Abstract: A modular optical router/switch construction system and method are described. In one aspect of the present invention, the modules provided are basic 1×N optical components and/or pass-through 1×N optical components, both of which have input/output (I/O) ports which are capable of detachably interconnecting. Pass-through 1×N optical components are like the basic 1×N optical components but include extra ports so that input light may “pass through” the component. In another aspect of the present invention, a bi-directional optical component capable of modular construction is provided. The bi-directional optical component has the same I/O ports as the basic 1×N optical component, but the bi-directional I/O ports are built to engage a duplex optical link (i.e., a link comprised of two optical fibers with signals going in two opposite directions).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber grating filter optical waveguide device, comprising an optical fiber with an optical filter, both consisting essentially of silica, whereby said optical filter has an area with a grating region, wherein said area with a grating region is covered with a layer comprising a material having a refractive index which is the same or higher than the refractive index of the material of the optical fiber. The variation of the physic-chemical nature of said material allows to match the changes in the refractive index of the optical fiber of the optical filter when specific requirements for a high transmission spectrum of the filter are required.

Abstract: A fiber scope and cleaning tool including a hand-held housing having a magnification and viewing system. A fiber inlet through the housing is used to insert a fiber into the viewing system. A fiber cleaning mechanism, including a strip of cleaning fabric spooled between rollers, is associated with the housing for cleaning the fiber.

Abstract: A Dispersion Compensation (DC) fiber and transmission line including the same. The DC fiber has a refractive index profile having a central core with a core delta (&Dgr;1) value greater than 1.5%, a moat surrounding the central core having a moat delta (&Dgr;2) value less negative than −0.65%, and a ring surrounding the moat having a positive ring delta (&Dgr;3). The DC fiber's refractive index profile is selected to provide total dispersion less than −87 and greater than −167 ps/nm/km; dispersion slope more negative than −0.30 ps/nm2/km; and kappa of greater than 151 and less than 244 nm, all at 1550 nm. The DC fiber, when used in transmission lines, may provide low average residual dispersions across the C, L, C+L and S bands when such lines include transmission fibers with total dispersion between 4 and 10 ps/nm/km, and a positive dispersion slopes of less than 0.045 ps/nm2/km at 1550 nm. Further embodiments are described that include Raman pumping.

Abstract: An optical fiber transmission line for realizing satisfactory long haul transmission characteristics using two kinds of optical fibers. The optical fiber transmission line includes a plurality of local dispersion compensating spans, wide dispersion compensating spans disposed at predetermined intervals, and optical repeating amplifiers to connect each span. The local dispersion compensating span includes a first optical fiber with positive dispersion having an effective core area of 130 &mgr;m2 or more and a second optical fiber with a negative dispersion value of −50 ps/nm/km or less to transmit the light output from the first optical fiber. The wide dispersion compensating span consists of a third optical fiber having the same configuration and composition with the first optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making optical fiber devices.

Abstract: A structure and method for adjusting waveforms of optical filters used in a DWDM system comprises a filter, a GRIN lens and a biporose pigtail with two holes therein. The holes are parallel to a center-axis of the pigtail but at different distance from the center-axis thereof, an input and return optical fiber are secured within the two holes. The GRIN lens is provided with a first end coupled with the biporose pigtail, thus signals from the input fiber can input the lens and the reflected signals from the lens can enter into the return fiber. The GRIN lens further defines a second end angularly to the axis thereof. The filter transmits determining wavelength and is joined with the second end of the GRIN lens.

Abstract: Optical apparatus for combining and splitting optical signals using folded waveguides and method for making the same are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, at least one waveguide used in the optical apparatus is folded around according to a predefined curve to couple to other waveguides. The predefined curve is so designed as to minimize possible insertion loss as a result of such folding of the waveguide. The proper folding of the waveguide leads to modified designs of the optical devices with all the ports on one side so as to simplify the alignment procedures afterward. In addition, the optical device according to the present invention has much smaller footprint and makes it possible to increase higher yield from fabricating substrate material on which the waveguides are formed.

Abstract: In a device for generating a quadrangular illuminating field, having a light mixing rod, which has a quadrangular cross-section as well as a quadrangular inlet area and a quadrangular outlet area and guides light coupled in via the inlet area to the outlet area, in order to generate therein the quadrangular illuminating field, the outlet area is limited by four rectilinear sides, of which two each meet in one of the corners of the outlet area at an angle which is not equal to 90°.

Abstract: An optical coupling device for coupling light in between two optical waveguide end faces, in which the geometric position of one optical waveguide end face can be varied with respect to the other optical waveguide end face with the aid of a variable-length element. The element carries one of the two optical waveguides, and is connected to the other optical waveguide via a holding block. The variable-length element is connected to a variable-length compensating element, whose length changes with temperature by the same amount but in the opposite sense as that of the variable-length element. The variable-length compensating element is fixed to the second holding block.

Abstract: An article comprising a tunable filter includes an optical cavity, a tuning device and a filter-disabling device. The tuning device is operable to change the center transmission wavelength of the tunable filter. The filter-disabling device is operable to temporarily disrupt the finesse or otherwise affect the transmissibility of the optical cavity, thereby preventing the transmission of any intervening wavelengths during tuning.

Abstract: A method for incorporating an optical material into an optical fiber and optical devices utilizing the method are disclosed. Fiber material may be removed from the optical fiber to expose the fiber core and the core may then be at least partially removed. The optical material may then be incorporated into the core area to replace the removed core. Cladding material may then be deposited over the optical material and an electrode may be fixed to the cladding over the optical material to form an optical device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation-curable coating, ink or matrix composition comprising: (A) a polyester (meth)acrylate oligomer comprising more than about 1 mole of diacid, (B) optionally, a reactive diluent, and (C) optionally, a photoinitiator, wherein the composition when cured and aged at 85° C. and 85 % Relative Humidity for 10 days is hydrolytically stable to such an extent that the coating, ink or matrix maintains mechanical integrity. The invention further relates to said compositions for use as a primary coating composition, which, after cure, has a modulus of less than about 5 MPa, for use as a secondary coating or ink composition and for use as a matrix material, which, after cure, has a modulus of at least about 5 MPa. The invention also relates to a coated and optionally inked optical fiber and to an optical fiber ribbon comprising a coating, ink or matrix material as described above.

Abstract: An optical inter-connection apparatus according to this invention has plural optical fibers 4, which are routed in a two-dimensional plane and are provided at opposite ends thereof with end portions 5 adapted to permit optical interconnections thereto, and at least one protective resin layer 2 by which the optical fibers are held in place. The protective resin layer 2 is formed from a silicone-base material curable through a condensation reaction with liberation of an oxime or liberation of an alcohol or from a silicone-base material, which is curable by crosslinking through a hydrosilation reaction, and an adhesion promoter, and is joined with a base 1 or another protective resin layer via an adhesive layer 3. The adhesive layer comprises an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive. As an alternative, the adhesive layer may comprise a silicone-base pressure-sensitive adhesive which is curable by crosslinking through a hydrosilation reaction.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical light manifold that includes forming a faceted optic, forming an optical faceplate, joining the faceted optic to the optical faceplate to define a cavity therebetween and filling the cavity with a fluid.

Abstract: A device includes a housing 12, a plurality of optical components 14a, 14b within the housing, and a fiber optic cable harness 16 connected to the optical components and extending within the housing. The fiber optic cable harness 16 includes a plurality of optical fibers 20, and a plurality of respective first and second optical fiber connectors. The first optical fiber connectors terminate respective first groups of first ends of the optical fibers, and the second optical fiber connectors terminate respective second groups of second ends of the optical fibers. The first and second groups are different to define at least one cross-connection of optical fibers between the first optical fiber connectors and the second optical fiber connectors. The fiber optic cable harness may include at least one optical fiber support layer carrying the optical fibers, and a plurality of longitudinal strength members extending between the first and second optical fiber connectors.

Abstract: An optical fiber for preserving the plane of polarization including a cladding and a stress imparting part disposed in the cladding, the stress imparting part comprising a base material including B2O3. The average concentration of B2O3 in the base material of the stress imparting part is in a range between about 17 and 21 wt. %, and the maximum concentration of B2O3 in the base material is in a range between about 17 and 22 wt. %. The optical fiber has excellent polarization plane preserving properties, and no concave portion is generated in its stress imparting part even under wet heat conditions.

Abstract: An optical collimator (20) includes an optical fiber (21), a metal ferrule (22), a Graded Index (GRIN) lens (23) and an outer metal tube (24). The optical fiber has an exposed end (211) which is coated with metal. The exposed end of the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule and laser welded thereto. The GRIN lens is also coated with metal. A plurality of soldering holes (241) is defined in a periphery of the outer tube. Solder is applied to the ferrule and the GRIN lens through the holes to firmly connect the outer tube, the ferrule and the GRIN lens together. After assembly, if the position of the GRIN lens or the optical fiber is found to be inaccurate, the GRIN lens and the ferrule can be easily resoldered.

Abstract: A controllable attenuator includes a pair of collimators respectively connected to input and output fibers. A pair of reflection devices are respectively positioned behind the pair of collimators opposite to the corresponding input and output fibers. A U-like light path is defined among the pair of collimators and the pair of reflection devices. A neutral density filter is moveably positioned between the pair of reflection devices wherein a moving direction of the filter is preferably parallel to a longitudinal direction of the pair of collimators. An ND filter position indicator such as a potentiometer, is used to dynamically monitor attenuation setting.

Abstract: A method of aligning an optical fiber to a light source (e.g., a laser diode) in an optical assembly includes inserting a weld clip over a ferrule holding the optical fiber so that there is no gap between the ferrule and the weld clip, initially aligning the optical fiber to the laser diode, fixedly attaching the weld clip to a platform, realigning the optical fiber to the laser diode, and fixedly attaching the weld clip to the ferrule.