Abstract: An apparatus and a camera system are provided. The apparatus includes an imaging screen configured to diffuse incoming light, and a lens system coupled to the imaging screen and configured to focus light from the imaging screen onto a CMOS image sensor. The imaging screen includes a ceramic diffuser layer fused into a surface of a glass substrate, and a thickness of the ceramic diffuser layer is within a range of about 7-10 ?m.

Abstract: An optical circuit switch includes a fiber hole array, a plurality of internal optical fibers, a collimating lens array, a MEMS mirror array, and a reflective surface. The fiber hole array includes an array of receptacles shaped to accept respective internal optical fibers. The collimating lens array is positioned adjacent to the fiber hole array. Each collimator of the collimating lens array optically couples light into or out of a corresponding one of the internal optical fibers. The fiber hole array, the collimator, the MEMS mirror array and the reflective surface are positioned relative to one another such that light exiting each of the internal optical fibers passes through its corresponding collimator and is redirected by a first mirror within the MEMS array towards the reflective surface, which directs the light back towards a second mirror of the MEMS mirror array, which in turn redirects the light towards a second internal optical fiber.

Abstract: An integrated optical assembly includes an optics mount. The optics mount has disposed thereon a light source for providing a beam of light and a lens configured to focus the beam of light. The integrated optical assembly includes a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) mechanically coupled to the optics mount. The PIC has disposed thereon a grating coupler for receiving the beam of light and coupling the beam of light into a waveguide. The integrated optical assembly includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror configured to receive the beam of light from the lens and redirect it towards the grating coupler. A position of a reflective portion of the MEMS mirror is adjustable to affect an angle of incidence of the beam of light on the grating coupler.

Abstract: An apparatus and a camera system are provided. The apparatus includes an imaging screen configured to diffuse incoming light, and a lens system coupled to the imaging screen and configured to focus light from the imaging screen onto a CMOS image sensor. The imaging screen includes a ceramic diffuser layer fused into a surface of a glass substrate, and a thickness of the ceramic diffuser layer is within a range of about 7-10 ?m.

Abstract: An optical circuit switch includes a fiber hole array, a plurality of internal optical fibers, a collimating lens array, a MEMS mirror array, and a reflective surface. The fiber hole array includes an array of receptacles shaped to accept respective internal optical fibers. The collimating lens array is positioned adjacent to the fiber hole array. Each collimator of the collimating lens array optically couples light into or out of a corresponding one of the internal optical fibers. The fiber hole array, the collimator, the MEMS mirror array and the reflective surface are positioned relative to one another such that light exiting each of the internal optical fibers passes through its corresponding collimator and is redirected by a first mirror within the MEMS array towards the reflective surface, which directs the light back towards a second mirror of the MEMS mirror array, which in turn redirects the light towards a second internal optical fiber.

Abstract: An integrated optical assembly includes an optics mount. The optics mount has disposed thereon a light source for providing a beam of light and a lens configured to focus the beam of light. The integrated optical assembly includes a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) mechanically coupled to the optics mount. The PIC has disposed thereon a grating coupler for receiving the beam of light and coupling the beam of light into a waveguide. The integrated optical assembly includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror configured to receive the beam of light from the lens and redirect it towards the grating coupler. A position of a reflective portion of the MEMS mirror is adjustable to affect an angle of incidence of the beam of light on the grating coupler.

Abstract: An integrated optical assembly includes an optics mount. The optics mount has disposed thereon a light source for providing a beam of light and a lens configured to focus the beam of light. The integrated optical assembly includes a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) mechanically coupled to the optics mount. The PIC has disposed thereon a grating coupler for receiving the beam of light and coupling the beam of light into a waveguide. The integrated optical assembly includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror configured to receive the beam of light from the lens and redirect it towards the grating coupler. A position of a reflective portion of the MEMS mirror is adjustable to affect an angle of incidence of the beam of light on the grating coupler.

Abstract: An apparatus and a camera system are provided. The apparatus includes an imaging screen configured to diffuse incoming light, and a lens system coupled to the imaging screen and configured to focus light from the imaging screen onto a CMOS image sensor. The imaging screen includes a ceramic diffuser layer fused into a surface of a glass substrate, and a thickness of the ceramic diffuser layer is within a range of about 7-10 ?m.

Abstract: An apparatus and a camera system are provided. The apparatus includes an imaging screen configured to diffuse incoming light, and a lens system coupled to the imaging screen and configured to focus light from the imaging screen onto a CMOS image sensor. The imaging screen includes a ceramic diffuser layer fused into a surface of a glass substrate, and a thickness of the ceramic diffuser layer is within a range of about 7-10 ?m.

Abstract: A collimator device and a collimator lens array for an optical circuit switch are provided. The collimator includes a fiber array including multiple optical fibers disposed in a hole array. An optical lens array is aligned and coupled to the fiber array. A spacer is disposed between the fiber array and the optical lens array and provides substantially uniform spacing between lenses in the optical lens array and corresponding fibers in the fiber array. Multiple pads are positioned along edges of a surface of the spacer facing the optical lens array defining a first separation gap between the spacer and the optical lens array. A first epoxy bonds the spacer to the optical lens array, and a second epoxy bonds the spacer to the fiber array. The optical lens array includes a glass substrate having a first surface defining lenses in a two-dimensional array.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering an input beam of light to produce an output beam of light is provided. The apparatus facilitates tuning an input beam of light to a desired wavelength by directing the input beam of light, via a mirror, onto a diffractive optical element and returning the diffracted portion of the input beam of light as an output beam of light. The apparatus may also include a polarization recovery element adapted for receiving the input beam of light and outputting a first and second spatially offset beam of polarized light. The apparatus may also be configured as a tunable receiver by utilizing a detector to detect a characteristic of a filtered output beam. The output beam may be additionally filtered by a spatial filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the phase of a tunable laser is provided. Stabilization of the mode of a laser beam is provided as the laser is tuned to a target frequency. For one embodiment, a laser generates a reference beam and an output beam. The power of each of beam is measured by optical detectors, and a ratio thereof is utilized to detect when a mode hop occurs as the laser is coarsely tuned. The average of the pre and post mode hop ratios is utilized as a control setpoint while finely tuning the laser to the target frequency. Wavelength lockers, optical power dividers and optical detectors are utilized to determine power levels of the reference and output beams while also monitoring frequency characteristics thereof. A control unit utilizes the outputs from the wavelength locker to control the operation of the extended cavity laser during and after tuning.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first reference element having an output power that varies monotonically with input frequency over an operating frequency range and receiving at least a portion of an output beam of light from an optical source. A second reference element having an output power that is frequency dependent receives at least a portion of the output beam of light. A first optical detector measures the power of a first reference beam of light from the first reference element. A second optical detector measures the power of a second reference beam of light from the second reference element. Electronic circuitry is coupled to the first and second optical detectors for receiving first and second reference signals therefrom and producing a coarse error signal for permitting coarse adjustment and a fine error signal for permitting fine adjustment of the frequency of the output beam of light.

Abstract: A tunable laser comprising a laser source for providing light with a wavelength along an optical path. A diffractive element is positioned in the optical path and spaced from the laser source for redirecting the light received from the laser source. A reflective element is positioned in the optical path and spaced from the diffractive element for receiving the light redirected by the diffractive element and for further redirecting the light back along the optical path to the reflective element. The diffractive element receives the light further redirected by the reflective element and returns the light along the optical path to the laser source. The optical path created by the laser source, the diffractive element and the reflective element causes the light to lase at the wavelength. At least one microactuator is coupled to one of the diffractive element and the reflective element for moving such element to select the wavelength of the light.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering an input beam of light to produce an output beam of light is provided. The apparatus facilitates tuning an input beam of light to a desired wavelength by directing the input beam of light, via a mirror, onto a diffractive optical element and returning the diffracted portion of the input beam of light as an output beam of light. The apparatus may also include a polarization recovery element adapted for receiving the input beam of light and outputting a first and second spatially offset beam of polarized light. The apparatus may also be configured as a tunable receiver by utilizing a detector to detect a characteristic of a filtered output beam. The output beam may be additionally filtered by a spatial filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the phase of a tunable laser is provided. Stabilization of the mode of a laser beam is provided as the laser is tuned to a target frequency. For one embodiment, a laser generates a reference beam and an output beam. The power of each of beam is measured by optical detectors, and a ratio thereof is utilized to detect when a mode hop occurs as the laser is coarsely tuned. The average of the pre and post mode hop ratios is utilized as a control setpoint while finely tuning the laser to the target frequency. Wavelength lockers, optical power dividers and optical detectors are utilized to determine power levels of the reference and output beams while also monitoring frequency characteristics thereof. A control unit utilizes the outputs from the wavelength locker to control the operation of the extended cavity laser during and after tuning.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first reference element having an output power that varies monotonically with input frequency over an operating frequency range and receiving at least a portion of an output beam of light from an optical source. A second reference element having an output power that is frequency dependent receives at least a portion of the output beam of light. A first optical detector measures the power of a first reference beam of light from the first reference element. A second optical detector measures the power of a second reference beam of light from the second reference element. Electronic circuitry is coupled to the first and second optical detectors for receiving first and second reference signals therefrom and producing a coarse error signal for permitting coarse adjustment and a fine error signal for permitting fine adjustment of the frequency of the output beam of light.

Abstract: A detector layer for an optics module includes at least one diode having at least one sloped sidewall. At least one isolation region may be formed adjacent to the at least one sloped sidewall to isolate the at least one diode. Conducting material is disposed on at least a portion of the top surface of the diode. An insulating material is disposed on at least a portion of the diode and extends to the conducting material. A metal is disposed on at least a portion of the insulating material and at least a portion of the conducting material such that the metal is coupled to the conducting material.

Abstract: A data storage system including a source of heat, a substrate, a storage layer, a lubricant layer, a flying head, and a dielectric layer is disclosed. The dielectric layer is disposed between the lubricant layer and the storage layer. The flying head is disposed above the lubricant layer. The dielectric layer has a heat capacity that is sufficient to generate a temperature gradient between the storage layer and the lubricant layer so as to reduce lubricant evaporation onto the flying head.

Abstract: A tunable laser comprising a laser source for providing light with a wavelength along an optical path. A diffractive element is positioned in the optical path and spaced from the laser source for redirecting the light received from the laser source. A reflective element is positioned in the optical path and spaced from the diffractive element for receiving the light redirected by the diffractive element and for further redirecting the light back along the optical path to the reflective element. The diffractive element receives the light further redirected by the reflective element and returns the light along the optical path to the laser source. The optical path created by the laser source, the diffractive element and the reflective element causes the light to lase at the wavelength. At least one microactuator is coupled to one of the diffractive element and the reflective element for moving such element to select the wavelength of the light.