Abstract: A photon source may be composed of a substrate defining a planar surface, an optical shell having an annular base surface disposed above the substrate, and a plurality of optical sources. Each optical source may be composed of a mirror and an optical emitter aligned with the mirror along an optical axis. The mirror may be configured to reflect a collimated optical beam emitted by the optical emitter onto the annular base surface. The mirrors of the plurality of optical sources may be arranged in a first ring-like configuration. The annular base surface may be disposed above the first ring-like configuration. The optical emitters of the plurality of optical sources may be arranged in a second ring-like configuration. In one aspect, the optical shell may be a hollow frustum. In another aspect, a focus lens may be disposed between the substrate and the optical shell.

Abstract: A photon source may have a substrate, a focus lens disposed above the substrate, and a plurality of optical sources disposed on the substrate. Each optical source may have a mirror disposed on the substrate configured to reflect a collimated beam emitted by an optical emitter disposed on the substrate. The plurality of mirrors may be arranged in a first ring-like configuration defining a first diameter. The plurality of optical emitters may be arranged in a second ring-like configuration defining a second diameter which is larger than the first diameter. In some aspects each optical source may include a second optical emitter emitting a second optical beam and an optical combiner configured to combine the first emitted optical beam and the second emitted optical beam to form the collimated beam. In another aspect, the photon source may be composed of a vertical array of multiple substrates.

Abstract: An aspect of a photon source may have a substrate with a surface, a focus lens disposed above the surface, and a plurality of optical sources. Each optical source may be composed of a mirror and an optical emitter. The optical emitter may include a beam twister. The emitter is aligned with the mirror along an axis and may emit a collimated beam along the axis, A plurality of mirrors may be composed of each mirror of the plurality of optical sources, arranged in a first ring-like configuration. Alternatively, the plurality of mirrors may be aggregated into a polygonal pyramidal mirror. A plurality of emitters may be composed of each emitter of the plurality of optical sources, arranged in a second ring-like configuration. The optical emitters may be composed of a laser diode mounted on a sub-mount having a plane orthogonal to the planar surface.

Abstract: A photon source may have a substrate, a focus lens disposed above the substrate, and a plurality of optical sources disposed on the substrate. Each optical source may have a mirror disposed on the substrate configured to reflect a collimated beam emitted by an optical emitter disposed on the substrate. The plurality of mirrors may be arranged in a first ring-like configuration defining a first diameter. The plurality of optical emitters may be arranged in a second ring-like configuration defining a second diameter which is larger than the first diameter. In some aspects each optical source may include a second optical emitter emitting a second optical beam and an optical combiner configured to combine the first emitted optical beam and the second emitted optical beam to form the collimated beam. In another aspect, the photon source may be composed of a vertical array of multiple substrates.

Abstract: An aspect of a photon source may have a substrate with a surface, a focus lens disposed above the surface, and a plurality of optical sources. Each optical source may be composed of a mirror and an optical emitter. The optical emitter may include a beam twister. The emitter is aligned with the mirror along an axis and may emit a collimated beam along the axis, A plurality of mirrors may be composed of each mirror of the plurality of optical sources, arranged in a first ring-like configuration. Alternatively, the plurality of mirrors may be aggregated into a polygonal pyramidal mirror. A plurality of emitters may be composed of each emitter of the plurality of optical sources, arranged in a second ring-like configuration. The optical emitters may be composed of a laser diode mounted on a sub-mount having a plane orthogonal to the planar surface.

Abstract: A photon source may be composed of a substrate defining a planar surface, an optical shell having an annular base surface disposed above the substrate, and a plurality of optical sources. Each optical source may be composed of a mirror and an optical emitter aligned with the mirror along an optical axis. The mirror may be configured to reflect a collimated optical beam emitted by the optical emitter onto the annular base surface. The mirrors of the plurality of optical sources may be arranged in a first ring-like configuration. The annular base surface may be disposed above the first ring-like configuration. The optical emitters of the plurality of optical sources may be arranged in a second ring-like configuration. In one aspect, the optical shell may be a hollow frustum. In another aspect, a focus lens may be disposed between the substrate and the optical shell.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining the polarization state and for providing polarization control in optical fiber lasers and amplifiers. One embodiment of the invention is an optical fiber amplifying system including a circulator (260) having a first optical port (260a), a second optical port (260b) that is configured to output radiation received from the first optical port, and a third optical port (260c) that is configured to output radiation received from the second optical port; one or more amplifier stages (216) connected in series, together having an optical input (216a) optically coupled to the second port of the circulator, and an optical output (216b); and a polarization detector (240) having an optical input optically coupled to the third port of the circulator. Thereby the polarization state of the amplified radiation can be determined using radiation backscattered from the amplifying stage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining the polarization state and for providing polarization control in optical fiber lasers and amplifiers. One embodiment of the invention is an optical fiber amplifying system including a circulator (260) having a first optical port (260a), a second optical port (260b) that is configured to output radiation received from the first optical port, and a third optical port (260c) that is configured to output radiation received from the second optical port; one or more amplifier stages (216) connected in series, together having an optical input (216a) optically coupled to the second port of the circulator, and an optical output (216b); and a polarization detector (240) having an optical input optically coupled to the third port of the circulator. Thereby the polarization state of the amplified radiation can be determined using radiation backscattered from the amplifying stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to optical waveguides for the transmission of electromagnetic energy. The present invention relates more particularly to optical couplers for coupling optical fibers, and methods for making them. One aspect of the present invention is an optical coupler for use with a polarization-maintaining input optical fiber and a polarization-maintaining output optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to optical waveguides for the transmission of electromagnetic energy. The present invention relates more particularly to optical couplers for coupling optical fibers, and methods for making them. One aspect of the present invention is an optical coupler for use with a polarization-maintaining input optical fiber and a polarization-maintaining output optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a glass fiber having a glass core and a cladding which contains voids spaced apart from the core. The voids act as trapping sites for ingressing molecules from the surrounding environment, thereby reducing the effect of such molecules on the fiber's light-transmission properties.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a glass fiber having a glass core and a cladding that contains voids that are spaced apart from the core, in contact with the core, or form a substantial portion of the core. The voids act as trapping sites for ingressing molecules from the surrounding environment, thereby reducing the effect of such molecules on the fiber's light-transmission properties.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a glass fiber having a glass core and a cladding that contains voids that are spaced apart from the core, in contact with the core, or form a substantial portion of the core. The voids act as trapping sites for ingressing molecules from the surrounding environment, thereby reducing the effect of such molecules on the fiber's light-transmission properties.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a glass fiber having a glass core and a cladding that contains voids that are spaced apart from the core, in contact with the core, or form a substantial portion of the core. The voids act as trapping sites for ingressing molecules from the surrounding environment, thereby reducing the effect of such molecules on the fiber's light-transmission properties.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a glass fiber having a glass core and a cladding that contains voids that are spaced apart from the core, in contact with the core, or form a substantial portion of the core. The voids act as trapping sites for ingressing molecules from the surrounding environment, thereby reducing the effect of such molecules on the fiber's light-transmission properties.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a glass fiber having a glass core and a cladding, and a hermetic layer having a high thermal stability disposed on the cladding. The glass core contains not more than about 1 mole % phosphorous. The optical fiber is adapted to operate under harsh conditions, such as elevated temperatures and/or hydrogen-containing environments. Methods for producing optical fibers, as well as methods for transmitting radiation in harsh environments using the optical fibers, are also provided.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a glass fiber having a glass core and a cladding which contains voids spaced apart from the core. The voids act as trapping sites for ingressing molecules from the surrounding environment, thereby reducing the effect of such molecules on the fiber's light-transmission properties.