Abstract: A method of writing a grating structure with at least one of predetermined amplitude, period and phase properties in a photosensitive waveguide, the method comprising providing at least two light beams which overlap in an overlap region to form an interference pattern; moving the photosensitive waveguide through the overlap region; and modulating the phase of at least one of the light beams relative to the phase of the other light beams using a non-mechanical beam modulator so that the interference pattern appears to move through the overlap region, the apparent movement being variably controlled in response to the movement of the photosensitive waveguide such that a grating structure is written with the at least one of predetermined amplitude, period and phase properties. The apparent movement of the interference pattern may be variably controlled to match the movement of the waveguide, or to be deliberately detuned. The grating structure may be chirped or apodized.

Abstract: A method of writing a grating structure with at least one of predetermined amplitude, period and phase properties in a photosensitive waveguide, the method comprising providing at least two light beams which overlap in an overlap region to form an interference pattern; moving the photosensitive waveguide through the overlap region; and modulating the phase of at least one of the light beams relative to the phase of the other light beams using a non-mechanical beam modulator so that the interference pattern appears to move through the overlap region, the apparent movement being variably controlled in response to the movement of the photosensitive waveguide such that a grating structure is written with the at least one of predetermined amplitude, period and phase properties. The apparent movement of the interference pattern may be variably controlled to match the movement of the waveguide, or to be deliberately detuned. The grating structure may be chirped or apodized.

Abstract: A method of writing an extended grating structure in a photosensitive waveguide comprising the steps of utilizing at least two overlapping beams of light to form an interference pattern, moving the waveguide through said overlapping beams, simultaneously controlling a relative phase delay between the beams utilising a phase modulator, thereby controlling the positions of maxima within said interference pattern to move at approximately the same velocity as the photosensitive waveguide, wherein the phase modulator does not comprise a mechanical means for effecting the phase modulation, and modifying the relative phase delay between the beams during the writing of the grating structure, whereby a deliberate detuning of the velocity of the positions of maxima within said interference pattern and the velocity of the photosensitive waveguide is utilized to vary a period of the written grating structure in the photosensitive waveguide.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus (10) for characterising a multi-layered structure (28) during formation of said multi-layered structure are disclosed. The method includes the steps of measuring the complex reflectivity of the multi-layered structure (28) at a wavelength outside of the bandgap of the multi-layered structure (28) and calculating a complex coupling coefficient from the measured complex reflectivity of the multi-layered structure (28) continuously or at intervals during the formation process. The apparatus (10) includes an interferometer (24) for creating writing beams (20, 22) to form the multi-layered structure (28), such as a Bragg grating, in an optical fibre (16) and an interrogation unit (40) for measuring the complex reflectivity and for calculating the complex coupling coefficient of the multi-layered structure (28) and for producing a feedback sigal which is communicated back to the interfemometer (24).

Abstract: A distribution network for distributing a clock signal comprising a sequence of counter signals, the network comprising a plurality of delivery points for facilitating simultaneous detection of different counter signals to provide timing information, wherein the clock signal comprises a modulated carrier, whereby the sequence of counter signals is in the form of an envelope of the carrier.

Abstract: A method of calculating a sampling function for fabricating a N-channel grating, the method comprising the steps of forming a summation of N periodic seeding functions each describing a refractive index variation, wherein each periodic function includes a phase shift value ?1(1=1, . . . N) with respect to the other functions, and wherein at least one phase shift value is non-zero. The sampling function may be expressed as: ?? exp[i (K0Z+?+(21?N?1)?KZ/2+?1]=KQ exp[i (K0z+?+?)], where Q=Q(z) is the amplitude and ?=?(z) is the phase of the sampling function, and the summation is performed over 1=1, . . . N. The method may further include the step of determining a set of the phase shift values for which a maximum value of the sampling function amplitude is minimised.

Abstract: Output power fluctuations in a distributed feedback laser arrangement are reduced by inducing a saturable absorption grating in a saturable absorption region. Light is coupled into a DFB region and amplified in an amplification region. A feedback loop reflects a portion of the amplified light, and the counter-propagating beams induce an absorption grating in a saturable absorption region which suppresses output oscillations. The amplification region can comprise an erbium doped fiber, and the saturable absorption region can comprise an underpumped portion of such a fiber, or a further length of such fiber, or a planar waveguide.

Abstract: A method of writing an extended grating structure in a photosensitive waveguide comprising the steps of utilising at least two overlapping beams of light to form an interference pattern, moving the waveguide through said overlapping beams, simultaneously controlling a relative phase delay between the beams utilising a phase modulator, thereby controlling the positions of maxima within said interference pattern to move at approximately the same velocity as the photosensitive waveguide, wherein the phase modulator does not comprise a mechanical means for effecting the phase modulation, and modifying the relative phase delay between the beams during the writing of the grating structure, whereby a deliberate detuning of the velocity of the positions of maxima within said interference pattern and the velocity of the photosensitive waveguide is utilised to vary a period of the written grating structure in the photosensitive waveguide.