Abstract: An ultra-thin polarizing glass article having two polarizing glass layers separated by a non-polarizing central region. The polarizing glass layers contain stretched or elongated metal particles and the non-polarizing central region contains elongated or stretched metal halide particle. The polarizing article has a thickness less than 200 micrometers.

Abstract: A collimator for use at multiple wavelengths includes an optical fiber and a gradient index lens positioned at a constant distance with respect to an end of the optical fiber. The gradient index lens has a chromatic aberration at a selected pitch less than 0.01 over a selected range of the infrared spectral region.

Abstract: Optical isolators and methods of manufacturing optical isolators are disclosed. The optical isolators are manufactured by directly bonding the parts of the isolators without the use of adhesive or mechanical devices to hold the individual parts together.

Abstract: A method for making a polarizing glass article is provided. The method includes first providing a precursor glass containing metal-halide particles. The precursor glass may be encased in a gas-permeable medium. Then, form at least a first polarizing layer and a non-polarizing region in the precursor glass. Bond the polarizing layer to a substrate and removing the non-polarizing region to expose the polarizing layer. Then, separate the first polarizing layer from the substrate to produce an ultra-thin polarizing glass article measuring less than or equal to about 200 ?m in thickness. The method may further comprise cutting the polarizing layer into wafers.

Abstract: A collimator for use at multiple wavelengths includes an optical fiber and a gradient index lens positioned at a constant distance with respect to an end of the optical fiber. The gradient index lens has a chromatic aberration at a selected pitch less than 0.01 over a selected range of the infrared spectral region.

Abstract: Optical isolators and methods of manufacturing optical isolators are disclosed. The optical isolators are manufactured by directly bonding the parts of the isolators without the use of adhesive or mechanical devices to hold the individual parts together.

Abstract: A method for producing lenses includes assembling a plurality of glass rods having a desired length into a single unit and cutting the single unit into multiple slices, each slice having a plurality of individual lenses. The method further includes finishing the slices to a desired thickness and surface finish and extracting the individual lenses from the slices.

Abstract: A hybrid fiber expanded beam connector and methods for making and using the hybrid fiber expanded beam connector are described herein. Basically, the hybrid fiber expanded beam connector can be used to connect dissimilar fibers such as single mode fibers that have different mode field diameters (MFDs) or different effective areas. In particular, the hybrid fiber expanded beam connector includes a first lensed optical fiber that is optically coupled to a second lensed optical fiber but physically separated from the second lensed optical fiber. The first lensed optical fiber including one type of fiber is capable of expanding a light beam traveling therein and outputting a collimated light beam. The second lensed optical fiber including another type of fiber is capable of receiving the collimated light beam and focusing the received light beam such that the light beam travels from the first lensed optical fiber to the second lensed optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for producing lenses includes assembling a plurality of glass rods having a desired length into a single unit and cutting the single unit into multiple slices, each slice having a plurality of individual lenses. The method further includes finishing the slices to a desired thickness and surface finish and extracting the individual lenses from the slices.

Abstract: Optical isolators and methods of manufacturing optical isolators are disclosed. The optical isolators are manufactured by directly bonding the parts of the isolators without the use of adhesive or mechanical devices to hold the individual parts together.

Abstract: Optical isolators and methods of manufacturing optical isolators are disclosed. The optical isolators are manufactured by directly bonding the parts of the isolators without the use of adhesive or mechanical devices to hold the individual parts together.

Abstract: Methods of improving the direct bonding of articles are disclosed. Lithium can be incorporated into the composition of one of the articles and/or lithium can be added to a bonding surface by ion exhchange, absorption, ion implantation, coating, or deposition. Bonding is achieved without use of adhesives or high temperature fusion. The invention is useful for bonding a wide variety of articles together such as optical components, optical fibers and articles having different coefficients of thermal expansion or refractive indices.

Abstract: A hybrid fiber expanded beam connector and methods for making and using the hybrid fiber expanded beam connector are described herein. Basically, the hybrid fiber expanded beam connector can be used to connect dissimilar fibers such as single mode fibers that have different mode field diameters (MFDs) or different effective areas. In particular, the hybrid fiber expanded beam connector includes a first lensed optical fiber that is optically coupled to a second lensed optical fiber but physically separated from the second lensed optical fiber. The first lensed optical fiber including one type of fiber is capable of expanding a light beam traveling therein and outputting a collimated light beam. The second lensed optical fiber including another type of fiber is capable of receiving the collimated light beam and focusing the received light beam such that the light beam travels from the first lensed optical fiber to the second lensed optical fiber.

Abstract: A process for making a plurality of vertically integrated optical components including providing a holding device with a plurality of holes, providing a polarizing glass having two polarization layers separated by a non-polarizing region, providing a plurality of optical fibers insulated by ferrules, inserting the fibers into the device, bonding the polarizing glass to the fibers and holding device, removing one of the polarization layers and the non-polarizing region to expose the other polarization layer thus forming an ultrathin polarizing glass, slicing the ultrathin glass at the ferrules to form a plurality of polarizer devices, separating the polarizing devices from the surrounding ultrathin glass to form a plurality of vertically integrated optical components, and removing the components from the holding device.

Abstract: A polarizing glass article, and a method of making the article, that exhibits a broad band of high contrast polarizing properties in the infrared region of the radiation spectrum, that is phase-separated by precipitating silver, copper, or copper-cadmium halide crystals in the glass within a size range of 200-5000 Å, and that contains elongated silver, copper, or copper-cadmium metal particles formed on or in the halide crystals, and having an elongated aspect ratio of at least 2:1, the article having a contrast ratio of at least 100,000 over a range of at least 300 nm.

Abstract: This method is directed at a method for making selectively sculptured lithium silicate crystal-containing glass articles. A photonucleable, glass body is selectively exposed to short wave radiation and then heat treated to cause the development of crystals in those areas of the glass body which had been exposed to shortwave radiation. Those crystal-containing areas are then removed by acid etching and the resulting sculptured glass articles are thereafter exposed to short wave radiation and subsequently heat treated to obtain a degree of crystallization.The inventive method further comprises an improvement step of fabricating glass articles that result in crystal-containing glass articles with smaller intermediate dimensions than the desired final dimensions and subjecting the crystal-containing glass articles to an ion exchange process which exchanges potassium ions for sodium and/or lithium ions at a temperature of about at least 500.degree. C.