Abstract: A novel optical fiber end structure and method for creating same in which an optical fiber end structure may comprise a cylindrical wedge having a planar surface angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber and a flat surface that is generally perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. The device and method of the invention may employ a single or plurality of mechanically polished wedges on the end or ends of an optical fiber, which may, in a best mode, be a few mode fiber. The method and device of the invention may be used to independently modulate standing waves or linearly polarized waves, or both, allowing for a modal multiplexed system. The invention radiates independent standing wave modes and/or linearly polarized modes from the dielectric waveguide structure, and may be employed in single, few mode or multimode optical fibers.

Abstract: A novel fiber optic modal multiplexed data communication system is shown and claimed, wherein an optical fiber end structure may comprise a truncated cylindrical wedge that is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber, and further comprises a lip that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber on both ends of the fiber. The system and method of the invention may comprise at least one but preferably a plurality of laser transmitters to illuminate an optical fiber and at least one but preferably a plurality of optical detectors to detect radiated standing wave and linear polarized modes emanating from the fiber end face. The laser transmitters may be modulated to carry information to at least one receiver, and may comprise Forward Error Correction encoding. The invention may employ single, few mode or multimode optical fibers.

Abstract: A novel optical fiber end structure and method for creating same in which an optical fiber end structure may comprise a cylindrical wedge having a planar surface angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber and a flat surface that is generally perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. The device and method of the invention may employ a single or plurality of mechanically polished wedges on the end or ends of an optical fiber, which may, in a best mode, be a few mode fiber. The method and device of the invention may be used to independently modulate standing waves or linearly polarized waves, or both, allowing for a modal multiplexed system. The invention radiates independent standing wave modes and/or linearly polarized modes from the dielectric waveguide structure, and may be employed in single, few mode or multimode optical fibers.

Abstract: Systems (200) and methods (300) for measuring geometric changes of a passive material (414) when heat and pressure are applied thereto. The methods involve forming a pad (108, 510) on a passive material panel (410). The pad includes at least one of a layer of a passive material (414) and a layer of a metal (416). The methods also involve coupling an interferometer (810) to the pad. The method also involves forming a multi-layer structure by placing at least one substrate panel (400) on top of the passive material such that an aperture (602) formed in the substrate panel is aligned with the pad. Pressure and heat are applied to the multi-layer structure. Data is collected using the interferometer while the pressure and heat are applied to the multi-layer structure. The interferometer can include, but is not limited to, a Fabry-Perot interferometer, a Michelson interferometer and/or a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

Abstract: Systems (200) and methods (300) for measuring geometric changes of a passive material (414) when heat and pressure are applied thereto. The methods involve forming a pad (108, 510) on a passive material panel (410). The pad includes at least one of a layer of a passive material (414) and a layer of a metal (416). The methods also involve coupling an interferometer (810) to the pad. The method also involves forming a multi-layer structure by placing at least one substrate panel (400) on top of the passive material such that an aperture (602) formed in the substrate panel is aligned with the pad. Pressure and heat are applied to the multi-layer structure. Data is collected using the interferometer while the pressure and heat are applied to the multi-layer structure. The interferometer can include, but is not limited to, a Fabry-Perot interferometer, a Michelson interferometer and/or a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

Abstract: New types of fiberoptic microbend sensors are in the form of flexible tapes wherein single or multiple layers of mechanically tough flexible tapes form two outside surfaces of the sensors including between them one or more continuous elongated optical fibers, a variety of monofilaments, wires, threads, meshes, ribbons and or like elements to act as deformers to the optical fiber and sufficient adhesive material to form a permanent flexible tape structure. Additional layers of film, optical fibers, and/or deformer elements may be included to augment or modify the intensity of light that issues from the output end of the optical fibers when they are illuminated at their input end while the surface films of the sensor are subjected to pressure, such as when the sensors are used to weight or detect passage of automobiles. Detection or measuring systems and methods using the flexible sensor tapes are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for measuring the value of a parameter, e.g., structural strain, includes an optical waveguide, a laser or equivalent light source for launching coherent light into the waveguide to propagate therein as multi modes, an array of a plurality of spaced apart photodetectors each comprising a light receptor surface and signal output, said array being arranged to have light emitted from said waveguide output portion irradiate said light receptor surfaces, an artificial neural network formed of a plurality of spaced apart neurons, connectors to impose weighted portions of signal outputs from the photodetectors upon the neurons which register the parameter value on a meter or like output device.

Abstract: A systems for measuring the value of a plurality of parameters includes an optical fiber having a core that conducts coherent light along two orthogonal polarization axes at different velocities, e.g.

Abstract: Single or multiple players of electrically insulating tape have adhesive applied to one surface for the dielectric of the patch antenna. Electrically conductive foil tape with adhesive applied to one surface is used to create the radiating element and the ground plane. The antenna structure can then be mounted to the desired surface by means of structural tape adhesives. The resultant sandwich structure forms a highly flexible, low profile, low cost, rugged conformal antenna for radiating radio frequency energy. Modification and control of the electrical and performance characteristics of the antenna can be accomplished by non-uniform thickness of the dielectric, using insulating tape sections which differ in dielectric constant, incorporating PIN diodes with optical of electrical control, etc.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexed fiber-optic communication system employs a pair of terminal stations, at opposite ends of the fiber-optic link, with the base configuration of each terminal station being the same. In each station a selective coupling arrangement is provided between the source or transmitter devices as well as the receiver devices and the single optical fiber over which the transmission are to take place so as to effectively make the terminals interchangeable. For achieving this purpose, each terminal station is comprised of a transmitter or source arrangement that is capable of generating a plurality of wavelengths. Similarly, each terminal station includes a receiver or detector which is capable of detecting the plurality of wavelengths that are selectively available for transmission or generated by the transmitter or source.