Abstract: A switching element defines a transmitting state and a reflecting state for a pair of intersecting waveguides that have a gap at their intersection. In the preferred embodiment, the switching element exhibits total internal reflection at the gap sidewall from one waveguide to the other when not in the transmitting state. In the transmitting state, index-matching liquid fills the gap, enabling light to continue in the original waveguide direction. The switching element may use ink jet techniques or bubble techniques to displace index-matching liquid. The index-matching fluid may be projected from a gap between the waveguides by a jet mechanism, or a vapor or dissolved gas bubble may be formed to fill the gap between the waveguides to provide the reflecting state for the switching element. Using either of the techniques, heaters are employed to initiate the switching operation. In some embodiments, more than one heater is utilized.

Abstract: An aerial enclosure for use in distributing above ground fiber optic communications signals from a signal source such as a central office to a customer site. The enclosure has first and second enclosure segments that can be separated to expose an enclosure interior where a termination panel is mounted that includes a row of terminal contact pairs to which copper cables are connected for routing conventional telecommunications signals away from the enclosure interior to a customer site. The enclosure includes a communications subsystem mounted within the enclosure having a first fiber optic portion for routing outgoing light signals to an optical network unit outside the enclosure for conversion to electrical signals. A copper portion of the communications subsystem incoming telecommunications signals back into the enclosure where they are redistributed from one or more of the plurality of terminal contact pairs by copper cables to one or more customer sites.

Abstract: A holder operative for inserting a fiber in a data communication system and method for using the same. The holder is adapted to connect a terminus of a first fiber to a terminus of a second fiber. The terminus of each fiber including an optical fiber surrounded by a ferrule. The ferrule is mounted within a plug member which has a shoulder portion. The holder includes a housing which has first and second openings formed therein. At least one chamber is formed in the housing and communicates with the first and second openings. The chamber is adapted to receive the termini of the first and second fibers. The holder also includes means for maintaining the termini in spaced apart relationship. In one embodiment, the termini are maintained in spaced apart relationship by means of two steps at spaced location within the chamber. The shoulder portion of each terminus seats against the step when the terminus is placed within the chamber.

Abstract: A CCD video scope is mounted in a camera head and has an image capture optical system defining an optical axis, and a half mirror with a light source offset from the optical axis and facing the half mirror, which coaxially defracts illumination light in relation to the optical axis. The resultant optical image is incident on a CCD element also lying on the optical axis. Bundled fibers are mounted between the light source and the half mirror, and have a diameter of less than 250.mu. and a length of 10 times or more the diameter. The light source has a light focusing lens with an exit angle equal to or less than the maximum light incident angle of the optical fiber elements.

Abstract: A single-mode optical waveguide comprises an optical core and a cladding surrounding the optical core having a predetermined refractive index. The core comprises a central area that has a refractive index lower than the predetermined refractive index and annular area around the central area that has a refractive index higher than the predetermined refractive index. Between the peripheral annular area and the cladding is at least one composite annular area made up of two successive annular areas respectively having refractive indices lower than and higher than the predetermined refractive index.

Abstract: The container for housing optical components (at least one active fibre, a plurality of passive optical components, a plurality of welds and optionally other special components) within a shell of an active fibre optical amplifier comprises a first box element for reception of the passive optical components, a second box element for reception of the active fibre and a third box element for reception of the welds. The three box elements are constrained in a removable manner one against the other so as to form a monolithic container structure.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to offer an optical fiber sensor for measuring pressure or displacement having a simple, compact and light-weight structure, which is capable of performing high-precision range, displacement and pressure measurements over a wide range of temperatures. The optical fiber sensor has a drive control circuit 2 which controls a laser diode 1 to emit a laser beam, which is then split by an optical fiber coupler 4. An optical fiber coupler 7 directs one portion of the split laser beam to an optical fiber 10, and the other portion to an optical fiber 16. A portion of the laser beam propagating through the optical fiber 10 is reflected at the end surface 10a of the optical fiber 10 as a reference beam, while the rest of the laser beam is reflected at a peripheral portion of a diaphragm 12 to be incident upon the end surface 10a as a reflected beam. The two beams form an interference beam which is then split by the optical fiber couple.sub.r 7.

Abstract: An optical fiber ferrule holding plate for an optical fiber end polishing apparatus for simultaneously polishing the end surfaces of a plurality of ferrules with optical fibers has an improved durability and workability. The optical fiber ferrule holding plate includes a ferrule outer periphery supporting member which is made of a hard burned ceramic member, and which includes, at the center thereof, an inserting hole for receiving the end outer periphery of the ferrule with an optical fiber and which receives and supports a plurality of ferrules with optical fibers. A holding plate main unit which has a plurality of through holes for receiving a plurality of ferrule outer periphery supporting members is provided, which receives, fixes, and supports the ferrules with optical fibers in the through holes.