Abstract: An optical repeating device with a monitoring function comprises first optical propagation means for propagating a lightwave signal through an optical transmission line, second optical propagation means butted against the first optical propagation means, for propagating the lightwave signal, optical branching means provided on a butting face between the first optical propagation means, and the second optical propagation means, and photodetection means. All the means described are assembled into a housing, and integrated therewith. Consequently, it is possible to downsize the optical repeating device with the monitoring function. A large portion of the lightwave signal propagated between the first optical propagation means and the second optical propagation means is allowed to pass through the optical branching means, however, a portion of the lightwave signal is reflected in a given direction by the optical branching means.

Abstract: A programmable optical waveguide cross-connection array including a supporting substrate, one or more first waveguides fixed to the supporting substrate, one or more second waveguides fixed to the supporting substrate and disposed to form one or more intersections with the first waveguides, and an optical boundary or cavity in at least one switched intersection; whereby the optical signal entering the switched intersection from a first waveguide is redirected by the cavity to exit the switched intersection by way of the second waveguide. The device embodies a network of intersecting waveguides in which cross-connections between selected waveguide pairs can be permanently programmed at low cost. The programmable optical substrate provides customized local connectivity between a plurality of optical components and may be efficiently and reliably fabricated in large quantities.

Abstract: An optical system for imaging an input beam from an input to an output beam at an output. The system includes a lens adapted for receiving the input beam from the input, and a reflecting device adapted for reflecting the input beam from the lens back to the lens. The lens is adapted for converging the beam reflected by the reflecting device to the output. The input and the output are both located substantially in the focal plane of the lens and off axis, with respect to the optical axis of the lens, on opposing sides from the optical axis of the lens. The reflecting device is located on a side opposite, with respect to the principal plane of the lens, to the side of the input and the output.

Abstract: In order to facilitate control of the polarization plane of a laser beam emerging from a surface-emitting-type semiconductor laser in a specific direction and to suppress occurrence of fluctuations and switching of the polarization plane depending on the optical output and the environmental temperature, a strain generating section (19) is arranged adjacent to a resonator (10B) of a semiconductor laser. The strain generating section (19) impresses anisotropic stress to the resonator (10B) to generate strain, resulting in birefringence and dependence of the gain on the polarization in the resonator (10A). This enables stabilized control of the polarization plane.

Abstract: An optical-to-optical wavelength converter for converting a plurality of optical bits from a first wavelength in a first wavelength band to a second wavelength in a second wavelength band. The optical-to-optical wavelength converter employs a directional coupler. The directional coupler includes at least one optical element having an index of refraction, which changes in response to optical power substantially in the first wavelength band.

Abstract: An optical network element using arrays of mirrors in an optical switch. A lens system is placed in between the mirror arrays and optical signals are passed through the lens system in an off-axis manner in order to increase switching capacity so that larger arrays of mirrors can be used, shorten the optical path through the switch or a combination of both.

Abstract: A filament organizer comprises a support having a first surface opposite a second surface and further includes a lockable spool and a rotary spool adjacent to the first surface of the support. The organizer has a tensioner attached to the second surface of the support for attachment to the rotary spool by a tension wire to apply tension thereto to transmit tension to a filament disposed between the lockable spool and the rotary spool. Selective reduction in tension on a filament is possible using a tension relief assembly attached to the support. A stacked configuration of a plurality of filament organizers may be formed by suitable alignment of supports.

Abstract: A method for writing a Bragg grating in a waveguide comprises the steps of placing the waveguide in a writing position in which the waveguide extends essentially along one axis; generating a beam of ultraviolet radiation; executing a first and a second scan with the said beam along the waveguide through a phase mask, in such a way as to generate interference fringes capable of modifying the refractive index along the said waveguide in a predetermined way; moving the phase mask, during the first or the second scan, with an oscillatory motion about one of its equilibrium positions and along a direction lying at an angle of less than 90° to the axis of the said waveguide, in such a way as to produce, in this scan, an essentially zero envelope of the refractive index; and varying the intensity of the energy of the ultraviolet radiation in a controlled way along the waveguide during the first and the second scan, for example by controlling the scanning velocity.

Abstract: An optical coupling device of the present invention includes: a light emitting device for converting an electric signal into an optical signal and outputting the optical signal; and a light receiving device for receiving the optical signal output from the light emitting device and converting the optical signal into the electric signal, wherein: the light emitting device has a light emitting surface for outputting the optical signal; the light receiving device has a light receiving surface for receiving the optical signal: and the light emitting device and the light receiving device are arranged so that the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface oppose each other, the optical coupling device further including: a first insulative substrate on which the light emitting device is mounted; and a second insulative substrate on which the light receiving device is mounted, wherein: the first insulative substrate has a first cross section; and the second insulative substrate has a second cross section;

Abstract: An electro-optical connector is described that provides a separable electrical interface for connecting to a circuit board. The optical connection between the fiber and the connector are semi-permanent. Also described is an electro-optical system that transfers signals between two circuit board over an optical fiber where the separable interface within the system is electrical rather than optical. Further described is a fixture with pivoting actuation and retraction for connecting a z-axis pressure mount connector to a circuit board.

Abstract: A fiber optic acoustic sensor system including an optical conductor having low reflectivity mirrors is provided. Optical sensors are provided by sections of the optical conductor bounded by pairs of the low reflectivity mirrors. Pulses of light are injected into the optical conductor and reflected by the low reflectivity mirrors. The reflected pulses of light are processed using a compensating interferometer to generate interference patterns representative of the environmental conditions acting upon the optical conductor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the management of cables extending to and from fiber termination blocks with sliding angled fiber adaptor modules within a fiber distribution frame.

Abstract: A thermally actuated spectroscopic optical switch including reflective surfaces which are selectively moved into a position intersecting a beam of light by applying electrical or heat energy to a selected composite cantilever beam on which the reflective surface is mounted.

Abstract: Sealed cable connections can be used to connect first and second cables to a sealed cable joint. The sealed cable connection at one end of the sealed cable joint includes a cable socket body positioned within an inner region of a housing. The cable socket body includes a passageway receiving one of the cables. A seal securing member is positioned within the inner region of the housing and secured into contact with the cable socket body. At least one seal, such as a resilient metal seal, is compressed between the cable socket body and the seal securing member to seal against the inner surface of the housing. The sealed cable connection can also include a cable seal positioned around the cable and within the passageway of the cable socket body.

Abstract: A doped slab region is described for use around a ridge waveguide, for controlling the refractive index of the waveguide material. Instead of simply diffusing dopant in from a surface of the slab region adjacent the waveguide, an area of the slab region is etched and dopant diffused in from a side face of the etched region. Thus, the dopant profile is established from a horizontal direction, allowing the profile to be controlled. A simple vertically uniform doping profile can thus be provided, leading to a vertically uniform current density, or an anisotropic wet etch can be applied after the initial etch to provide a profile which concentrates the current density at a selected height in the slab region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable, in particular an optical fiber cable, which is resistant to the radial permeation and to the longitudinal propagation of water. This cable contains a water-soluble polymer material which is a water-swellable and water-soluble material. In particular, this cable is characterized in that, following the ingress of water into this cable, the propagation of water is impeded on account of the combined effect of the swelling of the water-soluble material and the formation of an aqueous solution of said material which has a predetermined viscosity, so as to impede the passage of the residual water. Preferably, the water-soluble material is chosen from polyacrylamide, modified polyvinyl alcohol, vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and mixtures thereof, the material preferably being a vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate copolymer.

Abstract: A structure facilitating easy assembly of fiber-optic communication components includes a lower and an upper support being provided with small and big V-shaped cuts, respectively, for receiving optical fibers and collimators, respectively. The upper support is inverted to seat on a middle recess of the lower support, such that tangent planes passing top points of the optical fibers and the collimators are contained in horizontal planes passing openings of the small and the big V-shaped cuts, respectively, and axes of the collimators are either in alignment with or horizontally coplanar with axes of the optical fibers. The two supports together define a central positioning cavity between them for receiving different function elements, such as optical isolator, modularized filter, etc., between the collimators, so that fiber-optic communication components with reduced volume and increased reliability could be easily assembled in mass production at reduced cost.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an optical device and a base used for the optical device, the optical device of the present invention comprising a light transmittable base and a device constituent layer provided on the base, wherein the base includes, at least in a pixel formation region, continuously extending layers arranged to exhibit a cyclic refractive index distribution in the in-plane direction and to exhibit a specific refractive index in the thickness direction, and the base, on the device constituent layer side, has a surface roughness of 300 nm or less. Accordingly, the optical device having a long service life which is capable of extracting luminescence generated in an organic EL device from a light transmittable substrate to the external and of obtaining a high luminance even under low voltage drive and a base used for the optical device are achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber line for transmitting a plurality of wavelengths of optical signals in a wavelength division multiplexing transmission system, an optical transmission line, a method of making an optical cable, and a method of laying an optical transmission line.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and method establishes a value of group velocity dispersion in wavelength division multiplexing applications. The optical apparatus includes at least one input waveguide, a first slab waveguide, an arrayed waveguide grating, a second slab waveguide, at least one output waveguide, and at least one transition segment optically connecting the at least one input waveguide to the first slab waveguide. The transition segment features a taper and an extension. The wide end of the taper is optically connected to the first end of the extension and the second end of the extension is optically connected to the slab waveguide and the first and second ends are equal in width. The extension may have a constant or non-constant width and may include a heating element. When a plurality of transition segments are featured, each transition segment may have similar or different properties. The transition segments may be used at the output side of the optical apparatus as well as at the input side.