Abstract: There is disclosed an optical source generator for wavelength division multiplexing optical communication systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a technique of providing illumination light having an even intensity, in order to make intensity of three illumination light with a simple structure. A second optical waveguide having a second incidence plane for second color light and a third optical waveguide having a third incidence plane for third color light are joined to a first optical waveguide having a first incidence plane for first optical light and an emergence plane opposed to the first incidence plane. A first dichroic filter that reflects the first color light and the third color light and transmits the second color light is formed on a joint surface between the first optical waveguide and the second waveguide. A second dichroic filter that reflects the first color light and the second color light and transmits the third color light is formed on a joint surface between the first optical waveguide and the third waveguide.

Abstract: A method of manipulating a microscopic quantity of material is disclosed wherein an optical fiber probe having a sharp tip with a hole fabricated therein is used to extract the material. The hole is sufficiently small that upon immersion of the sharp tip in the material a virtual seal forms to inhibit penetration of the material into the hole. A laser pulse is sent down the fiber probe to disrupt the seal and promote entry of the material into the hole. The probe can also be used in a reverse manner to deliver trapped material from the hole into a targeted region. The bole also permits an annular light intensity distribution at and near the exit of the probe tip which can be used to optically trap particles.

Abstract: A photonic switch according to the present invention may be formed using one of a selected group of non-linear optical materials. Each of the materials within this group has a refractive index that demonstrates a substantial peak as a function of wavelength, where the peak occurs at a wavelength distinct from the wavelength of the input signal. A method of producing a photonic switch according to the present invention includes fabricating source and drain waveguides using micro-molding or micro-contact printing processes, or MIMIC (micro-molding in capillaries) of a UV-curable polymer. If desired, a gate waveguide may also be formed in part by these processes. The photonic switch also includes a photonic crystal formed from non-linear optical material, which may be formed, for example, using a block copolymer and nanoparticle composite in a MIMIC or ?fluidics process. Such a process may employ a functionalized mold material to align the blocks.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical fiber for amplification suitable for amplifying signals in the L-band, an optical fiber amplifier including the optical fiber, and an optical transmission system. The optical fiber amplifier according to the invention includes a silica-based optical fiber as an optical fiber for amplification, which has a core region doped with Er and Al. The optical fiber for amplification has an Er concentration of 1,500 wt.ppm or less, and has the characteristics at a wavelength of 1.53 ?m of: an absorption loss of 10 dB/m or more but 25 dB/m or less; and an unsaturated absorption of 900 dB or less.

Abstract: A branching unit is provided for interconnecting at least three undersea optical transmission cables. The branching unit includes first, second and third ports for receiving first, second and third undersea optical transmission cables, respectively. The first and second cables each include an electrical power conductor and a plurality of first optical fibers. The third cable is electrically unpowered and includes at least one drop optical fiber and at least one add optical fiber. An electrical power conductor segment is provided for electrically coupling the conductor in the first cable received in the first port to the conductor in the second cable received in the second port. A first optical fiber segment optically couples a first of the plurality of first optical fibers in one of the first or second cables to the drop optical fiber of the third cable.

Abstract: In one form, one or more micropumps and optical micro-detectors are on a substrate, ideally many per square centimeter, each detecting fluid moved by its pump. A second form has many waveguides and, intersecting each, a fluid chamber controlling radiation in the guide; the device is best immersed in a fluid that moves in and out of chambers, intercepting radiation to yield position data—transmitted e.g. wirelessly for external reception. The device can be a chip in a live creature (e.g. implanted, or in blood); data go to a wireless receiver. Each guide ideally couples to a radiation source and detector. In a third form a membrane deflects a radiation-interacting fluid in a plenum; liquid moves between the plenum and a tube. The plenum cross-section is many times the tube's; radiation in the tube is monitored. Deflected liquid in the tube controls specimen movement to and from the tube.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a guide boot for a fiber-optic cable mechanically coupled to a connector comprises a mating portion having an interior surface defining a passage for receiving a portion of the connector and the fiber-optic cable, and a plurality of ribs formed on the interior surface and extending along at least a portion of a length of the mating portion. A preferred embodiment of a guide boot also comprises a body portion adjoining the mating portion and having an interior surface that defines a passage for receiving the fiber-optic cable. The interior surface of the body portion is curved so that the body portion bends the fiber-optic cable.

Abstract: An actuator which can be actively driven so as to precisely control a driving angle of a micromirror, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The micromirror actuator includes a substrate, a trench, a micromirror, and a driving angle control unit. The trench is formed in a predetermined position of the substrate and has at least one electrode. The micromirror rotates by an electrostatic force generated through an interaction with the at least one electrode so as to reflect incident light in a predetermined direction. The driving angle control unit supports the micromirror so as to control the position of an actuation shaft of the micromirror. Accordingly, the micromirror can stand erect at an accurate right angle without an additional actuator for correcting the error in the driving angle of the micromirror so as to reduce insertion loss.

Abstract: A novel electro-opto-mechanical assembly is provided. The electro-opto-mechanical assembly comprising: a first wafer, the wafer having a top and bottom surface; at least one optical element disposed on one surface of the first wafer; at least one discrete opto-electronic transducer element disposed on the bottom surface of the first wafer and in optical communication with the optical element; and an optical waveguide; wherein the first wafer and the optical element form an optical relay which relays light between the discrete opto-electronic transducer and the optical waveguide and thereby forms an efficient optical coupling between the discrete opto-electronic transducer and the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A method of forming a solid or honeycombed optical channel plate, having solid or hollow waveguides respectively, from aligned optical waveguides. Reflective optical channel plates are also disclosed for use with a front projection screen and transmission optical channel plates are also disclosed for use with a front projection screen and transmission optical channel plates for use with a rear projection screen for increasing luminance and/or resolution of an image projected on the screen.

Abstract: A mobile communication device having a light accessory port. The mobile communication device can include a housing, a transceiver, a controller coupled to the transceiver, a light generating source coupled to the controller, and an optical transmission port coupled to the light generating source and coupled to the housing. The optical transmission port can be configured to optically and detachably couple a visibly perceptible light-emitting light output device to the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A cable exit trough is mountable to a lateral trough section either during initial assembly of the cable routing system, or at a later date. The exit trough includes a bracket portion mountable to the top edge of one of the sides of the lateral trough section. Two lead-ins are provided to lead the cable in an upward direction from the lateral trough section to the exit trough. The exit trough includes an exit trough portion extending from the bracket portion upwardly away from the lateral trough section. The exit trough portion includes a convexly curved bottom trough surface, and two convexly curved upstanding sides. The exit trough portion and the lead-ins define a cable pathway from the lateral trough section to an exit point of the exit trough portion which can either lead downwardly relative to the lateral trough section, or horizontally.

Abstract: Passive optical networks are generally built from a central office and a plurality of passive optical nodes. Over a main path, optical signals are transmitted to the nodes. When a fault, e.g. a cable break, occurs on the main path, the optical signals are transmitted to the nodes over a reserve path. When the fault has been removed, switchback to the main path is effected and the optical signals are again transmitted to the nodes over the main path. The device according to the invention is particularly characterized in that an additional optical signal is provided which is transmitted at a wavelength outside the wavelength range used for the transmission of useful optical signals over the main path, and which is used to power an electric circuit within the device which, in turn, controls a switch that switches between main path and reserve path.

Abstract: Interference filters which are optical components are erected in advance on optical paths in a transparent container, and the transparent container is filled with a photo-curable resin solution. Further, a jig is prepared for manufacturing an optical waveguide device. The jig includes a housing, and holes. On this occasion, positions of the holes are set such that light input through the hole reaches the holes via the interference filters. Optical fibers are fitted into the holes of the housing and the housing is mounted on the transparent container. Next, light at a predetermined wavelength is guided into the optical fibers so that optical waveguides are formed in the photo-curable resin solution. Next, the photo-curable resin solution is exchanged for a low-refractive-index photo-curable resin solution and then the low-refractive-index photo-curable resin solution is solidified wholly by ultraviolet light. Finally, for example, an optical fiber, a light-receiving element, etc. are provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for flat illumination of an object field in an optical instrument and to an optical instrument with a device of this kind. Optical instruments of this type are, for example, microscopes, including microlithography simulation microscopes in which a flat illumination, i.e., illumination extending beyond a singular object point, of the object to be examined is required. The device comprises a laser light source and a light-conducting cable with at least one optical fiber through which the light from the laser light source is guided to the object field. The optical fiber is constructed and dimensioned in such a way that the intensity of the illumination light within the cross section of the optical fiber becomes increasingly more uniform along the path from the input-side end to the output-side end, and the illumination light is directed from the output-side end of the optical fiber to the object with substantially homogeneous intensity distribution.

Abstract: Methods and systems for marring the surface of a fiber optic substrate by pressing a length of the substrate against an elongate support with at least one roller and causing relative lengthwise movement between the roller and support with the roller pressing the substrate against the support and the roller rolling along the substrate. One of the roller and support may have an abrasive surface for marring the substrate during such relative lengthwise movement between the roller and support. Alternatively, the abrasive surface may be on a sheet supported by the support.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method of manufacturing a hollow optical reflector of the type which comprises a rear body overmolded around the convex rear external face of a front insert, the concave front internal face of which is covered with a reflective layer, the method comprising: a step of producing the insert by forming; a step of overmolding the body on the insert; and a step of depositing the reflective layer on the concave front face of the insert; wherein the step of depositing the reflective layer is prior to the forming step.

Abstract: A tunable fiber optic connector is disclosed. The connector includes a ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule and a ferrule holder for receiving the ferrule therein. The ferrule holder has a plurality of splines on the periphery of a front surface thereof, and a spring bears against a rear surface of the ferrule holder and applies a forward biasing force to the ferrule assembly. The connector also includes a housing having a central bore extending therethrough in which the ferrule assembly is located. The housing has at least one tuning arm within the bore for engaging the ferrule assembly, and the tuning arm allows the ferrule assembly to be tuned inside the housing without disengaging the ferrule assembly from the tuning arm. A method of assembling a tunable fiber optic connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: The intensity of signals in optical networks can be controlled using a variable optical attenuator (VOA). The present invention is a VOA that is particularly well suited for optical networks, for example to provide channel-by-channel normalization of gain control of wavelength division multiplexed signals. The inventive VOA includes a waveguide having an electro-optical material and electrodes that produce an electric field within the electro-optical material when a voltage difference is applied to the electrodes. The electro-optical material can either be a substrate or can be a layer deposited on a substrate. In an alternative embodiment, a polarization independent VOA is formed from a waveguide that includes two, end-to-end waveguides. In one embodiment, a 90 degree polarization rotator is provided between the two waveguides. In another embodiment, each of the two waveguides has a different electro-optical material selected to selectively pass one of two 90 degree polarizations.