Abstract: A package configuration for the protection/packaging/encapsulation of optical fiber couplers is described. The packaging strategy exploits symmetry in geometrical design while using material with similar thermal expansion properties to minimize thermoelastic stresses in the final assembled parts. When glass fibers are fused together or spliced in a planar waveguides, a complementary, symmetrically shaped glass piece linked to the coupler device by a chemically-tethered and crosslinked polymeric matrix, provides a stress-free as-assembled package that further maintains minimal thermoelastic stresses during temperature cycling. The packaged assembly is thus exceptionally rugged, experiencing little loss and fluctuation of coupling characteristics in installation and use.

Abstract: An opto-electronic component includes an opto-electronic device of either the edge or the surface active type mounted on a pedestal. A fiber is positionied by a positioning device apparatus. The positioning apparatus includes a superimposed first and a second arm. Each arm may be subdivided into a first and a second finger. The arms (and fingers) are fabricated from a crystalline material. The arms (and fingers) are biased toward a closed position. An optical fiber introduced into a channel defined by the superimposed arms is initially deflected so that a point on the end face of the fiber is placed into alignment with a reference axis. Further axial movement of the fiber through the channel causes the arms to move against the bias force to hold the point on the axis, regardless of the diameter of the fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber storage and manipulation system (1) is disclosed, including a storage container (2) and a fiber insertion tool (3). The storage apparatus (2) includes a housing (11) containing a reel (13) onto which portions of a bare fiber (6) as well as a sheathed tube (36) coaxially covering the fiber (6) is wound. The fiber (6) may be withdrawn from the housing (11) and inserted into a fiber insertion tool (3) having a frame (15) which houses a sliding fiber gripping assembly (16) which permits the application of longitudinal compressive force to the fiber and advances the fiber (6) by means of a fiber advance tube (17) which telescopes into a larger diameter cannula insertion tube (18). The present system can be used, for example, in the field of laser angiosurgery in which arterial blockages are removed by the application of laser energy to arterial blockages by means of advancing an optical fiber to the site of the blockage.

Abstract: A multicore optical connector comprising: a first connector part comprising a fiber array, a refractive index matching plate for preventing the diffusion of beams, and a lens array, in order mentioned thereabove, and a second connector part comprising a fiber array and a lens array, and wherein the diameter of each of the parallel beams that may be emitted outwardly from the lens array of the second connector part is relatively larger than that of the parallel beams that may be emmited outwardly from the lens array of the first connector part, and the first connector part and the second connector part are optically coupled such that both lens array are opposed to each other.

Abstract: An optical member for transmission of laser radiation, the fiber comprising a light transmitting element containing calcium fluoride.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting an optical cable into a ferrule which has a cable housing aperture and a fiber retention aperture connected to the cable housing aperture via a tapered section, which includes a cable holder (2) for holding an optical cable (1) from which a length of cable jacket is removed to expose an optical fiber (1B); a ferrule holder (5) for holding a ferrule (F) such that a cable housing aperture (F1) and a fiber retention aperture (F3) are aligned in an extension line of the optical cable; a guiding unit (4) disposed in front of the ferrule holder and having a pair of guiding members (41A, 41B) to form a guiding aperture (43) with a diameter slightly larger than that of the fiber retention aperture; the guiding members movable sideways so that the ferrule holder brings the ferrule close to the cable holder, thereby inserting the optical cable into the ferrule.

Abstract: An optical interconnect structure, formed on a substrate, includes optical interconnects each of which includes a core member constructed of a material having a first predetermined index of refraction. A cladding layer surrounds each core member. The cladding layer is formed of a material having a second predetermined index of refraction, the magnitude of which is less than the first predetermined index of refraction. At least one optical port exposes at least a portion of the core member of at least one optical interconnect. The optical port may be located on a top portion of an optical interconnect or at one or both ends of an optical interconnect.

Abstract: Optical phased arrays employing a large number of light emitters and optical phase delays between adjacent emitters to steer and focus an optical beam from the contributions of all the light emitters. The array can include a laser oscillator (22) as the light source, with the laser light being conducted via optical waveguides (26, 30 and 32) into optical fibers (34), with phase delays being effected by piezoelectric or electro-optic effects on the optical waveguides. The array can be used in a low cost display device for generating optical images or in an optical memory.

Abstract: An optoelectronic connector is provided which attaches an optical fiber to one portion of a base structure and provides a opening in which a photosensitive device or a light emitting device can be disposed. The device is movable within an opening of the base to permit active alignment between the photosensitive device and an optical fiber attached to the base of the connector. An alignment member is attached to the photosensitive device to facilitate its movement relative to the base during the act of alignment process. An adapter is disposed between the alignment member and the base to permit the alignment member to be rigidly and permanently attached to the base by resistance welding even though the materials of the alignment member and the base are incompatible with each other and not amenable for welding together. The adapter is attached to the base by connecting it in interference relation therewith.

Abstract: A method of attaching an optical fiber to an IOC includes the step of preparing the IOC for attachment by utilizing a dicing saw to cut into the IOC at a depth less than the thickness of the IOC, the cut forming a surface which is normal or at an angle with respect to an optical axis of the waveguide, such step of cutting having the additional result of optically polishing the surface. A portion of the IOC between the initial cut and an end of the IOC is then progressively removed by a series of cuts using the dicing saw, the cuts are to a predetermined depth which is less than the thickness of the IOC, and greater than the radius of the fiber so as to insure proper coupling of the IOC waveguide and fiber core, such series of cuts producing a stepped surface in the IOC. Next, the fiber core is optically aligned with the waveguide by translational and rotational positioning of the fiber end face adjacent to the surface and above the stepped surface.

Abstract: A barrier for a connector defining a junction between an interengaging member and a conjugating part, which barrier comprises a resilient sleeve shaped to snugly fit a proximal portion of reduced cross section which abuts a proximally facing shoulder and captures an open end of an elastic open ended sheath therebetween.

Abstract: An optical connector comprising a first housing for supporting a ferrule, a second housing having a ferrule holder into which the ferrule is inserted with a predetermined frictional resistance, a spring member for elastically pushing the ferrule into the ferrule holder against the frictional resistance at the time that load as the ferrule is brought into contact with the ferrule holder at a first predetermined stroke position has reached a first predetermined threshold value, and a pair of locking members contacting each other at a second predetermined stroke position, and when load of the contact at the second stroke position has reached a second predetermined threshold value, the contact at the second stroke position being released and then the first housing being further moved in the predetermined direction and the locking members being engaged with each other, wherein the second stroke position is set with respect to the first stroke position so that the locking members can contact each other prior to the

Abstract: A stranding element for use in forming optical cables has an envelope and a plurality of bands, which are each formed of a plurality of light waveguide fibers arranged in a band stack. The band stack is received in a cavity of the envelope of the stranding element. In one embodiment, the envelope has a cross sectional cavity corresponding to the band and the envelope and band stack are longitudinally twisted substantially the same amount. In another embodiment, the band stack is received in a skin and is twisted in an envelope, which has a hollow tubular form.

Abstract: Tapered two-mode optic fibers are used as sensors with sensitivity varying as a function of length. The optical fiber sensors act as vibrational-mode filters thereby performing initial signal processing of the sensor signal. The sensors are based on the differential propagation constant in a two-mode fiber that is directly dependent on the normalized frequency or V-number. Tapering the fiber changes the V-number and hence can change the sensitivity of the sensor along its length. By choosing an appropriate weighting function in the manufacture of the sensor, it is possible to implement vibrational-mode analysis, vibrational-mode filtering and other functions that are critical in control system applications.

Abstract: A high density fiber optic cable including a cylindrical core member having a number of helical grooves extending along its length. Up to a hundred or more optical fibers are placed into each helical groove. The core member and fibers are covered by an outer member which retains the fibers and acts as an environmental seal. A strength member can be placed within an internal void in the core or the outer member can act as the strength member. Where the outer member is the strength member, additional cables may be placed within the internal void.

Abstract: An improved aircraft fiber optic data distribution system which includes an LRM coupled by a blind mateable electric pin connector in an avionics cabinet, to an optical data link which converts the electrical signals into optical signals which is then provided through a switch system to a distant display device which is coupled to second optical data link by a blind mateable electrical pin connector which provides for the ability of an LRM to communicate with a display device over a fiber optic system without the need for blind mateable optical connectors.

Abstract: A device which incorporates three functions in one instrument necessary during surgical operations for transfer of laser energy to and viewing the site of the surgery. The fiber optic cable used to transfer the laser energy and the aspirator and irrigator tubes are all contained in a parallel in the fiber diverter. In addition the end of the fiber diverter can be bent at angles to the longitudinal axis of the instrument in order to work around other surgical apparatus involved in the operation thus avoiding the need to make other incisions in the patient. The amount of bend in the tip is controlled at the handle end of the instrument away from the surgical site. When bent the device can irrigate and aspirate at the same time laser cutting is being performed.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable of multi-core single-mode type consists of a series of groups of a plurality of optical fibers having end portions fusion spliced to corresponding end portions of adjacent groups of optical fibers at an optical connection loss of at most 0.5 dB. Each of the end portions prior to fusion splicing has a radius of curvature in meters defined by .lambda./1.41 (where .lambda. is a wavelength in .mu.m at which said optical fiber cable is used). This structure and method ensures a sufficiently low optical connection loss of the optical fibers which are economically connected in batch and are easily reconnected in case of trouble.

Abstract: An apodized acousto-optic polarization converter in which two acoustic waveguides are (14, 20) are formed in a substrate and are separated by a small gap (18) such that the two acoustic waveguides act as a directional coupler in which acoustic power is transferred back and forth. An interdigitated transducer (12) launches a surface acoustic wave in the first acoustic waveguide, and an optical waveguide is formed in the middle of the second waveguide. An acoustic absorber (26) is formed over both acoustic waveguides at a distance from the transducer such that the acoustic wave is transferred from the first to the second waveguide and back again. Thereby, the optical signal in the optical waveguide is exposed to an acoustic power density that slowly increases to a maximum and then decreases with the result that the side lobes of the frequency spectrum for the converted signal are greatly reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light waveguide splice closure having lifting handles for removing the closure end cap. The closure contains an open top vessel for holding waterblocking material.