Abstract: The invention concerns an integrated-optical junction splitter, in particular for applications in the wavelength range of visible light, which ensures a spatial and wideband combination of light in a wavelength spectrum .DELTA..lambda. greater than 75 nm (value given applies to short-wave visible light). In the case of a usable wavelength range comprising the entire spectrum of visible light, the junction splitter is a white light junction splitter. The junction splitter consists of at least three channel waveguides, at least one of which must be a single-mode integrated-optical wideband channel waveguide (SOWCW). Two channel waveguides each have a respective input and are combined into a common SOWCW at their outputs in a coupling point, which common SOWCW features a common light output at its end.This wideband junction splitter is used as a wavelength-selective or wavelength-independent switch or modulator, in interferometric and photometric devices, sensors, and microsystem-technical solutions.

Abstract: A step-gradient composite waveguide for evanescent sensing in fluorescent binding assays comprises a thick substrate layer having one or more thin film waveguide channels deposited thereon. In one embodiment, the substrate is silicon dioxide and the thin film is silicon oxynitride. Specific binding molecules having the property of binding with specificity to an analyte are immobilized on the surface of the thin film channels. In preferred embodiments, the composite waveguide further includes light input coupling means integrally adapted to the thin film channels. Such light coupling means can be a grating etched into the substrate prior to deposition of the thin film, or a waveguide coupler affixed to the upper surface of the thin film. The waveguide coupler has a thick input waveguide of high refractive index which receives the laser light through one end and propagates it by total internal reflection.

Abstract: An optical system is provided for coupling light from one optical waveguide to another. By offsetting the parallel optical axes of two GRIN lenses by a minimum of 50 .mu.m there is a significant reduction in unwanted effects from reflections. Furthermore etalon effects present in many optical coupling systems having parallel inwardly facing end-faces are reduced. The invention obviates the costly solution of for slanting one of the inwardly end-faces of the lens.

Abstract: In a light signal switching device including an input optical fiber via which a light signal is received. There are provided first and second output optical fibers each being doped with a rare-earth element, first and second pumping sources inputting exciting lights to the first and second output optical fibers, a drive controller driving the first and second pumping sources so that one of the exciting lights is applied to one of the first and second output optical fibers via which the light signal received from the input optical fiber is output.

Abstract: An optical isolator for passing light in a forward direction with greater intensity than reverse directed light, is provided. The device includes a conventional isolating means having at least two birefringent crystals, and a non-reciprocal rotating element disposed between the two crystals. The isolating means is disposed between two substantially collimating GRIN lenses, and a thermally expanded core (TEC) output optical fiber is coupled to one of the two lenses and an optical fiber having a thermally expanded core optically coupled to the other of the two collimating lenses. Unwanted reflected incident light is poorly coupled into the input TEC optical fiber due the angle of incidence at the fiber end.

Abstract: A diversion connector is disclosed for mating with an optical fiber of an associated fiber optic transmission means. The connector includes a body having an end face for mating with the associated fiber optic transmission means, the end face traversing the optic axis. A fiber section is mounted in the body and includes a front fiber end and a rear fiber end. The front fiber end is adapted for mating with an end of the optical fiber of the associated fiber optic transmission means. The rear fiber end is at an angle to the optic axis to prevent light energy transmitted by the optical fiber from being reflected back toward the fiber and to protect an operator's eyes from the transmitted light energy.

Abstract: An optical fiber splice housing is provided for connection to a distribution frame adjacent to the rear of an optical fiber raceway unit. The splice housing comprises a cabinet having a front end defining a cabinet height and a cabinet width and a rear end defining a rear facing opening. The front end of a cabinet is adapted for connection to a distribution frame adjacent the rear side of the raceway member, and the cabinet height is not greater than the raceway height while the cabinet width is not greater than the raceway width. The splice housing can therefore be connected to a distribution frame adjacent to the rear side of a raceway unit without using additional vertical space in the frame and access to a splice tray mounted on the splice tray shelf can be had through the rear facing opening of the cabinet.

Abstract: An optical device for sensing properties in an environment such as the presence of a substance or chemical in the zone to be monitored using optical components integrated on a microchip base or substrate. A preferred embodiment introduces a method for fabricating a miniature microchip chemical sensor by integrating a GaAs LED 14 with a polyimide waveguide 48 and a silicon photosensor 16 on the same chip. Light 18 is emitted at the edge of the GaAs LED 14. A portion of the light propagates is detected by a PIN diode 16. A chemical sensitive material 50 is coated on top of a polyimide waveguide 48. When the gas or chemical to which the material is sensitive appears, the light transmitted from the polyimide to air increases, thus the total signal sensed by the photodetector decreases, whereby the change in light signal indicates detection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for determing lumnescence with a planar dielectric optical sensor platform which consists of a transparent substrate to which a thin transparent waveguiding layer is applied, which sensor platform is provided with a coupling grating for the input-coupling of the excitation light and the refractive index of the substrate is lower than the refractive index of the waveguiding layer, by briging a liquid sample as superstrate into contact with the layer, and measuring the luminescence produced by substances having luminescence properties in the sample, or by substances having luminescence properties immobilized on the layer, optoelectronically. The invention also relates to the use of the process in quantitative affinity sensing and to the use thereof for the quantitative determination of luminescent constituents in optically turbid solutions, and to sensor platform for carrying out the process.

Abstract: An optical groundwire includes an organizer made of glass fibers held together in a matrix. A plurality of core tubes containing optical fibers are retained within the organizer. A plurality of conductors are wrapped about the organizer to form a sheath.

Abstract: A method of packaging a fiber optic coupler formed of a plurality of optical fibers having a coupled region at which electromagnetic waves are coupled therebetween and at least one lead portion extending from the coupled region. A protective body is provided having a receiving space therein. The coupled region and a portion of the at least one lead portion are positioned within the receiving space. A slack in the at least one lead portion is created by affixing two points of the portion of the at least one lead portion to said protective body. The slack is created between the two points.

Abstract: An optical planar waveguide wavelength division demultiplexer for separating multiple wavelengths received in a wavelength division multiplexed communication system is disclosed, with each wavelength launched into a separate output waveguide channel. Wavelength separation is performed by wavelength-selective angular back-reflection from Bragg gratings, which are fabricated into the channel junctions of the planar germania-enriched silica waveguide by applying short wavelength light past a mask. A second Bragg reflection, reflecting the same wavelength as the first Bragg grating, is introduced into each output channel circuit, in order to attenuate residual backscattered light at non-desired wavelengths. The Bragg grating is extended beyond the channel junctions into the merged channel for greater reflectivity, if required, for the double Bragg grating geometry.

Abstract: An optical coupling arrangement consist of a pair of strip-type optical waveguide end segments extending alongside one another and having ends arranged at a small distance from each other so that crosstalk can occur. In order to suppress the crosstalk at a point spaced from the ends of each of the end segments, the segments are arranged so that the distance from one another increases from the distance at the end as the distance from the end along said segments increases.

Abstract: A lightweight display system (10) includes an output matrix (34) of output terminals (28) of optical conductors (30) supported on a preferably flexible substrate (16) by terminal housings (20). Optical conductors (30) are collated into an input matrix (34) that receives light containing a source image (39) from projector (40). Light propagates through optical conductors (30) and exits output terminals (28) to form an enlarged display image (31) that corresponds to the source image. Preferred embodiments of display screen (12) are collapsible and facilitate transportation and reassembly.

Abstract: An encapsulated optocomponent (1) comprises a single-crystal silicon wafer (3) and waveguides (9) located thereon, which at least partly are manufactured by means of process methods taken from the methods for manufacturing electronic integrated circuits. The waveguides (9) extend from an edge of the optoelectronic component (1) to an optoelectronic, active or passive component (11) attached to the surface of the silicon wafer (3). Over the region for connecting the waveguides (9) to the optoelectronic component (11) a transparent plastics material is molded (17), for instance an elastomer, having a refractive index adjusted to improve the optical coupling between the waveguides (9) and the optoelectronic component (11). The molding (17) covers advantageously all of said component (11) to also reduce thermal stresses between it and an exterior, protective layer (19) of a curable plastics material. The molded layer (17) can also cover the whole area of the waveguides (9) to form an upper cladding thereof.

Abstract: An improved optical switch having a first optical fiber and a plurality of N optical fibers. The first optical fiber forms an optical path with any one of the N optical fibers by an alignment of a longitudinal axis of an end of the first optical fiber with a longitudinal axis of an end of the one of N optical fibers. A switch in optical path is performed by a relative movement of the first optical fiber with respect to the N optical fibers for a realignment of the longitudinal axis of the end of the first optical fiber with a longitudinal axis of an end of another one of the N optical fibers.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an absorber glass for FOP having a broad absorption band which extends from ultraviolet region through visible region to near infrared region. The absorber glass of the present invention contains 18 to 40% by weight of SiO.sub.2 and not smaller than 20% by weight of FeO and Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 in total.

Abstract: An adapter for securement to a terminus at an end of a fiber optic cable and which permits the terminus to be fitted within a connector with an effective environmental seal between the cable and the connector. The adapter is concentrically disposed about the fiber optic cable sheathing and engages the rearward end of the terminus. The adapter has an outer body with a forwardly projecting plug sized to fit within the open rearward end of the terminus. Thus, when the terminus is inserted into the connector, a tight environmental seal is maintained between the fiber optic cable and the connector.

Abstract: An optical module and a temperature control method therefor, wherein the optical module includes a light-emitting device, an optical waveguide, a cooling device for cooling the light-emitting device, and a package for containing the light-emitting device, one end portion of the optical waveguide and the cooling device, and wherein the light-emitting device and the optical waveguide are optically coupled to each other. The optical waveguide has a grating section formed at the one end portion contained in the package for selectively reflecting only light with a fixed wavelength, and the cooling device cools the grating section in addition to the light-emitting device.

Abstract: A fiber optic terminus assembly for use in a fiber optic connector is disclosed in which a gripper element and a radially deformable ferrule are compressed into gripping engagement with the optical fiber portion of an optical cable. A terminus body and a contact sleeve engage the outer layer of the optical cable and the ferrule and position the fiber at a preselected distance from a lens surface.