Abstract: Embodiments of a glass laminate structure comprising a non-strengthened glass sheet, a strengthened glass sheet, and at least one polymer interlayer intermediate the external and internal glass sheets are disclosed. The strengthened glass sheet can have a thickness ranging from about 0.3 mm to about 1.5 mm, the non-strengthened glass sheet can have a thickness ranging from about 1.5 mm to about 3.0 mm, and the polymer interlayer can have a first edge with a first thickness and a second edge opposite the first edge with a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The glass laminate structures provide advantageous optical properties. The glass laminate structure can be employed to provide a transparent display screen that minimizes image offset between two images formed by two reflections at two surfaces of the strengthened internal glass sheet.

Abstract: A grating-coupler assembly with a small mode-field diameter for photonic-integrated-circuit systems is disclosed. The assembly includes a silicon waveguide supported by a silicon-on-insulator substrate, and a grating coupler supported by the substrate and optically coupled to the silicon waveguide. The assembly has an optical fiber with a mode-field diameter in the range from 5 ?m to 6 ?m. One end of the optical fiber is disposed adjacent the grating coupler to define a coupling efficiency of 0.7 or greater.

Abstract: Embodiments of a glass laminate structure comprising a non-strengthened glass sheet, a strengthened glass sheet, and at least one polymer interlayer intermediate the external and internal glass sheets are disclosed. The strengthened glass sheet can have a thickness ranging from about 0.3 mm to about 1.5 mm, the non-strengthened glass sheet can have a thickness ranging from about 1.5 mm to about 3.0 mm, and the polymer interlayer can have a first edge with a first thickness and a second edge opposite the first edge with a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The glass laminate structures provide advantageous optical properties. The glass laminate structure can be employed to provide a transparent display screen that minimizes image offset between two images formed by two reflections at two surfaces of the strengthened internal glass sheet.

Abstract: Mirror systems securing optical fibers to ferrules by thermally securing bonding agents within fiber optic connector housings are disclosed, along with related methods and assemblies. A fiber optic connector includes an optical fiber secured within a ferrule by a temperature-sensitive bonding agent to prevent attenuation-causing movement. The bonding agent is activated (e.g., cured) by heat provided by laser energy incident upon the ferrule, which is at least partially disposed within a fiber optic connector housing and which may be damaged by the laser energy. By shaping and disposing at least one mirror of a mirror system, the laser energy may be reflected to be incident upon the ferrule in a controllable intensity distribution. In this manner, the laser energy may be absorbed uniformly or substantially uniformly along a partial length of the ferrule extending into the housing to accelerate securing of the bonding agent while avoiding damage to the housing.

Abstract: Conductive assemblies are disclosed for bonding an optical fiber in a ferrule by mounting the ferrule of a fiber optic connector in the conductive assembly and using the conductive assembly to convert laser beam energy to heat and apply the heat to a portion of a fiber optic ferrule sufficient to bond the optical fiber in the ferrule. In an exemplary method, an optical fiber is disposed in a bore of a ferrule. A portion of the ferrule is disposed in a conductive assembly, such that a conductive element contacts a portion of the length of the ferrule. A laser beam absorber absorbs light energy from a laser beam, and converts the energy to heat. The conductive element transfers the heat energy from the laser beam absorber to the ferrule, thereby heating the bonding agent and bonding the optical fiber in the bore of the ferrule.

Abstract: Conductive assemblies are disclosed for bonding an optical fiber in a ferrule by mounting the ferrule of a fiber optic connector in the conductive assembly and using the conductive assembly to convert laser beam energy to heat and apply the heat to a portion of a fiber optic ferrule sufficient to bond the optical fiber in the ferrule. In an exemplary method, an optical fiber is disposed in a bore of a ferrule. A portion of the ferrule is disposed in a conductive assembly, such that a conductive element contacts a portion of the length of the ferrule. A laser beam absorber absorbs light energy from a laser beam, and converts the energy to heat. The conductive element transfers the heat energy from the laser beam absorber to the ferrule, thereby heating the bonding agent and bonding the optical fiber in the bore of the ferrule.

Abstract: A grating-coupler assembly with a small mode-field diameter for photonic-integrated-circuit systems is disclosed. The assembly includes a silicon waveguide supported by a silicon-on-insulator substrate, and a grating coupler supported by the substrate and optically coupled to the silicon waveguide. The assembly has an optical fiber with a mode-field diameter in the range from 5 ?m to 6 ?m. One end of the optical fiber is disposed adjacent the grating coupler to define a coupling efficiency of 0.7 or greater.

Abstract: Light diffusing optical fibers and methods for producing light diffusing optical fibers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a light diffusing optical fiber includes a core portion formed from silica glass and comprising a plurality of helical void randomly distributed in the core portion of the optical fiber and wrapped around the long axis of the optical fiber. A pitch of the helical voids may vary along the axial length of the light diffusing optical fiber in order to achieve the desired illumination along the length of the optical fiber. A cladding may surround the core portion. Light guided by the core portion is scattered by the helical voids radially outward, through the cladding, such that the light diffusing optical fiber emits light with a predetermined intensity over an axial length of the light diffusing optical fiber, the light diffusing optical fiber having a scattering induced attenuation loss greater than about 0.2 dB/m at a wavelength of 550 nm.

Abstract: Light diffusing optical fibers and methods for producing light diffusing optical fibers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a light diffusing optical fiber includes a core portion formed from silica glass and comprising a plurality of helical void randomly distributed in the core portion of the optical fiber and wrapped around the long axis of the optical fiber. A pitch of the helical voids may vary along the axial length of the light diffusing optical fiber in order to achieve the desired illumination along the length of the optical fiber. A cladding may surround the core portion. Light guided by the core portion is scattered by the helical voids radially outward, through the cladding, such that the light diffusing optical fiber emits light with a predetermined intensity over an axial length of the light diffusing optical fiber, the light diffusing optical fiber having a scattering induced attenuation loss greater than about 0.2 dB/m at a wavelength of 550 nm.

Abstract: An optical modulator that utilizes Bloch surface plasmon (BSP) effects is disclosed. The BSP optical (BSPO) modulator (10) includes a permittivity-modulated (P-M) grating (20) that can be one-dimensional or two-dimensional. Electro-optic (EO) substrates (30) sandwich the P-M grating. The EO substrates have electrodes (64) arranged thereon, and a voltage source (60) connected to the electrodes is used to provide an applied voltage (V30) via a modulation voltage signals (SM) that switches the modulator. Index-matching layers (40) may be used to mitigate adverse reflection effects. The BSPO modulator allows for normally incident input light (100I) to be modulated directly without having to generate oblique angles of incidence for the input light in order to excite the surface plasmon.

Abstract: Light scattering inorganic substrates having an inorganic sheet having composite features distributed on a surface of the inorganic sheet, wherein the composite features each have at least a first and a second size scale. The first size scale enhances light absorption at wavelengths in the range of from 350 nm to 600 nm, and the second size scale enhances light absorption at wavelengths in the range of from 600 nm to 1100 nm. The substrates are, useful, for example, for photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: Light scattering articles comprising inorganic substrates having textured surfaces utilize hemispherical inorganic particles having average diameters of 300 nm or less. The articles have an enhanced absorption at wavelengths in the range of from 400 nm to 600 nm and can be used in photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: An optical modulator that utilizes Bloch surface plasmon (BSP) effects is disclosed. The BSP optical (BSPO) modulator (10) includes a permittivity-modulated (P-M) grating (20) that can be one-dimensional or two-dimensional. Electro-optic (EO) substrates (30) sandwich the P-M grating. The EO substrates have electrodes (64) arranged thereon, and a voltage source (60) connected to the electrodes is used to provide an applied voltage (V30) via a modulation voltage signals (SM) that switches the modulator. Index-matching layers (40) may be used to mitigate adverse reflection effects. The BSPO modulator allows for normally incident input light (100I) to be modulated directly without having to generate oblique angles of incidence for the input light in order to excite the surface plasmon.