Abstract: An optical coupling device for a node in a self-healing optical network, wherein the number of switching elements is reduced by using a novel type of optical 2.times.2-switch. The switch has two switching states: (i) a bar state (ss1) in which a first and a second main port are optically coupled through to a first and a second secondary port, respectively; and (ii) a half-cross state (ss2) in which the main ports are coupled through to one another and in which the secondary ports are not involved in any through-coupling. An integrated design of the switch is based on two asymmetric Y-junctions coupled to one another via a common side branch in which electrodes are active in order to vary the propagation constant. Accordingly, a compact, integrated version of the optical coupling device with only two switching elements can be achieved.

Abstract: An optical coupling system and optical module having a light emitting device for emitting light having different beam spread angles in vertical and horizontal directions. The optical coupling system and module include a first lens for changing the emitted light into parallel rays, a beam shaping and aberration correction device for expanding or contracting a beam cross section of the parallel rays only in a horizontal or vertical direction and for correcting for aberration. Further, a second lens is provided for converging the shaped aberration corrected beam onto an optical fiber for receiving the converged light with an improved coupling efficiency. The aberration correction corrects for astigmatism.

Abstract: An optical system (22) contains an optical waveguide (10) having cladding layers (11, 12) defining a channel (19) that is filled with an optically conductive core material (20). The index of refraction of the optically conductive core material (20) is greater than the index of refraction of the cladding layers (11, 12) to maintain total internal reflection of an input light beam (39). The channel (19) is tapered at an angle (32) to increase beam divergence of the input light beam (39). The beam divergence is increased while the input light beam (39) is reflected through the optically conductive core material (20) from an opening (26) to an exit (27) of the channel (19). The taper of the channel (19) maintains an adiabatic characteristic for the waveguide (10).

Abstract: An elongated optical transmission element has a plurality of light waveguides which are continuously mechanically connected to one another in various planes to form a structure extending in a longitudinal direction so that the cohesion between waveguides is essentially obtained by connections on the inside of the structure. The structure can be used in an optical and/or electrical lead and is used in optical and/or electrical cables.

Abstract: An acousto-optic modulator arrangement includes an optical waveguide, such as an optical fiber, coupled to a substrate having an acoustic transducer formed thereon, by an acoustically-compatible solder composition. An acoustically-compatible solder composition provides advantageously low power reflections at the substrate-solder and solder-optical waveguide interfaces for acoustic waves generated by the transducer. Such propagated acoustic waves are then useable to modulate a light signal propagating through the waveguide by an acousto-optic effect with an advantageous modulation efficiency.

Abstract: A package for containing a high speed electronic assembly has a small physical size, shielding, pluggability, and is capable of operating at multigigabit transmission rates. The package includes a module and a cover which covers at least the top of the module. An optical assembly and a circuit packaging are inserted into the module. The package, with an appropriate cover, can be removed and inserted without disturbing other packages secured on the board. The circuit packaging is electrically connected to the board through bump connectors, while the circuit packaging itself supplies a normal force for insuring the bump connectors are in contact with the board. The package is attached to the board using an attachment member which is separate from the bump connectors. The bump connectors facilitate high speed transmission.

Abstract: A vertical routing and storage apparatus for optical fibers is provided comprising an upright member having front and rear vertical faces, a plurality of front channel assemblies adjustably mounted to the front vertical face, and a plurality of rear channel assemblies mounted to the rear vertical face. The upright member is adapted for connection to a supporting frame member and has a plurality of vertically oriented slots formed in the front vertical face. Each front channel assembly has a vertical position which is a adjustable through a range of vertical positions corresponding to the vertical extent of one of the vertical slots. Optical fibers can be routed vertically through the front and rear channels of the routing and storage apparatus and the vertical positions and spacing of the front channel assemblies can be adjusted to advantageously correspond to the vertical positions of optical fiber source equipment adjacent to the front of the apparatus.

Abstract: A transition waveguide is provided between one main waveguide and two branching waveguides. The transition waveguide includes a stepped portion, of which the waveguide width suddenly slightly spreads stepwise with respect to the distal end portion of the main waveguide, and an extension portion extending from the stepped portion toward the branching waveguides. The waveguide width of the extension portion is substantially fixed or gradually increased in a region ranging from the stepped portion to the branching waveguides.

Abstract: A chuck assembly for gripping and rotating an optical fiber has a chuck body including a bearing and a journal fitted rotatably in the bearing and defining a bore for receiving the optical fiber with a clearance fit. Water is supplied to the clearance between the optical fiber and the journal and is frozen in situ, thereby securing the optical fiber against movement relative to the journal.

Abstract: An optical device includes a common carrier, a first optical component and a second optical component that are supported by the common carrier, the first optical component being placed on the common carrier. This common carrier includes the following on a main surface thereof. The common carrier includes a first guide groove in which the second optical component is placed, a first beam passing groove extending from a vicinity of the first optical component along an optical axis so that a light beam emitted from the first optical component travels in the beam passing groove. The common carrier includes a second groove which is connected to the first guide groove and the first beam passing groove and extends in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the second groove allowing the light beam to travel at a position lower than the main surface of the common carrier without being shaded.

Abstract: A method for efficiently coupling beams from semiconductor lasers into optical fibers is presented which provides optical fibers with a modified end surface for efficient coupling. The method comprises a combination of shaping of the fiber end face and of axially varying the refractive index of the fiber end face material as a function of the distance from fiber end face surface. One preferred embodiment employs an axial gradient-index lens (AGRIN lens) fabricated directly on the fiber end face to improve coupling a laser beam into the fiber. The method can also be used in other applications where optical fibers having spherical or more complicated surfaces of their end faces need to be fabricated.

Abstract: An intensity modulator having a Mach-Zehnder structure with first and second waveguide arms formed of an electro-optic polymer. The active molecules of the waveguide arms are poled in first and second different and substantially orthogonal directions. Electrodes are arranged to receive a modulating voltage and generate first and second electric fields which are respectively aligned with the first and second directions. As a consequence, the modulation depth of an optical signal which is transmitted through the modulator is substantially insensitive to the polarization of the signal. Other embodiments combine mode splitters and combiners with first and second Mach-Zehnder modulators which have electro-optic polymer waveguides. The active molecules of the arms of the two Mach-Zehnder modulators are poled in orthogonal directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical unit for an optical fiber telecommunications cable, the unit comprising a tube of a plastics material in which at least one optical fiber is loosely received, wherein the thickness of said tube is less than or equal to 0.5 mm, and wherein said material has a modulus of elasticity less than 1500 MPa at 20.degree. C. and a stress/elongation curve without a yield point.

Abstract: A universal coupling device compatible with several industry-standard fiber optic connector styles to releasably couple the axial ferrule of one such connector in optical communication with the ferrule of another connector of the same or different style, or with the connector port of industry-standard test equipment. The device includes a split-spring bushing for receiving, in frictional engagement, a standard ferrule in either or both ends, and housing means defining a cavity closely surrounding the bushing and having coaxial bores aligned with the busing. The housing means is formed in two sections, mutually engageable by threaded or snap-fit connection. A spacer member may be positioned in the bushing to provide an air gap for controlled attenuation of light passing through the fibers of ferrules coupled by the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved optical fiber cable connector including a housing having a through hole to permit insertion of an end of an optical fiber cable, and a retaining portion to fix the optical fiber cable within the housing. The retaining portion is integrally connected to the housing in such a way that it may be yieldingly sheared and separated from the housing when pressed down, thus permitting the retaining portion to enter the through hole of the housing and engage the optical fiber cable within the housing.

Abstract: The optical coupler couples light output from the single fiber optic into the fiber optic bundle while preserving the numerical aperture of the beam output from the single fiber optic. The optical coupler also preserves any uniformity in s the beam output from the single fiber optic. The optical coupler includes a collimating device such as a magnifying lens and a diffusing device such as a hemispherical lens array. The collimating device collimates the beam output from the single fiber optic into a parallel beam having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the fiber optic bundle. The diffuser device diverges the collimated beam for input into the fiber optic bundle by an amount sufficient to reproduce the numerical aperture of light output from the single fiber optic. A wide variety of optical diffuser devices are disclosed, including spherical convex lens arrays, cylindrical lens arrays, pyramidal lens arrays and fresnel lenses.

Abstract: A light-emitting module has a laser diode (LD) held on an LD holder, and a lens contained in a lens barrel held on a lens holder. The LD holder and the lens holder are combined so that the optical axis of a laser beam emitted by the laser diode is aligned with the optical axis of the lens. The lens holder is provided in its outlet portion with an aperture to adjust the fiber-side NA of the lens to 0.08 or below. Thus, the laser beam can be focused on an inlet end surface of an optical fiber in a spot of a relatively great diameter.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable comprises a slender base body having spiral grooves formed on the outer circumferential surface, and at least one optical fiber tape housed within each of said grooves, said tape including a plurality of insulated optical fibers and a resin coating layer covering said optical fibers. The base body is formed of a mixture of at least two materials differing from each other in the molecular weight distribution. The particular construction permits markedly suppressing an increase of transmission loss derived from micro-bend occurring in the optical fiber tape arranged within the base body, and also permits arranging optical fiber tapes within the base body at a higher density.

Abstract: The demultiplexer comprises a diffraction space defined by a reception surface coupled to a grating. In order to obtain output waves of flattened spectral response, the input waveguide and the reception surface are dimensioned so that the input wave diffracts over said surface and presents a plurality of secondary lobes. The demultiplexer is particularly applicable to optical communications systems with wavelength multiplexing.

Abstract: A wavelength selective acousto-optical waveguide device comprises a first and a second optical path in an optical waveguide having a length different by an amount corresponding to a value d=.+-..lambda.(k +m) where d is the difference between the optical paths of the two waveguides, .lambda. is the wavelength of the optical signal, k is a number greater than 0 and less than 1; and m is 0 or a whole number, so as to create a phase shift between at least two parasitic components of the optical signal, such as to generate a destructive interference between the parasitic components.