Abstract: At least one optical repeater is connected in series to an optical signal transmission fiber of an optical fiber cable interconnecting transmitting and receiving terminals, and the optical repeater has an optical amplifier which is excited by pump light to amplify signal light. The pump light is supplied from the outside of the optical repeater, and the pump light supplied is input into the optical amplifier via at least one of its input end and output end. The optical repeater may include an optical divider for dividing the pump light supplied thereto into two, which are input into the optical amplifier via its input end and output end, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel fiber optic conduit-connector assembly for passing optical fibers between optoelectronic component housings. In one preferred embodiment, the conduit comprises a flexible, crush resistant and fluid resistant inner tube adapted for enclosing at least one optical fiber, a layer of electromagnetic shielding surrounding the inner tube, and an outer pressure tight layer surrounding the shielding layer. A connector adapted to allow at least one optical fiber to pass therethrough is fixedly attached to at least one end of the conduit by first stripping away the end portion of the outer layer of the conduit, inserting the inner tube of the conduit into one end of the connector and wrapping the shielding layer around the outer surface of the connector end. A thermofit ring is placed over the steel braiding and secures the braiding to the connector upon application of heat to the thermofit ring.

Abstract: A tapered single-mode rib waveguide for which only laterally patterning is required. A sublayer is disposed between the low-index substrate and the high-index rib and has an intermediate index. Preferably a thin buffer layer of very low refractive index is disposed between the rib and the sublayer. The widths of the rib are chosen so that in a wide portion the optical power of the single-mode is concentrated in the rib or buffer layer but in a narrow portion the optical power is concentrated in the sublayer or substrate and additionally has a wide lateral distribution. A similar effect can be obtained by tapering an upper rib disposed on top of an untapered lower rib.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is comprised of an optical fiber having a core and a cladding wherein the core comprises an organic polymer media exhibiting non-linear optical response over a predetermined optically transmissive region, the polymer having a predetermined index of refraction and the fiber having a predetermined uniform diameter and an arbitrary length. The fiber inherently possesses waveguide properties which are utilized for the detection of radio frequency fields, modulating optical signals, frequency doubling, and as a parametric amplifier.

Abstract: This invention is a new optical packaging and interconnection technology which is particularly effective in not only addressing the problem of attaching fiber pigtails to glass waveguide silicon devices, but also in isolating these waveguide devices from the deleterious effects of their external environment. An important aspect of the invention lies in the novel realization that the foregoing objectives may be achieved by covering the device with a thin silica coverplate affixed with a low index epoxy, which act as an extended cladding layer for optically confining the optical radiation below the coverplate.

Abstract: A method for aligning first and second optical fibers of a fiber optic connector at a fiber interface wherein the first optical fiber has a beveled angle end face and the second optical fiber a complementary beveled angle end face, the method including the step of abutting the respective fiber end faces at an angle at the interface, cooperatively engaging a vertical reference surface associated with the first optical fiber with a vertical reference nodule associated with the second optical fiber to align the respective fiber end faces at a vertical aligned position for the connector. Respective horizontal reference surfaces associated with the first optical fiber are also cooperatively engaged with a horizontal reference node and a compressible crush rib associated with the second optical fiber to align the respective fiber end faces at a horizontal aligned position for the connector.

Abstract: A planar connector holder for optical fibers having storage compartments for incoming fibers and a mounting region for connectors to outgoing fibers. Two storage compartments lie back-to-back on each side of a planar base of the holder, the compartments being interconnected for fiber to pass from compartment-to-compartment. The mounting region and the storage compartments are aligned from end-to-end of the holder. With connector mounts mounted in the mounting region, the mounts lie in planes common with the two storage compartments in a depth direction of the holder. Also included is a distribution frame and holder combination in which the holders are mounted in two banks with patch cords extending between the banks and selectively between connectors.

Abstract: A constricted portion (14) is formed on an optical fiber (6) composed of a core (2) and a clad (4), and one or two belt-like conductive layers (20) elongated in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber (6) are provided on a surface of the constricted portion (14). With the structure, the device functions as a polarizer which removes a polarized light component having a polarization plane perpendicular to the conductive layers (20). The optical fiber polarizer is suitably inserted in and used with an optical transmission line of an optical communication system and is also suitable for use as a component of an optical isolator.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises at least one standby optical fibre transmission path and at least one worker optical fibre transmission path. Each end of the paths is terminated by an associated transmit and receive electro-optic converters. The converters are connected to respective electrical protection switching devices. At least one optical switching means interfaces the electro-optic converters with the optical fibres at one end of the transmission paths and is arranged to switch the optical transmission between worker and standby fibres when a fault is detected.

Abstract: A fiberoptic-coupled free-space variable delay line is provided wherein the phase adjustment of the signal can be accurately set. A microscope-objective lens collimates a signal beam which is received by a focusing lens. The focusing lens is provided on an adjustable carrier to allow one to accurately adjust the distance travelled by the collimated signal base and thereby accurately adjust the off-set. A plurality of these variable delay lines can be arranged to form a multiplexer. If the threads on each drive rod moving a carrier are different, the carrier can be adjusted to accommodate changes in frequency of the signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric materials that exhibit an erasable photorefractive effect which can be fabricated into optical devices such as optical wave guides.

Abstract: Optical communication media particularly adapted for blow-in installation, including single optical fibers and lightweight flexible optical cables comprising one or more glass optical fibers in a multilayer polymer coating, are disclosed. The multilayer coating includes a textured polymer outer layer and at least one soft buffer layer positioned between the textured polymer outer layer and the glass optical fiber or fibers, the buffer layer comprising a low T.sub.g polymer and preferably having a layer thickness at least sufficient to maintain thermally induced microbending loss in the optical communication medium below about 0.5 db/km at medium operating temperatures in the range of 0.degree. C. to -60.degree. C.

Abstract: An optical switching device includes a first optical fiber terminating in a first window, and a plurality of second optical fibers each terminating in a corresponding second window. A concave mirror is selectively positionable with conjugate foci located respectively at the first window and selectively at any one of the second windows so as to reciprocally image the first window and a selected second window on each other. The imaging mirror is rotated about an axis spaced from and parallel to the optical axis of the mirror, so as to rotate the mirror among a plurality of arcuately spaced selected positions. In each selected position the imaging means closes a light circuit between the first optical fiber and a selected second optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically operated fiber optical switch for circularly polarized light. The switch comprises an input 3-dB fiber optic coupler, a Faraday effect fiber optic phase rotator and an output 3-dB fiber optic coupler, all three providing dual fiber optic paths. The input 3-dB coupler divides the light waves between two oppositely wound optical fibers in the Faraday effect phase rotator. The magnetic fields in the phase rotator are adjusted to produce the desired (e.g. .+-..pi./2 radians) relative phase delays between the divided light waves, the sign of the relative phase being dependent on current direction. When the light waves are recombined in the output 3-dB couplers, cancellation will occur in one or the other output fiber as a function of the direction of the magnetic field. The arrangement provides rapid switch operation by reversing the current direction in a magnetic field producing winding.

Abstract: An apparatus for irradiating the bronchi of a patient for the purpose of photodynamic therapy has an optical fibre (11) that feeds the light of a laser into a bronchoscope and is surrounded by a light-guide tube (8) and an outer tube (2). The distal end (13) of the optical fibre (11) is embedded in a silicone composition (17) containing 7 parts per thousand of TiO.sub.2 particles having a particle size of 0.2 .mu.m. The silicone composition (17) fills the front end of the light-guide tube (8) as far as the end face (6) of an aluminium cylinder (5) which acts as a mirror. The light dispersed by the TiO.sub.2 particles is emitted radially through the light-guide tube (8) and the front portion of the outer tube (2) and acts on the patient's bronchi.

Abstract: An armored optical fiber cable interconnection and method of making the irconnection with a self-sealing, low-strength joint with relatively low optical attenuation, has an inner fiber carrying jacket, an outer protective jacket, and an intermediate armored jacket of stranded material. The interconnection ends are assembled with a doubled layer of armored jacket over an intermediate protective jacket portion all sealed and held in place with a length of shrink tubing over the jackets and a retaining bead with an o-ring fitting over the assembly and against the shrink tubing over the retaining bead.

Abstract: For an optical communications system for diplex or duplex transmission, especially for the subscriber area, a new multiplexing process, namely, the combination of fiber mode multiplexing and wavelength multiplexing, is reported, i.e., the two signals to be transmitted are transmitted with different fiber modes (LP.sub.01, (LP.sub.11) and with different wavelengths (.lambda..sub.1, .lambda..sub.2) unidirectionally or bidirectionally via a single waveguide. Fusion couplers with exactly similar fibers (FIG. 3) are used as system components such as multiplexers, demultiplexers, and duplexers when one of the two wavelengths is above and one is below the cutoff wavelength of the coupler waveguide and the transmission waveguide (104, 114); or fusion couplers (21, 31) with dissimilar fibers are used when both wavelengths are below the cutoff wavelength.

Abstract: A wavelength selective structure is coupled to an adiabatic Y-coupler via a multimode section which supports both symmetric and antisymmetric modes. One single mode branch of the coupler converts guided light to a symmetric mode, whereas the other single mode branch converts guided light to an anti-symmetric mode. The structure, which includes a pair of single mode waveguide arms coupled to the common section and a reflection device (such as a grating or ROR) located in each arm, converts reflected light from a symmetric mode to an anti-symmetric mode and conversely. Applications described include a channel dropping filter and channel balancing apparatus for WDM systems, and a dispersion compensator for fiber optic systems.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fiber type coupler or the present invention by fusing and elongating a plurality of optical fibers is characterized in that a multi-wire optical fiber wire is used as the plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: This invention provides polymeric thin film optical waveguide media which exhibit nonlinear optical response, and which have utility as an optical waveguide component in all-optical and electrooptical light switch and light modulator devices.