Abstract: An optical star coupler, which includes a mixing element consisting of a planar waveguide having an input and output end for interconnecting two groups of light conducting fibers with a packing density of each group of fibers being as high as possible and the planar waveguide having a thickness approximately equal to the diameter of the fibers, characterized by each fiber which is to be connected to a fiber of a fiber optical system having a diameter approximately equal to the core diameter of this fiber of the fiber optical system and, preferably, the mixing element on the surfaces, which are not connected to the fibers, are in contact with a medium having an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the mixing element. Preferably, this medium comprises a material having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion and is an optical adhesive.

Abstract: A passive bus system for decentrally structured multi-computer systems, particularly multi-microcomputer systems, allows execution of a bit-serial information exchange between the individual computers of the system achieving the bandwidth required for high transmission speeds with simple and reliable means, capable of decentralized monitoring and control. Exclusively optical transmission means is employed for all data exchange operations in a communications level shared by all of the function units of the multi-computer system, exclusively decentralized control devices are individually allocated to the function units for control of the bus system seizure.

Abstract: An optical four-gate coupler, which is particularly useful when used in a bus system and has a pair of input fibers and a pair of output fibers which are arranged with the planar end faces of the four fibers abutting one another in an axial offset fashion characterized by one of the input fibers having a smaller cross-section than the remaining fibers.

Abstract: A coupler device for use with light conducting fibers to couple-out and couple-in a light signal to the fibers comprises at least three optical fibers and a physical structure for holding the fibers in a plane with the first and second fibers converging together to have a portion of each of the fibers adjacent the end faces extending in parallel side-by-side relationship with the end faces being flush and the end face of the third fiber being positioned in abutting relationship against the end faces of the first and second fibers. In one embodiment, the amount of offset between the third fiber and the pair of first and second fibers is adjustable so that the coupler can be changed from a direct coupler of one of the first and second fibers being directly coupled to the third fiber to a branching coupler with the third fiber being connected to both the first and second fibers.

Abstract: An optical mixing element characterized by two groups of light conducting fibers being connected to one another by a mixer stage. The mixing element of this type exhibits small insertion losses and is to ensure a uniform as possible distribution of power between the outgoing fibers. In order to reduce light losses, the fibers in at least one group such as the outgoing group are fused together without any gaps therebetween to form a fused zone which preferably exhibit a gradual taper. In one embodiment, a mixer stage comprises a glass rod and the fused zones of each of the fiber groups abut against the end surfaces of the rod and taper towards the rod. In another embodiment, the mixer stage forms a part of the constriction which is provided in the fused zone of a group of the light conducting fibers.

Abstract: An optical unit having at least one longitudinal side coupling zone characterized by the unit comprising at least one glass fiber having a glass core with a glass cladding layer surrounding the core with a step in the index of refraction from a greater to a lower value occurring at the junction between the glass core and cladding layer, the cross section of the glass fiber remaining uniform along the entire length and the core having at least one constriction to form the longitudinal coupling zone. To form the optical unit, a device utilizing a double crucible with a nozzle opening of the inner crucible being arranged to discharge into the nozzle opening of the outer crucible and provided with a means for regulating the flow therethrough is utilized.

Abstract: An optical unit having at least one longitudinal side coupling zone characterized by the unit comprising at least one glass fiber having a glass core with a glass cladding layer surrounding the core with a step in the index of refraction from a greater to a lower value occurring at the junction between the glass core and cladding layer, the cross section of the glass fiber remaining uniform along the entire length and the core having at least one constriction to form the longitudinal coupling zone. To form the optical unit, a device utilizing a double crucible with a nozzle opening of the inner crucible being arranged to discharge into the nozzle opening of the outer crucible and provided with a means for regulating the flow therethrough is utilized.

Abstract: An input/output coupler for multi-mode optical or light conducting fibers comprises a substrate, a first light conductor, which is disposed on the substrate and has an end face forming a coupling point or surface, a main light conducting fiber, which is disposed on the substrate with an end face at the coupling surface and a center of the end face offset by a distance a from the center of the coupling surface, and a strip waveguide, which is coupled to a branch light conducting fiber and is disposed on the substrate with an end face in contact with a portion of the coupling surface so that a portion of a light signal entering the coupler in the first light conductor is applied to both the main and branch light conducting fibers and signals entering the coupler in the branch and main light conducting fibers are applied to the first light conductor. The first light conductor may be either a light conducting fiber or an additional strip waveguide, which is coupled to a light conducting fiber.