Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexer including a channel combining component receiving optical signals transmitted through a plurality of optical channels. The channels are defined by successively different light wavelength bands at intervals ranging between a first channel having the lowest wavelength band to a last channel having the highest wavelength band. The channel combining component combines at least one channel having a wavelength band intermediate the lowest wavelength band and the highest wavelength band with channels having the lowest and the highest wavelength bands. The channel combining component includes an edge filter. This edge filter combines optical signals in the highest and lowest wavelength bands, but not in the intermediate wavelength band. (The highest and said lowest wavelength bands are situated respectively above and below the intermediate wavelength band.) The edge filter provides the combined optical signals to the channel combining component.

Abstract: A copper-gallium alloy is deposited on a nonconductive substrate, such as glass, ceramic, or polymeric material, to provide a conductor to which solder will readily adhere, such that electrical contacts to photonic and electrical components can be made. The copper-gallium thin film can also be used to provide a surface for solder sealing a component within a hermetically sealed enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the copper-gallium alloy was from about 1 to about 40 percent gallium to about 99 to about 60 percent copper and was deposited to a thickness of from about 400 nanometers to about 3 microns. The copper-gallium film is deposited utilizing sputtering or electron beam deposition equipment.

Abstract: Packages for long period fiber gratings and other optical components (and methods for forming the packages) are described. According to an aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is collapsed in two areas, forming a seal at each end of the tube. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube with a shelf section at each end surrounds an optical fiber containing a long-period grating. The hollow tube is sealed at each end with a fused frit. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is sealed at each end with a glass plug.

Abstract: Packages for long period fiber gratings and other optical components (and methods for forming the packages) are described. According to an aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is collapsed in two areas, forming a seal at each end of the tube. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube with a shelf section at each end surrounds an optical fiber containing a long-period grating. The hollow tube is sealed at each end with a fused frit. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is sealed at each end with a glass plug.

Abstract: Packages for long period fiber gratings and other optical components (and methods for forming the packages) are described. According to an aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is collapsed in two areas, forming a seal at each end of the tube. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube with a shelf section at each end surrounds an optical fiber containing a long-period grating. The hollow tube is sealed at each end with a fused frit. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is sealed at each end with a glass plug.

Abstract: Packages for long period fiber gratings and other optical components (and methods for forming the packages) are described. According to an aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is collapsed in two areas, forming a seal at each end of the tube. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube with a shelf section at each end surrounds an optical fiber containing a long-period grating. The hollow tube is sealed at each end with a fused frit. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is sealed at each end with a glass plug.

Abstract: Packages for long period fiber gratings and other optical components (and methods for forming the packages) are described. According to an aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is collapsed in two areas, forming a seal at each end of the tube. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube with a shelf section at each end surrounds an optical fiber containing a long-period grating. The hollow tube is sealed at each end with a fused frit. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is sealed at each end with a glass plug.

Abstract: An optical module for interconnecting two or more optical fibers has a microreplicated waveguide element which is integrally formed on the same substrate with a splice element. In one embodiment, the module has three plates, a bottom plate, a cover plate, and a top plate, all contained within a common housing. The bottom plate has fiber-receiving grooves and fiber alignment grooves at its ends, the fiber alignment grooves being aligned with waveguide channels formed on the central portion of the bottom plate. The cover plate is used when forming the cores of the waveguide channels, to force residual curable, waveguide material into flow channels adjacent the waveguide channels, and this material, when cured, adheres the bottom and cover plates together. The top plate is used to clamp fibers which are held in the fiber alignment grooves, with the center of the fibers aligned with the core of the waveguide channels.

Abstract: An integrated optical coupler comprises a substrate with fiber-aligning grooves and waveguiding channels and a covering with complementary grooves and, optionally, channels. These couplers can be made from reproducible masters and electroplated molds made from those masters.