Abstract: The invention provides windowless fiber optic Raman probes that are directly or indirectly enclosed by one or more materials having a very low Raman signal in a desired wavenumber range that is used to evaluate a sample. In one embodiment, the very low Raman signal material is a polymer, such as a fluoropolymer, that has a very low Raman cross-section in the high wavenumber Raman region (approximately 2,600 to 3,200 cm?1) which has been shown to be useful in evaluating blood vessels for atherosclerotic lesions. Still another embodiment of the invention provides windowless side-viewing intravascular catheters for evaluating lumen walls such as blood vessel walls.

Abstract: The present invention generally concerns the use of Bragg optical fibers in chirped pulse amplification systems for the production of high-pulse-energy ultrashort optical pulses. A gas-core Bragg optical fiber waveguide can be advantageously used in such systems to stretch the duration of pulses so that they can be amplified, and/or Bragg fibers can be used to compress optical signals into much shorter duration pulses after they have been amplified. Bragg fibers can also function as near-zero-dispersion delay lines in amplifier sections.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optical isolation in high peak power fiber-optic systems prevent damage to a facet within a fiber-optic isolator caused by back-reflected light from, for example, an optical amplifier. Preventing damage to the facet may include expanding a mode area of the back-reflected light and/or reducing a change in refractive index.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optical isolation in high peak power fiber-optic systems prevent damage to a facet within a fiber-optic isolator caused by back-reflected light from, for example, an optical amplifier. Preventing damage to the facet may include expanding a mode area of the back-reflected light and/or reducing a change in refractive index.

Abstract: Optical and optoelectronic articles incorporating an amorphous diamond-like film are disclosed. Specifically, the invention includes optical or optoelectronic articles containing an amorphous diamond-like film overlying two or more proximate substrates, and to methods of making optical and optoelectronic articles. In certain implementations, the film comprises at least about 30 atomic percent carbon, from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent silicon, and from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent oxygen on a hydrogen-free basis. Another embodiment includes optical or optoelectronic articles containing an amorphous diamond-like film that is further coated with a metallic or polymeric material for attachment to a device package.

Abstract: A device used for dispersion compensation of a plurality of optical signals passing through an optical transmission line. The device includes a photosensitive optical fiber including a long length, chirped Bragg grating providing dispersion compensation over a wide bandwidth of optical signals. The long length chirped Bragg grating has a reflection bandwidth greater than about 25 nm, and further has reduced distortion at a bit rate of about 10?9. This reduced distortion leads to a power penalty of less than 3 dB during less than 25 nm stepwise changes in wavelength of the plurality of optical signals across the wide bandwidth. The device provides a dispersion greater than about 100 ps/nm in a optical transmission line operating at 10 Gbit/s.

Abstract: An apparatus that exposes only a selected portion of a length of optical fiber to a hydrogen atmosphere loading process. The apparatus includes a loading chamber that encloses at least the selected portion of the optical fiber and contains a hydrogen hydrogen atmosphere. At least one heating element regionally heats the hydrogen atmosphere surrounding the selected portion. The heating element may heat the hydrogen atmosphere to a temperature of at least 250° C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating short (e.g., picosecond) pulses using a 2 section 1553 nm DBR laser without gain switching nor external modulation. The center wavelength of the DBR section is modulated at 0.5 GHz to generate a constant amplitude frequency modulated optical wave Large group velocity dispersion is then applied with a chirped fiber Bragg grating to convert the FM signal to a pulse stream.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a photosensitive optical waveguide having an optical path length to a stabilized desired optical path length. The method includes the step of changing the optical path length of the photosensitive optical waveguide by exposing at least a first portion of the waveguide to actinic radiation and creating an induced index change in the exposed first portion. The waveguide then is subjected to an annealing cycle that stabilizes the waveguide. After the step of stabilizing the waveguide, the optical path length is adjusted by subjecting at least a selected part of the exposed first portion of the waveguide to a localized heating sufficient to change the refractive index at the selected part until the desired optical path length is achieved.

Abstract: A method for screening the quality of an optical component including the step of simulating the performance of the optical component. The step of simulating includes the step of measuring the optical phase &phgr; of the optical component, wherein the step of measuring comprises indirectly measuring the optical phase &phgr; of the optical component using a scanning laser having a scanning step size &Dgr;&ohgr; and a modulation frequency &ohgr;m such that &Dgr;&ohgr;/&ohgr;m≦2. The light throughput R of the optical component is then measured. A transfer function H as a function of optical frequency &ohgr; is constructed where H(&ohgr;)=R(&ohgr;)exp[j&phgr;(&ohgr;)], and the performance is simulated using the measured value of the optical phase and the light throughput into the transfer function.

Abstract: A method for increasing the photosensitivity of a selected portion of an optical fiber and for producing a grating in the selected portion of an optical fiber. The method includes the step of placing the selected portion of the optical fiber in a hydrogen containing atmosphere. The volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere immediately surrounding only the selected portion of the optical fiber is heated to a temperature of at least 250° C. Only the selected portion of the optical fiber is exposed to the heated volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 250° C. for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A device including a chirped Bragg grating, said grating having (a) a reflection bandwidth having a full-width at half maximum that is greater than 6 nm, and (b) a reflection delay ripple amplitude of less than ±50 ps.

Abstract: An adjustable height corner fitting for a shipping container including a substantially hollow rectangularly shaped block having a bottom wall, end walls and side walls is disclosed. An elongated aperture is located in the bottom wall and is adapted to cooperate with a locking mechanism in order to lock the shipping container to the platform of a vehicle. Also provided is a substantially rectangularly shaped plate that is complementary to the bottom wall and is adapted to be temporarily attached thereto in order to increase the height of the block. The plate also has an elongated aperture therein which is complementary to the aperture in the bottom wall. When the plate is attached, the apertures in the plate and in the bottom wall are in alignment, but the plate causes the corner fitting to extend downwardly approximately a half an inch below the container for shipment on a truck, boat or rail car.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical waveguide refractive index grating having a desired grating pitch &Lgr;. The method includes the step of providing a photosensitive waveguide and a writing beam of actinic radiation, the writing beam having an intensity. The waveguide is translated relative to the writing beam at a velocity v(t). The intensity of the writing beam is modulated as a function of time at a frequency f(t), wherein v ⁢ ( t ) f ⁢ ( t ) ≈ Λ . The step of modulating the intensity of the writing beam as a function of time f(t) at a frequency f(t) including the step of varying &Lgr;.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a photosensitive optical waveguide having an optical path length to a stabilized desired optical path length. The method includes the step of changing the optical path length of the photosensitive optical waveguide by exposing at least a first portion of the waveguide to actinic radiation and creating an induced index change in the exposed first portion. The waveguide then is subjected to an annealing cycle that stabilizes the waveguide. After the step of stabilizing the waveguide, the optical path length is adjusted by subjecting at least a selected part of the exposed first portion of the waveguide to a localized heating sufficient to change the refractive index at the selected part until the desired optical path length is achieved.

Abstract: A temperature stabilization package comprises a hollow external housing of a thermally insulating material. The hollow external housing includes a holder and a lid to cover the holder. The holder includes a floor having at least one projection and a separating wall around the projection. An internal surface of the lid has at least one post formed therein. The housing surrounds a container that includes a base and a cover over the base to form an internal cavity inside the container. An outer face of the base has at least one lower socket. The cover includes at least one upper collar so that the container may be coupled inside the hollow external housing by engagement of a lower socket with a projection and an upper collar with a post to hold the container substantially surrounded by, but spaced from, the wall and the hollow external housing.

Abstract: A shipping pallet comprises a rectangular planar base member having two opposing ends and two opposing sides. Pivotally connected to one of the ends of the base member is a handle member that is adapted to be pivoted from a stored position, wherein the handle member is folded on top of the base member, to an operative position, wherein the handle member extends upwardly from the base member. The under surface of the base member includes a pair of elongated spaced apart pockets that extend the length of the base member on either side of the center line thereof. An elongated rail is associated with each of the pockets. Hydraulic rams or other power devices move the rails between a first position wherein they are within the pockets so that the planar base member of the pallet rests directly on a support surface and a second position where the rails extend downwardly to support the pallet thereon.

Abstract: A shipping pallet comprises a rectangular planar base member having two opposing ends and two opposing sides. Pivotally connected to one of the ends of the base member is a handle member that is adapted to be pivoted from a stored position, wherein the handle member is folded on top of the base member, to an operative position, wherein the handle member extends upwardly from the base member. The under surface of the base member includes a pair of elongated spaced apart pockets that extend the length of the base member on either side of the center line thereof. An elongated rail is associated with each of the pockets. Hydraulic rams or other power devices move the rails between a first position wherein they are within the pockets so that the planar base member of the pallet rests directly on a support surface and a second position Where the rails extend downwardly to support the pallet thereon.

Abstract: A device used for dispersion compensation of a plurality of optical signals passing through an optical transmission line. The device includes a photosensitive optical fiber including a long length, chirped Bragg grating providing dispersion compensation over a wide bandwidth of optical signals. The long length chirped Bragg grating has a reflection bandwidth greater than about 25 nm, and further has reduced distortion at a bit rate of about 10−9. This reduced distortion leads to a power penalty of less than 3 dB during less than 25 nm stepwise changes in wavelength of the plurality of optical signals across the wide bandwidth. The device provides a dispersion greater than about 100 ps/nm in a optical transmission line operating at 10 Gbit/s.

Abstract: A device including a chirped Bragg grating, said grating having (a) a reflection bandwidth having a full-width at half maximum that is greater than 6 nm, and (b) a reflection delay ripple amplitude of less than ±50 ps.