Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit including a beam launching waveguide, a local oscillator waveguide, a target interferometer, and a reference interferometer all integrated on a chip. The beam launching waveguide transmits target electromagnetic radiation off the chip and receives a retroreflection of the target electromagnetic radiation from a target off the chip. The target interferometer interferes the retroreflection with a local oscillator field transmitted from the local oscillator waveguide so as to form a target interference signal. The reference interferometer interferes a portion of the target electromagnetic radiation that does not leave the chip with the local oscillator field transmitted from the local oscillator waveguide to form a reference interference signal. The difference between the reference interference signal and the target interference signal is used to measure a distance to the target from the chip.

Abstract: A protective assembly method using a transparent layer within the fiber interconnect system aids in optical coupling by preventing an air gap from forming between the fiber cores within a connector. A thin transparent film (or with adhesive) is placed over the fiber end-faces at the connector interface, the film having characteristics which allows it to conform to the fiber end and minimize coupling loss between fibers. The film is sized to fit connectors faces and can be temporary, being replaced with each installation. A coating can also applied to the connector surface, providing a similar effect, as well as structurally enhancing the connector surfaces.

Abstract: This application discloses an optical switch and an optical switching system. The optical switch includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and a first movable waveguide. The first waveguide and the second waveguide are immovable relative to a substrate. The first waveguide and the second waveguide are located in a first plane, and the first waveguide and the second waveguide do not intersect. The first movable waveguide is movable relative to the substrate. If the first movable waveguide is at a first location, the first movable waveguide is optically decoupled from the first waveguide and the second waveguide, and the optical switch is in a through state. If the first movable waveguide is at a second location, the first movable waveguide is optically coupled to the first waveguide and the second waveguide, and the optical switch is in a drop state.

Abstract: An optical apparatus 20 for evanescently coupling an optical signal across an interface 30 is described. The optical apparatus 20 comprises a first substrate 22 and a second substrate 24. The optical signal is evanescently coupled between a first waveguide 26 formed by laser inscription of the first substrate 22 and a second waveguide 28 of the second substrate 22. The first waveguide 26 comprises a curved section 34 configured to provide evanescent coupling of the optical signal between the first and second waveguides 26, 28 via the interface 30.

Abstract: A 3D free space mirrored optical cross connect switch has mirror arrays angled at twice the central incident angle. Path length variation and insertion loss variation are minimized between different switch ports. For each port, the incident angle may be selected to maximize the useful range of the mirror actuator.

Abstract: An optical coupling system includes a first waveguide that includes a first waveguide end, a second waveguide end. The optical coupling system includes a first lens that is aligned with a first optical fiber. The optical coupling system includes a first lens holder that retains the first lens. The lens holder includes a waveguide retention portion on which the first waveguide end is positioned such that the first waveguide end is aligned with the first lens. The optical coupling system includes a second lens that is aligned with a first optical component. The optical coupling system includes a second lens holder that retains the second lens. The second lens holder includes a waveguide retention portion on which the second waveguide end is positioned such that the second waveguide end is aligned with the second lens.

Abstract: A III-V semiconductor waveguide nanoridge structure having a narrow supporting base with a freestanding wider body portion on top, is disclosed. In one aspect, the III-V waveguide includes a PIN diode. The waveguide comprises a III-V semiconductor waveguide core formed in the freestanding wider body portion; at least one heterojunction incorporated in the III-V semiconductor waveguide core; a bottom doped region of a first polarity positioned at a bottom of the narrow supporting base, forming a lower contact; and an upper doped region of a second polarity, forming an upper contact. The upper contact is positioned in at least one side wall of the freestanding wider body portion.

Abstract: A quantum cryptography apparatus and system includes a photon emitter, a photon receiver, a first photodetector, a second photodetector, a first polarization optic, and a second polarization optic. The photon emitter is configured to emit a photon at a wavelength, wherein the photon emitter is coupled to the photon receiver by at least one quantum channel. The photon receiver includes the first polarization optic configured to output a polarization state of the emitted photon. The first photodetector is configured to detect the photon emitted from the output of the first polarization optic. The second photodetector is configured to detect a backflash from the first photodetector. The second polarization optic is between the first photodetector and the second photodetector. The quantum cryptography apparatus may be a quantum key distribution system for characterizing backflashes.

Abstract: An optical device includes a row of optical units, each of the optical units comprising an antenna element and an associated phase shifting element, a first optical power splitter optically coupled to a first optical input/output element, and a first plurality of boundary adjustment elements. In the optical phased array, each of the first plurality of boundary adjustment units optically couples the first optical power splitter to different sub-rows of the row of optical units, and each of the plurality of boundary adjustment elements include a sub-row amplitude adjustment element and a sub-row phase adjustment element.

Abstract: A suspension arm assembly including at least two members relatively rotatable about each other at a joint, with at least one of the joints comprising an infinite rotation joint. The infinite rotation joint allows the members at the infinite rotation joint to have unlimited rotation relative to one another. The infinite rotation joint is configured to pass at least an optical signal therethrough. The infinite rotation joint includes a stator and a rotor. At least two portions of the infinite rotation joint are separable and can automatically form a unit when adjacent arms are connected together such that the infinite rotation joint can be separated into the at least two portions. The at least two portions are configured to be automatically connected to allow the optical signal to pass therethrough once the at least two portions are engaged.

Abstract: A medical suspension arm assembly including a plurality of suspension arms, with each adjacent pair of the suspension arms being connected to each other by a joint and with at least one of the joints comprising an infinite rotation joint. The infinite rotation joint allows the suspension arms at the infinite rotation joint to have unlimited rotation relative to one another. Cabling including at least one fiber optic cable extends through each of the suspension arms and each joint. A wired medical unit is connected to an end of the plurality of suspension arms. High definition video, data and power can be transferred along each one of the suspension arms through the cabling and across each joint.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rack-mountable fiber optic splice enclosure. The fiber optic splice enclosure may include a body having two opposing side walls and a bottom and a cover attached to the body. The fiber optic splice enclosure may also include a sliding tray disposed on two guide rails on the bottom of the body. At least one removable panel is removably attached to the cover via at least a pair of latches so that the removable panel is detachable from the cover and can be attached to the sliding tray at an angle to serve as a work surface for splice trays.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a signaling connector comprising one or more wires. Each wire is capable of transmitting signaling between first and second components of an information handling system. A light-pipe is provided with the signaling connector. The light-pipe is capable of conveying light from one end of the signaling connector to another end of signaling connector so that the signaling connector can be traced.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to directing thermal energy within a photonic device. In one embodiment, the photonic device includes an optical component that is temperature sensitive and that provides a different response to light propagated within the optical component according to a present temperature of the optical component. The photonic device includes a heat source disposed at a separating distance from the optical component and that produces thermal energy within the photonic device. The photonic device includes a first thermal guide disposed proximate to the optical component and the heat source and spanning the separating distance. The first thermal guide concentrating the thermal energy from the heat source to the optical component.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing light from a planar waveguide through an array of elongated surface relief features formed in a major surface of the waveguide. Light received within a waveguide is propagated transmissively and retained by total internal reflection, except in response to impinging upon light deflecting elements which sufficiently redirect the light to escape the waveguide through the array of elongated surface relief features that further redirects and redistributes the light.

Abstract: An optical article employing a lenticular lens array associated with a layer of optically transmissive material and illuminated by a light source. The layer of optically transmissive material includes discrete microscopic surface relief features formed in a surface opposite to the lenses forming the lenticular lens array. The discrete microscopic surface relief features deflect light propagating through the layer of optically transmissive material and direct the light out of the layer. The optical article may be further associated with a reflective surface and/or a photoabsorptive layer configured to partially transmit and partially absorb and convert light.

Abstract: Fiber distribution systems, terminals and tap boxes that provide a reconfigurable and expandable system of hardened connections. A terminal may include at least one feeder port and a plurality of distribution ports, each of the at least one feeder port and the plurality of distribution ports being sealable ports configured to receive one of a duct and a connector, where the connector is configured to interface with a drop type cable. The terminal may include an expandable module configured to receive a splitter and a tap box having at least one sealable port configured to receive one of a duct or a connector. The tap box can include at least one fiber storage. The terminal may be configured to receive a fiber through the feeder port and to output a plurality of fibers through the plurality of distribution ports, at least one fiber of the plurality of fibers being received by a tap box mounted at a user location, through at least one sealed port, the tap box further comprising at least one slack fiber storage.

Abstract: A multimode interferometer includes: a multimode waveguide mesa having a top face extending in a direction of a first axis, a first side face and a second side face that extend in the direction of the first axis, and a first end face and a second end face that are arranged in the direction of the first axis; and a waveguide mesa connected to the first end face at a port; first and second waveguide mesas connected to first and second ports on the second end face. The multimode waveguide mesa has a first side edge line shared by the top face and the first side face, and an end line shared by the top face and the first end face. The first side edge line forms an acute angle with the end line at an outer vertex where the first side edge line and the end line meet.

Abstract: An optical transceiver includes a main body, an elastic component and a fastening component. The main body includes two lateral surfaces and an outer surface between the two lateral surfaces, and the outer surface defines a confined groove. The elastic component is disposed in the confined groove. The fastening component is movably disposed on the main body. The fastening component includes a linkage arm, two extending arms and a confined portion. The linkage arm is disposed on the outer surface of the main body, and the two extending arms are connected with the linkage arm. The two extending arms are respectively disposed on the two lateral surfaces. The confined portion is connected with the linkage arm and extends into the confined groove in order to press the elastic component. The two extending arms are detachably fasten-able with the cage.

Abstract: In general, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an adapter for routing, supporting and protecting a filamentary medium from sharp bends and kinking. According to various embodiments, an adapter is provided comprising a body having an entrance end, the entrance end including a hemi-toroidal portion to form a through-hole in the body for receiving a distal portion the filamentary medium. In some embodiments, a proximal portion of the filamentary medium bends over a curved surface of the hemi-toroidal portion away from the through-hole while the distal portion of the filamentary medium is passed through the through-hole.