Abstract: A retaining clip for retaining a strip of optical fiber. The clip includes a mounting base for mounting the clip to a mounting surface. A first spacing leg and a second spacing leg are both attached about their respective first ends to the mounting base. A first retaining leg and a second retaining leg are attached to the first and second spacing legs adjacent their respective second ends. The first and second retaining legs respectively defining a first and a second overlapping segment respectively extending generally inwardly beyond the second and first retaining leg second ends. The first and second overlapping segments are in a generally parallel and spaced relationship relative to each other so as to define an insertion slot therebetween. The insertion slot defining an insertion slot longitudinal axis extending in a generally parallel relationship relative to the spacing between the spacing leg first ends.

Abstract: A reduced component optical switch module includes a plurality of ports wherein each port includes an optical input and an optical output. A plurality of switchable deflectors in combination with a plurality of non-switchable deflectors can be used to establish transmission paths between pairs of ports to support traffic reciprocity. In one embodiment, the ports and switchable elements are configured so as to provide substantially constantly transmission paths within the respective module. In another embodiment, additional deflector elements can be provided to implement loop-back functionality at one or more of the ports.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods that can adjust the coupling ratio of an optical waveguide coupler efficiently. The coupling ratio is adjusted by varying the propagation constants ?a and ?b and the coupling coefficient x of the coupling portion by varying the refractive index of the coupling portion by implanting accelerated ions into waveguide cores of the coupling portion, or into the claddings around the cores, of the coupler fabricated. This enables efficient adjustment of the coupling ratio of the optical waveguide coupler.

Abstract: A microstructured optical fiber is structured with a core region and a cladding region surrounding the core region. A cross section of the fiber portion conforms to a translationally symmetric lattice, a center of each sub medium region in the outer region coinciding with respective lattice points, and a plurality of sub medium regions in the inner region having centers that are offset from respective lattice points.

Abstract: A capillary waveguide fluorescence sensor which includes a capillary and an optical/fluid connector connected to an end of the capillary. The optical/fluid connector includes a fluid sample injection port for longitudinally injecting a fluid sample into the capillary bore and at least one optical fiber for either longitudinally delivering light energy into the capillary or longitudinally collecting fluorescence emission from the fluid sample injected into the capillary bore. The sensor may also include at least one capillary outer surface collection optical fiber for perpendicularly collecting fluorescence emission from the fluid sample injected into the capillary bore. The capillary outer surface collection optical fiber is positioned adjacent the outer surface of the capillary wall such that the central axis of the collection optical fiber is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the capillary bore.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a lens unit having a first lens and a second lens arranged on a common optical path with substantially coincident optical axes. Each lens has a transmission region through which light passes from a first side to a second side of the lens, and a first and a second table region on the periphery of the transmission region. The table regions are flat surfaces positioned on the first and second sides of each lens. An optical element holding tube is butt-coupled to the first table region of the first lens. An optical element, such as a filter, is supported on the first element holding tube. A second lens support tube holds the first lens and the second lens at opposite ends, with the first element holding tube therebetween. The first and second lenses and the optical element are passively aligned and then fixed in place with optical adhesive at the butt joints.

Abstract: A structure for effecting a transition from a passive waveguide to an active waveguide or from an active waveguide to a passive waveguide of the present invention. The inventive device comprises a first cladding; a first core disposed within the first cladding; and a ground plane disposed over the first cladding and the core. A second cladding is disposed on the ground plane. A second core is disposed on the second cladding. A third cladding is disposed on the second cladding and the second core and an electrode is disposed on top of the third cladding. The inventive structure enables the construction of a novel an advantageous switch comprising an input port; an output port; and plural waveguides disposed between the input port and the output port. Each waveguide includes a first cladding; a first core disposed within the first cladding; and a ground plane disposed over the first cladding and the core. A second cladding is disposed on the ground plane. A second core is disposed on the second cladding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermo-optical waveguide switch which is located on a substrate. Said switch comprises a glass layer, through which a waveguide extends. A hollow chamber which lies beneath the waveguide thermally decouples the latter from the substrate. At least two supports are located in the hollow chamber to provide mechanical stability. One production method for obtaining a thermo-optical waveguide switch consists of creating a glass layer with an arrangement of perforations on a substrate. At least one hollow chamber containing at least two supports is formed by isotropically underetching the glass layer. The hollow chamber is subsequently sealed and a waveguide is formed above said hollow chamber. Another production method first creates a waveguide in a glass layer which is formed on a substrate.

Abstract: A recessed area formed on a substrate surface is filled with heat sink material to form a heat sink. The heat sink material has thermal conductivity greater than that of the substrate. The heat sink may have a substantially flat surface substantially flush with the substrate surface. The substrate may further include: a planar optical waveguide formed thereon positioned for optical coupling with an optical device mounted on the substrate in thermal contact with the heat sink; and/or an electrical contact layer formed thereon positioned for establishing electrical continuity with an optical device mounted on the substrate in thermal contact with the heat sink. The electrical contact may also provide thermal contact between the device and heat sink. The substrate may further include a low-index optical buffer layer formed on its surface. Materials for the substrate, buffer layer, and heat sink may include silicon, silica, and diamond, respectively.

Abstract: An optical switch comprising an array of voltage-controlled interferometric switching elements. Different configurations and modes of operation are possible, but in each configuration the elements are arranged relative to the input and output fibers, such that a beam of light is incident or outgoing at an angle of 45 degrees to the surface of a corresponding element. This permits each element to be electronically controlled to either transmit or reflect light, such that the output beam exits the switch either parallel to or perpendicular to the input beam.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a poled fiber and a dispersion compensator. The method including patterning to cover an etching-resistant material on the body portions of the cladding and on one end or both ends of the optical fiber excluding the portions to be grooved in the longitudinal direction, etching the bare portions of the cladding excluding the portions covered with the etching-resistant material, evaporating electrodes on the etched portions and applying a voltage to the electrodes, and inducing periodic poling generating optical phenomenon of the second-order nonlinearity to the optical fiber through the patterned electrodes. The compensator including a periodic poled fiber to generate a phase conjugate wave of a difference frequency between a pump light and a signal light received from a fiber coupler, and a filter to pass the phase conjugate wave coming out from the periodic poled fiber.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are described for reducing splice loss in an optical fiber transmission line. One described technique includes splicing together at a splice point a first fiber having a first modefield diameter to a second fiber having a second modefield diameter larger than the first modefield diameter. The splice point is heated to a core expansion temperature to cause a controlled thermal diffusion of core dopant in the first fiber in order to reduce modefield mismatch between the first and second fibers. Splice loss is then reduced by heating the splice point to a differential diffusion temperature to cause a controlled diffusion of a cladding dopant in the first fiber, while maintaining the expanded core.

Abstract: Provided are photodefinable compositions suitable for use in forming an optical waveguide. The compositions include a silsesquioxane polymer having polymerized units of the formula (R1SiO1.5) and (R2SiO1.5), wherein R1 and R2 are different and are substituted or unsubstituted organic side chain groups and are free of hydroxy groups, and two or more functional end groups, and a photoactive component. The solubility of the silsesquioxane polymer is altered upon exposure to actinic radiation such that the composition is developable in an aqueous developer solution. Also provided are methods of forming an optical waveguide with the inventive compositions, optical waveguides, and electronic devices including one or more optical waveguide.

Abstract: A method of attaching electrodes to optical substrates with embedded waveguides includes applying the electrode pattern to a separate superstrate from the electro-optic material containing the waveguide. This allows for the change of the index of refraction and/or the dipole moment of an electro-optic material using low voltages. In0 addition, the electrode superstrate can be detached from the waveguide substrate and repositioned and aligned to different waveguides. Removable electrodes add flexibility and increase yield by allowing the electrodes to be re-aligned to the waveguides when improper alignment occurs.

Abstract: An optical switch comprises a substrate, first and second optical waveguide, and first and second conducting elements. The first optical waveguide is coupled to the substrate. The first conducting element is coupled to the first optical waveguide. The second optical waveguide is coupled to the substrate. The second conducting element is coupled to the second optical waveguide. In operation, a first electrical bias applied between the first and second conducting elements causes the first optical waveguide to not optically couple to the second optical waveguide. Further in operation, a second electric bias applied between the first and second conducting elements causes the first optical waveguide to optically couple to the second optical waveguide.

Abstract: In an optical switching apparatus having redundantly-arranged optical switches, a route switching operation mode, an autonomic redundant switching operation mode and a compulsory redundant switching operation mode are discriminated from one another so that these operation modes are prevented from being executed at the same time, and also proper mask processing is performed at every switching operation mode. Therefore, emission of an undesired alarm and thus occurrence of malfunction when each switching operation is carried out can be prevented.

Abstract: An optical transmission device which reduces optical noise in an optical transmission system. The optical transmission device includes a core light amplifying unit, and a first buffer light amplifying unit for amplifying a first signal light from a first transmission path and an amplified second signal light from the core light amplifying unit. The first buffer light amplifying unit supplies the core light amplifying unit with the first signal light, and supplies the first transmission path with the amplified second signal light. Also provided is a second buffer light amplifying unit for amplifying a second signal light from a second transmission path and an amplified first signal light from the core light amplifying unit. The second buffer light amplifying unit supplies the core light amplifying unit with the second signal light, and supplies the second transmission path with the amplified first signal light.

Abstract: An arrayed waveguide grating type optical multiplexer/demultiplexer in which the 1 dB band width is large, the ripple is small, and the degradation of the adjacent crosstalk can be controlled. A waveguide forming portion is formed on a substrate. The waveguide forming portion includes an optical input waveguides, a first slab waveguide, an arrayed waveguide including a plurality of channel waveguides arranged side by side and which have different lengths with the differences preset, a second slab waveguide, and a plurality of optical output waveguides arranged side by side, all of the components being connected in the order stated. A single mode straight waveguide narrower than the optical input waveguides is provided at the output end of at least one or more optical input waveguides. A multi-mode trapezoidal waveguide whose width increases toward the arrayed waveguide is provided at the output end of the straight waveguide.

Abstract: Optical signal interleaver/deinterleavers with reduced chromatic dispersion are described. In one embodiment, the interleaver/deinterleavers include two optical filters and an optical isolator coupled to receive the output of each of the optical filters. The optical isolators feed the filtered signals back to the filters. Passing the filtered signals back through the filters in the opposite direction as the first pass allows the filters to cancel, or nearly cancel, the chromatic dispersion caused by the filters on the first pass. Thus, the interleaver/deinterleavers provide reduced chromatic dispersion as compared to use of a single filter or of cascaded filters.

Abstract: An optical subassembly utilizes a core with a first, second, and third faces. The first and second faces are coupled, non-parallel, and non-co-planar for changing a path of a beam, and their intersection defines an axis. Filters are coupled to the third face. The light path traverses between the first or second face and each filter such that, at each filter, no portion of the light path interferes with any other portion of the light path. The light path also traverses the core in a direction along the axis. This is facilitated by the light path traversing an external surface of a filter at an angle. The device includes adjustable ports residing at the same side of the device. Filters are coupled to the core and optically coupled to the adjustable ports. The light path travels down the core and exit or enter the device via the adjustable ports.