Abstract: There is disclosed an optical fiber coupler made from three separate ferrules formed from a continuous glass capillary tube having a capillary bore of suitable diameter for receiving optical fibers. The three ferrules include first and second end ferrules and a middle ferrule, the middle ferrule having a removed window portion exposing a portion of its capillary bore and two ferrule coupling ends on both sides of the removed window portion. An optical fiber is mounted in the capillary bore of the middle ferrule, and a beamsplitter is inserted in the optical fiber at a position exposed by the removed window portion. In addition, an optical element is coupled to the window portion of the middle ferrule so as to be in optical communication with the beamsplitter means. Finally, the coupler is completed by coupling alignment sleeves that couple and align the two ferrule coupling ends of the middle ferrule to the first and second end ferrules when optical fibers are mounted in the first and second ferrules.

Abstract: A D-shaped fiber which has an evanescent-field which is easily tapable has a low attenuation since a buffer material disposed on a cladding planar side of the waveguide has an index of refraction lower than the cladding so as to effectively increase a radius of the cladding in the vicinity of its planar side so as to minimize signal loss into the fiber buffer.

Abstract: A mode filter for reducing a dynamic range of a write optical fiber bus which utilizes taps which initially inject optical signals into an optical fiber which have intensities skewed towards higher order modes rather than lower order modes as compared to equilibrium for the fiber functions to preferentially attenuate outermost modes rather than lowermost modes in the fiber so as to reduce a required dynamic range for an optical receiver.

Abstract: A distribution optical fiber network includes a light source having a mode volume less than a distribution optical fiber, the light source being connected to the fiber so as to minimize the number and order of modes initially supported by the fiber by aligning an optical center of the light source with a geometric center of the fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber contact for terminating an optical fiber includes a solid multi-part thermoset mixture in a cavity in a front portion of the contact, an optical fiber being terminated by heating the thermoset so as to cause it to soften and liquify and subsequently inserting an optical fiber through the contact. The thermoset when liquified chemically reacts so as to form an epoxy adhesive which secures the optical fiber within the contact and keeps the optical fiber in place even when subjected to extremely wide temperature variations.

Abstract: A method of aligning an optical signal source and a waveguide which comprises; directing the signal into the waveguide, monitoring the intensity of the signal backscattered along the waveguide, and altering the relative positions of source and waveguide in response to said intensity.

Abstract: An optical network is implemented by coupling of node switches to a single waveguide. The single waveguide can be connected, tail in mouth, to provide a low loss ring concentrator to which receiving and transmitting nodes are coupled via associated node switches. A processor also may be coupled by a node switch. Alternatively, the single waveguide may terminate at the processor.

Abstract: An optical energy eraser is implemented by the controlled movement of an optical fiber and an optical absorber into close proximity to permit coupling of energy between them. The eraser is used in conjunction with two optical switches to implement a node switch useful for optical fiber networks. An integrated optic implementation permits analogous results by a controlled change in the properties of the region separating a waveguide from an optical absorber so that significant coupling occurs between them.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupler (10) is disclosed for interconnecting a tap cable (20) to a bus cable (30). Each cable has a portion of its sheath removed at the point of coupling to provide exposed cores (24,34). The cores are intertwined a number of times and the tension on the cables is adjusted to yield the desired loss. A cladding material fills the intertwined region, including the interstices of the cores, to provide a continuous sheath in the axial dimension.

Abstract: An optical coupling device for diverting light among different transmission elements. The device includes at least one graded-index-of-refraction lens with transmission elements coupled to one surface. At the opposite surface of the lens is a reflecting element which is adapted for movement so as to vary the angle of reflection of the incoming light from one of the transmission elements.

Abstract: A packaging scheme for apparatus including integrated optical components, such as transmitters, receivers and transceivers. The components are provided in the form of semiconductor chips bonded to a substrate such as ceramic. A glass cover which includes a light transmission path is mounted over the chips. Connectors to optical fibers are formed by molding a material over the substrate and cover. Alignment is effected by use of etched grooves in the cover which are matched to ridges in the mold.

Abstract: An m.times.n optical switch is formed on a semiconductor substrate. Grooves are etched at the edges of the substrate to accommodate input and output optical fibers so that the output fibers are placed orthogonal to the light paths of the input fibers. An array of photodetectors is provided at an edge opposite to that of the input fibers to receive the input signals. At each crosspoint defined by the input and output fibers is an electromechanically actuated mirror which in one state permits passage of light from its associated input fiber, and in another state deflects the light to its associated output fiber.

Abstract: An optical device which diverts light from one transmission element (e.g. 21) to another (e.g., 22, 23 and 24) and a method of manufacture are disclosed. The device includes a pair of focusing elements (10 and 11) such as graded index of refraction lenses separated by a pair of at least partially reflecting elements (12 and 13). Optical transmission elements are placed adjacent to the surfaces (17 and 20) of the focusing elements opposite the reflecting elements. The reflecting elements are placed at an angle to each other and the transmission elements positioned to achieve efficient light coupling. The reflecting elements can then be fastened to each other by an appropriate adhesive (14).In specific embodiments, the device may function as a multiplexer/demultiplexer for light having three or more wavelengths, or as an asymmetric four-port coupler.

Abstract: In order to control the transfer of packets of information among a plurality of stations, e.g., digital computers, the instant communications system, station and protocol contemplate first and second oppositely directed signal paths. At least two stations are coupled to both the first and the second signal paths. A station includes arrangements for reading (and writing) signals from (and on) each of the two paths. Signals are read from either path by an arrangement which electrically precedes the arrangement for writing signals on the path. If the station has a packet to transmit, it can overwrite a busy control field of a packet on either path. Also having read a packet signal from the path, a logical interpretation may be made within the station as to whether the path is busy or is not busy. If the path is not busy, the packet may be written on the path by overwriting any signal thereon. If the path is busy, the station may defer the writing until the path is detected as not busy e.g.

Abstract: An optical coupling device for diverting light among different transmission elements. A plurality of transmission elements (11, 12, 13) are coupled to one surface (32) of a focusing element (10). Positioned near the opposite surface (32) are first and second at least partially reflecting elements (15 and 16). The first element (15) may be affixed to the end surface of the focusing element and covers only a portion thereof. The second element is positioned further from the end surface and at an angle to the first element. The area of the first element is chosen to produce a desired splitting ratio, and the angle between elements can be adjusted to maximize coupling efficiency between the transmission elements. The device can be used, for example, as a three port coupler, an asymmetric four port coupler, or a four port power divider.