Abstract: Fiberoptic connector and adapter assembly includes a fiberoptic connector received within an adapter. The connector has a cover on the connector housing. The cover pivots between open and closed positions to expose or cover, respectively, a optical fiber contained within the connector. Longitudinal guides of the connector are received cooperating with longitudinal guides of the adapter to direct the connector into the adapter in a prescribed alignment. A cam pin is carried on the adapter to engage a cam pin receiving slot on the cover to urge the cover to the open position as the connector is inserted into the adapter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for use in a fiber optic system that may be a communication system, a sensing system or other system using guided-wave optical components. Reducing the number of lenses required to couple the waveguides and the free-space paths in the device offers the dual advantages of a reduced component count and simplified alignment. In an exemplary device having a first and second waveguides, a birefringent optical system defines bidirectional, polarization-dependent free-space paths. One of the bidirectional, polarization-dependent, free-space paths couples at least the first waveguide to the second waveguide. The birefringent optical system includes at least one prism for bending one of the polarization-dependent paths in a clockwise direction and one of the polarization-dependent paths in a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: Fiberoptic connector and adapter assembly includes a fiberoptic connector received within an adapter. The connector has a cover on the connector housing. The cover pivots between open and closed positions to expose or cover, respectively, a optical fiber contained within the connector. Longitudinal guides of the connector are received cooperating with longitudinal guides of the adapter to direct the connector into the adapter in a prescribed alignment. A cam pin is carried on the adapter to engage a cam pin receiving slot on the cover to urge the cover to the open position as the connector is inserted into the adapter.

Abstract: Fiberoptic connector and adapter assembly includes a fiberoptic connector received within an adapter. The connector has a cover on the connector housing. The cover pivots between open and closed positions to expose or cover, respectively, a optical fiber contained within the connector. Longitudinal guides of the connector are received cooperating with longitudinal guides of the adapter to direct the connector into the adapter in a prescribed alignment. A cam pin is carried on the adapter to engage a cam pin receiving slot on the cover to urge the cover to the open position as the connector is inserted into the adapter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for use in a fiber optic system that may be a communication system, a sensing system or other system using guided-wave optical components. Reducing the number of lenses required to couple the waveguides and the free-space paths in the device offers the dual advantages of a reduced component count and simplified alignment. In an exemplary device having a first and second waveguides, a birefringent optical system defines bi-directional, polarization-dependent free-space paths. One of the bi-directional, polarization-dependent, free-space paths couples at least the first waveguide to the second waveguide. The birefringent optical system includes at least one prism for bending one of the polarization-dependent paths in a clockwise direction and one of the polarization-dependent paths in a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: Fiberoptic connector and adapter assembly includes a fiberoptic connector received within an adapter. The connector has a cover on the connector housing. The cover pivots between open and closed positions to expose or cover, respectively, a optical fiber contained within the connector. Longitudinal guides of the connector are received cooperating with longitudinal guides of the adapter to direct the connector into the adapter in a prescribed alignment. A cam pin is carried on the adapter to engage a cam pin receiving slot on the cover to urge the cover to the open position as the connector is inserted into the adapter.

Abstract: A tunable Fabry Perot filter (TFPF) uses the hybrid integration of MEMS and micro-optics. The mirrors forming the TFPF are actively aligned to provide a high finesse TFPF. One of the reflectors is mounted to a flexible member, for example a beam member fixed at both ends. The flexible member is deflectable in a direction parallel to the axis of the TFPF so as to adjust the gap between the reflectors, thus tuning the TFPF. One or both of the mirrors may be deposited on the end of an optical fiber.

Abstract: Fiberoptic connector and adapter assembly includes a fiberoptic connector received within an adapter. The connector has a cover on the connector housing. The cover pivots between open and closed positions to expose or cover, respectively, a optical fiber contained within the connector. Longitudinal guides of the connector are received cooperating with longitudinal guides of the adapter to direct the connector into the adapter in a prescribed alignment. A cam pin is carried on the adapter to engage a cam pin receiving slot or the cover to urge the cover to the open position as the connector is inserted into the adapter.

Abstract: Fiberoptic connector and adapter assembly includes a fiberoptic connector received within an adapter. The connector has a cover on the connector housing. The cover pivots between open and closed positions to expose or cover, respectively, a optical fiber contained within the connector. Longitudinal guides of the connector are received cooperating with longitudinal guides of the adapter to direct the connector into the adapter in a prescribed alignment. A cam pin is carried on the adapter to engage a cam pin receiving slot on the cover to urge the cover to the open position as the connector is inserted into the adapter.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator has a first movable waveguide support and a second waveguide support that include first and second waveguides, respectively, such that the first and second waveguides are aligned for propagating an optical energy. An electrically driven actuator positions the movable waveguide support for coupled, optical misalignment relative to the second support to achieve a desired optical attenuation value. The movable waveguide support may be in a cantilevered configuration in which a distal end extends over a surface having an electrode. In this example, applying a drive signal to the electrode deflects the movable support such that the signal coupled between the first waveguide to the second waveguide is attenuated. The drive signal may be set to achieve a desired value for an electrical parameter that varies with the position of the movable waveguide support.

Abstract: A tunable Fabry Perot filter (TFPF) uses the hybrid integration of MEMS and micro-optics. The mirrors forming the TFPF are actively aligned to provide a high finesse TFPF. One of the reflectors is mounted to a flexible member, for example a beam member fixed at both ends. The flexible member is deflectable in a direction parallel to the axis of the TFPF so as to adjust the gap between the reflectors, thus tuning the TFPF. One or both of the mirrors may be deposited on the end of an optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for use in a fiber optic system that may be a communication system, a sensing system or other system using guided-wave optical components. Reducing the number of lenses required to couple the waveguides and the free-space paths in the device offers the dual advantages of a reduced component count and simplified alignment. In an exemplary device having a first and second waveguides, a birefringent optical system defines bi-directional, polarization-dependent free-space paths. One of the bi-directional, polarization-dependent, free-space paths couples at least the first waveguide to the second waveguide. The birefringent optical system includes at least one prism for bending one of the polarization-dependent paths in a clockwise direction and one of the polarization-dependent paths in a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: A fiber optic isolator device is used by fiber optic systems operating at more than one wavelength. The device may be inserted anywhere within the fiber network. The fiber optic device permits the separation of the wavelengths so that an optical isolator module can isolate a first wavelength without significantly affecting the second wavelength. This device is useful isolating a communications signal at 1.55 &mgr;m while avoiding significant losses for an optical time domain reflectometry signal, for example at 1.3 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for use in a fiber optic system that may be a communication system, a sensing system or other system using guided-wave optical components. Reducing the number of lenses required to couple the waveguides and the free-space paths in the device offers the dual advantages of a reduced component count and simplified alignment. In an exemplary device having a first and second waveguides, a birefringent optical system defines bi-directional, polarization-dependent free-space paths. One of the bidirectional, polarization-dependent, free-space paths couples at least the first waveguide to the second waveguide. The birefringent optical system includes at least one prism for bending one of the polarization-dependent paths in a clockwise direction and one of the polarization-dependent paths in a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator has a first movable waveguide support and a second waveguide support that include first and second waveguides, respectively, such that the first and second waveguides are aligned for propagating an optical energy. An electrically driven actuator positions the movable waveguide support for coupled, optical misalignment relative to the second support to achieve a desired optical attenuation value. The movable waveguide support may be in a cantilevered configuration in which a distal end extends over a surface having an electrode. In this example, applying a drive signal to the electrode deflects the movable support such that the signal coupled between the first waveguide to the second waveguide is attenuated. The drive signal may be set to achieve a desired value for an electrical parameter that varies with the position of the movable waveguide support.

Abstract: A fiber optic isolator device is used by fiber optic systems operating at more than one wavelength. The device may be inserted anywhere within the fiber network. The fiber optic device permits the separation of the wavelengths so that an optical isolator module can isolate a first wavelength without significantly affecting the second wavelength. This device is useful isolating a communications signal at 1.55 &mgr;m while avoiding significant losses for an optical time domain reflectometry signal, for example at 1.3 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A fiber optic device is used by fiber optic systems that operate with light at more than one wavelength. The device may be inserted anywhere within the fiber network. The fiber optic device permits the separation of the wavelengths so that an optical device can operate on that separated wavelength without operating on the other wavelength or wavelengths. The different wavelengths may then be recombined. In another embodiment, different wavelengths may be combined into a single fiber, with an optical device being disposed to operate on one of the wavelengths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for use in a fiber optic system that may be a communication system, a sensing system or other system using guided-wave optical components. Reducing the number of lenses required to couple the waveguides and the free-space paths in the device offers the dual advantages of a reduced component count and simplified alignment. In an exemplary device having a first and second waveguides, a birefringent optical system defines bi-directional, polarization-dependent free-space paths. One of the bidirectional, polarization-dependent, free-space paths couples at least the first waveguide to the second waveguide. The birefringent optical system includes at least one prism for bending one of the polarization-dependent paths in a clockwise direction and one of the polarization-dependent paths in a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: An improved optical frequency stabilization unit utilizes the frequency-dependent phase retardation of a birefringent element as a frequency reference. A light frequency stabilization unit includes a birefringent element having a longitudinal axis, the optic axis of the birefringent element is oriented to retard the phase of polarized light propagating through the element parallel to the longitudinal axis. The phase is retarded by an amount that is proportional to the frequency of the polarized light. A polarizer transmits a portion of the phase-retarded light. The magnitude of the transmitted portion is determined by the phase retardation amount. A first optical detector is disposed to detect the transmitted portion of light and to generate a first signal in response to the transmitted portion detected.

Abstract: A fiber optic isolator device is used by fiber optic systems operating at more than one wavelength. The device may be inserted anywhere within the fiber network. The fiber optic device permits the separation of the wavelengths so that an optical isolator module can isolate a first wavelength without significantly affecting the second wavelength. This device is useful isolating a communications signal at 1.55 &mgr;m while avoiding significant losses for an optical time domain reflectometry signal, for example at 1.3 &mgr;m.