Abstract: Provided herein are a planar optical circuit and optical transmission system in which signal light power can be adjusted with respect to signal light and light that is different from the wavelength band of the signal light can be maintained satisfactorily. The planar optical circuit 1 is composed of a filter 10 that can cause loss of variable wavelength dependence to signal light of a signal light wavelength band such that signal light input from a signal light input end 111 is caused to have loss at given wavelength dependent loss by filter 10 and is output from signal light output end 112.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that permit multi-directional fiber optic connections to a device. The multi-directional aspect of the fiber optic connections permit the connections to be aligned closely with the direction of travel of the fiber optic cables that interface with the device. Closely aligning the fiber optic connections on the device with the fiber optic cables' direction of travel maximizes the bend radius of the fiber optic cable near the point of connection or eliminates the bend altogether and reduces the likelihood of a broken fiber or signal attenuation.

Abstract: A high-speed optical transceiver for an integrated circuit (IC) includes a serializer-deserializer (SERDES) and a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) combined with a detector array. By covalently bonding the SERDES die to the IC, the two components can be processed simultaneously to produce a tightly aligned, high-speed data interface. The SERDES can be coupled to the VCSEL/detector array using a flex interconnect, or the VCSEL/detector array can also be covalently bonded to the IC or SERDES to maximize data bandwidth. The SERDES and VCSEL/detector array can also be produced in a single die using a process technology appropriate for both to maximize manufacturing efficiency.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a waveguide core, and thin film heaters with widths W1 and W2. The thin film heaters are mounted directly above the waveguide core, and operate as two types of different annealing regions. The annealing, which is carried out by supplying current to the thin film heaters, can alter the quality of the cladding, and change the stress applied on the waveguide core, thereby making it possible to control the polarization dependency. Thus changing the width of the thin film heaters and/or the amount of the supply current thereto enables the permanent control of the effective refractive index (birefringence index) independently in the transverse electric polarization mode and the transverse magnetic polarization mode. This enables the transverse electric polarization mode to be adjusted to a phase difference of &lgr;/2, and the transverse magnetic polarization mode to a phase difference of zero.

Abstract: An optical sensor diagnostic system uses a tunable Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) that incorporates an integrated MEMS tuning mechanism. The system provide 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 feature with respect to wavelength, the wavelength position of which is affected by an environmental stimulus imposed thereon. The reflected light is converted to an electrical signal by a simple detector and monitored by circuitry that detects changes. The system provides output signals indicative of the environmental stimulus for each sensor.

Abstract: An integrated photonic apparatus that includes a glass substrate having a major surface, a first waveguide segment and a second waveguide segment, and a folded evanescent coupler connecting the first waveguide segment to the second. The folded evanescent coupler is formed by a first length of the first waveguide segment and an equivalent length portion of the second waveguide running parallel and adjacent to the first waveguide segment. The first length is substantially equal to one half of an evanescent-coupler length needed to transfer a first wavelength in a non-folded evanescent coupler. A reflector (e.g., dielectric mirror that is highly reflective to light of the first wavelength and also highly transmissive to light of a second wavelength) is located at an end of the folded evanescent coupler. The first length is selected to transfer substantially all light of a first wavelength.

Abstract: The invention provides a fiber with continuously changing chromatic dispersion; it limits the quantity of dispersion-compensating fiber needed in a transmission system to compensate the cumulative chromatic dispersion in the line fiber. The fiber has a higher chromatic dispersion at a first end than at the other end, referred to as the second end. The chromatic dispersion varies along the fiber, decreasing over at least a portion of the fiber. At the first end the chromatic dispersion can be of the order of the dispersion of a conventional line fiber, i.e. close to 8 ps/(nm.km). At the second end the chromatic dispersion can have a value of the order of 4 ps/(nm.km). The fiber is used as the line fiber in a transmission system at the beginning of a section between two repeaters.

Abstract: A data communication system comprising a plurality of fiber optic cables and a fiber optic switching system, comprising: a support structure for securing light emitting/light receiving ends of the plurality of fiber optic cables in predetermined positions; and, means for re-directing light emitted from the light emitting/light receiving end of one of the fiber optic cables to the light emitting/light receiving ends of one, or more than one, of a plurality of the plurality of fiber optic cables. The re-directing means includes means for collimating and directing the light emitted from the end of one of the cables as a beam propagating along a predetermined direction and for re-directing the beam towards the end of another one of the cables selectively in accordance with an electrical signal. More particularly, the re-directing means includes electro-optical phase shifting medium, preferably liquid crystal molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cassette (KA) or cassette base plate (KG) for receiving optical wave guides with over-lengths. Additional elements for entries, pivoting elements and fixing elements which can be removed if needed, respectively, are located on said cassette base plate (KG). This ensures that the cassettes (K) or cassette base plates (KG) are universally usable.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical module in which the level of the lead frame coincides with the optical axis of the fiber. The module 1 comprises a container 4, a subassembly 2 and a lead frame 6. The subassembly includes a substrate, on which the semiconductor optical device and the optical fiber are mounted. The lead frame has a pair of fixing bar and inner leads. The fixing bars extend along a first direction and attach to regions on the container. Respective inner leads extend along a second direction intersecting the first direction and have tips facing to respective fixing bars.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) system. One or more discrete temperature sensors are positioned adjacent to a DTS fiber to calibrate data generated from DTS fiber. The discrete temperature sensors preferably comprise FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) sensors.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical module in which the level of the lead frame coincides with the optical axis of the fiber. The module 1 comprises a container 4, a subassembly 2, a base member 5 and a lead frame 6. The subassembly 2 includes a substrate, on which the semiconductor optical device and the optical fiber are mounted. The container 4 has a pair of surface. One surface is securing the lead frame thereon while the base member is attached to the other surface of the container 4. The base member comprises an island portion and a frame portion. The subassembly 2 is placed on the island and the frame portion is fixed to the container 4. Island support portions connecting the island portion to the frame portion is deformed in the molding process, thus aligning the subassembly 2.

Abstract: An optical semiconductor module with a downsizeable structure is provided. An optical semiconductor module 10 comprises a mounting member 20, first member 30, optical semiconductor element 22, second member 34, and optical fiber 40. The mounting member 20 extends along a reference surface intersecting an axis 12. The first member 30 has a tubular portion 30a extending in a direction of the axis 12, a first end 30b formed at one end of the tubular portion 30a and fixed to the mounting member, and a second end 30c formed at the other end of the tubular portion 30a. The optical semiconductor element 22 is arranged in the tubular portion 30a of the first member 30 such that its optical axis is directed in a direction of the predetermined axis 12. The second member 34 has a tubular portion 34a extending in a direction of the axis 12, and is fixed to the second end 30c of the first member 20.

Abstract: An electromagnetic micro positioner, e.g. for use in fibre optics, is operated by a ceramic piston (8) mounted within a ceramic cylinder (5). The piston (8) is moved by a permanent magnet (9) and an electromagnetic circuit (1/2). By changing the coil (2) polarity the piston (8) will either be attracted or repelled to its top or bottom position. In particular the core (1), capable of polarity reversal, has a magnetic remanence by means of which the movable piston (8) is fixable in one of the two predefined positions when the coil (2) is not energized.

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: A cable includes a tubular jacket which surrounds a plurality of protection tubes in which optical fibers are accommodated in groups and have a relative freedom of movement. These tubes are disposed in layers in which they are disposed in a helix. The cable includes at least one layer made up of an assembly of tubes which have an outside diameter smaller than that of the tubes of a layer that they surround and the tubes of the two layers all contain the same number of optical fibers.

Abstract: A micro electromechanical (MEMS) electromagnetic optical switch capable of redirecting light signals to a plurality of different output structures. The optical switch utilizes a movable mirror to redirect light signals. The mirror is magnetically moved into a predetermined fixed position by a magnetic member such that the mirror is positioned to redirect a light signal into one of a plurality of output structures. An electrical assembly induces a temporary magnetic field across the magnetic member to initiate the movement of the mirror.

Abstract: Light source monitoring apparatus includes a light source having drive electronics for supplying drive current to the light source. A monitor diode is connected to the drive electronics for controlling the amount of drive current supplied to the light source. A lens system is positioned to receive the beam of light from the light source and transmit substantially all of the beam of light along an optical axis to a light terminal. The lens system includes a first lens element positioned along the optical axis and adjacent the light source and a second lens element positioned along the optical axis and adjacent the light terminal. A light reflecting surface in the lens system is positioned along the optical axis to reflect a portion of the beam of light at an angle to the optical axis onto the monitor diode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cheap optical connector having a simple construction without increasing bending loss and coupling loss of a multimode optical fiber fixedly inserted into e.g., an optical connector. The optical connector is constructed by fitting a receptacle connector and a plug connector. Connecting end face sides of multimode optical fibers are fixed to the plug connector. A light emitting element having a radiation numerical aperture larger than the numerical aperture of the multimode optical fiber, and a convergent lens for converging light emitted from the light emitting element so as to provide an incident numerical aperture smaller than the numerical aperture of the multimode optical fiber and making this light incident to the multimode optical fiber are arranged in the receptacle connector. A light receiving element is arranged side by side with the light emitting element, and the multimode optical fiber is optically connected to the light receiving element.

Abstract: A bridge fiber and a method of connecting two other dissimilar optical waveguide fibers is presented. The bridge fiber may be utilized to connect positive dispersion fibers or step index single mode fibers to compensative fibers, such as dispersion compensation fibers or dispersion-slope compensation fibers.