Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously sampling and scanning a portion a laser beam with acoustic energy. An acoustic pulse is propagated across the light beam and the pressure variations which comprise the pulse form a diffraction grating for deflecting the light beam over its volume of interaction with the pulse. As the pulse propagates, successive parts of the beam are deflected and an effective scan is performed. Focussing optics focus the diffracted beam on a photodetector and analyzing and controlling electronics is provided. Additionally, several embodiments for providing a two-dimensional scan of the laser beam portion are disclosed.

Abstract: A connector for optical fibres comprises two subassemblies, one subassembly comprising at least one tubular member the rear part of which fits on a coated fibre and the front part of which receives a connector element. The other subassembly includes at least one tubular connector element, the rear part of which fits on a coated fibre and the front part of which is a close fit on an uncoated fibre. On assembly of the two subassemblies, the connector element slides into the front part of the tubular member of the first subassembly. The ends of the uncoated fibres abut at about a mid position in the connector element. For a connector for multiple pairs of fibres, a plurality of tubular members are provided in one subassembly and a plurality of connector elements in the other assembly. Means can be provided for resiliently positioning one or the other or both of the tubular members and connector elements axially to permit axial movement on assembly to allow for manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: An integrated optical circuit transmitter fabricated on a single semiconductor substrate, which includes a source of optical pulses of variable wavelengths at a predetermined repetition rate. This source may take the form of a surface laser of III-V semiconductor compound material or a mixed ternary III-V semiconductor composition which includes a portion of the substrate and a semiconductor mesa of III-V semiconductor compound material or mixed ternary III-V semiconductor composition mounted on the substrate and having an active surface laser region along the top thereof in which laser radiation is generated in response to the admission of laser radiation through the substrate and the mesa in a direction extending thereto.

Abstract: A controllable, electro-optical grating coupler for the optional switch-over or modulation of optical waves in waveguides includes a substrate with a first areal electrode arranged on the substrate and a first dielectric layer arranged on the electrode and carrying a waveguide. A periodic grating structure is arranged in the waveguide transversely to the direction of propagation of light and either the grating structure of the waveguide consist of electro-optical material in the region of the grating structure. A second dielectric layer is arranged on the waveguide and a second areal electrode is arranged on the dielectric layer. By varying the voltage across the electrodes it is possible to amplify or reduce the interference provided by the grating structure so that the light in the waveguide is modulated, switched, scattered from the waveguide or input coupled to a second waveguide.

Abstract: An integrated optical waveguide has a first waveguide portion with a tapered terminus which directs the light carried therein into a multiple, high-and low-refractive layered filter system for spectrum or polarization filtration. A second optical waveguide portion has a tapered origin spaced closely adjacent the tapered terminus of the first portion on the topmost filter layer to pick up and transmit light from the filter. Effective indices of refraction of the integrated waveguides are greater than the index of refraction of the adjoining topmost layer of the filter for wave lengths of desired light.

Abstract: An optical waveguide for use in an optical communication system employing a broad spectral source. Mode coupling is present in the propagation of optical signals in the waveguide, and the parameters of the waveguide are such that pulse dispersion produced by the finite spectral width of the source is minimized by utilizing the mode coupling to substantially cause cancellation of dispersion which is linear with respect to waveguide length and which is caused by the mode independent material dispersion and by the mode dependent waveguide dispersion.

Abstract: A modulator and switch for optical energy includes an optical waveguide dning a path for the propagation of optical energy, a source of microwave energy, and at least one strip transmission line disposed in co-directional proximity relative to the optical waveguide and connected to the source of microwave energy. The strip transmission line is designed to have dimensions and dielectric constants for producing a propagation velocity of the microwave energy substantially equal to the propagation velocity of the optical energy in the optical waveguide. A suitable microwave load is connected to the transmission line for completing an electrical circuit with the source of microwave energy.

Abstract: An exposure meter circuit is disclosed in which the photoreceptor may be either a photovoltaic element such as a photodiode or a photoconductive element such as a CdS element. The meter is able to provide an indication of various exposure determining factors such as object brightness, shutter speed, aperture, or a fixed point for alignment by appropriate choice of circuit values.

Abstract: An improved device of the type suitable for coupling light waves from a first waveguide into a second waveguide, both waveguides being arranged by an integrated technique on a given substrate in intersecting fashion one above the other. Insulated electrodes adjacent opposed faces of the waveguides at the intersection zone between the waveguides permit generation of an electric field in response to an applied voltage therebetween. By forming the waveguides of electro optical material having appropriate indices of refraction, coupling is achievable between first and second waveguides.

Abstract: Electrooptic prism-type deflection is provided in a planar waveguide thin film of electrooptic material, such as a thin titanium-diffused region in a lithium niobate crystal, by means of an electrode arrangement involving three thin metallic stripes as the only needed electrodes. All three stripes are disposed on top of the thin film of light-guiding electrooptic material, the outermost two being essentially parallel to the incoming light beam path, and the third extending diagonally between opposite ends of, but not contacting, the others. The electrooptic material is oriented to have its crystallographic C-axis, along which it exhibits a linear electrooptic effect, parallel to the interface of the light-guiding film and the lower index substrate and othogonal to the initial propagation direction of the light beam. Like deflection voltages are applied to the two triangular electrooptic waveguide portions defined by the stripes.

Abstract: An improved connector is disclosed for interconnecting and terminating bundles of light transmitting fibers in such a manner as to have low light loss at the points of connection. The subject connector is suitable for use in either splicing or terminating individual bundles of light transmitting fibers, each bundle including at least one fiber, as well as for connecting a plurality of light transmitting fiber bundles in a single connector assembly. The subject connector includes an annular crimping ring, an annular cap member, and a profiled ferrule member all of which are slipped over the prepared end of a light transmitting fiber bundle. The end of the bundle is prepared by stripping the exterior layer therefrom to expose the light transmitting fibers. In the case of the bundle including a plurality of fibers, it may be preferable to also pretreat the bundle by applying a potting compound to the fibers to form them into a cohesive unit.

Abstract: An optical waveguide for optical communication transmitting light wave energy in a single mode composed of a core of a first transparent dielectric material and successive layers of a second and a third transparent dielectric material coaxially covering the core, the refractive index of the first dielectric material being higher than that of the third dielectric material and the refractive index of the second dielectric material being lower than that of the third dielectric material.

Abstract: An optical coupler comprising an optical chamber having a reflective wall. A light emitting device, such as an LED or the end of an optical fiber, is positioned adjacent to one end of the optical chamber. The end of a receiving optical fiber extends into the chamber from the opposite end thereof. A light transmitting filler fills the chamber so that light emitted into the chamber by the light emitting device will reflect off the chamber wall and impinge upon the outer surface of the receiving fiber. The receiving fiber is insensitive to alignment problems due to the close proximity of the reflector and receiver surfaces and the large receiving surface area.

Abstract: An optical structure for the bidirectional coupling of light between each of a multiplicity of optical fibers and corresponding individual thin-film waveguides to achieve a leaky wave coupling from one guided mode structure to a second guided mode structure. The structure is particularly suited for fabrication by planar deposition and etching techniques and features the precise axial alignment of the optical elements by inserting the fibers in etched V-grooves in the substrate upon which are deposited the waveguides.

Abstract: Two light paths are disposed to induce resonant coupling of light energy from one path to the other. Electrodes connected to an electrical source are positioned relative to the two light paths and to develop electric fields which inhibit the resonant coupling from one light path to the other. A photoconductive region is positioned in one of the two light paths or in an additional third light path so that transmission of light energy through the photoconductive material produces a lowered resistance path between the electrodes, substantially diminishing the potential across the electrodes, and causing commensurate dimunition of the electric fields so that resonant coupling is inhibited between the resonantly coupled optical paths. Three light paths may be employed to provide an optical AND gate while two light paths can be arranged to provide an optical OR gate.

Abstract: A system using collinear acoustooptic interactions in optical waveguides through which waveguide mode conversion is achieved. The system involves a surface acoustic wave interaction with an optically guided wave and its operation for mode conversion.

Abstract: A non-reciprocal component element for integrated optics characterized by a substrate having a pair of waveguides disposed thereon either in a stacked relationship or a closely spaced side-by-side relationship with one of the pair of waveguides being of a magneto-optic material having an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the substrate. The component has a magnetic field extending in the plane of the waveguides and perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the waves therein. The component is preferably provided with a pair of 3dB couplers and in one embodiment, the magnetic field is controllable so that the element acts as a modulator.

Abstract: A connector for coupling a transmitting single optical fiber to a receiving single optical fiber in which the ends of the fibers are mounted in the respective ends of a bore in an alignment tube. The end faces of the fibers are spaced from each other and a restriction is formed in the bore between such end faces. The wall of the bore adjacent to each end of the restriction is tapered so that the optical beam emitted from the transmitting fiber is restricted in the restriction and thereafter reconstructed to its emitted numerical aperture prior to reaching the end face of the receiving fiber. The transmitting fiber is slidably mounted in the bore so as to be separable therefrom.

Abstract: A switching device for switching an optical beam between first and second outputs each associated with first and second paths in a thin-film optical wave guide supported on a substrate. Switching occurs by reason of mode conversion in a first or second path as determined by the direction of a variable magnetic field. A common optical path is defined, in said wave guide, by a first optical coupler, for coupling an optical beam into or out of said wave guide, and a beam splitter. First and second optical paths are defined, in the same wave guide, between the beam splitter and second and third couplers each co-linear with said beam splitter. At least a portion of each of said first and second optical paths include means for periodically varying the magnetization in said path. The wave guide is subjected to a d.c. magnetic field in the plane of the wave guide and at an angle with respect to both said first and second paths. Preferably the first and second paths are perpendicular and the d.c. field makes a 45.

Abstract: An optical switch is described which has particular utility in communication systems utilizing light as a modulated carrier. The switch is susceptible to construction as an integrated optical device and may be formed with a planar substrate and an optically transparent film on a surface of that substrate which has an index of refraction higher than that of the substrate. This construction forms a planar optical waveguide. A plurality of parallel optical fiber waveguides are coupled into one side of the planar optical waveguide by conventional techniques and a like plurality of parallel output optical fiber waveguides are coupled out at an opposite side. An integrated beam deflection element is formed adjacent to each separate one of the pluralities of input and output optical fiber waveguides and is associated with the optical fiber waveguide. The beam deflection elements are each capable of deflecting light rays incident on the element through a plurality of discrete deflection angles.