Abstract: An M×N optical switching system has a plurality of M optical input ports, each of which is directs a respectively associated optical input beam along one of M spaced apart coplanar parallel input optical paths intersecting an optical coupling path. N optical output ports are installed of the input ports at spaced apart locations of the optical coupling path. Each optical output ports receives a respective optical signal along one of N spaced apart coplanar output optical paths that intersect the optical coupling path apart. M+N mirrors are alignable with a normal bisecting a common angle at a respective intersection of the M input optical paths and the N output optical paths with the optical coupling path. A plurality of actuators controllably move selected mirrors into and out of the optical coupling path, so as to cause an optical signal incident at a selected one of the M optical input ports to be coupled to a selected one of the N optical output ports.

Abstract: A multilayer optical fiber coupler for coupling optical radiation between an optical device and an optical fiber, including a first layer that has a fiber socket formed by photolithographic masking and etching to extend through said first layer, and a second layer bonded to the first layer. The first layer may comprise substantially single-crystal silicon. An optical fiber is inserted into the fiber socket to align the optical fiber precisely within the fiber socket. In one embodiment the optical fiber is a single mode fiber, and an optical focusing element formed on the second layer is aligned with the core of the single mode fiber. The second layer may comprise glass having an index of refraction that approximately matches the index of the optical fiber, and an optical epoxy is used to affix the optical fiber into the fiber socket and fill the gaps between the end face of the fiber and the second layer.

Abstract: A microsphere-based analytic chemistry system and method for making the same is disclosed in which microspheres or particles carrying bioactive agents may be combined randomly or in ordered fashion and dispersed on a substrate to form an array while maintaining the ability to identify the location of bioactive agents and particles within the array using an optically interrogatable, optical signature encoding scheme. A wide variety of modified substrates may be employed which provide either discrete or non-discrete sites for accommodating the microspheres in either random or patterned distributions. The substrates may be constructed from a variety of materials to form either two-dimensional or three-dimensional configurations. In a preferred embodiment, a modified fiber optic bundle or array is employed as a substrate to produce a high density array. The disclosed system and method have utility for detecting target analytes and screening large libraries of bioactive agents.

Abstract: A diffraction grating is disposed adjacent to a ridge waveguide formed on a substrate (cladding). Assumed that a light propagation direction at the waveguide is z, a direction of width of the waveguide is x, and ends of the diffraction grating of this embodiment is x=gmin when z=0 and x=gmax when z=L/2, the ends of the diffraction grating can be expressed as the following functions f(z). Namely, f(Z)=gmin+(gmax−gmin)×(2z/L)n when 0≦z≦L/2, and f(Z)=gmin+(gmax−gmin)×(2-2z/L)n when L/2≦z≦L, where n>1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembly of a printed circuit board (PCB) having surface mount technology (SMT) components and an optics device utilizes a compressive connector to clamp the optics device to the printed circuit board and resist side loads. A metallized particle interconnect or equivalent array interfaces a land grid array on the optics device with a land grid array on the PCB. The connector passes through the PCB and through a hole in an integrated heat sink of the optics device. A pair of optics devices may thus be mounted to opposing sides of the PCB in tandem. Fiber optic cables may be attached to the optics devices so that they lead out of the optics devices parallel to the PCB.

Abstract: An automatic fiber pigtailing machine (AFPM) is disclosed. The AFPM provides precise coupling between a fiber pigtail and an optoelectronic (OE) device based on the fidelity of signal transfer across a junction between the fiber and OE device. The AFPM uses a positioning system with a high frequency closed loop optical feedback of a modulated signal to/from the device under assembly (DUA). Local/global maximums in the fidelity of the modulated signal are correlated with relative orientations/alignment/positions of the various components of the DUA to determine the preferred orientation/alignment/positions between the various components for the completed assembly. In an embodiment of the invention the fiber optic extends from a first surface of a generally rectangular package and the electrical interface to the OE device is defined on a surface orthogonal to the first surface.

Abstract: A package for an electrical/optical component includes an optical component and one or more bridges of insulating material mounted in spaced relationship to the optical component. Electrical components are mounted on the bridge on a side opposite the optical component. Electrical connection from the electrical component to conductors on the side of the bridge facing the optical component is made by plated through-hole connections extending through the bridge. Relatively short electrical conductors are employed to interconnect the optical component with conductors formed on the bridge and to connecting pins extending from the package. In another embodiment, one or more bridges are positioned with electrical conductors of a bridge coupled in direct electrical contact with the connector pins using a conductive bonding agent, such as a conductive adhesive material or solder. In a further embodiment, the bridge includes a plurality of electrical contacts on a side facing an optical component within the package.

Abstract: In the capillary tube 22, the cross section of the outer surface is substantially square, and the cross section of the insertion hole 23 is substantially square. Sides La, Lb of the outer surface have high dimensional accuracy and the insertion hole 23 is made to allow two optical fibers 5, 6 to be inserted while adjoining each other and arranged in order therein. The phases of the outer surface and the insertion hole 23 are relatively offset with each other, so that angles &thgr;a, &thgr;b which the sides 23a, 23b of the insertion hole 23 form with flat surfaces 22a, 22b of the outer surface are acute angles of substantially 45°±0.5°. Consequently, the flat surface 22a becomes substantially parallel to the center line M that connects the centers of the cores 5a, 6a of the two optical fibers 5, 6 inserted in the insertion hole 23, and the flat surface 22b becomes substantially perpendicular to the center line M.

Abstract: A jacket for a communication cable is made from a resin that has high aspect ratio filler materials, and possibly coupling agents, dispersed therein. The fillers and the coupling agents reduce the post-extrusion shrinkage of the jacketing compound such that the strength members used in the communication cable need have only negligible compressive stiffness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a segmented core optical waveguide fiber having low total dispersion slope and negative total dispersion over an extended wavelength window. A wavelength window of particular interest is that in the range of about 1500 nm to 1600 nm. The waveguide fibers in accordance with the invention also have cabled cut off wavelength below about 1480 nm and attenuation at 1550 nm of less than 0.22 dB/km. Mode field diameter is maintained essentially at the nominal value for dispersion shifted waveguide fiber, i.e., 7.7 &mgr;m to 8.7 &mgr;m. Embodiments having a center segment and a first and a second annular segment are discussed in detail.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a thermo-optical device comprising a waveguiding structure (1) which comprises at least one input light path (2) and at least two output light paths (3,3′) forming a first y-splitter (4), at least one output light path (3,3′) being provided with primary heating elements (5,5′), characterised in that the output light paths (3,3′) are provided with an additional branch (6) forming a second y-splitter (7), wherein at least one of the branches (6,6′) is provided with a secondary heating element (8,8′). The additional branches (6) may be positioned in the opposite direction, such that in each of the second y-splitters (7) one branch (6′) coincides with one of the output light paths (3,3′) of the first y-splitter (4).

Abstract: Simultaneous bidirectional transmission type LD/PD module having a substrate, a signal transmitting part mounted on the substrate, a signal receiving part formed on the substrate, an end of a fiber communicating with a base station, a light waveguide coupling the fiber to the transmitting part and the receiving part, a filter separating the receiving signal light from the transmitting signal light and a resin mold package containing the substrate, the transmitting part, the receiving part, the filter and the lead frame. The receiving part is electromagnetically shielded with multihole metal members from the noise generated by the transmitting part. The resin penetrates through the holes and fully covers the receiving part.

Abstract: A soliton or soliton-like pulse-based optical communication system comprises a length of optical fibre divided into a plurality of sections arranged so that the average dispersion of the length of fibre is significantly different from the dispersion of each section.

Abstract: A coated fiber strand includes one or more coating layers located directly or indirectly on the strand and at least one heterogeneous region present in or on one or more of the coating layer(s). The heterogeneous region(s) preferably comprises a material useful for coding of the fiber. One particularly preferred embodiment relates to an optical fiber having a primary coating layer and a secondary coating layer where the heterogeneous region(s) defines one or more colored stripes in or on the secondary coating layer. A method for forming a coated fiber, such as an optical fiber, includes introducing at least one coating layer onto a fiber strand such that one or more coating layers directly or indirectly cover at least a portion of the surface of the strand. The method further includes introducing at least one heterogeneous region into or onto a coating layer(s). The fiber can then be treated, e.g., cured so as to provide a desired product. By this method, a desired functionality, e.g.

Abstract: An integrated planar Bragg grating is fabricated by depositing layers of material onto a negative expansion substrate to form a waveguide, which is held in mechanical tension with the substrate. A Bragg grating is then formed in the waveguide. As the temperature of the waveguide increases, the mechanical tension between the waveguide and the substrate is relieved, such that the peak reflection wavelength of the Bragg grating remains nearly constant.

Abstract: A fiber Optic circuit switch comprises elements constructed entirely from a coating layer on a substrate. A procedure for production of the fiber optic circuit switch is disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a lensed optical fiber (20) in which a lens is formed on the end face of an optical fiber to enhance the efficiency of optical coupling with a light beam. The tip end portion of an optical fiber (21) is formed with a lens (26) formed into a wedge shape having two slant portions (24) symmetrical with respect to an axis (Ac) of a core (22) and a plane portion (25) perpendicular to the axis of the core.

Abstract: An electronic circuit is formed on a wiring substrate capable of cross wiring, and an electrode of the wiring substrate and a connecting portion of a lead frame are electrically connected to each other without wire bonding. As a consequence, while the substrate size is enhanced, the wiring pitch is reduced, whereby the electronic circuit can have a larger area and a larger scale. Further, the difference between the thickness of the encapsulating resin on the upper surface of the lead frame from the upper surface of the wiring substrate and the thickness of the encapsulating resin on the lower surface of the lead frame is made smaller than the thickness of the wiring substrate, whereby the occurring stress is reduced, and the encapsulating resin is kept from being distorted or cracking. Here realized is an optical module having a configuration in which, while the electronic circuit has a larger scale, the stability and durability are maintained.

Abstract: A family of oil or fluid-based lubricants with an additive, for use in fabricating optical fiber cables having loose fibers or stacked optical fiber ribbons is disclosed. The additive, which can be either fumed silica, fumed alumina, or block polymers, lowers the surface tension and contact angle, and increases the viscosity and wettability of the lubricants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein polarization rotation in alkali vapors or other mediums is used for all-optical switching and digital logic and where the rate of operation is proportional to the amplitude of the pump field. High rates of speed are accomplished by Rabi flopping of the atomic states using a continuously operating monochromatic atomic beam as the pump.