Abstract: Disclosed herein are various improvements in optical switching engines. In one aspect, a range of switching engines includes various multiple bounce, multiple image devices, such as, for example, the Herriott Cell and the Robert Cell. In another aspect, liquid crystal spatial light modulators (SLMs) are used in the switching engine of an optical cross-connect. In another aspect, polarization gratings (PGs) are used in the switching engine. In another aspect, a switching engine includes a Fourier cell using SLMs with more than two states. Alternative imaging optics in a Fourier cell implementing a multiple-bounce, multiple image device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various improvements in optical switching engines. In one aspect, a range of switching engines includes various multiple bounce, multiple image devices, such as, for example, the Herriott Cell and the Robert Cell. In another aspect, liquid crystal spatial light modulators (SLMs) are used in the switching engine of an optical cross-connect. In another aspect, polarization gratings (PGs) are used in the switching engine. In another aspect, a switching engine includes a Fourier cell using SLMs with more than two states. Alternative imaging optics in a Fourier cell implementing a multiple-bounce, multiple image device are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical delay device comprises a multi-pass optical cell including first and second facing curved mirrors defining an optical cavity. One curved mirror includes a spatially extended aperture, such as a wedge-shaped notch aperture formed into the perimeter of the curved mirror. One curved mirror is split into two component mirrors one of which is tilted to define a swirling reflection pattern on the curved mirror that includes the spatially extended aperture. The optical time delay introduced to a light ray by the multi-pass optical cell depends on the input location of the light ray into the spatially extended aperture. The optical delay device may include two such multi-pass optical cells and a mirror that optically couples the two said multi-pass optical cells.

Abstract: An optical delay device comprises a multi-pass optical cell including first and second facing curved mirrors defining an optical cavity. One curved mirror includes a spatially extended aperture, such as a wedge-shaped notch aperture formed into the perimeter of the curved mirror. One curved mirror is split into two component mirrors one of which is tilted to define a swirling reflection pattern on the curved mirror that includes the spatially extended aperture. The optical time delay introduced to a light ray by the multi-pass optical cell depends on the input location of the light ray into the spatially extended aperture. The optical delay device may include two such multi-pass optical cells and a mirror that optically couples the two said multi-pass optical cells.

Abstract: Innovative techniques that result in a better signal-to-noise ratio for spectrographic analysis of substances in a target than conventional techniques. In these techniques, light illuminates a target with at least some of the light penetrating the target. At least a portion of the light that penetrates the target is collected from a region on the target's surface that is not directly illuminated. Preferably, at least a majority of the collected light is light that penetrates the target. Also preferably, the light that illuminates the target is in a pattern that partially but not completely surrounds the region from which the portion of the light that penetrates the target is collected. A spectrum of at least a portion of the collected light is analyzed.

Abstract: Optical spot displacement apparatus comprises a face that is divided into a plurality of columns; each column of the plurality including a predetermined number of prisms, the predetermined number of prisms of a same column configured within the corresponding column to displace at least one incident light beam a common predetermined distance from incidence, and the predetermined number of prisms of different columns configured within each corresponding column to displace the at least one incident light beam a different predetermined distance from incidence.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for steering optical beams. The devices use arrays and at least one optical element to steer an input beam to a desired location. Additionally, devices and methods are provided for changing the array dimensions of arrays of input beam positions. The devices use arrays and a plurality of optical elements to rearrange an input array.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect for shifting the location of one or more light beams in and array of light beams is provided. An exemplary embodiment of an optical cross connect includes an input array for inputting an array of light beams; at least a portion of a spherical lens; a plurality of microelectrical mechanical devices; and a plurality of mirrors. The microelectrical mechanical devices are located at a distance away from the spherical lens that is approximately equal to the focal point of the spherical lens. The microelectrical mechanical devices include a plurality of individually controllable pixels for directing one or more light beams in the array of light beams through the at least a portion of a spherical lens and onto two or more mirrors. The two or more mirrors may be located at a distance away from the spherical lens that is approximately equal to the focal point of the spherical lens and are located generally opposite of one or more microelectrical mechanical devices.

Abstract: Innovative techniques that result in a better signal-to-noise ratio for spectrographic analysis of substances in a target than conventional techniques. In these techniques, light illuminates a target with at least some of the light penetrating the target. At least a portion of the light that penetrates the target is collected from a region on the target's surface that is not directly illuminated. Preferably, at least a majority of the collected light is light that penetrates the target. Also preferably, the light that illuminates the target is in a pattern that partially but not completely surrounds the region from which the portion of the light that penetrates the target is collected. A spectrum of at least a portion of the collected light is analyzed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for producing time delays in optical signals are provided. The methods, systems, and apparatuses allow the time it takes for an individual light beam to travel an individual light path to be varied. In one example, the apparatuses have an array of actuator elements and first and second optical elements arranged such that the time it takes for an individual light beam to travel an individual light path between the array of actuator elements and the first and second optical elements is variable.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect for shifting the location of one or more light beams in and array of light beams is provided. An exemplary embodiment of an optical cross connect includes an input array for inputting an array of light beams; at least a portion of a spherical lens; a plurality of microelectrical mechanical devices; and a plurality of mirrors. The microelectrical mechanical devices are located at a distance away from the spherical lens that is approximately equal to the focal point of the spherical lens. The microelectrical mechanical devices include a plurality of individually controllable pixels for directing one or more light beams in the array of light beams through the at least a portion of a spherical lens and onto two or more mirrors. The two or more mirrors may be located at a distance away from the spherical lens that is approximately equal to the focal point of the spherical lens and are located generally opposite of one or more microelectrical mechanical devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the quality of an optical link is disclosed. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for determining a quality of an optical link is disclosed. The method includes identifying a known signal and transmitting and receiving the signal over an optical link. The method also includes comparing the received signal to the known signal using optical correlation. The method further includes determining a quality of the optical link based on the comparison.

Abstract: A temporal optical correlator is disclosed. The example optical correlator includes a light source, a set of White cells and a micro-mirror array. The micro-mirror array and set of White cells cooperate to produce a correlated summed output signal. A method for processing signals using the example optical correlator is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical circulator of the present invention comprises (a) an array of ports, the array comprising at least a first port and a last port, each port is adapted to (i) inject a beam of light into said optical circulator, and (ii) remove a beam of light from said optical circulator; (b) a first reflective member adapted to receive a beam of light from a port and to reflect the beam of light to a second reflective member; (c) a second reflective member adapted to receive a beam of light from the first reflective member and to reflect the beam of light to a third reflective member; and (d) a third reflective member adapted to receive a beam of light from the second reflective member and to sequentially direct the beam to a next port of the array so as to circulate the beam of light through at least a portion of the array of ports.

Abstract: An optical interconnection device and a spot displacement device are presented. In optical interconnection device of the present invention, a spot displacement device is employed to cause a light beam to shift positions, thereby making available output positions not previously available for a light beam having bounced so few times.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a shifting unit that uses optical fibers to shift beams among various outputs. The shifting unit comprises a shifting entrance plane and a shifting exit plane. The shifting entrance plane comprises at least one row of signal input positions. Each signal input position is adapted to receive an optical signal from a source. The shifting exit plane comprises a respective number of rows of signal output positions. Each signal output position is adapted to output an optical beam. Each signal input position of a given row is connected by an optical fiber to a corresponding signal output position. Also, each optical fiber is the same length as every other optical fiber in the shifting unit. The present invention also comprises methods and apparatus comprising the shifting unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a delay unit for optically generating time delays in signals comprising: a delay entrance plane, the delay entrance plane comprising at least one row of signal input positions, wherein each signal input position is adapted to receive an optical beam from a source; a delay exit plane, the delay exit plane comprising a respective number of rows of signal output positions, each signal output position is adapted to output the optical beam; and wherein each signal input position of a given row is connected by an optical fiber to a corresponding signal output position, each optical fiber of a given row being the same length as every other optical fiber of that row. Also provided are apparatus and methods for generating time delays in signals.

Abstract: The present invention includes time delay devices and time delay systems. The invention also includes machines and instruments using those aspects of the invention. The invention may also be used to upgrade, repair, or retrofit existing machines or instruments, using methods and components known in the art. The present invention comprises a true time device that falls into the free-space category but uses a multiple-pass optical cell with refocusing mirrors that has the advantage of avoiding beam-spreading problems. This approach differs from previous free-space approaches in that it uses only one optical switch or spatial light modulator instead of one or more switches for each bit. In one approach, a microwave signal for each antenna element may be modulated onto an optical beam. After the individual optical beams are delayed by the desired amount of time through the system, the signals may then be down-converted to microwave signals for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention includes time delay devices and time delay systems. The invention also includes machines and instruments using those aspects of the invention. The invention may also be used to upgrade, repair, or retrofit existing machines or instruments, using methods and components known in the art. The present invention comprises a true time device that falls into the free-space category but uses a multiple-pass optical cell with refocusing mirrors that has the advantage of avoiding beam-spreading problems. This approach differs from previous free-space approaches in that it uses only one optical switch or spatial light modulator instead of one or more switches for each bit. In one approach, a microwave signal for each antenna element may be modulated onto an optical beam. After the individual optical beams are delayed by the desired amount of time through the system, the signals may then be down-converted to microwave signals for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention includes optical interconnection devices and optical interconnection systems. The invention also includes machines and instruments using those aspects of the invention. The invention may also be used to upgrade, repair, or retrofit existing machines or instruments, using methods and components known in the art. An optical interconnection device of the present invention utilizes a multiple-pass optical cell. This approach differs from previous approaches in that spatial light modulators are used in a White cell device or other multiple-pass optical configuration. In a spatial light modulator, each individual element typically only has two or three variations used to direct the light. Therefore, precise calibration is not needed. The light simply needs to be directed towards the appropriate arm of the optical cell, which utilizes a self-correcting mirror in order to direct a light stream to the next desired location in the system.