Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a polarization controller includes a first polarization beam splitter operable to receive an input optical signal having an input state of polarization and to separate the signal into a first and a second principal mode of polarization. The polarization controller further includes at least three stages of phase shifters each operable to introduce a phase shift between the first and second principal modes, at least one phase shifter comprising a beam splitter that is shared with at least one other of the phase shifters. The at least three stages of phase shifters include a first stage coupled to the first polarization beam splitter and a last stage coupled to a second polarization beam splitter. The second polarization beam splitter is operable to receive phase shifted copies of the first and second principal modes, and to align the phase shifted copies of the principal modes to an output state of polarization.

Abstract: An optical switch element is described, which includes a fixed layer disposed outwardly from a substrate and a movable mirror assembly disposed outwardly from the fixed layer. The moveable mirror assembly is operable to move relative to the fixed layer responsive to a voltage applied to the movable mirror assembly. In a particular embodiment, the movable mirror assembly includes an inner strip spaced apart from the fixed layer by a first distance and an outer strip disposed approximately adjacent to the inner strip and spaced apart from the fixed layer by a second distance which is greater than the first distance. The optical transmission of the optical switch element changes depending on the position of the movable mirror assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus operable to provide optical signal processing includes an inner conductive layer including an at least substantially conductive material and a plurality of at least partially reflective mirror strips disposed outwardly from the inner conductive layer and operable to receive an input optical signal, wherein none of the plurality of strips has a width greater than 40 microns. At least some of the strips are operable to undergo a partial rotation in response to a control signal, the partial rotation resulting in a diffraction of the input optical signal wherein a majority of the diffracted input signal is communicated in one direction.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus operable to provide optical signal processing includes an inner conductive layer including an at least substantially conductive material and a plurality of at least partially reflective mirror strips disposed outwardly from the inner conductive layer and operable to receive an input optical signal, wherein none of the plurality of strips has a width greater than 40 microns. At least some of the strips are operable to undergo a partial rotation in response to a control signal, the partial rotation resulting in a diffraction of the input optical signal wherein a majority of the diffracted input signal is communicated in one direction.

Abstract: An optical switch element is described, which includes a fixed layer disposed outwardly from a substrate and a movable mirror assembly disposed outwardly from the fixed layer. The moveable mirror assembly is operable to move relative to the fixed layer responsive to a voltage applied to the movable mirror assembly. In a particular embodiment, the movable mirror assembly includes an inner strip spaced apart from the fixed layer by a first distance and an outer strip disposed approximately adjacent to the inner strip and spaced apart from the fixed layer by a second distance which is greater than the first distance. The optical transmission of the optical switch element changes depending on the position of the movable mirror assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an optical switching element includes a variable blazed grating operable to receive and reflect one or more input signals while the grating remains in a first position and to receive and diffract one or more input signals while the grating remains in a second position. The switching element further includes a first circulator operable to receive from the variable blazed grating a first output signal traveling approximately along the path of an input signal to the grating but in an approximately opposite direction to that input signal, and to redirect the first output signal from the path of the input signal.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a gain equalizer comprises a wavelength division demultiplexer operable to separate one or more communication bands into a plurality of wavelengths and an array of phase shifter stages. Each phase shifter stage comprises a micro-electro-optic system (MEMS) device comprising a moveable mirror layer operable to receive a first copy of an input signal from a beam splitter and to reflect the first copy of the input signal for combination with a second copy of the input signal at an output to form an output signal. The moveable mirror layer is displaceable in a substantially piston-like motion to introduce a phase shift between the first and second signal copies at the output, the amplitude of the output signal varying depending on the displacement of the moveable mirror layer.

Abstract: In one of several embodiments, a method of communicating optical signals comprises communicating a plurality of optical signals over an optical communications medium, wherein each of at least some of the plurality of optical signals comprises a launch power that is a function of a noise property measured at or near a center wavelength of that signal. Launch powers of the plurality of optical signals primarily decrease with increasing center wavelengths of the plurality of optical signals.

Abstract: An optical amplifier includes at least one Raman amplification stage. The Raman amplification stage includes one or more pump sources operable to generate a plurality of pump signals capable of being delivered to a gain medium carrying an optical signal. In one particular embodiment, at least one of the plurality of pump signals comprises a time modulated pump signal and wherein an amplified spontaneous emission penalty associated with the at least one time modulated pump signal comprises no more than fifteen (15) decibels.

Abstract: An optical switch element is described, which includes a fixed layer disposed outwardly from a substrate and a movable mirror assembly disposed outwardly from the fixed layer. The moveable mirror assembly is operable to move relative to the fixed layer responsive to a voltage applied to the movable mirror assembly. In a particular embodiment, the movable mirror assembly includes an inner strip spaced apart from the fixed layer by a first distance and an outer strip disposed approximately adjacent to the inner strip and spaced apart from the fixed layer by a second distance which is greater than the first distance. The optical transmission of the optical switch element changes depending on the position of the movable mirror assembly.

Abstract: An optical switch element is described, which includes a fixed layer disposed outwardly from a substrate and a movable mirror assembly disposed outwardly from the fixed layer. The moveable mirror assembly is operable to move relative to the fixed layer responsive to a voltage applied to the movable mirror assembly. In a particular embodiment, the movable mirror assembly includes an inner strip spaced apart from the fixed layer by a first distance and an outer strip disposed approximately adjacent to the inner strip and spaced apart from the fixed layer by a second distance which is greater than the first distance. The optical transmission of the optical switch element changes depending on the position of the movable mirror assembly.

Abstract: An optical switch element is described, which includes a fixed layer disposed outwardly from a substrate and a movable mirror assembly disposed outwardly from the fixed layer. The moveable mirror assembly is operable to move relative to the fixed layer responsive to a voltage applied to the movable mirror assembly. In a particular embodiment, the movable mirror assembly includes an inner strip spaced apart from the fixed layer by a first distance and an outer strip disposed approximately adjacent to the inner strip and spaced apart from the fixed layer by a second distance which is greater than the first distance. The optical transmission of the optical switch element changes depending on the position of the movable mirror assembly.

Abstract: An optical switch element is described, which includes a fixed layer disposed outwardly from a substrate and a movable mirror assembly disposed outwardly from the fixed layer. The moveable mirror assembly is operable to move relative to the fixed layer responsive to a voltage applied to the movable mirror assembly. In a particular embodiment, the movable mirror assembly includes an inner strip spaced apart from the fixed layer by a first distance and an outer strip disposed approximately adjacent to the inner strip and spaced apart from the fixed layer by a second distance which is greater than the first distance. The optical transmission of the optical switch element changes depending on the position of the movable mirror assembly.

Abstract: An optical switch element is described, which includes a fixed layer disposed outwardly from a substrate and a movable mirror assembly disposed outwardly from the fixed layer. The moveable mirror assembly is operable to move relative to the fixed layer responsive to a voltage applied to the movable mirror assembly. In a particular embodiment, the movable mirror assembly includes an inner strip spaced apart from the fixed layer by a first distance and an outer strip disposed approximately adjacent to the inner strip and spaced apart from the fixed layer by a second distance which is greater than the first distance. The optical transmission of the optical switch element changes depending on the position of the movable mirror assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus operable to facilitate optical signal processing includes a micro-electro-optic system (MEMS) device having a moveable mirror layer operable to receive a first copy of an input signal from a beam splitter and to reflect the first copy of the input signal for combination with a second copy of the input signal at an output to form an output signal. The moveable mirror layer being displaceable in a substantially piston-like motion to introduce a phase shift between the first and second signal copies at the output. The amplitude of the output signal varying depending on the displacement of the moveable mirror layer.

Abstract: An optical switch element is described, which includes a fixed layer disposed outwardly from a substrate and a movable mirror assembly disposed outwardly from the fixed layer. The moveable mirror assembly is operable to move relative to the fixed layer responsive to a voltage applied to the movable mirror assembly. In a particular embodiment, the movable mirror assembly includes an inner strip spaced apart from the fixed layer by a first distance and an outer strip disposed approximately adjacent to the inner strip and spaced apart from the fixed layer by a second distance which is greater than the first distance. The optical transmission of the optical switch element changes depending on the position of the movable mirror assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus operable to provide optical signal processing includes an inner conductive layer including an at least substantially conductive material and a plurality of at least partially reflective mirror strips disposed outwardly from the inner conductive layer and operable to receive an input optical signal, wherein none of the plurality of strips has a width greater than 40 microns. At least some of the strips are operable to undergo a partial rotation in response to a control signal, the partial rotation resulting in a diffraction of the input optical signal wherein a majority of the diffracted input signal is communicated in one direction.

Abstract: An optical switch element is described, which includes a fixed layer disposed outwardly from a substrate and a movable mirror assembly disposed outwardly from the fixed layer. The moveable mirror assembly is operable to move relative to the fixed layer responsive to a voltage applied to the movable mirror assembly. In a particular embodiment, the movable mirror assembly includes an inner strip spaced apart from the fixed layer by a first distance and an outer strip disposed approximately adjacent to the inner strip and spaced apart from the fixed layer by a second distance which is greater than the first distance. The optical transmission of the optical switch element changes depending on the position of the movable mirror assembly.