Abstract: A photosensitive sol-gel film containing an organometallic photosensitizer is deposited on the oxide containing surface layer of a silicon substrate. A pattern of white or ultra violet light incident to the photosensitive sol-gel film results in the unbinding of the photosensitizer from the exposed regions of the sol-gel film. A subsequent succession of first and second heating steps results in, first, the removal of the photo sensitizer constituents from the exposed regions of the sol-gel film and, second, the removal of the organic constituents from the exposed regions, resulting in regions doped with a metal oxide with non linear optical properties, such as semicondutive, electro-optic, magneto-optic, etc. properties. Optical switches, couplers, waveguides, splitters, interferometers wavelength division multiplexer, Bragg gratings and more can be fabricated. A glass substrate also may be employed, instead of a silicon, in which case a separate silicon oxide surface layer is unnecessary.

Abstract: Processes for fabricating integrated optics devices are provided. According to one process, a photosensitive sol-gel glass material including a volatile photosensitizer is prepared. A film of the sol-gel is then produced on a substrate. The film is then imprinted with an image of an optical device by exposing the photosensitive sol-gel film to light energy patterned in the negative or positive image of the desired device, thereby photolyzing photosensitizer within the exposed portion in proportion to the amount of light energy delivered. The image of the written optical device is then fixed in the exposed film, thereby forming a planar device layer having an embedded optical device. The photoinduced refractive index change between the optical device and the surrounding region is preferably greater than or equal to 0.001. A variety of passive and active integrated optic devices may be fabricated using the disclosed processes and are also described.

Abstract: Thermally-assisted organometallic sol-gel derived glasses have been found to permit fabrication of thin films sufficiently thin for telecom components. Inclusion of a photosensitizer in the film permits light of controlled intensity to modify refractive indices in the film to form useful structures.

Abstract: Waveguide structures in which light confinement strength varies along the direction of light propagation are described. The waveguides include a core adapted to propagate light along a path defined by the core and a cladding material that at least partially surrounds the core. The core and the cladding material each have a refractive index profile in the direction of light propagation. One or more of the profiles or lateral core dimensions are varied along the direction of light propagation, thereby causing the degree of light confinement to vary in the direction of light propagation. With such structures it is possible to tailor the velocity of the light propagating through the core and the confinement of the light to the core for any given core cross section. The structures may be used, for example, in mode-matching an input or output of a waveguide and in fabricating compact directional couplers.

Abstract: Thermally-assisted organometallic sol-gel derived glasses have been found to permit fabrication of thin films sufficiently thin for telecom components. Inclusion of a photosensitizer in the film permits light of controlled intensity to modify refractive indices in the film to form useful structures.

Abstract: A method of preparing a multi-layer, crack resistant sol-gel glass derived coating on a substrate by removing the outer periphery of each layer before curing the layer and depositing any succeeding layer.

Abstract: A partially modified photosensitive monolithic oxide glass apparatus formed through photolithographic imaging. The apparatus may be either a volume apparatus or a layer apparatus. Both types of apparatus may be used to diffuse light in predetermined directions or shapes. The monolithic oxide glass apparatus is capable of withstanding temperatures well beyond glass transition temperatures of plastic light shaping devices and can be formed in convex or concave surfaces through conventionally molding grinding or polishing techniques and can be coated by hot-coating techniques.

Abstract: A method of preparing a multi-layer, crack resistant sol-gel glass derived coating on a substrate by removing the outer periphery of each layer before curing the layer and depositing any succeeding layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing an optical waveguide illuminator are disclosed. By controlling the propagation of light in the core and cladding regions of the waveguide, distributed light emission along a length of an optical fiber or along a planar waveguide surface can be achieved by varying the core/cladding refractive index ratio and introducing light scattering centers in the core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an optical signal in an optical waveguide using a closed loop wavelength dependent active tuning system. A tunable fiber Bragg grating, optical processor and a controller provide feedback control of the central wavelength of the tunable fiber Bragg grating. Changes in wavelength of the processed signal are followed to keep the tunable fiber Bragg grating tuned to a peak wavelength for maximum sensitivity.

Abstract: A photosensitive sol-gel film containing an organometallic photosensitizer is deposited on the oxide containing surface layer of a silicon substrate. A pattern of white or ultra violet light incident to the photosensitive sol-gel film results in the unbinding of the photosensitizer from the exposed regions of the sol-gel film. A subsequent succession of first and second heating steps results in, first, the removal of the photo sensitizer constituents from the exposed regions of the sol-gel film and, second, the removal of the organic constituents from the exposed regions, resulting in regions doped with a metal oxide with non linear optical properties (semicondutive, electro-optic, magneto-optic, etc.) properties. The location of electrodes on the interfaces of the exposed metal oxide waveguide regions with the unexposed regions results in an electric field modifying the index of refraction locally in response to an impressed voltage therebetween.

Abstract: A porous glass rod is treated to include tungsten oxide and palladium in an arrangement that is sensitive to hydrogen to produce a color change that is a function of the hydrogen concentration. The rod is attached to the tip of a double fiber into one of which light is launched by a light source. A detector at the end of the second fiber is responsive to light reflected by the rod. The process for forming the rod includes the steps of doping the glass with a tungsten compound and a palladium compound with intervening and subsequent heating steps to bond the tungsten oxide and palladium to available oxygen atoms of the porous glass.

Abstract: A holographic light shaping diffuser (LSD) is formed from a monolithic glass material by recording light shaping structures (sometimes collectively known as “speckle”, particularly when the structures extend into the interior of the diffuser) in the glass material during its formation. A volume LSD may be produced by the photolithographic writing or other imaging of light shaping structures in a photosensitive glass material. Alternatively, a surface LSD may be produced by this imaging process or by embossing light shaping structures onto a high quality optical glass or by embossing a light shaping structures on a glass film layer coated onto a substrate. Both types of diffusers control the angular spread of transmitted light while homogenizing otherwise spatially noisy light sources such as LCDs and filamented light sources and while maintaining damage thresholds consistent with any glass optical element.

Abstract: The inner eye of a surgical patient is illuminated by incorporating an optical fiber in a ring configuration imbedded into or attached to a contact lens. The viewing surface of the lens if planar to optimize the surgeon's view. The opposite surface of the lens is curved to conform to the patient's eye. A solution conduit irrigates the eye. The apparatus is easily positioned and easily directed. The apparatus also is sufficiently inexpensive to be disposable.

Abstract: A low cost portable fiber optic fluorometer is packaged as a personal computer peripheral and is based on interchangeable modules. One embodiment of the fluorometer comprises an excitation source, a detector, a signal processor, frequency source, wavelength selector, and an optical interface. The optical interface is exclusively fiber optic-based, thereby simplifying optical alignment and reducing the cost of the fluorometer. In another embodiment, the excitation source is an inexpensive monochromatic excitation source. In this case, the monochromatic excitation source and the first wavelength selector are preferably removable and replaceable, so that the fluorometer is advantageously able to generate different excitation wavelengths and detect different emission wavelengths.