Abstract: A device for expanding the wavelength band of an optical component is disclosed. The device has a beam splitter for splitting a wavelength division multiplexed beam into two beams at a desired separation angle. An optical grating separates the two beams into spectral components for each beam. The spectral components are focused on a receiving surface. The separation angle between the two beams expands the wavelength band of the WDM signal.

Abstract: Fiber optic modules having a pull-actuator to unlatch and withdraw (i.e. unplug) it from a cage assembly or a module receptacle. The pull-actuator includes a pull-tab, an arm or push rod, and a catch to couple to a pivot-arm actuator. The pivot-arm actuator pivotally latches to the pull-actuator and to the cage assembly or module receptacle. The pull-actuator makes it easy to de-latch and unplug a fiber optic module. A nose grip is further provided to pull the fiber optic module away from the cage or module receptacle. A belly-to-belly mounting configuration is introduced for the pull-release fiber optic modules.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for velocity matching an optical signal propagating in a traveling-wave optical modulator with a modulating signal. The optical signal and the modulating signal are propagated at an angle greater than zero degrees with respect to one another to adjust a path length of at least one of the signals relative to the other of the signals.

Abstract: An optical power combining system. The system may comprise: a means for splitting an optical source into multiple channels; amplifiers in the multiple channels; and waveguide couplers for coherently combining the multiple channels into a single output.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device wherein a substrate is fabricated from a lithium niobate (LiNbO3) substrate; at least one optical waveguide is formed in the lithium niobate substrate in such a manner that two Mach-Zehnder type directional couplers are formed, and further a phase shifter is formed in between these directional couplers; and the phase shifter is provided with an electrode of a structure including a first thin film layer being an ITO thin film containing an oxide and a second thin film layer being a chromium thin film an oxide of which is acidic, whereby an electric field produced in response to a voltage applied to the electrode is given to the optical waveguide to function as a variable optical attenuator.

Abstract: The optical module comprises a ferrule, an optical fiber inserted into the ferrule, an optical communication functional unit for making the optical communication with the optical fiber, and a resin molded portion covering a part of the ferrule and the optical communication functional unit. The ferrule is provided with one or more concave grooves in a region exposed from the resin molded portion. Since this concave portion serves as a resin reservoir at the time of molding, the resin is prevented from adhering and covering on the outer surface of ferrule exposing from the resin molded portion.

Abstract: An optical fiber for reducing modal dispersion and increasing both travel distance and transmission speed. A core center is formed in the core of the optical fiber. The core center is doped with impurities, is hollow, or is pulled at a lower temperature to increase diffraction of the core center. The core center discriminates the low order modes such that only the high order modes are present in the optical fiber. Because the low order modes are absorbed or otherwise discriminated against, the range of propagation constants is reduced and modal dispersion is likewise reduced. High order modes can be launched in the optical fiber using a lens whose center portion is obscured or by using a diffractive lens to couple a source to the optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical line-of-sight inter-board data transfer configuration for circuit boards mounted in a card cage or other suitable mounting mechanism has an array of light emitting devices and an array of light detecting devices mounted on each circuit board such that, when the circuit boards are mounted in the card cage, each light emitting device of one circuit board is aligned with a corresponding light detecting device on an adjacent circuit board. Data is modulated onto collimated light that is transmitted from the light emitting devices via a gas (air) or free space medium to corresponding ones of the light detecting devices. In this way high data rates in the gigahertz range may be achieved between circuit boards, avoiding the bottleneck imposed by a backplane of the card cage.

Abstract: A Raman amplifier system is provided for amplifying optical signals that are transmitted via a transmission medium, the series circuit being composed of a standard single-mode fiber arranged on a transmit side, and a second optical fiber arranged on a receive side.

Abstract: The manufacturing apparatus for optical fiber cord is provided with an extrusion machine, a cooling chamber, an intermediate pulling device, a heating chamber, a final pulling device, and a winding machine wherein the machines, the devices and the chambers are disposed in this order. One or more optical fiber cores and one or more reinforcing fibers are sheathed with thermoplastic resin by the extrusion machine. The thermoplastic resin is solidified by cooling so as to be a resin sheath. The sheathed fibers are annealed by the heating chamber so that its residual stress is relieved.

Abstract: A fiber optic module having a push button release to unlatch and withdrawal (i.e. unplug) it from a cage or a module receptacle. A kicker-actuator includes a button, an arm or push rod, and a hook in one embodiment to couple to an actuator. An integrated actuator is also provided with the push button subassembly. Embodiments of a withdrawal tab are also provided to pull the fiber optic module away from the cage or module receptacle. A nose grip is further provided pull the fiber optic module away from the cage or module receptacle. A belly-to-belly mounting configuration is introduced for the push button release fiber optic modules.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a monolithic expanded beam mode electroabsorption modulator including a waveguide layer with a two expansion/contraction sections and an electroabsorption section arranged along a longitudinal axis. At least one patterned growth retarding layer is formed on the top surface of a substrate. The waveguide layer is formed on a portion of the top surface of the substrate by selective area growth and has an index of refraction different from the substrate. An electroabsorption portion of the waveguide layer has a thickness which is greater than thicknesses in its other portions. The semiconductor layer is formed on the waveguide layer and includes an index of refraction different from the waveguide. The waveguide and semiconductor layers are defined and etched to form the expansion/contraction and electroabsorption sections of the waveguide layer. Electrical contacts are formed, one electrically coupled to the substrate and another electrically coupled to the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Rotate-and-pull mechanisms for fiber optic modules. The rotate-and-pull mechanisms have a lever-actuator to unlatch and withdraw a fiber optic module from a cage assembly or a module receptacle. The lever-actuator pivotally couples to the fiber optic module so that when lever-actuator is rotated about its pivot point, the lever-actuator causes the second actuator to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly. The lever-actuator includes an actuating-tab to cause the second actuator to move when the lever-actuator is rotated. By pulling the lever-actuator away from the cage assembly, the fiber optic module is withdrawn from the cage assembly. A belly-to-belly mounting configuration is introduced for the rotate-and-pull release fiber optic modules.

Abstract: An optical switch (a/k/a “optical switching unit”) includes at least two sides, an input, a plurality of outputs on the same side as the input. The optical switch further includes a plurality of mirrors to direct light beams between the input and at least one of the plurality of outputs. The plurality of mirrors illustratively are pop-up mirrors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical-fiber device comprising at least one component (11) integrated into the fiber (10), and a support assembly on which the fiber (10) is fixed at two points (1322, 1332) situated respectively on either side of the integrated component (11), which support comprises at least two elements (120, 130, 132) possessing different thermal-expansion coefficients which are arranged functionally in series between the two points of fixing of the fiber, characterized in that the interface (131, 133) between the two elements (120, 130, 132) possessing different thermal-expansion coefficients is at least substantially perpendicular to the axis of the fiber (10), and in that the means for support of the optical fiber (10) comprise a support assembly consisting of three pieces (130, 120 and 132) arranged in series, in a Z-shaped geometry.

Abstract: A hollow waveguide based optical switch, and novel hollow waveguide-based switch architectures for optical communications. The switch comprises a pair of hollow waveguides overlapping over a common section that includes a common opening, a first conductive flexible lever attached to one of the hollow waveguides, the first lever configured to assume upon actuation at least two switching positions within the pair of waveguides at the common opening, a second conductive flexible lever attached to the other of the hollow waveguides, the second lever configured to assume upon same the actuation same at least two switching positions within the pair of waveguides as the first lever while keeping a substantially parallel geometry with the first lever, and means to actuate the first and the second levers in order to achieve the at least two switching positions.

Abstract: A wide variety of Fiber Bragg writing devices comprising solid state lasers are provided. The solid state lasers emit moderate peak-power output beams which are suitable for efficient production of fiber Bragg gratings without causing embrittlement of the optical waveguide. These solid state lasers generate output beams with wavelengths of approximately 240 nm, in order to match the primary absorption peak in the ultraviolet range for a typical optical waveguide. In some embodiments, the solid state lasers comprise Ti:sapphire lasers which are tuned to produce fundamental wavelengths which are frequency-multiplied. In other embodiments, the output beam of a Ti:sapphire laser is mixed with a harmonic beam from a pump laser. Some embodiments output the third harmonic of a fundamental beam.

Abstract: An optical device includes non-reciprocal combination-device and a polarizer. The non-reciprocal combination-device has a principal direction and a reverse principal direction. The non-reciprocal combination-device includes a first birefringent wedge, a second birefringent wedge, and a non-reciprocal rotating element. The polarizer receives a first light signal from the second birefringent wedge traveling in the principal direction and transmits a second light signal to enter the second birefringent wedge in the reverse principal direction.

Abstract: An optical sensor diagnostic system utilizes a tunable Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) that incorporates an integrated MEMS tuning mechanism provides variable wavelength light into an optical fiber with improved wavelength scanning speed and greater simplicity of construction. Sensors, such as Bragg gratings, are disposed along the fiber in the light path. Each sensor reflects or transmits light exhibiting a characteristic amplitude and/or phase feature with respect to wavelength, the wavelength position of which is affected by an environmental stimulus imposed thereon. The light reflected or transmitted through each sensor is mixed with light passed through an optical reference path and then converted to an electrical signal by a simple detector and monitored by ciruitry that applies signal processing to the detected power spectral distribution, by this means providing output signals indicative of the environmental stimulus on each sensor.

Abstract: An optical waveguide has a core, wherein the core is doped with laser-active ions, and also additionally doped with Ce.