Abstract: A method of laser fusing an optical fiber to a silica element, such as another optical fiber or other, wherein the optical fiber is laterally fused to the silica element. The silica element may be another optical fiber or any other optical component.

Abstract: Laser light splicing of optical fibers with laser light outside of the peak absorption band of the optical fibers, for example splicing of silica optical fibers at wavelengths smaller than about 9 ?m. In some variants, the product of the absorption coefficient at ambient temperature of the optical fibers at the wavelength of the laser light with the power of the laser light is smaller than the product of the peak absorption coefficient at ambient temperature in the absorption band by the power required to splice the optical fibers with light at the peak absorption.

Abstract: Laser light splicing of optical fibers with laser light outside of the peak absorption band of the optical fibers, for example splicing of silica optical fibers at wavelengths smaller than about 9 ?m. In some variants, the product of the absorption coefficient at ambient temperature of the optical fibers at the wavelength of the laser light with the power of the laser light is smaller than the product of the peak absorption coefficient at ambient temperature in the absorption band by the power required to splice the optical fibers with light at the peak absorption.

Abstract: A method of laser fusing an optical fiber to a silica element, such as another optical fiber or other, wherein the optical fiber is laterally fused to the silica element. The silica element may be another optical fiber or any other optical component.

Abstract: A fiber cleaver (100) for cleaving an optical fiber (106). A monobloc fiber handling element (116) defines a pair of spaced apart fiber holding portions (120) each defining an elongated fiber receiving aperture (122) for receiving a respective part of the optical fiber (106) thereinto. The fiber handling element (116) is deformable between open, closed and tensing configurations. In the open configuration, the fiber receiving apertures (122) extend coaxially and the fiber receiving apertures (122) have an open width. In the closed configuration, the fiber receiving apertures (122) have a closed width smaller than the open width. In the tensing configuration, the fiber receiving apertures (122) have the closed width and an inter-aperture distance is larger than in the open and closed configurations. An actuator (104) is operatively coupled to the fiber handling element (116) for moving the latter between the open closed and tensing configurations.

Abstract: A fiber cleaver (100) for cleaving an optical fiber (106). A monobloc fiber handling element (116) defines a pair of spaced apart fiber holding portions (120) each defining an elongated fiber receiving aperture (122) for receiving a respective part of the optical fiber (106) thereinto. The fiber handling element (116) is deformable between open, closed and tensing configurations. In the open configuration, the fiber receiving apertures (122) extend coaxially and the fiber receiving apertures (122) have an open width. In the closed configuration, the fiber receiving apertures (122) have a closed width smaller than the open width. In the tensing configuration, the fiber receiving apertures (122) have the closed width and an inter-aperture distance is larger than in the open and closed configurations. An actuator (104) is operatively coupled to the fiber handling element (116) for moving the latter between the open closed and tensing configurations.

Abstract: An optical assembly comprising (10) an optical coupler (12) defining a coupler first end section (18), a substantially opposed coupler second end section (20) and a coupler intermediate section (22) therebetween; a coupler passageway (24) extending in the coupler intermediate section (22) and also through at least a portion of the coupler second end section (20) and defining a passageway second end aperture (30) leading into the coupler passageway (24); a coupler peripheral surface (26) extending peripherally to the coupler passageway (24) in the coupler intermediate section (22); and a coupler lateral aperture (28) extending between the coupler passageway (24) and the coupler peripheral surface (26) in the coupler intermediate section (22). A first end optical fiber (14) is optically coupled to the optical coupler (12) in the coupler first end section (18) for allowing propagation of light between the optical coupler (12) and the first end optical fiber (14).

Abstract: An optical coupler, the optical coupler being usable with a first optical fibre and a second optical fibre. The second optical fibre defines a second fibre coupling section and a second fibre transmitting section extending from the second fibre coupling section. The second fibre coupling section defines a radially outwardmost peripheral surface, the radially outwardmost peripheral surface defining a peripheral surface coupling portion. The optical coupler includes a coupler first end section and a substantially opposed coupler second end section, the coupler first end section defining a first coupling surface. The optical coupler defines a second coupling surface extending along the coupler first and second end sections. The first coupling surface is optically couplable with the first optical fibre and the second coupling surface is positionable so as to extend substantially parallel to the peripheral surface coupling portion and to be optically coupled with the peripheral surface coupling portion.

Abstract: An optical assembly comprising (10) an optical coupler (12) defining a coupler first end section (18), a substantially opposed coupler second end section (20) and a coupler intermediate section (22) therebetween; a coupler passageway (24) extending in the coupler intermediate section (22) and also through at least a portion of the coupler second end section (20) and defining a passageway second end aperture (30) leading into the coupler passageway (24); a coupler peripheral surface (26) extending peripherally to the coupler passageway (24) in the coupler intermediate section (22); and a coupler lateral aperture (28) extending between the coupler passageway (24) and the coupler peripheral surface (26) in the coupler intermediate section (22). A first end optical fibre (14) is optically coupled to the optical coupler (12) in the coupler first end section (18) for allowing propagation of light between the optical coupler (12) and the first end optical fibre (14).

Abstract: An optical amplifier for amplifying an optical signal (1002), the optical amplifier comprising: an optical fibre, the optical fibre including a doped core, an inner cladding extending substantially radially outwardly from the doped core and an outer cladding extending substantially radially outwardly from the inner cladding; a signal coupler for receiving the optical signal and guiding the optical signal into the doped core; a first pump light source for producing a first pump light having a first power, the first pump light source being optically coupled to the optical fibre at a first location therealong for guiding the first pump light into the inner cladding at the first location; and a second pump light source for producing a second pump light having a second power, the second power being larger than the first power, the second pump light source being optically coupled to the optical fibre at a second location therealong for guiding the second pump light into the inner cladding at the second location; wh

Abstract: A multimode fiber coupler has a structure in which a plurality of tapered pump fibers are coupled laterally to a multi-clad fiber, such as a double clad fiber (DCF). Such coupler is produced by first forming a plurality of tapered pump fibers and positioning them around the multi-clad fiber, thus forming a fiber bundle. Then, the fiber bundle is twisted and fused so that the input pump fibers converge towards a waist and then diverge from it. The diverging portions of the pump fibers may be removed from the structure. Also, at the waist, the structure may be cleaved and the portion with the converging pump fibers is then spliced with a multi-clad fiber which is similar or identical to the one in the middle of the bundle.

Abstract: An assembly for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus. The assembly includes a base, a disk having at least two elongated holes parallel to one another, and at least two screws each extending through an elongated hole. The assembly further includes a plate that is parallel to the disk, the plate sliding along the length of the elongated holes, at least two holes extending through the plate in its thickness, each screw extending through a hole of the plate, and retaining elements retaining the screws on the plate.

Abstract: A multimode fiber coupler has a structure in which a plurality of tapered pump fibers are coupled laterally to a multi-clad fiber, such as a double clad fiber (DCF). Such coupler is produced by first forming a plurality of tapered pump fibers and positioning them around the multi-clad fiber, thus forming a fiber bundle. Then, the fiber bundle is twisted and fused so that the input pump fibers converge towards a waist and then diverge from it. The diverging portions of the pump fibers may be removed from the structure. Also, at the waist, the structure may be cleaved and the portion with the converging pump fibers is then spliced with a multi-clad fiber which is similar or identical to the one in the middle of the bundle.

Abstract: An optical coupler, the optical coupler being usable with a first optical fibre and a second optical fibre. The second optical fibre defines a second fibre coupling section and a second fibre transmitting section extending from the second fibre coupling section. The second fibre coupling section defines a radially outwardmost peripheral surface, the radially outwardmost peripheral surface defining a peripheral surface coupling portion. The optical coupler includes a coupler first end section and a substantially opposed coupler second end section, the coupler first end section defining a first coupling surface. The optical coupler defines a second coupling surface extending along the coupler first and second end sections. The first coupling surface is optically couplable with the first optical fibre and the second coupling surface is positionable so as to extend substantially parallel to the peripheral surface coupling portion and to be optically coupled with the peripheral surface coupling portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of connecting optical fibers. In a first aspect, the method proceeds by using a ferrule device having a passage adapted to apply radial pressure to optically align and hold in position opposed fiber ends, and fusing said fiber ends held by said ferrule device. In another aspect, the method of the present invention uses a ferrule device to optically align without mechanized adjustment and hold in position opposed fiber ends with a gap where said fiber ends meet, where the fibers have a temperature of fusion that is higher than a melting temperature of said ferrule device. The method then transmits radiation directly onto said fiber ends without significant direct transmission onto said ferrule device to generate heat in said fiber ends and fuse said fiber ends held by said ferrule device.

Abstract: An optical amplifier for amplifying an optical signal (1002), the optical amplifier comprising: an optical fibre, the optical fibre including a doped core, an inner cladding extending substantially radially outwardly from the doped core and an outer cladding extending substantially radially outwardly from the inner cladding; a signal coupler for receiving the optical signal and guiding the optical signal into the doped core; a first pump light source for producing a first pump light having a first power, the first pump light source being optically coupled to the optical fibre at a first location therealong for guiding the first pump light into the inner cladding at the first location; and a second pump light source for producing a second pump light having a second power, the second power being larger than the first power, the second pump light source being optically coupled to the optical fibre at a second location therealong for guiding the second pump light into the inner cladding at the second location; wh

Abstract: An optical coupler, the optical coupler being usable with a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. The second optical fiber defines a second fiber coupling section and a second fiber transmitting section extending from the second fiber coupling section. The second fiber coupling section defines a radially outwardmost peripheral surface, the radially outwardmost peripheral surface defining a peripheral surface coupling portion. The optical coupler includes a coupler first end section and a substantially opposed coupler second end section, the coupler first end section defining a first coupling surface. The optical coupler defines a second coupling surface extending along the coupler first and second end sections. The first coupling surface is optically couplable with the first optical fiber and the second coupling surface is positionable so as to extend substantially parallel to the peripheral surface coupling portion and to be optically coupled with the peripheral surface coupling portion.

Abstract: An all-fiber, phase controlled interferometer device is disclosed as well as its method of manufacture. This device is suitable for use in an optical DPSK demodulation system. It is comprised of two optical fiber couplers, each having two input and two output ports and two branches between the couplers of unequal length. The couplers have a splicing ratio of 50% over the wavelength operating range of the device. The two branches between the couplers are shaped to provide one bit of delay between the branches and are also shaped to make a compact device. Also, the two branches are formed in such a manner as to minimize birefringence in the device. In addition, a fiber heater is provided to heat the longer branch so as to obtain phase control of the interferometer. The method of producing such a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical coupler, the optical coupler being usable with a first optical fibre and a second optical fibre. The second optical fibre defines a second fibre coupling section and a second fibre transmitting section extending from the second fibre coupling section. The second fibre coupling section defines a radially outwardmost peripheral surface, the radially outwardmost peripheral surface defining a peripheral surface coupling portion. The optical coupler includes a coupler first end section and a substantially opposed coupler second end section, the coupler first end section defining a first coupling surface. The optical coupler defines a second coupling surface extending along the coupler first and second end sections. The first coupling surface is optically couplable with the first optical fibre and the second coupling surface is positionable so as to extend substantially parallel to the peripheral surface coupling portion and to be optically coupled with the peripheral surface coupling portion.

Abstract: An optical coupler is provided. It has a bundle of multimode fibers with a few-mode fiber in its centre. Such bundle is fused at one end which is the output end for the signal that is transmitted by the few-mode fiber. To make the coupler, this output end of the bundle is aligned and spliced with a large area core double clad fiber while preserving the modal content of the feed-through. A method for making such optical coupler is also provided. It includes the steps of bundling a central few-mode fiber with a plurality of multimode fibers and then fusing one end of such bundle and aligning it and splicing with a large core double clad fiber, while preserving fundamental mode transmission from one to the other.