Abstract: A method and apparatus use a photonic-crystal fiber having a very large core while maintaining a single transverse mode. In some fiber lasers and amplifiers having large cores problems exist related to energy being generated at multiple-modes (i.e., polygamy), and of mode hopping (i.e., promiscuity) due to limited control of energy levels and fluctuations. The problems of multiple-modes and mode hopping result from the use of large-diameter waveguides, and are addressed by the invention. This is especially true in lasers using large amounts of energy (i.e., lasers in the one-megawatt or more range). By using multiple small waveguides in parallel, large amounts of energy can be passed through a laser, but with better control such that the aforementioned problems can be reduced. An additional advantage is that the polarization of the light can be maintained better than by using a single fiber core.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a silica-based glass portion having an outer diameter of less than about 120 ?m. The glass portion comprises a core, an inner cladding and a low index ring. The core comprises an index of refraction n1, and a relative refractive index percent ?1% relative to pure silica glass. The inner cladding surrounds the core and comprises an index of refraction n2, a radial thickness of less than about 40 ?m and a relative refractive index percent ?2% relative to pure silica glass, wherein ?1%>?2% and the difference between ?1% and ?2% is greater than 0.1%. The low index ring surrounds the inner cladding and comprises boron and fluorine, a radial thickness of less than about 20 ?m, an index of refraction n3 and a third relative refractive index percent ?3% relative to pure silica glass, wherein ?2%>?3% and ?3% is less than ?0.5%.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a shape profile of a surface of a sheet of material includes a light source for providing a light beam to be directed at the surface of the sheet of material, a linear translation stage coupled to the light source for translating the light source over the surface of the sheet of material such that the light beam, when directed at the surface, is incident on the surface at multiple positions and produces a reflected light beam at each of the multiple positions, a plurality of light receivers located at predetermined positions for selectively intercepting the reflected light beam produced at each of the multiple positions, a data acquisition device configured to receive information related to position difference between the light source and a selected one of the plurality of light receivers intercepting the reflected light beam produced at each of the multiple positions, and a data analysis device configured to correlate the position difference information to a shape profile of the su

Abstract: A method for producing an optical fiber is provided. The method includes the steps of drawing an optical fiber from a heated glass source in a furnace and introducing index perturbations to the optical fiber via a plurality of perturbation sources arranged at a plurality of different azimuthal locations. The index perturbations are introduced synchronously at different locations along the axial length of the fiber by the plurality of perturbation sources in a generally helical pattern on the outside surface of the fiber in one embodiment. According to another embodiment, the index perturbations are introduced by the plurality of perturbation sources at different frequencies.

Abstract: A label-free cell assay method including: culturing rigid cells in a buffer, the rigid cells having a diameter of about 3 to about 7 micrometers; depositing the rigid cells on the surface of a sensor system; and detecting the rigid cells with the sensor when exposed to two or more wavelengths of light having two or more penetration depths, as defined herein. Also disclosed are assay methods for contacting the rigid cells with a substance and determining the response of the contacted rigid cells to the substance, such as a drug candidate or modulator compound, as defined herein.

Abstract: A beam shaper is implemented to seal an OLED. The beam shaper comprises a first and second lens and a beam shaper. Changing the relative position of the first, second lens and beam shaper relative to each other enables the beam shaper to generate laser beams with different shapes and intensity profiles.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance sensor system including a high refractive index prism, a sensor chip, a light source having multiple wavelengths over a broad range of wavelengths, optical lenses, a photodetector, a data acquisition unit, and as defined herein. The sensor chip can include, for example, a thin layer of silicon and gold on one face of a transparent substrate and the prism adjacent to the opposite face of the transparent substrate. Such an arrangement provides variable penetration depths up to about 1.5 micrometers with a dynamic range for sensing index of refraction changes in a sample that are several times greater than that of a conventional SPR sensor. The disclosure provides methods for using the surface plasmon resonance sensor system for cell assay or chemical assay related applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor using two or more wavelengths and with reduced chromatic aberration are disclosed. The system includes a beam-forming optical system that has chromatic aberration at the two or more wavelengths. A light source system provides respectively light of the two or more wavelengths, with light of each wavelength provided from a different distance from the beam-forming optical system. The different distances are selected to reduce or eliminate adverse effects of chromatic aberration on the formation of a focus spot on the SPR biosensor chip. An illumination system for illuminating a SPR biosensor using different light having different wavelengths is also disclosed.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance sensor system including a high refractive index prism, a sensor chip, a light source having multiple wavelengths over a broad range of wavelengths, optical lenses, a photodetector, a data acquisition unit, and as defined herein. The sensor chip can include, for example, a thin layer of silicon and gold on one face of a transparent substrate and the prism adjacent to the opposite face of the transparent substrate. Such an arrangement provides variable penetration depths up to about 1.5 micrometers with a dynamic range for sensing index of refraction changes in a sample that are several times greater than that of a conventional SPR sensor. The disclosure provides methods for using the surface plasmon resonance sensor system for cell assay or chemical assay related applications.

Abstract: An optical package is provided comprising a laser diode and a wavelength conversion device. The laser diode and the wavelength conversion device define an external laser cavity and the wavelength conversion device is tilted relative to the output face of the laser diode to define a tilt angle ? that is less than approximately 85°. The input face of the wavelength conversion device comprises a pair of tapered facets and a microlens. The pair of tapered facets and the microlens are defined on the input face such that they share respective portions of the facial waveguide region on the input face, with the tapered facets occupying peripheral portions of the facial waveguide region on the input face and the microlens occupying an interior portion of the facial waveguide region on the input face. Each of the pair of tapered facets define a facet angle ? within the facial waveguide region that is less than the facet angle ? and is greater than approximately 45°. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a selected area of a sheet of material relative to a reference plane includes launching a first incident light beam at the selected area of the sheet of material such that the first incident light beam strikes the selected area at a first position and a first angle, thereby producing a first reflected light beam. A second incident light beam is launched at the selected area of the sheet of material such that the second incident light beam strikes the selected area at a second position and a second angle, thereby producing a second reflected light beam. The second position and second angle are different from the first position and first angle, respectively. The first reflected light beam and the second reflected light beam are intercepted at the reference plane.

Abstract: A method for determining a rotational characteristic of an optical fiber is disclosed. The method includes forming an orientation registration feature in an optical fiber preform and drawing an optical fiber from the preform such that the orientation registration feature formed in the optical fiber preform is imparted to the optical fiber. The optical fiber is then rotated about a longitudinal axis and the direction of rotation is periodically reversed. An orientation signal of the optical fiber is determined based on a position of the orientation registration feature as the optical fiber is rotated. A rotational characteristic of the optical fiber is then determined based on the orientation signal.

Abstract: An optical package is provided comprising a laser diode and a wavelength conversion device. The laser diode and the wavelength conversion device define an external laser cavity and the wavelength conversion device is tilted relative to the output face of the laser diode to define a tilt angle ? that is less than approximately 85°. The input face of the wavelength conversion device comprises a pair of tapered facets and a microlens. The pair of tapered facets and the microlens are defined on the input face such that they share respective portions of the facial waveguide region on the input face, with the tapered facets occupying peripheral portions of the facial waveguide region on the input face and the microlens occupying an interior portion of the facial waveguide region on the input face. Each of the pair of tapered facets define a facet angle ? within the facial waveguide region that is less than the facet angle ? and is greater than approximately 45°. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A glass sheet assembly includes a glass sheet having an edge surface and a shaped fiber. The shaped fiber has a first surface bonded to the edge surface of the glass sheet and a convex second surface not bonded to the edge surface for receiving a load.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance sensor system including a high refractive index prism, a sensor chip, a light source having multiple wavelengths over a broad range of wavelengths, optical lenses, a photodetector, a data acquisition unit, and as defined herein. The sensor chip can include, for example, a thin layer of silicon and gold on one face of a transparent substrate and the prism adjacent to the opposite face of the transparent substrate. Such an arrangement provides variable penetration depths up to about 1.5 micrometers with a dynamic range for sensing index of refraction changes in a sample that are several times greater than that of a conventional SPR sensor. The disclosure provides methods for using the surface plasmon resonance sensor system for cell assay or chemical assay related applications.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance sensor system including a high refractive index prism, a sensor chip, a light source having multiple wavelengths over a broad range of wavelengths, optical lenses, a photodetector, a data acquisition unit, and as defined herein. The sensor chip can include, for example, a thin layer of silicon and gold on one face of a transparent substrate and the prism adjacent to the opposite face of the transparent substrate. Such an arrangement provides variable penetration depths up to about 1.5 micrometers with a dynamic range for sensing index of refraction changes in a sample that are several times greater than that of a conventional SPR sensor. The disclosure provides methods for using the surface plasmon resonance sensor system for cell assay or chemical assay related applications.

Abstract: A photoacoustic gas detector and photoacoustic gas detection method are disclosed. The detector includes a laser source, an acoustic resonator, and at least one tuning fork positioned along a longitudinal length of the resonator. The detector is capable of performing fast measurements of the concentration of one or more target gases over a broad temperature range.

Abstract: An external cavity laser source is provided comprising an external laser cavity, a tunable distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), a DBR tuning element, an output reflector, a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA), a frequency-selective optical coupler/reflector, and a wavelength conversion device. The tunable DBR, the DBR tuning element, the SOA, and the output reflector are configured to generate a fundamental laser signal characterized by a fundamental bandwidth that is narrower than the QPM bandwidth of the wavelength conversion device and can be tuned to a fundamental center wavelength within the QPM bandwidth. The frequency-selective optical coupler/reflector is configured for substantially non-reflective two-way transmission of optical signals at the fundamental center wavelength and is further configured for substantially complete reflection of wavelength-converted optical signals generated by the wavelength conversion device.

Abstract: A glass sheet assembly includes a glass sheet having an edge surface and a shaped fiber. The shaped fiber has a first surface bonded to the edge surface of the glass sheet and a convex second surface not bonded to the edge surface for receiving a load.

Abstract: A large-mode-area (LMA) optical fiber (10) that operates as a single-mode optical fiber. The optical fiber includes a core region (20) surrounded by an inner cladding (32), which in turn is surrounded by an outer cladding (40). The inner cladding includes at least one up-doped ring region (32R1). The ring region is configured to form a large attenuation differential between the higher-order modes and the fundamental mode so only that the fundamental mode remains traveling in the optical fiber. If necessary, the optical fiber can include a bend (10B) having a select “resonant” bend diameter (DB) that increases the relative attenuation of the fundamental and higher-order modes. The optical fiber supports an effective mode field diameter (MFD) of up to 40 ?m to 50 ?m. As a result, detrimental non-linear effects are suppressed, which allows the optical fiber to carry substantially more optical power than conventional LMA optical fibers.