Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable media for determining optical characteristics, such as polarization mode dispersion and/or polarization dependent loss, of device under test (DUTs) are provided. In this regard, one such system includes a response analyzer that receives data corresponding to responses of a DUT to optical signals. The response analyzer computes fast and slow group delays corresponding to at least some of the optical signals, each of the fast and slow group delays being attributable to one of a first and a second principle state of polarization. The response analyzer then assigns each of the fast and slow group delays to a correct one of the first and second principle states of polarization for at least some of the optical signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a type of optical fiber grating having an azimuthal refractive-index perturbation. The optical fiber includes a fiber grating that has a plurality of grating elements formed therein. At least one of the grating elements has a spatially varying index of refraction that varies azimuthally about the centerline of the optical fiber. The fiber grating acts as a band-stop optical spectral filter. In addition, since fiber-cladding modes are weakly-guided modes, their power can be easily dissipated by scattering, bending, stretching, and/or rotating the optical fiber. Multiple configurations of these gratings within an optical fiber are given. Devices are presented which can dynamically attenuate, tune, switch, or modulate the wavelength spectral characteristics of an optical signal.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring optical characteristics of an optical device under test (DUT) is provided. The system includes a light source for generating an optical signal applied to the optical DUT. A reference interferometer and a test interferometer are optically coupled to the light source. A computing unit is coupled to the interferometers, and utilizes amplitude and phase computing components, such as orthogonal filters, in determining optical characteristics of the optical DUT.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring optical characteristics of a sub-component within a composite optical system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention generates an optical response from a composite optical system. The present embodiment then separates an optical response of a sub-component from the optical response of the composite optical system. The present embodiment then determines the optical characteristics of the sub-component by utilizing at least one portion of the optical response of the sub-component.

Abstract: A heterodyne optical network analyzer and method for device characterization reduces the effect of relative intensity noise (RIN) in interferometric optical measurements by subtracting the measured intensities of first and second interference signals derived from an optical interferometer. The first and second interference signals are produced by combining a first lightwave transmitted to an optical device being characterized with a second lightwave, which is a delayed version of the first lightwave. The first and second lightwaves are derived by splitting an input lightwave having a continuously swept optical frequency generated by a light source, such as a continuously tunable laser.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating an interferometric optical network analyzer is disclosed. Specifically, a plurality of interferometric measurements for a control optical element using first polarized lightwaves of a first amplitude and second polarized lightwaves of a second amplitude are received in accordance with the invention. Next, a calibration result is derived using the plurality of interferometric measurements in accordance with the present invention. With this calibration result, the optical properties of a device under test (DUT) measured using the first polarized lightwaves of the first amplitude and the second polarized lightwaves of the second amplitude can be determined with reduced uncertainty due to intrinsic optical characteristics of the interferometric optical network analyzer.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating an interferometric optical network analyzer is disclosed. Specifically, a plurality of interferometric measurements for a control optical element using first polarized lightwaves of a first amplitude and second polarized lightwaves of a second amplitude are received in accordance with the invention. Next, a calibration result is derived using the plurality of interferometric measurements in accordance with the present invention. With this calibration result, the optical properties of a device under test (DUT) measured using the first polarized lightwaves of the first amplitude and the second polarized lightwaves of the second amplitude can be determined with reduced uncertainty due to intrinsic optical characteristics of the interferometric optical network analyzer.

Abstract: By making combined interferometric and polarimetric measurements on a device under test, the relative phase uncertainty in device characterizations performed with a polarimeter or polarization analyzer alone is removed. This allows determination of the group delay to within a constant offset and the chromatic dispersion of the device under test.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable media for determining optical characteristics, such as polarization mode dispersion and/or polarization dependent loss, of device under test (DUTs) are provided. In this regard, one such system includes a response analyzer that receives data corresponding to responses of a DUT to optical signals. The response analyzer computes fast and slow group delays corresponding to at least some of the optical signals, each of the fast and slow group delays being attributable to one of a first and a second principle state of polarization. The response analyzer then assigns each of the fast and slow group delays to a correct one of the first and second principle states of polarization for at least some of the optical signals.

Abstract: A heterodyne optical network analyzer and method for device characterization reduces the effect of relative intensity noise (RIN) in interferometric optical measurements by subtracting the measured intensities of first and second interference signals derived from an optical interferometer. The first and second interference signals are produced by combining a first lightwave transmitted to an optical device being characterized with a second lightwave, which is a delayed version of the first lightwave. The first and second lightwaves are derived by splitting an input lightwave having a continuously swept optical frequency generated by a light source, such as a continuously tunable laser.

Abstract: Optical systems for selectively altering the propagation of light are provided. A representative optical system incorporates an optical device that includes a first para-electric holographic medium. The first para-electric holographic medium stores a first hologram that can exhibit a first active mode. The first hologram exhibits the first active mode when a first electric field is applied to the first para-electric holographic medium. When in the first active mode, the first hologram directs light incident upon the first holographic medium to a first location. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring environmental parameters comprising an optical fiber-based sensor having thermally-induced diffraction gratings therein which are stable at very high temperatures for many hours. The diffraction gratings are, preferably, formed in an optical fiber by exposure to light from an infrared laser and do not degrade at high temperatures. A system for measuring an environmental parameter includes an optical fiber-based sensor, a light source, and a detector. According to a method of measuring an environmental parameter, the optical fiber-based sensor is positioned within a high-temperature environment having a parameter desired for measurement. The light source directs light into the optical fiber-based sensor. The detector measures the differential diffraction of the light output from the optical fiber-based sensor and determines a value of the environmental parameter based, at least in part, upon a known correlation between the differential diffraction and the environmental parameter.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring optical characteristics of a sub-component within a composite optical system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention generates an optical response from a composite optical system. The present embodiment then separates an optical response of a sub-component from the optical response of the composite optical system. The present embodiment then determines the optical characteristics of the sub-component by utilizing at least one portion of the optical response of the sub-component.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring optical characteristics of an optical device under test (DUT) is provided. The system includes a light source for generating an optical signal applied to the optical DUT. A reference interferometer and a test interferometer are optically coupled to the light source. A computing unit is coupled to the interferometers, and utilizes amplitude and phase computing components, such as orthogonal filters, in determining optical characteristics of the optical DUT.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring environmental parameters comprising an optical fiber-based sensor having thermally-induced diffraction gratings therein which are stable at very high temperatures for many hours. The diffraction gratings are, preferably, formed in an optical fiber by exposure to light from an infrared laser and do not degrade at high temperatures. A system for measuring an environmental parameter includes an optical fiber-based sensor, a light source, and a detector. According to a method of measuring an environmental parameter, the optical fiber-based sensor is positioned within a high-temperature environment having a parameter desired for measurement. The light source directs light into the optical fiber-based sensor. The detector measures the differential diffraction of the light output from the optical fiber-based sensor and determines a value of the environmental parameter based, at least in part, upon a known correlation between the differential diffraction and the environmental parameter.