cable body has a pair of latching members extending therefrom and a mounting post that also extends therefrom. The back end of the connector body is tapered to form a cable transition member. A connector body cover is provided to protect optical fibers residing between the connector body and the body cover. A fiber alignment block, or ferrule, is provided that has a fiber receiving surface for receiving at least one optical fiber and a connector body engagement surface and an optical interface surface. A plurality of alignment grooves are formed in the receiving surface for aligning the at least one optical fiber.

Abstract: A temperature compensating optical waveguide device including an optical fiber in which a grating formed of grating elements embedded within the fiber core reflects fiber-transmitted light within a range about a central wavelength that varies with temperature and with an axial strain applied to the grating. A top surface of a compensating member is affixed to a portion of the fiber that includes the grating and a tension adjusting member is connected to the compensating member. The tension adjusting member and the compensating member are formed of materials selected so that as the temperature of the device decreases, the tension adjusting member contracts more than the compensating member so as to control the deformation of the compensating member and thereby impose an axial strain on the grating.

Abstract: The invention concerns an integrated-optical channel waveguide and its applications as switch, modulator, and sensor. The channel waveguide is placed into or onto the flat substrate material and features a geometrically narrowly delimited channel-shaped structure, where the delimitation is located vertical to the propagation direction of the light. A single-mode integrated-optical wideband channel waveguide is described which is capable of guiding, e.g., light from the entire visible wavelength range in single-mode and effectively, that is, at low optical attenuation, and which thus represents a real single-mode white light channel waveguide. If required, the light can be switched and modulated, wavelength-dependent, or wavelength-independent, e.g. by electro-optical techniques. The channel waveguide is fabricated by means of basically known processes, e.g. by changing the refractive index.

Abstract: A pulsation laser includes an n-type AlGaAs cladding layer on an n-type GaAs substrate, three quantum well active layers having central increased thickness regions and disposed on the cladding layer, and a p-type AlGaAs cladding layer disposed on the quantum well active layer. The increased thickness region of the active layer is not more than one-quarter of the length of the resonator of the laser.

Abstract: An integrated optical circuit includes a first device and a second device, which devices are connected by a polarization convertor. The polarization convertor includes a curved section of a waveguide, integrated in the optical circuit. The curved section may have several differently curved subsections. The conversion ratio is determined in part by the radius of curvature of the curved subsections as well as by the number of transitions between subsections.

Abstract: An optical cable 10 includes a core tube 120 containing optical fibers 101 that extend along the longitudinal axis 105--105 of the cable, and a plastic jacket 160 that encloses the core tube. The cable has a high tensile stiffness which is provided by load sharing between a pair of rigid strength rods 141, 142 and a flexible strength tape 130. The strength rods are coupled to the plastic jacket so that they receive tensile loads applied to the plastic jacket. The strength rods also have a compressive stiffness for inhibiting contraction of the plastic jacket when it is cooled. The tape is made from an array of flexible strands 131 that are woven into a single unit, which is also coupled to the plastic jacket. The flexible strands are woven in such a manner that they exhibit minimum undulation in the longitudinal direction. More particularly, the percent excess length of the flexible strands (.epsilon..sub.s) is less than the percent excess length of the optical fiber (.epsilon..sub.f) plus one percent i.e., .