Abstract: An apparatus for use in an optical transceiver module that incorporates an integrated multiplexer/demultiplexer for high speed data transfer applications. One example embodiment includes a transmissive block arranged to interface with a transmit optical port, a receive optical port, and a plurality of optical subassemblies. The transmit optical port may transmit a first multiplexed optical signal and the receive optical port may receive a second multiplexed optical signal. Filters may be positioned between the transmissive block and one or more of the optical subassemblies to transmit signals at predetermined wavelengths while reflecting other signals incident thereon.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a tunable optical dispersion compensator (TODC) comprising a first beam displacer on an optical path, wherein the first beam displacer separates an optical signal into a first beam and a second beam, and one or more polarizing beam splitters on the optical path, wherein the one or more polarizing beam splitters keep the first beam and the second beam on the optical path. The TODC also comprises one or more etalons on the optical path, wherein the one or more etalons are tunable to introduce a group delay in the first beam and the second beam, and a reflecting mirror on the optical path, wherein the reflecting mirror returns the optical signal back along the optical path. The TODC further comprises a second beam displacer, wherein the second beam displacer combines the first beam and the second beam into an output optical signal.

Abstract: Optical interleavers and deinterleavers. In one example embodiment, an optical deinterleaver includes first, second, and third filter cells interleaved with first and second waveplates. The filter cells are configured to filter optical signals propagating on first, second, and third paths of an optical loop. The optical deinterleaver also includes a retro reflector optically coupled with the filter cells and waveplates. The retro reflector is configured to reflect the optical signals between the first path and the second and third paths to form the optical loop. The optical deinterleaver further includes first, second, and third single-fiber collimators optically coupled to the first, second, and third paths of the optical loop, respectively.

Abstract: Asymmetrical interleavers and deinterleavers. In one example embodiment, an asymmetrical deinterleaver includes first, second, third, fourth, and fifth filter cells interleaved with first, second, third, and fourth waveplates and followed by a fifth waveplate. The filter cells are configured to filter optical signals propagating on first and second legs of an optical loop. The asymmetrical deinterleaver also includes a retro reflector optically coupled with the filter cells and waveplates. The retro reflector is configured to reflect the optical signals between the first leg and the second leg to form the optical loop. The asymmetrical deinterleaver further includes a single-fiber collimator optically coupled to the first leg of the optical loop and a dual-fiber collimator optically coupled to the second leg of the optical loop.

Abstract: A glass optical reflective tap is described that optically connects two optical fibers and may tap a portion of the light that is being communicated between the optical fibers. In one embodiment of the invention, the optical filter includes two D-lenses that operate as focusing or collimator lenses. The first D-lens focuses an optical signal onto a tap filter that allows a majority of the light within an optical signal to pass and also reflects a small portion of optical signal light to a reflective port. The second D-lens focuses the passed light into a transmission port of an optical fiber.

Abstract: A glass optical reflective tap is described that optically connects two optical fibers and may tap a portion of the light that is being communicated between the optical fibers. In one embodiment of the invention, the optical filter includes two D-lenses that operate as focusing or collimator lenses. The first D-lens focuses an optical signal onto a tap filter that allows a majority of the light within an optical signal to pass and also reflects a small portion of optical signal light to a reflective port. The second D-lens focuses the passed light into a transmission port of an optical fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in an optical transceiver module that incorporates an integrated multiplexer/demultiplexer for high speed data transfer applications. One example embodiment includes a transmissive block arranged to interface with a transmit optical port, a receive optical port, and a plurality of optical subassemblies. The transmit optical port may transmit a first multiplexed optical signal and the receive optical port may receive a second multiplexed optical signal. Filters may be positioned between the transmissive block and one or more of the optical subassemblies to transmit signals at predetermined wavelengths while reflecting other signals incident thereon.

Abstract: Spatially-efficient optical multiplexers and optical demultiplexers include elements interrelating along orthogonal axes. A transmission block of extreme thinness has highly reflective coatings on opposed parallel surfaces. Lasers of multiplexer are on one side of transmission block with transmission axes perpendicular to transmission block surface. An associated multiplexed signal transmitting port on opposite side of transmission block has receiving axis parallel to transmission block surface on that side. Detectors of demultiplexer are on one side of transmission block with reception axes perpendicular to transmission block surface. An associated multiplexed signal receiving port on opposite side of transmission block has receiving axis parallel to transmission block surface on that side. A unitary structure performs both optical multiplexer functions and optical demultiplexer function with a single thin transmission block. Related optical signal processing methods are included.

Abstract: Spatially-efficient optical multiplexers and optical demultiplexers include elements interrelating along orthogonal axes. A transmission block of extreme thinness has highly reflective coatings on opposed parallel surfaces. Lasers of multiplexer are on one side of transmission block with transmission axes perpendicular to transmission block surface. An associated multiplexed signal transmitting port on opposite side of transmission block has receiving axis parallel to transmission block surface on that side. Detectors of demultiplexer are on one side of transmission block with reception axes perpendicular to transmission block surface. An associated multiplexed signal receiving port on opposite side of transmission block has receiving axis parallel to transmission block surface on that side. A unitary structure performs both optical multiplexer functions and optical demultiplexer function with a single thin transmission block. Related optical signal processing methods are included.

Abstract: A glass optical filter is described that optically connects two optical fibers and may filter a single or group of channels from a WDM signal that is being communicated between the optical fibers. The glass optical filter may be comprised of two pigtail tubes having smaller interior diameters than a center piece tube that couples the two pigtail tubes together. In one embodiment of the invention, D-lenses are positioned within the glass optical filter and function as focusing lenses. The characteristics of the glass housing and D-lens provide a preferred environment for aligning optical fiber pigtails to the focusing lenses.

Abstract: A glass optical filter is described that optically connects two optical fibers and may filter a single or group of channels from a WDM signal that is being communicated between the optical fibers. The glass optical filter may be comprised of two pigtail tubes having smaller interior diameters than a center piece tube that couples the two pigtail tubes together. In one embodiment of the invention, D-lenses are positioned within the glass optical filter and function as focusing lenses. The characteristics of the glass housing and D-lens provide a preferred environment for aligning optical fiber pigtails to the focusing lenses.