Abstract: An illumination system includes a plurality of radiation generating sources, such as LED dies. A corresponding plurality of optical waveguides is also provided, with each waveguide having a first and a second end, with each first end being in optical communication with the corresponding LED die. An array of corresponding passive optical elements is interposed between the plurality of LED dies and the corresponding first ends of the plurality of optical waveguides. The illumination system provides for substantially high light coupling efficiency and an incoherent light output that can appear to the human observer as arising from a single point of light. In addition, the light can be output remotely at one or more locations and in one or more directions.

Abstract: An adaptive polarization mode dispersion compensator including a polarization controller and a differential polarization delay unit. The polarization controller converts incoming light of an arbitrary polarization to a controller output signal having a desired state of polarization. The differential polarization delay unit is optically coupled to receive the controller output signal from the polarization controller. The differential polarization delay unit includes a polarization beam splitter element and a first and a second birefringent optical waveguide. At least one tuning mechanism is coupled to at least one of the gratings, wherein the tuning mechanism variably adjusts one of the reference reflection points with respect to the other reference reflection point. A combiner element recombines the two reflected orthogonal polarization signals into a delay line output.

Abstract: A high-order dispersion compensator having a first order and a second-order polarization mode dispersion compensation elements including a polarization beam splitter coupled to receive the polarization controlled signal, where the polarization beam splitter splits the polarization controlled signal into a first polarization component and a second orthogonal polarization component. A first waveguide is optically coupled to receive the first polarization signal, the first waveguide having a first non-linearly chirped grating tuned to reflect the first polarization signal and having a first reference reflection point. A second waveguide is optically coupled to receive the second polarization signal, the second waveguide having a second non-linearly chirped grating tuned to reflect the second polarization signal and having a second reference reflection point.

Abstract: A high-order compensator including a first tuning element that adjusts the first order polarization mode dispersion component of the polarization controlled signal and a second tuning element that adjusts the second order polarization mode dispersion component and the variable chromatic dispersion component of the polarization controlled signal. The compensator may further include a polarization controller that converts incoming light of an arbitrary polarization to a polarization controlled signal having a desired state of polarization. The first tuning element may include a differential higher-order delay line including a polarization beam splitter/combiner coupled to receive the polarization controlled signal, where the polarization beam splitter splits the polarization controlled signal into a first polarization component and a second orthogonal polarization component.

Abstract: A method for compensating for higher-order dispersion of an incoming optical communications signal in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of compensating the signal for first order polarization mode dispersion; compensating the signal for second order polarization mode dispersion; and compensating the signal for variable chromatic dispersion. Additionally, the method may include the steps of compensation for fixed chromatic dispersion and controlling the polarization of the incoming signal. The signal may be monitored after the compensating steps and the degree of compensation may be tuned based on the monitoring.

Abstract: An adaptive polarization mode dispersion compensator including a polarization controller and a differential polarization delay unit. The polarization controller converts incoming light of an arbitrary polarization to a controller output signal having a desired state of polarization. The differential polarization delay unit is optically coupled to receive the controller output signal from the polarization controller. The differential polarization delay unit includes a polarization beam splitter element and a first and a second birefringent optical waveguide.

Abstract: Optical devices using shaped optical fibers and methods for using shaped optical fibers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing photocurable dental materials involve a solid state light emitter and a source of electrical current connected to the light emitter. The source of electrical current provides a current to the light emitter that is sufficient to reduce the lifetime of the light emitter to less than 10 hours. The intensity of light from the light emitter is substantially increased and the apparatus can be conveniently disposed of after use on a single patient. A light guide that includes two conical optical surfaces collects light from the solid state light emitter and optionally directs the light to a third optical surface which has the shape of an elongated, curved tube.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon cable has release elements manufactured in line with the ribbon cable so as to provide access points to the optical fibers contained therein to allow for easy application of a connector in the field. A pair of adhesive tape layers is provided about the optical fibers to create a fiber optic ribbon cable. At least one release element is provided between the adhesive tape layers and the optical fibers at one or more access points along the ribbon cable to allow for subsequent connectorization of the fibers therein. When the ribbon cable needs to be equipped with a connector, the cable is cut near the midpoint of one of the access point. After the cable is cut the adhesive tape layers and the at least one release element may be easily peeled back exposing the optical fibers. A connector is then installed onto the exposed fibers. The at least one release element is removed from the tape layers and the tape is then secured to the connector with any excess tape being trimmed off.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon cable assembly has optical connector assemblies manufactured in line with the ribbon cable assembly so as to provide a fixed, lateral spacing of the optical fibers relative to each other within the connector assembly and has the remaining portion of the fiber optic ribbon cable manufactured within an arbitrary lateral spacing of the optical fibers relative to each other. A pair of adhesive tape layers are sandwiched around the optical fibers and the in-line optical connector assemblies. By having the connector assemblies manufactured in line with the fiber optic ribbon cable, resulting ribbon cable assembly is easier to manufacture, has a higher alignment accuracy, and is more cost effective than existing techniques for manufacturing ribbon cable assemblies.