Abstract: The coupling device comprises a displacement arrangement for displacing the two waveguide end surfaces relative to one another parallel to the end surfaces and the arrangement has an expansion element that moves the end surfaces relative to one another on the basis of a spatial expansion and/or contraction of the element. With this coupling device tunable optical multi-channel filters with temperature compensation, optical attenuators and waveguide switches can advantageously be realized in a simple manner.

Abstract: A device for the wavelength-related stabilization of an optical filter, particularly a wavelength-division multiplexer/demultiplexer, comprises a Bragg grating arranged in the proximity of the filter and a waveguide for supplying a fixed optical reference wavelength to the grating. The grating is regulated to either a maximum transmission and minimum reflection or a minimum transmission and maximum reflection of the reference wavelength by controlling the temperature of the grating and of the filter.

Abstract: In a phased-array filter, mutually spatially separated planar waveguides arranged on the surface of a substrate between two substrate edges are optically connected to one another by an optical phase shift in the form of a plurality of strip-type optical waveguides which extend in a bent fashion and are of different optical length. In order to be able to continuously adjust the central wavelength of the filter by varying the location of launching within certain limits, a planar waveguide is arranged directly at the other substrate edge so as to permit direct launching into this planar waveguide.

Abstract: A light branching element or diplexer comprising a first bi-directional light connection and a second and third unidirectional light connection. The unit is formed by a block having a straight surface groove with an embedded glass fiber which fiber is interrupted by a partially transmissive mirror lying on a slanting plane relative to the axis of the fiber. The light sensitive location of a light receiving semiconductor element is secured to the block adjacent to the mirror and the plane of the mirror is selected so that its normal extends out of the block at an angle of incidence smaller than 45.degree. to the axis of the fiber to reduce reflections from the semiconductor member back to the mirror and into the fiber.

Abstract: An optical waveguide junction which can be used as a wavelength demultiplexer, having two aligned fibers separated from each other by a wavelength-selective filter and a fiber branching off laterally from these fibers at the level of the filter. At the same time, a greater degree of coupling efficiency, applicability in monomode fiber lines, and greater adjusting tolerances in production of the junction are achieved. It is recommended that each of the two aligned fibers have different core diameters, while the fiber feeding the filter has a smaller core diameter than the fiber continuing from the filter. In one embodiment of the invention the feed fiber includes a monomode fiber and the continuing fiber of a multimode. The junction can be used as a demultiplexer for optical-fiber transmission lines for unidirectional operation for demultiplexing.

Abstract: A branch connector for light waveguides which utilizes a beam divider mirror characterized by a carrier member aligning a pair of light waveguides on a common axis, a beam divider which is arranged on a plane slanted to the common axis on an angle which is larger than 45 degrees and is positioned between the ends of the waveguides and flush therewith and a second carrier plate mounting an additional waveguide adjacent one of the pair of aligned waveguides on a second axis extending at an angle to the common axis and intersecting the common axis at the beam divider mirror with the second axis being oriented to receive light reflected along the given direction.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing light waveguide branch elements and multi/demultiplexer elements, which elements operate in accordance with the beam divider principle by providing a first body having a plurality of parallel extending waveguides adjacent one side thereof, cutting the body at an angle to the waveguides to form two parts, after preparing the cut surfaces of the parts, applying a mirror or filter structure onto one of the polished surfaces and reassembling the parts to form an assembly, and forming an element by subsequently positioning and securing a second body on the assembly with the second body having light waveguides extending to one surface and the end faces of the waveguides of the one surface being adjacent to the mirror or filter structure so that light traveling in the waveguides of the first assembly will be reflected into the waveguides of the second body.

Abstract: An optical wavelength division multiplex system having a multiplexer unit, a demultiplexer unit and means for forming a transmission path between the two units characterized by each of the multiplexer and demultiplexer units being composed of at least two reflecting grating modules interconnected by at least one interference module which reflection and interference modules of each unit are matched to one another. The system enables increasing the number of transmission channels with different carrier wavelengths while the insertion losses are maintained in an acceptable range.

Abstract: A branching element for distributing light from a group of incoming waveguides to outgoing waveguide groups characterized by a member having at least three separate groups of channels, all the channels in each group being parallel to each other and lying in a plane of the group, two of said groups of channels being aligned to lie in the same plane with the channels of the one group being axially aligned with the channels of the other group and separated therefrom by a common partially permeable reflecting layer extending at an angle to the plane and formed by the two groups of channels, at least one additional group of channels extending at an angle to the plane of the two aligned groups of channels and intersecting the aligned two groups of channels at a common reflective layer, and light waveguides being arranged in each of the channels, the light waveguides in the channels of the two aligned groups having end faces extending in the plane of the layer and enaged therewith and the waveguides in the additiona

Abstract: A branch component and method of making the component which can be used either to distribute light from a single waveguide into four outgoing waveguides or to collect light from four incoming waveguides into a single outgoing waveguide.

Abstract: A probe for the non-contact measurement of electric or magnetic field strengths has two wave guides provided on a substrate. One of the wave guides has a measurement portion consisting of an electro-optical material or a magneto-optical material in a region of a measurement zone. A magnetic or electric field changes the index of refraction of the measuring portion and the intensity of a light wave traveling through this portion of the wave guide is reduced. Comparison is then made between a standard intensity in the other wave guide and a reduced intensity in the light traveling through the wave guide measuring portion.

Abstract: Narrow band wave guide reflectors arranged on a substrate and having wave guide layers with periodic perturbations are tuned by adapting the effective index of refraction n.sub.eff of the wave guide layer to fulfill the Bragg condition of reflection. The index of refraction is adapted by either varying the thickness of the wave guide layer continuously over a width of the layer or by applying a field to a substrate or superstrate comprised of magneto- or electro-optical material to change the index of refraction of the substrate or superstrate.

Abstract: A spectroscopically selective filter device for light which is being conveyed in a waveguide disposed on a substrate characterized by at least two Bragg reflectors with distributed feedback which are disposed at spaced given intervals on a surface of the waveguide, a pair of electrodes positioned on opposite surfaces of the waveguide and between each pair of Bragg reflectors, the waveguide in at least the region adjacent the electrodes consisting of electro-optical material and means for applying an electrical voltage on the electrodes to vary the index of refraction of the electro-optical material and to thus adjust the length of the optical path between each pair of reflector. Preferably, each of the reflectors is a grating which is either formed in a surface of the waveguide or in a material disposed on the surface.

Abstract: An electro-optical switch and modulator for use in a region of a waveguide system which consists of either intersecting waveguides or branching waveguides, which are arranged on a dielectric substrate and consists of electro-optical material at the region and have at least one insulating layer engaging the region of the waveguides characterized by at least one electrode structure being located at the region and comprising a plurality of electrode fingers extending at right angles to a line which either is a bi-sector of the angle between the intersecting and branching waveguides when the region is located at the point of branching and intersecting or is a longitudinal axis of the waveguide when the region is spaced from the point of branching and intersecting. Preferably, the dielectric insulating layer also consists of an electro-optical material. When more than two electrode structures are used, the fingers may either have equal spacing or possess differing and separate switchable periodicity.

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 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: Optical waveguide systems useful as frequency-selective reflectors, filters, or resonators. Each system utilizes at least one grid fan means having elongated grating strips arranged in a fan-like manner and adapted to have a continuously variable grating constant. At least one waveguide is spatially located in adjacent relationship to a given grid fan in each system.