Abstract: A self-centering structure (300) for aligning optical fibers (308) desired to be optically coupled together is disclosed. The self-centering structure (300) including a body (310) having a first end (312) and a second end (314). The first end (312) defines a first opening (303) and the second end (314) defines a second opening (304). The self-centering structure (300) includes a plurality of groove structures (306) integrally formed in the body (310) of the self-centering structure for receiving the optical fibers (308) and a fiber alignment region (305) positioned at an intermediate location between the first and second ends (312, 314) to facilitate centering and alignment of the optical fibers (308). The plurality of cantilever members (322) is flexible and configured for urging the optical fibers (308) into their respective groove structures (306).

Abstract: An electro-wetting optical device includes an optical switch that uses a coupling region proximate a waveguide in a substrate. The device uses two optical liquids, providing first and second refractive indices respectively. At least one of the optical liquids is deuterated. Under a first switching configuration the first optical liquid is positioned at the coupling region so as to provide a first effective refractive index for light propagating along the first waveguide and under a second switching configuration the second optical liquid is positioned at the coupling region so as to provide a second effective refractive index for light propagating along the first waveguide.

Abstract: Optical devices a formed by mounting one optical chip directly to another. In some embodiments, one of the optical chips is formed in a low index contrast platform while the other is formed in a high index contrast platform. In other embodiments, one optical chip includes a number of optical functional elements having different operational characteristics, such as a number of optical taps having different tap ratios. A second chip is mounted to receive an optical signal from an optical functional element having a selected operational characteristic.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to system and method for cleaning an end face of a bare optical fiber (100). The system and methods include inserting the end face of the bare optical fiber (100) through a layer of material (500) that includes electrospun fibers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical splice package for splicing together first and second optical fibers or first and second sets of optical fibers. The optical fibers have elastic bending characteristics. The splice package includes a splice housing including a mechanical alignment feature for co-axially aligning ends of the first and second optical fibers or sets of optical fibers within the splice housing. The splice housing contains adhesive for securing the ends of the first and second optical fibers or sets of optical fibers within the splice housing. The optical package has a weight less than a spring force corresponding to the elastic bending characteristics of the first and second optical fibers or sets of optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical communications system includes a laser transmitter to generate an optical signal and a first optical fiber network coupled to transmit the optical signal from the laser transmitter system. A first latchable, asymmetric coupler is disposed along the first optical fiber network to receive the optical signal, and has a first tap output that receives a selected and alterable first fraction of the optical signal. A second latchable, asymmetric coupler is disposed along the first optical fiber network to receive the optical signal from the first latchable asymmetric coupler and has a second tap output that receives a selected and alterable second fraction of the optical signal incident at the second latchable. In certain embodiments the first and second couplers are capable of operating at any of at least three tapping fractions.

Abstract: An electro-wetting optical device includes an optical switch that uses a coupling region proximate a waveguide in a substrate. The device uses two optical liquids, providing first and second refractive indices respectively. At least one of the optical liquids is deuterated. Under a first switching configuration the first optical liquid is positioned at the coupling region so as to provide a first effective refractive index for light propagating along the first waveguide and under a second switching configuration the second optical liquid is positioned at the coupling region so as to provide a second effective refractive index for light propagating along the first waveguide.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to system and method for cleaning an end face of a bare optical fiber (100). The system and methods include inserting the end face of the bare optical fiber (100) through a layer of material (500) that includes electrospun fibers.

Abstract: An optical fiber alignment mechanism (100) operates to align optical fibers (102). The mechanism can include a key element (120, 130) arranged on the cladding (112) of an optical fiber (102). The key element (120, 130) can engage with a corresponding element of another optical fiber (102) to align the cores (108) of the mating optical fibers. The key element (120) of an optical fiber (102) can also be inserted into a corresponding keyway (226) of a fiber alignment hole (222) of a ferrule (200) such that the optical fiber (102) is oriented properly within the ferrule (200).

Abstract: An optical circuit that has a first input waveguide, at least a first output waveguide and an optical path between the first input waveguide and the at least a first output waveguide. A first totally internally reflecting (TIR) waveguide switch lies on the optical path between the first input waveguide and the at least a first output waveguide. A wavelength selective filter is disposed on the optical path between the first input waveguide and the at least one output waveguide, the wavelength selective filter being transmissive for light in a first wavelength range and reflective for light in a second wavelength range.

Abstract: A tapered core structure is written on the end of an optical fiber using a 3D-printing process. The tapered core may expand the mode diameter for improved coupling between fibers or may reduce the mode diameter to enhance coupling to a waveguide smaller than the fiber core. The written core is surrounded by a cladding. The diameter of the core is varied while it is being written, allowing a wide range of taper profiles to be implemented. The 3D-printing process is readily adapted to permit multiple fibers to have tapered cores written on their ends during the same process cycle.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a signal on an optical fiber includes a fiber optic connector having a housing couplable to a receptacle. An optical fiber that transmits a first optical signal has first fiber core at least partially surrounded by a cladding and has a first end terminating proximate the housing. The first optical signal is transmitted along the first fiber core. An optical tap has a first tap waveguide arranged and is configured to receive at least part of the first optical signal as a first tap signal. The first tap waveguide comprises an output port for the first tap signal for directing the tap signal to a detector unit. In other embodiments, a detector unit detects light from the optical signal that is propagating along the fiber cladding.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for troubleshooting in an optical data network that has a laser transmitter/receiver unit that outputs a data signal and an OTDR unit that produces an OTDR probe signal. The data and OTDR probe signals, typically at different wavelengths, are coupled into one end of a trunk fiber which is coupled at its far end to an optical circuit that includes a number of wavelength-selective optical switches and has multiple outputs that are directed to different end users. The optical switches are configurable so as to provide the OTDR probe signal to only one of the optical circuit's outputs while maintaining the data signal at the same output, while also maintaining the data signal, without the OTDR probe signal, at other outputs.

Abstract: A portable device for attaching a connector to an optical fiber, the optical fiber having an end, the device comprising means for receiving the optical fiber at the end of the optical fiber; and a connector station for autonomously attaching the connector to the optical fiber.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a signal on an optical fiber includes a fiber optic connector having a housing couplable to a receptacle. An optical fiber that transmits a first optical signal has first fiber core at least partially surrounded by a cladding and has a first end terminating proximate the housing. The first optical signal is transmitted along the first fiber core. An optical tap has a first tap waveguide arranged and is configured to receive at least part of the first optical signal as a first tap signal. The first tap waveguide comprises an output port for the first tap signal for directing the tap signal to a detector unit. In other embodiments, a detector unit detects light from the optical signal that is propagating along the fiber cladding.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a coupler having a waveguide section integrally formed with a fiber attachment section. At least one waveguide is disposed in the waveguide section and has a core dimension that is greater at the end of the waveguide at the fiber attachment section. The fiber attachment section has a first surface and at least one recess formed on the first surface for aligning one or more optical fibers with the at least one waveguide. In an optical fiber component, an optical substrate has a first end and a second end, and at least one waveguide input at the first end and at least one waveguide output at the second end. An integral input portion of the substrate at the first end has one or more input optical fiber alignment elements and an integral output portion of the substrate at the second end has one or more output optical fiber alignment elements. One or more input optical fibers are positioned in the one or more input optical fiber alignment elements.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to using a coating to protect a portion of an optical fiber that is intended to buckle within a fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connector can include a bare fiber optical connector.

Abstract: An optical fiber alignment mechanism (100) operates to align optical fibers (102). The mechanism can include a key element (120, 130) arranged on the cladding (112) of an optical fiber (102). The key element (120, 130) can engage with a corresponding element of another optical fiber (102) to align the cores (108) of the mating optical fibers. The key element (120) of an optical fiber (102) can also be inserted into a corresponding keyway (226) of a fiber alignment hole (222) of a ferrule (200) such that the optical fiber (102) is oriented properly within the ferrule (200).

Abstract: A portable device for attaching a connector to an optical fiber, the optical fiber having an end, the device comprising means for receiving the optical fiber at the end of the optical fiber; and a connector station for autonomously attaching the connector to the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to system and method for cleaning an end face of a bare optical fiber (100). The system and methods include inserting the end face of the bare optical fiber (100) through a layer of material (500) that includes electrospun fibers.