Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding on optical waveguide through a partition device, such as a wellhead outlet are disclosed. For some embodiments, the wellhead outlet includes a first chamber having a first port, a second chamber having a second port connected by a path to the first port for feeding an optical waveguide through to the first chamber, and a strain relief member coupled with the first chamber to limit motion of the optical waveguide at or near the first port. The strain relief member can be a rigid curved tube coupled to the first port and/or a fiber management member providing one or more fiber retention pathways.

Abstract: The present invention is an optical fiber connector with an internal structure which allows the polarization axis of an optical element to be freely rotated and fixed with respect to an rotational orientation-indicating reference on an external surface of the connector. The reference then provides an external physical indication of the spatial direction of the birefringence axes of the optical element.

Abstract: A device for use in the rotational alignment of non symmetrical articles, such as non-cylindrically symmetrical optical elements which transmit and/or emit polarized light. In one embodiment, the current invention provides an optical fiber connector assembly which utilizes internal asymmetrical alignment features to optimize the rotational alignment of the polarization axes of an optical fiber element with respect to a rotational orientation-indicating reference on the connector.

Abstract: A system for tuning an integrated optical switch element utilizes a reflection from a light signal that is propagated into a first input port defined on one side of an interaction region of the optical switch element. The reflection occurs beyond an opposite side of the interaction region from the side on which the light signal is introduced. The reflection is detected at a second input port of the optical switch element on the same side of the interaction region as the side on which the light signals is introduced. The reflection is used to tune the optical switch element to a desired switch state by minimizing the reflection detected at the second input port. By minimizing the reflection detected at the second input port for a desired switch state, the strength of the optical signal through the wave guide channels intended to be used to propagate the light signal in the desired switch state is maximized.

Abstract: A polarization-independent electro-optically switched directional coupler utilizing reverse differential propagation constant control comprises an electro-optic material having at least a pair of wave guide channels within an interaction region and at least a pair of electrodes for selectively producing an electric field across the wave guide channels which electro-optically alters an optical propagation constant of the wave guide channels so as to vary the effects of an optical coupling between the wave guide channels.