Abstract: A solar powered lighting system comprises a photovoltaic array coupled to a rechargeable battery and an LED array having a variable brightness output. A memory device contains a lighting profile for each day of a calendar year at a predetermined geophysical location on the surface of the earth, and includes a calendar of events including times of activation and deactivation of one or more LED arrays and brightness levels associated with each array for each event. A real time clock times the reading of the events by a controller in a control module for controlling the intensity of the LED array such that the LED array is energized at preselected times as determined by the real time clock and at preselected intensities based upon the lighting profile and includes a control module that consumes on average no more than 2 mA of current.

Abstract: The invention provides a laser package having a single-mode laser diode for emitting light; a single-mode optical fiber comprising an uncoated microlens formed on an input end of said single-mode optical fiber, the microlens optically coupled to the laser diode for receiving the light, the microlens being constructed so as to reduce a level of back reflection into the laser diode so as not to disturb an operation of the laser diode, wherein a center axis of the single-mode optical fiber is co-planar with an optical axis of the laser diode; and a grating formed in the single-mode optical fiber for providing feedback to the laser diode to stabilize the emitted light from the laser diode. The single-mode optical fiber can include a length of polarization maintaining fiber between the grating and the single-mode laser diode.