Abstract: Aligned birefringent fiber segments are reliably and efficiently rotated approximately 45.degree. relative to each other until the extinction ratio measurement at the output is approximately 0 dB, then birefringent fibers are fused. To determine the extinction ratio, a Wollaston analyzer is placed at the output of the birefringent fiber. Photodetectors placed on each output of the Wollaston analyzer, substantially simultaneously measure the output intensity of each propagation axis.

Abstract: An optical fiber directional coupler housing having a primary protective body substantially formed as a rectangular block with a receiving space therein. A slot in the primary protective body provides the receiving space therein. The coupled portion of the coupler to be housed is positioned in the receiving space. A resilient support material having an index of refraction less than that of the coupled portion extends into the receiving space extending between the coupled portion of the coupler which it also at least partially surrounds and the primary protective body. Plugs are typically provided at the ends of the protective body to secure the optical fibers extending from the coupled portion to the body. A heat shrinkable tubing is used as a jacket which encompasses and extends beyond the primary body.

Abstract: A fiber optic polarization maintaining apparatus for use in fabrication of fused optical couplers, where the fused optical couplers include first and second optical fibers which each have a principle axis. A light launching source is coupled through a lens into a first end of a selected one of the first and second optical fibers. A piezoelectric element in combination with a solenoid applies external stress in the form of an AC modulation signal to the selected one of the first and second optical fibers. A rotating apparatus rotates the selected one of the first and second optical fibers during modulation. Apparatus for collimating light is coupled to a second end of the selected fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic polarization maintaining apparatus for use in fabrication of fused optical couplers, where the fused optical couplers include first and second optical fibers. The apparatus includes apparatus for holding the first and second optical fibers in a first predetermined alignment where the first and second fibers each include a stripped portion and where the stripped portions are held in contact along their length. Apparatus for heating the first and second optical fibers are located adjacent the holding apparatus wherein the heating apparatus is brushed across the length of the first and second fibers so as to oscillate across the fibers in an amplitude varied in an ever decreasing stepped manner until fusion of the fibers is complete.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a housing for an optical coupler. The housing includes a primary protective body having a receiving space therein, wherein the coupled portion of the coupler is positioned. A support material at least partially about the coupled portion of the coupler extends in the receiving space to the primary protective body. The support material is resilient and has an index of refraction less than that of the coupled portion of the coupler.

Abstract: An extender board connector is provided for connecting a circuit board card to a motherboard through an extender card for routing signals from the motherboard to the top of the extender for testing the circuit board card. The connector has first and second end portions, each having an integral mounting block with an octogonal slot. The connector also has first and second pins, each having an enlarged end portion and an octogonal middle portion and a grooved end portion with a ring groove. The octogonal middle portion of the pin is received in the octogonal slot of the connector for providing eight positions at each connector or a combination of eight-squared positions or 64 positions. The pin has a snap-on retaining ring received in the pin groove, and has a ring spacer disposed next to the snap-on retaining ring, and has a helical compression spring disposed between the ring spacer and the mounting block.