Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for determining properties of optical links using the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) of integrated amplifiers. To calibrate the system, existing amplifiers in the nodes of the system can be operated in an ASE mode. A bypass switch at the mid-stage of each amplifier routes the ASE from the amplifier's first stage into one or more signal processing components, creating reference signals. Subsequently, the bypass switch routes the reference signals back into the mid-stage of the amplifier. After propagating through a link to the next node in the system, the optical parameters of the reference signals are measured and used to determine properties of the link, such as chromatic dispersion and attenuation. Tunable devices within the two nodes connected by the link may be set to compensate for specific properties of the link, thereby improving the quality of transmitted signals.

Abstract: An optical device is configured to perform both switching and attenuation of an optical beam in response to a single control signal. The optical device includes a liquid-crystal-based beam-polarizing element having polarization-conditioning regions that are controlled using a common electrode. The first polarization-conditioning region conditions the polarization of the input beam in order to separate the input beam into a primary component and a residual component. The second and third polarization-conditioning regions change the polarization of the primary component and the residual component, respectively. The primary component is directed to an output port after it has been attenuated based on its polarization state. The residual component, after passing through the third polarization-conditioning region, has its intensity further reduced based on its polarization state.

Abstract: The specification describes an optical wavelength monitor/analyzer that uses a cost effective wavelength reference source. The wavelength reference source is a nominally fixed wavelength laser with inherent tunability over a very limited wavelength range, i.e. a few nanometers. Tuning is effected by changing the temperature of the laser. The limited range is useful for making multiple wavelength measurements in the context of analyzing wavelength drift in tunable optical filters.

Abstract: An optical switch for performing high extinction ratio switching of an optical signal includes a beam polarizing element and one or more optical elements. The optical elements are configured to direct an optical signal along a first or second optical path based on the polarization state of the optical signal as it passes through the optical elements. The optical switch performs high extinction ratio switching of the optical signal by preventing unwanted optical energy from entering an output port by using an absorptive or reflective optical element or by directing the unwanted optical energy along a different optical path.

Abstract: An optical switching device for wavelength divisional multiplexed signals uses cascaded arrays of optical steering devices for 1×N routing of WDM optical signals, where N=4, 8, 16, etc. Two cascaded arrays provide 1×4 switching; three cascaded arrays provide 1×8 switching; and so on. Each array is configured with independently controlled optical steering devices so that each wavelength channel of the WDM signal may be routed to any of N output ports. The optical steering devices may be micro-mirrors, liquid crystal-based polarization modulators, or a combination of both. By incorporating cascaded optical steering devices into a single WDM switching device, cost effective 1×N switching of WDM optical signals may be realized.

Abstract: An optical device for a wavelength division multiplexing system has a telecentric lens system and a signal-processing optical element, where the signal-processing optical element performs switching, attenuation, or other optical signal processing for the optical device. The telecentric lens system acts as a self-compensating optical system to minimize sensitivity of the optical device to unwanted displacement of an input image from the optical axis of the optical device. The optical device may include multiple telecentric lens systems, in which case the optical device is also less sensitive to precise alignment between the telecentric lens systems.

Abstract: A fiber lens assembly is configured to optically couple an optical fiber to a signal processing device having free-space optical elements. The fiber lens assembly includes a diverging lens having a focal length that may be around 2 to 6 times the diameter of the optical fiber core. Sensitivity of the fiber lens assembly to angular misalignment and positional displacement is reduced by coupling the optical fiber to the signal processing device using a diverging lens rather than a collimating lens, and by configuring the diverging lens with a suitable focal length.

Abstract: A hand trigger (16) is pivotally mounted on the handlebar (12) of the striper (14). A pair of selectors (26) are pivotally mounted at the trigger pivot points. The selectors (26) are made from a spring or spring-like steel, which allows the selectors (26) to springingly deform for gun selection and adjustment yet return to their original position and shape. This allows delayed gun activation, disabling of one or both guns from the trigger (16) and functioning as a one-handed gun selector.

Abstract: Sensors (18, 20 and 22) and an interactive display (12) are added to an airless gas powered line striping machine (10) to provide the operator with a variety of information about the operating parameters. In addition to the pressure sensor/transducer (14) required to control the pressure through a clutch, the system includes a sensor (reed switch in the preferred embodiment) (18) to count pump strokes or drive revolutions, a sensor (22) to monitor when the gun trigger is activated and a sensor (26) to monitor wheel rotation (hall effect sensor detecting pulses from gear mounted on wheel in the preferred embodiment). A digital display (12) is included to read out measured and calculated values.

Abstract: Sensors (18, 20 and 22) and an interactive display (12) are added to an airless gas powered line striping machine (10) to provide the operator with a variety of information about the operating parameters. In addition to the pressure sensor/transducer (14) required to control the pressure through a clutch, the system includes a sensor (reed switch in the preferred embodiment) (18) to count pump strokes or drive revolutions, a sensor (22) to monitor when the gun trigger is activated and a sensor (26) to monitor wheel rotation (hall effect sensor detecting pulses from gear mounted on wheel in the preferred embodiment). A digital display (12) is included to read out measured and calculated values.

Abstract: A hand trigger (16) is pivotally mounted on the handlebar (12) of the striper (14). A pair of selectors (26) are pivotally mounted at the trigger pivot points. The selectors (26) are made from a spring or spring-like steel, which allows the selectors (26) to springingly deform for gun selection and adjustment yet return to their original position and shape. This allows delayed gun activation, disabling of one or both guns from the trigger (16) and functioning as a one-handed gun selector.

Abstract: A tunable chromatic dispersion and dispersion slope compensator that utilizes a Virtually Imaged Phased Array (VIPA), a rotating transmissive diffraction grating, and a mirror with different curvatures for different cross-sections is disclosed. The compensator in accordance with the present invention provides simultaneous tunable compensation of chromatic dispersion and dispersion slope utilizing a single apparatus. The amount of compensation is accomplished by rotating the transmissive diffracting grating and/or translating the mirror. A system which utilizes the compensator is thus cost effective to manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved gain slope equalizer which provides variable optical attenuation. The gain slope equalizer includes a transmission diffraction grating with a first side and a second side; a first lens optically coupled to the second side of the transmission diffraction grating; and at least one reflective surface optically coupled to the first lens at a side opposite to the transmission diffraction grating. The gain slope equalizer in accordance with the present invention can also be used with a Virtually Imaged Phased Array (VIPA) to provide a chromatic dispersion slope and chromatic dispersion compensation as well as variable optical attenuation. The present invention provides the heretofore unavailable capability of simultaneous tunable gain slope equalization and chromatic dispersion compensation utilizing a single apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved gain slope equalizer which provides variable optical attenuation. The gain slope equalizer includes a transmission diffraction grating with a first side and a second side; a first lens optically coupled to the second side of the transmission diffraction grating; and at least one reflective surface optically coupled to the first lens at a side opposite to the transmission diffraction grating. The gain slope equalizer in accordance with the present invention can also be used with a Virtually Imaged Phased Array (VIPA) to provide a chromatic dispersion slope and chromatic dispersion compensation as well as variable optical attenuation. The present invention provides the heretofore unavailable capability of simultaneous tunable gain slope equalization and chromatic dispersion compensation utilizing a single apparatus.

Abstract: A dynamic gain equalizer (DGE) includes: a mirror; an electrode; and a lever with a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, where the lever is capable of rotating about a fulcrum, where the lever rotates the first end toward the electrode when the electrode is charged such that the second end blocks a portion of a channel from reaching the mirror, where an unblocked portion of the channel is reflected by the mirror. By manipulating the charge on the electrode, the rotation of the lever is controlled, determining how much of the light is blocked by the lever. Each lever in an array can attenuate a channel or a group of channels of a composite optical signal by a different amount. The DGE provides a significant range of blockage and can be closely spaced. It provides ease in integrating channel monitoring into the DGE.

Abstract: A dynamic gain equalizer (DGE) includes: a mirror; an electrode; and a lever with a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, where the lever is capable of rotating about a fulcrum, where the lever rotates the first end toward the electrode when the electrode is charged such that the second end blocks a portion of a channel from reaching the mirror, where an unblocked portion of the channel is reflected by the mirror. By manipulating the charge on the electrode, the rotation of the lever is controlled, determining how much of the light is blocked by the lever. Each lever in an array can attenuate a channel or a group of channels of a composite optical signal by a different amount. The DGE provides a significant range of blockage and can be closely spaced. It provides ease in integrating channel monitoring into the DGE.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for an electric motor with deep drawn endshields includes a resilient outer ring and a split inner ring for gripping engagement with an outer surface of a bearing endshield. The gripping engagement is sufficient to hold the mounting assembly to the motor but insufficient to deform the endshields. The inner ring is distanced slightly from first and second ends of the mounting assembly to isolate and damp motor vibration and prevent vibration transmission to a mounting base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dispersion compensator which utilizes a Virtually Imaged Phased Array (VIPA), gratings, and birefringent wedges to moderate chromatic dispersion, dispersion slope and polarization mode dispersion, and a method and system for testing such a dispersion compensator.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for an electric motor with deep drawn endshields includes a resilient outer ring and a split inner ring for gripping engagement with an outer surface of a bearing endshield. The gripping engagement is sufficient to hold the mounting assembly to the motor but insufficient to deform the endshields. The inner ring is distanced slightly from first and second ends of the mounting assembly to isolate and damp motor vibration and prevent vibration transmission to a mounting base.