Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact and inexpensive optical displacement sensor that does not require accurate control of the distance to the object. A repetitive optical structure is utilized for formation of a repetitive optical signal emitted by an illuminated moving object. The repetitive optical structure is illuminated by the light source for formation of a fringe pattern (similar to Laser Doppler Anemometry), and/or, an object is illuminated by the light source and the repetitive optical structure diverts light from the illuminated object onto light sensors. A speckle pattern is formed on the object by the illumination. The speckle pattern moves with movement of the object, and speckle pattern movement is determined without a need for imaging the object onto the repetitive optical structure. Since the speckle pattern is not imaged onto the optical member, the distance and possible distance changes between the object and the optical member substantially do not affect system performance.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexed device is based on a transmission grating spectrometer having at least two diffractive optical elements. The WDM device provides flexible use and may be widely applied in WDM systems. The device is useful for multiplexing and demultiplexing, channel monitoring, and for adding and dropping channels. The device provides programmability in use as an add/drop multiplexer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact and inexpensive optical displacement sensor that does not require accurate control of the distance to the object. A repetitive optical structure is utilized for formation of a repetitive optical signal emitted by an illuminated moving object. The repetitive optical structure is illuminated by the light source for formation of a fringe pattern (similar to Laser Doppler Anemometry), and/or, an object is illuminated by the light source and the repetitive optical structure diverts light from the illuminated object onto light sensors. A speckle pattern is formed on the object by the illumination. The speckle pattern moves with movement of the object, and speckle pattern movement is determined without a need for imaging the object onto the repetitive optical structure. Since the speckle pattern is not imaged onto the optical member, the distance and possible distance changes between the object and the optical member substantially do not affect system performance.

Abstract: In a method of making a replication tool, replication parts for both two dimensional optical elements, such as are fabricated using micro-forming techniques, and three dimensional optical elements, that are typically formed using cutting techniques are present on the replication tool. A method of manufacturing a replication tool for a planar optical sheet includes mounting at least one optical element part on a base to form a master part and forming a conductive metal layer over the master part. The method also comprises electrochemically depositing over the conductive metal layer to form an electrochemically deposited layer, separating the electrochemically deposited layer from the master part. The invention also relates to the replication tool itself and optical circuits formed using the replication tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring spectral information of light from at least one object includes at least one light detector and at least one transparent body. The transparent body has a front side that has an entrance aperture and at least one reflecting surface. The transparent body also has a back side that includes at least one reflecting surface and an exit surface. The detector is positioned near the exit surface. At least one of the front reflecting surface and the back reflecting surface includes a diffractive optical element arranged to receive diverging light from the aperture. A focusing element focuses diffracted light to the exit surface. The apparatus may comprise multiple channels and may also include a device for measuring a distance to the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for aligning a diffractive WDM device that includes i) a multi-channel, light handling device having a selected channel spacing and ii) a multi-channel signal input unit. The method includes adjusting a direction of incidence of an optical signal from the input unit on at least a first diffracting element of the WDM device so as to set an actual optical channel spacing at an output region of the WDM device to be approximately equal to the selected channel spacing of the multi-channel, light handling device. In the apparatus, the orientation of the light input unit is adjustable in a direction parallel to a diffraction plane of the diffractive WDM device so as to select an actual channel spacing at the multi-channel, light handling device that is approximately equal to the selected channel spacing.

Abstract: New grating structures include a bonded transmission grating structure. The grating structure is encapsulated by two pieces that are bonded together. In addition, a new method of making grating structures includes forming wells with an aspect ratio (depth:width) of at least 3:1, 7:1 or greater. Such grating structures can be used to form gratings with high diffraction efficiencies for both TE and TM polarizations of light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for aligning a diffractive WDM device that includes i) a multi-channel, light handling device having a selected channel spacing and ii) a multi-channel signal input unit. The method includes adjusting a direction of incidence of an optical signal from the input unit on at least a first diffracting element of the WDM device so as to set an actual optical channel spacing at an output region of the WDM device to be approximately equal to the selected channel spacing of the multi-channel, light handling device. In the apparatus, the orientation of the light input unit is adjustable in a direction parallel to a diffraction plane of the diffractive WDM device so as to select an actual channel spacing at the multi-channel, light handling device that is approximately equal to the selected channel spacing.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexed device is based on a transmission grating spectrometer having at least two diffractive optical elements. The WDM device provides flexible use and may be widely applied in WDM systems. The device is useful for multiplexing and demultiplexing, channel monitoring, and for adding and dropping channels. The device provides programmability in use as an add/drop multiplexer.

Abstract: In a method of making a replication tool, replication parts for both two dimensional optical elements, such as are fabricated using micro-forming techniques, and three dimensional optical elements, that are typically formed using cutting techniques are present on the replication tool. A method of manufacturing a replication tool for a planar optical sheet includes mounting at least one optical element part on a base to form a master part and forming a conductive metal layer over the master part. The method also comprises electrochemically depositing over the conductive metal layer to form an electrochemically deposited layer, separating the electrochemically deposited layer from the master part. The invention also relates to the replication tool itself and optical circuits formed using the replication tool.

Abstract: New grating structures include a bonded transmission grating structure. The grating structure is encapsulated by two pieces that are bonded together. In addition, a new method of making grating structures includes forming wells with an aspect ratio (depth:width) of at least 3:1, 7:1 or greater. Such grating structures can be used to form gratings with high diffraction efficiencies for both TE and TM polarizations of light.

Abstract: An apparatus monitors spectral information of an optical transmission system. The apparatus comprises a monolithic spectrometer and at least one transmission signal detector for producing output signals of separated transmission signal components and optical noise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining angular displacement of one or more parts of an object (10) comprising detecting in at least one first image sensor first and second one or more distributions of Fourier-transformed speckles before and after angular displacement, respectively, and determining the displacement of the detected images; a method and apparatus for determining twist of a rotating shaft between two or more parts of the shaft subjected to a load; a method and apparatus for simultaneously determining angular displacements and surface translations of one or more parts of an object, and a method of determining the radius of angular displacement of one or more parts of an object.