Abstract: A planar optical waveguide has sets of diffractive elements, each routing between input and output optical ports diffracted portions of an input optical signal. The diffractive elements are arranged so that the impulse response function of the diffractive element set comprises a reference temporal waveform or its time-reverse. A planar optical waveguide has N×M sets of diffractive elements, each routing between corresponding input and output optical ports corresponding diffracted portions of an input optical signal. The N×M diffractive element sets, N×M input optical ports, and N 1×M optical switches enable routing of an input optical signal any of the N input optical sources to any of the M output optical ports based on the operational state of the corresponding 1×M optical switch.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical communication path includes forming an optical path for carrying optical communications. An electrically conductive cladding is formed along the optical path for carrying at least one of electrical power, control, and data along the optical path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connector-integrated type polymer optical waveguide, comprising: an optical waveguide including a film substrate for clad, an optical waveguide core provided on the film substrate, and a clad layer formed on side faces and a top face of the core; a pair of connector sleeves formed at positions at which the connector sleeves sandwich the optical waveguide core at least in one end portion of the polymer optical waveguide; and a rigid member for connector formation, wherein the film substrate for clad and the connector sleeves are fixed to the rigid member for connector formation in such a state that the center of the optical waveguide core and the center for connector sleeves are substantially on the same plane. The present invention also provides a method for producing the above-mentioned connector-integrated type polymer optical waveguide and a mold to be used for the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silicon wave-guide (3), with a silicon oxide cladding (2, 4) on a silicon substrate (1). At predetermined positions along the length of the wave-guide, are created metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) structures. A poly-silicon, or any other conductive layer (5), is deposited and patterned above the upper cladding (4) and electrical contacts are made to the substrate (1), the silicon wave-guide (3), and the poly-silicon layer (5). Upon the application of a potential difference between at least two of the layers from the group comprising the substrate (1), the silicon wave-guide (3), and the poly-silicon layer (5), the free carrier concentration at the top and/or bottom layer of the silicon wave-guide (3) is changed by the electric field. The change in the electric field results in a change in the index of refraction, and the change in the index of refraction causes a change in the optical mode propagating in the waveguide (3).

Abstract: A waveguide structure has a base having a base height (h) above a substrate and a rectangular waveguide having a waveguide height (H) above the substrate and a waveguide width (W) between opposing sides of the waveguide.

Abstract: A method to form a semiconductor taper without etching the taper surfaces. In one embodiment, a semiconductor waveguide is formed on a workpiece having an unetched top surface; e.g., using a silicon insulator (SOI) wafer. A protective layer is formed on the waveguide. The protective layer is patterned and etched to form a mask that exposes a portion of the waveguide in the shape of the taper's footprint. In one embodiment, selective silicon epitaxy is used to grow the taper on the exposed portion of the waveguide so that the taper is formed without etched surfaces. Micro-loading effects can cause the upper surface of the taper to slope toward the termination end of the taper.

Abstract: A spectral filter comprises a planar optical waveguide having at least one set of diffractive elements. The waveguide confines in one transverse dimension an optical signal propagating in two other dimensions therein. The waveguide supports multiple transverse modes. Each diffractive element set routes, between input and output ports, a diffracted portion of the optical signal propagating in the planar waveguide and diffracted by the diffractive elements. The diffracted portion of the optical signal reaches the output port as a superposition of multiple transverse modes. A multimode optical source may launch the optical signal into the planar waveguide, through the corresponding input optical port, as a superposition of multiple transverse modes. A multimode output waveguide may receive, through the output port, the diffracted portion of the optical signal. Multiple diffractive element sets may route corresponding diffracted portions of optical signal between one or more corresponding input and output ports.

Abstract: A gain flattening and tap device. A gain flattening filter for use in fiber-optic communications includes a substrate. A GFF film is formed on a first surface of the substrate. An HR film is formed on a second surface of the substrate. The HR film is arranged to receive light from the GFF film and to reflect at least some of the light back through the GFF film. By passing the light through the GFF film multiple times, the effectiveness of the GFF film is multiplied. Further, by constructing the HR film to allow portions of the light to pass through, a tap may be implemented with the GFF.

Abstract: An embodiment described herein provides a technique to determine a focus point of a lense. Light is directed from a light source through the lense and onto a target surface. The light source and target surface may be positioned on opposite sides of the lense. The target surface may correspond to the position of where a primary light source for the particular application is to be located. A reflection passing through the lense from the reflective target surface may be located. A determination is then made as to whether the position where the reflection was located also could also corresponds to a focus point for the lense, if the primary light source was to be located at or near the target surface.

Abstract: An optical apparatus (spectral filter, temporal encoder, or other) comprises a planar optical waveguide having at least one set of diffractive elements. Each diffractive element set routes by diffraction therefrom a portion of the optical signal propagating in the planar waveguide. The planar waveguide includes at least one material having thermo-optic properties chosen so as to yield a designed temperature dependence of spectral and/or temporal characteristics of the diffracted portion of the optical signal. Variations of material refractive indices, physical dimensions, and/or optical mode distributions with temperature may at least partly compensate one another to yield the designed temperature dependence. Optical materials with ?n/?T of various magnitudes and signs may be variously incorporated into the waveguide core and/or cladding.

Abstract: Using polymeric dielectric materials (preferably materials derived from bisbenzocyclobutene monomers) and an electron beam lithography process for patterning this material, we have developed a process for fabricating optical waveguides with complex integrated devices such as gratings. Such gratings are not limited to one-dimensional type gratings but can include 2 dimensional gratings such as curved gratings or photonic crystals. Due to the properties of BCB, this process could also be implemented using optical photolithography depending upon the waveguide dimensions desired and the grating dimensions desired. Alternatively, the optical waveguide could be patterned using optical lithography and the grating can be patterned using electron beam lithography. In addition, the general process described below can be applied to the fabrication of complex lightwave circuits containing, for example, multiple optical waveguides, couplers/splitters, grating based filters and even more complex devices and structures.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for packaging optical communication devices include optical bench structures, such as silicon-optical benches (SiOB). An optical communications apparatus includes an optical bench comprising a substrate having an electrical turning via formed therein. An optoelectronic (OE) chip and integrated circuit (IC) chip are mounted on the optical bench and electrically connected using the electrical turning via. The electrical turning via extends in directions both perpendicular and transverse to a surface of the substrate such that the OE chip and IC chip can be mounted on perpendicular surfaces of the optical bench in close proximity and electrically connected using the electrical turning via.

Abstract: A splicing system for joining polarization-maintaining, single mode optical fibers produces durable fusion splices that have low transmission loss and maintain mode integrity. The system employs active optical techniques such as profile alignment or local injection and detection to achieve optimized lateral alignment of the fibers prior to fusion. Azimuthal alignment is performed using a transverse, polarized light illumination and detection system. Each fiber is rotated azimuthally to determine a transverse intensity function. The transverse intensity functions of the respective fibers are cross-correlated to determine a relative orientation that matches the polarization axes of the fibers. After the relative position of the fibers is manipulated laterally, axially, and azimuthally, the fibers are fusion spliced using an electric arc discharge.

Abstract: A connector for releasable engagement of a fiberoptic cable with a port on a piece of compatible equipment includes a body of generally cylindrical form which includes a cavity. After a prepared cable end of the fiberoptic cable is inserted through a driving structure and registered against a seal, and the combination placed in a pre-form mold, an epoxy material is flowed into the mold to surround portions of the prepared cable end, thereby creating an assembly consisting of the prepared cable end, the seal, and the hardened epoxy material. The assembly is then disposed inside the cavity of the body after which the assembly is secured to the body using a nut or compression fitting.

Abstract: A first optical waveguide having at least a core layer with a refractive index ncj and a second optical waveguide having at least a core layer with a refractive index nck are arranged to oppose their end surfaces, and at least any one end surface of the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide is formed by the etching, and the end surface formed by the etching is covered with a coating medium with a refractive index nij or nik that is equal to a refractive index ncj or nck of the core layer that is exposed from the end surface.

Abstract: An optical coupling assembly for coupling an output from a first optical fiber bundle to a second optical fiber bundle, where the two optical fiber bundles are moving relative to one another, and without any physical contact or electronic components being required to effect the optical coupling therebetween. A first annular member receives an input optical fiber bundle and presents outermost ends of the individual optical fibers of the first bundle in a circular arrangement that forms a first face portion. A second annular coupling member receives the outermost ends of a second optical fiber bundle that presents the outermost ends in a circular arrangement to form a second face portion. The coupling members are supported in longitudinal alignment with one another such that the two face portions are in facing relationship.

Abstract: An optical fiber collimator including a microlens array and single mode optical fibers. Microlens elements are formed in two surfaces of the transparent substrate. Two opposing microlens elements each function as a collimator lens. The single mode optical fiber is optically coupled to the collimator lens.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier module is disclosed which comprises a signal path located between a signal input and a signal output. A WDM coupler and an amplifying gain medium are disposed along the signal path. A pump laser is disposed out of the signal path in a manner that allows a pump signal from the pump laser to reflect off the WDM coupler and enter the signal path. An embodiment utilizing a second WDM coupler and a second pump laser is also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor optical device comprises an active waveguide having a tapered portion, and a passive waveguide extending beyond the end of the active waveguide and optically coupled to the tapered portion of the active waveguide. The passive waveguide beyond the end of the active waveguide supports an optical mode of larger size than the optical mode supported by the active waveguide. The tapered portion of the active waveguide is truncated and the separation between the active waveguide and the passive waveguide is greater than in previously known devices in order to minimize or at least reduce the truncation loss at the truncation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the refractive index in the core of an optical fiber. According to the invention, an optical fiber is provided with a longitudinal electrode running along the core of the fiber. An electric current is passed through the electrode to induce ohmic heating thereof, causing thermal expansion and consequently a compressing force upon the core of the fiber. This compression of the core leads to induced changes in the refractive index in the direction of the compressing force, and hence induces or alters birefringence in the core.