Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method for indoor wireless optical communication. The system may include a central unit and a plurality of user units. A bi-directional optical communication link may be established over a collimated invisible light beam to enable transmission of wireless communications between a remote communication device and a user unit. The central and user units include an optical transmitter. At least one of the user unit and the central unit comprises a visible light source configured to produce a collimated visible light beam to enable alignment of the user unit and the central unit upon establishment of the bi-directional optical communication link.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method for indoor wireless optical communication. The system may include a central unit and a plurality of user units. A bi-directional optical communication link may be established over a collimated invisible light beam to enable transmission of wireless communications between a remote communication device and a user unit. The central and user units include an optical transmitter. At least one of the user unit and the central unit comprises a visible light source configured to produce a collimated visible light beam to enable alignment of the user unit and the central unit upon establishment of the bi-directional optical communication link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading in a three-dimensional information carrier are presented. The three-dimensional information carrier is formed with a plurality of spaced-apart data regions, each surrounded by surrounding-regions. The data regions are made of a material capable of generating an output excited radiation, when interacting with a predetermined incident exciting radiation, while the surrounding regions are substantially optically transparent. The apparatus comprises an illumination unit, a light directing unit and a detector unit. The illumination unit produces a scanning beam of the incident radiation. The light directing unit projects the incident radiation onto a scan region located in an addressed plane inside the carrier and collects the output radiation.

Abstract: A shearing generator comprising: an input light source; an image generator that generates two images of the input light source at an output plane, the image generator comprising a beam splitter that splits light from the input source into at least one pair of interfering light waves at an output thereof, and defines different optical paths for the light propagation of the light waves, said optical paths including at least one phase shifting element that provides for a different phase shift for the two paths.

Abstract: A shearing generator comprising: an input light source; an image generator that generates two images of the input light source at an output plane, the image generator comprising a beam splitter that splits light from the input source into at least one pair of interfering light waves at an output thereof, and defines different optical paths for the light propagation of the light waves, said optical paths including at least one phase shifting element that provides for a different phase shift for the two paths.

Abstract: A MEMS variable optical attenuator (VOA) comprises at least one semitransparent refraction-mode shutter having a wedge shape and operative to attenuate an optical beam transmitted from a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber using refraction of the beam, and an actuator operative to position the shutter in the path of the beam. Optionally, the VOA further comprises a locking mechanism for locking the shutter after actuation, and at least one damper connected to the shutter for shortening the VOA switching time. The actuator may include in various embodiments a folding suspension with straight or curved springs, some springs interacting electrostatically with one or more side electrodes to provide an essentially linear dependence of shutter movement on actuation voltage.

Abstract: A shearing generator comprising: an input light source; an image generator that generates two images of the input light source at an output plane, the image generator comprising a beam splitter that splits light from the input source into at least one pair of interfering light waves at an output thereof, and defines different optical paths for the light propagation of the light waves, said optical paths including at least one phase shifting element that provides for a different phase shift for the two paths.

Abstract: An optical memory device and a method for manufacturing thereof. An optical memory device has at least one data layer formed on a substrate. An upper surface of the substrate is formed with a pattern comprising a plurality of regions which are capable of obtaining, when covered by a recording medium, desired optical properties different from those of the substrate. The patterned surface of the substrate is coated with the recording medium. The recording medium is removed from the patterned surface after the recording regions have obtained the desired optical properties.

Abstract: An optical memory device and a method for manufacturing thereof. An optical memory device has at least one data layer formed on a substrate. An upper surface of the substrate is formed with a pattern comprising a plurality of regions which are capable of obtaining, when covered by a recording medium, desired optical properties different from those of the substrate. The patterned surface of the substrate is coated with the recording medium. The recording medium is removed from the patterned surface after the recording regions have obtained the desired optical properties.

Abstract: An optical pickup providing the 3-D reading of the binary optical information from the multilayer fluorescent disk by means of fluorescent sites excitation, is described. The 2-D information at the separate layer is recorded by chemical transformation of the photosensitive material from one stable molecular form A (non fluorescent) to other stable molecular form B (fluorescent) via UV light illumination.