Abstract: An apparatus and method for making n different types of optical amplifiers on one manufacturing line, n being equal to 2 or more. The method includes providing a supply of at least four functional groups of subunits for each of the circuits which comprise each of the optical amplifiers to be made, where at least one functional group contains at least n different types of sub-units, and where each of the sub-units in three of the functional groups includes a pluggable optical connector half and where each of the sub-units of the fourth of the functional groups includes three pluggable optical connector halves. The method further includes selecting a specific sub-unit from each of the four functional groups and plugging together each of the selected subunits to form an optical amplifier having the desired specification.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making optical fiber devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides photonic devices utilized in optical telecommunications. The photonic devices include photosensitive bulk glass bodies which contain Bragg gratings, particularly with the ultraviolet photosensitive bulk glass bodies directing optical telecommunications wavelength range bands. Preferably the ultraviolet photosensitive bulk glass bodies are batch meltable alkali boro-alumino-silicate bulk glass bodies. One embodiment of the invention relates to an optical element including a transparent photosensitive bulk glass having formed therein a non-waveguiding Bragg grating; and a optical element optical surface for manipulating light. Desirably, the photosensitive bulk glass has a 250 nm absorption less than 10 dB/cm.

Abstract: A polarization mode dispersion compensator corrects polarization mode dispersion in an optical signal having a fast polarization mode component, a slow polarization mode component and a time differential between the components. The compensator includes a phase shifter and a variable delay section. An input of the phase shifter is coupled to an optical device that provides an optical signal that exhibits polarization mode dispersion. The phase shifter functions to rotate the optical signal principal states of polarization to a desired orientation. The phase shifter engages a segment of an optical fiber that is coated with a radiation cured coatings. The coating composition is selected so that in response to a preload comprising the application of a stress of about 80 MPa to said coating at about 80° C. and after a stress-relaxation period of at least about 1 hour, at about 80° C.

Abstract: A polarization mode dispersion compensator corrects polarization mode dispersion in an optical signal having a fast polarization mode component, a slow polarization mode component and a time differential between the components. The compensator includes a phase shifter and a variable delay section. An input of the phase shifter is coupled to an optical device that provides an optical signal that exhibits polarization mode dispersion. The phase shifter functions to rotate the optical signal principal states of polarization to a desired orientation. The variable delay section includes an input, an output and at least one optical fiber delay line. The input of the variable delay section is coupled to the output of the phase shifter and the desired orientation of the optical signal principal states of polarization are substantially rotated to be in alignment with one of a fast axis and a slow axis of each of the one or more fiber delay lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides photonic devices utilized in optical telecommunications. The photonic devices include photosensitive bulk glass bodies which contain Bragg gratings, particularly with the ultraviolet photosensitive bulk glass bodies directing optical telecommunications wavelength range bands. Preferably the ultraviolet photosensitive bulk glass bodies are batch meltable alkali boro-alumino-silicate bulk glass bodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides photonic devices utilized in optical telecommunications. The photonic devices include photosensitive bulk glass bodies which contain Bragg gratings, particularly with the ultraviolet photosensitive bulk glass bodies directing optical telecommunications wavelength range bands. Preferably the ultraviolet photosensitive bulk glass bodies are batch meltable alkali boro-alumino-silicate bulk glass bodies.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making optical fiber devices.

Abstract: A polarization mode dispersion compensator corrects polarization mode dispersion in an optical signal having a fast polarization mode component, a slow polarization mode component and a time differential between the components. The compensator includes a phase shifter and a variable delay section. An input of the phase shifter is coupled to an optical device that provides an optical signal that exhibits polarization mode dispersion. The phase shifter functions to rotate the optical signal principal states of polarization to a desired orientation. The phase shifter engages a segment of an optical fiber that is coated with a radiation cured coatings. The coating composition is selected so that in response to a preload comprising the application of a stress of about 80 MPa to said coating at about 80° C. and after a stress-relaxation period of at least about 1 hour, at about 80° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides photonic devices utilized in optical telecommunications. The photonic devices include photosensitive bulk glass bodies which contain Bragg gratings, particularly with the ultraviolet photosensitive bulk glass bodies directing optical telecommunications wavelength range bands. Preferably the ultraviolet photosensitive bulk glass bodies are batch meltable alkali boro-alumino-silicate bulk glass bodies.

Abstract: A detachable plug-in pump laser card assembly for placement into an optical fiber amplifier, comprising: a printed circuit board, a heat sink, a pump laser, a first half plug-in member of an optical connector, a second half plug-in member of an electrical connector and a reel having an optical fiber wrapped there around. The heat sink is substantially parallel to the printed circuit board and is separated from the printed circuit board by spacers. The pump laser is connected to one side of the heat sink, which has a plurality of fins on an opposite side from where the pump laser is connected. The first half plug-in member of the optical connector and the second half plug-in member of the electrical connector are each secured to the printed circuit board and are located at an insertion end of the pump laser card assembly.

Abstract: A multichannel fiber optic communication network incorporates multichannel fiber optical amplifiers having different functions but designed to use substantially identical gain flattening filters. This is achieved by designing the amplifiers to have total insertion losses such that their respective internal gains (internal gain=net gain+total insertion loss) are substantially the same, most preferably within 1 dB.

Abstract: Disclosed is a family of dispersion compensating optical fibers that are adapted for use with conventional single-mode transmission fibers that are optimized for zero dispersion operation at a wavelength in the range from 1290 nm to 1330 nm to form a transmission link suitable for low dispersion operation in the 1520-1565 nm wavelength window. The dispersion compensating fibers are capable of providing a dispersion more negative than -20 ps/nm-km and attenuation less than 1 dB/km at wavelengths in the 1520-1565 nm region. Certain of the dispersion compensating fibers also exhibit a dispersion versus wavelength relationship having a negative slope in the 1520-1565 nm region, to compensate for the dispersion versus wavelength slope of the transmission fiber. The dispersion compensating fiber can be advantageously combined with a fiber amplifier to form a compensator that is adapted to overcome attenuation introduced into the system by the dispersion compensating fiber.

Abstract: The use of a doped optical fiber amplifier enables the transmission of multi-channel AM-VSB television signals. An Erbium doped fiber amplifier is disclosed. The amplifier is also useful for reducing second order distortion products produced in an amplitude modulated subcarrier optical communication system. The amplifier may be used in a tree and branch structure optical fiber television network.

Abstract: The use of a doped optical fiber amplifier enables the transmission of multi-channel AM-VSB television signals. An Erbium doped fiber amplifier is disclosed. The amplifier is also useful for reducing second order distortion products produced in an amplitude modulated subcarrier optical communication system. The amplifier may be used in a tree and branch structure optical fiber television network.

Abstract: The use of a doped optical fiber amplifier enables the transmission of multi-channel AM-VSB television signals. An Erbium doped fiber amplifier is disclosed. The amplifier is also useful for reducing second order distortion products produced in an amplitude modulated subcarrier optical communication system. The amplifier may be used in a tree and branch structure optical fiber television network.

Abstract: The diameter of an optical fiber being drawn is monitored and controlled by an optical measuring technique. An electrical input signal is generated from the fringe pattern produced by directing a laser beam onto the fiber. The input signal is connected to appropriate terminals of first, second, third and fourth comparators. The input signal is delayed 180.degree. to provide an input signal to the remaining two terminals of the first and second comparators and is delayed 90.degree. to provide an input signal to the remaining terminals of the third and fourth comparators. The output pulses from the comparators are shaped, summed and counted to provide a control signal for the fiber drawing apparatus.