Abstract: A fiber optic proximity detector for use in sensing the relative position of an object or change thereof wherein the light is reflected by the target surface and returned along the transmitting fibers and utilized along with the reflected light returned along the receiving fibers so as to effect automatic surface reflectivity compensation with the detector being coupled to an optical extender to increase the working distance of the probe from the target.

Abstract: In a light beam scanning apparatus, two photodetectors are positioned in spaced relation by a predetermined distance within a scanning region in a main scanning direction. The start and the end of scanning in the main scanning direction are detected by the photodetectors. The scanning speed of a main scanning means is controlled so that a predetermined number of pulses of a pulse signal having a predetermined period are input within the time between the start and the end of scanning in the main scanning direction. Or, a single photodetector is positioned within the scanning region, and the scanning time from the start of scanning to the photodetector is detected by use of the photodetector. The initial position of scanning is controlled so that a predetermined number of pulses of the pulse signal having a predetermined period are input within the scanning time.

Abstract: An optical testing method and apparatus employing a non-interferometric technique, making use of axial intensity information, in which the intensity of the light pattern along the optical axis is calibrated to achieve improved measurement of spherical aberration.

Abstract: Apparatus for locally abstracting light from the core of a buffer coated optical fibre, especially a buffer coated single mode optical fibre, suitable for use when monitoring the fusion splicing of optical fibres comprises a body of perspex having at least three faces, an arcuate contact face adapted to bear against a smoothly curved length of buffer coated optical fibre, an exit face through which light entering the body through the contact face can emerge and a reflecting face which will reflect light entering the body through the contact face in a direction towards the exit face. Light emerging from the smoothly curved length of buffer coated optical fibre and passing through the contact face into the body will be directed and reflected towards the exit face from where it can pass into a light detector.

Abstract: Apparatus for injecting light into the core of a buffer coated optical fibre, especially a buffer coated single mode optical fibre, suitable for use when monitoring fusion splicing of optical fibres comprises a body of perspex having at least three faces, an arcuate contact face adapted to bear against a smoothly curved length of buffer coated optical fibre, an entry face through which light emitted by a light source is injected into the body in a direction towards the contact face, and a reflecting face which reflects injected light in a direction towards the contact face. Light injected through the entry face is directed and reflected towards the smoothly curved contact face from where it will pass through the buffer coating and cladding of an optical fibre against which the body bears into the core of the optical fibre. The body is inexpensive and operates efficiently with an inexpensive light emitting source.

Abstract: An optical fibre connector which can be connected or disconnected underwater without contamination of optical fibre termination lenses. When the connector is disconnected, the terminations of each connector element are disposed in respective chambers which are sealed by respective diaphragms. Upon connection the two diaphragms are brought into sealing contact and the terminations of one connector element caused to enter the chamber of the other connector element following penetration of both diaphragms.

Abstract: An optical wavelength demultiplexer is fabricated as an integral part of an integrated circuit chip. A waveguide in a common substrate having a chirped diffraction grating receives a number of wavelengths of optically modulated data from a single mode fiber. The wavelengths are diffracted from the plane of the lines of the grating into discrete beams angles through the substrate and impinge on appropriately located photodetectors. Signals provided by the detectors are fed to and processed by other integrated circuitry also contained on the chip. The common transparent substrate such as fused silica, glass, sapphire, lithium niobate or lithium tantalate mount semiconductor films of Si, Ge, GaAs or quanternary alloys that have the detectors and other integrated circuitry that are created by conventional CVD techniques.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable having an outer jacket, a central coaxial member and at least one buffer tube wound around the central coaxial member, the buffer tube holding at least one optical fiber, where the buffer tube is shaped to allow extensive movement of the fiber radial to the cable axis, but allows only slight movement of the fiber in other directions. The buffer tubes may be filled with a gel to cushion optical fibers within.

Abstract: An optically controlled integrated optical switch having a body made up of entirely crystalline silicon. More specifically, the body has a pair of channel waveguides intersecting at an X-like configuration forming therein an intersection crossover region. An electrically controlled optical source is positioned over the crossover region to shine intense, short wavelight on the crossover region in order to generate numerous electron-hole pairs in the waveguide material. These charge carriers alter the refractive index of the intersection region. A controllable current source is used to adjust the optical output power of the optical source. This, in turn, changes the amount of optical cross coupling of light between the intersecting waveguides.

Abstract: A guided-wave optical power divider having a body made entirely of crystalline silicon and wherein the crossover region of intersecting light guiding channels is doped with a predetermined amount of impurities. By appropriate use of impurities it is possible to create permanent optical power dividers in which a light beam is preselectively directed to follow a preselected path.

Abstract: In a plug-type optical fiber connector low loss can be achieved, without any active alignment of the fiber cores, if the two cylindrical plugs used in the connector are "contiguous" plugs, i.e., derived from contiguous segments of the tubular stock from which the plugs are produced, and if the plugs are arranged such that the "contiguous" ends of the plugs are the mating ends, and such that the rotational relationship between the plugs is substantially the one that existed prior to sectioning. The inventive connector comprises two contiguous plugs and includes features that permit identification of the contiguous ends and of the rotational relationship. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular stock is drawn glass stock, the two contiguous segments are left joined but scored circumferentially to permit easy separation in the field, with a longitudinal groove in the outer cylinder surface of the contiguous segments identifying the original rotational relationship.

Abstract: Device for sealing a container and process for detecting an attempted break-in with the aid device. In per se known manner, part of the fibres at one end of an optical fibre cable is masked and the other end of the cable is observed on illuminating the first end. According to the invention, the two cable ends are held in a seal, while masking is obtained either with the aid of a masking disk, or with the aid of a high-energy beam, which destroys the end of certain fibres. The second end of the cable is observed either with the aid of a camera, or with the aid of a sighting camera making it possible to mark the coordinates of the unilluminated fibres.

Abstract: A connecting structure for an optical conductor tube having an optical conductor rod inserted in a pipe to connect it vertically and in cascade fashion with another optical conductor tube and also having an inserted optical conductor rod. A transparent spacer of a diameter approximately equal to that of the optical conductor rods is interposed between them and the circumferential portion of the spacer has arc-shaped notches at a plurality of locations thereon. The notches have a transparent support arm engaged therewith and are elongated toward the pipe. The support arm is fixed clippingly by the flange.

Abstract: An integrated flexible optical transducer element includes an elongate substrate having parallel surfaces. Optical waveguides are disposed on the surfaces. The surfaces are tapered at least at one end of the substrate.

Abstract: Adjustment of color density of a color picture to be recorded on a photosensitive material is performed in a color picture output device in such a manner that a test pattern print is outputted from the device and the density of the test pattern print is then compared with a standard pattern plate preliminarily prepared. After the actual output picture color density is measured by the standard pattern plate, the gain and offset for obtaining the standard density can be automatically calculated so as to thereby perform in smooth and high speed color picture outputting operation.

Abstract: A metal-encased light conductor having a continuous pressure boundary seal capable of use to transmit light signals in an environment having a pressure up to about 5000 psi based on a sealing length of a minimum of 6 inches and a temperature falling in the range of from about -40.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C., and comprising a core/clad optical fiber, coated with polyimide, surrounded by a jacket of thermoplastic resin on which there is a cured film of epoxy resin, and compressed by a surrounding mechanically reduced ductile metal sheath.

Abstract: A light waveguide plug connector having a plug sleeve receiving plug pins from opposite ends to form a connection characterized by the plug sleeve being provided with elements to enable securing the connector to a supporting frame and each of the plug pins being provided with elements that enable either guiding the plug pin as it is inserted into the plug sleeve, securing the plug pin in an aperture of a partition or wall or securing the plug pin to the plug sleeve.

Abstract: Improved ferroelectric ceramic electrooptical substrate materials are provided for use in electrooptic devices utilizing millimeter wavelengths. The ferroelectric ceramics are characterized by transition temperatures in the range of 50-90 K and are selected from the following families of compositions: (1) (Ba.sub.x Sr.sub.1-x) TiO.sub.3, and (2) (Pb.sub.y Cd.sub.1-y).sub.2 (Ta.sub.z Nb.sub.1-z).sub.2 O.sub.7 ; where x is greater than 0 and less than 1, and y and z are numbers in the range of from 0 to 1.

Abstract: An improved cable having a cable core received in an outside jacket characterized by a wax layer being deposited on the outside jacket to improve the gliding properties of the jacket. The wax layer can be provided from either a solution of the wax or from melted wax in container and preferably is applied subsequent to the extrusion of the outside jacket onto the cable core.

Abstract: Phase locked, pulsed oscillator apparatus, for example, for radar use, comprises a pulsed r.f. oscillator, a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) generator and a pulse shaping network. The PRF generator pulsed output signal of frequency, f.sub.1, is reshaped by the pulse shaping network to provide to the input gate of the r.f. oscillator a train of triggering pulses each having a very fast rise time, t.sub.r, which caues the triggering pulses to exhibit significant harmonic power near the r.f. oscillator's free running frequency, f.sub.FR. The reshaped pulses provided by the pulse shaping network gate the r.f. oscillator on and off and cause coherency of the pulsed oscillator output signal relative to the PRF generator output signal. The reshaped pulse rise time, t.sub.r, is preferably less than about 3-4, and more preferably is about two, times the oscillator output signal period, l/f.sub.FR. The peak turn on voltage, V.sub.p, of the reshaped pulses is preferably about twice the average voltage, V.sub.