Abstract: An optical transmitter includes an optical bench in one embodiment. A window frame is mounted to a mounting block having a groove to form the optical bench. Optic and electro-optic components of the optical transmitter are mounted to the optical bench. The window frame includes a plurality of openings for mounting one or more ball lenses, an optical isolator, and a semiconductor laser. The semiconductor laser chip is used to generate light signals for optical communication over an optical fiber. The one or more ball lenses may be mounted into ball lens openings of the window frame and extend into the groove of the mounting block. One of the ball lenses maybe used to focus light signals between an optical fiber and the optical transmitter. Another one of the ball lenses may be used to collimate the light output from the semiconductor laser. In another embodiment, an optical receiver includes the optical bench. In yet another embodiment, an optical transceiver includes the optical bench.

Abstract: A fiber optic module having a push button release to unlatch and withdrawal (i.e. unplug) it from a cage or a module receptacle. A kicker-actuator includes a button, an arm or push rod, and a hook in one embodiment to couple to an actuator. An integrated actuator is also provided with the push button subassembly. Embodiments of a withdrawal tab are also provided to pull the fiber optic module away from the cage or module receptacle. A nose grip is further provided pull the fiber optic module away from the cage or module receptacle. A belly-to-belly mounting configuration is introduced for the push button release fiber optic modules.

Abstract: An optical transmitter includes an optical bench in one embodiment. A window frame is mounted to a mounting block having a groove to form the optical bench. Optic and electro-optic components of the optical transmitter are mounted to the optical bench. The window frame includes a plurality of openings for mounting one or more ball lenses, an optical isolator, and a semiconductor laser. The semiconductor laser chip is used to generate light signals for optical communication over an optical fiber. The one or more ball lenses may be mounted into ball lens openings of the window frame and extend into the groove of the mounting block. One of the ball lenses maybe used to focus light signals between an optical fiber and the optical transmitter. Another one of the ball lenses may be used to collimate the light output from the semiconductor laser. In another embodiment, an optical receiver includes the optical bench. In yet another embodiment, an optical transceiver includes the optical bench.

Abstract: Planar index guided vertical cavity surface emitting laser (PIG VCSEL) utilizes index guiding to provide improved optical confinement and proton implantation to improve current confinement. Index guiding is achieved by etching index guide openings (holes or partial ridges) around the optical confinement region and may be adjusted by varying the etched volume of the index guide openings (holes and partial ridges). The top contact surface area is increased in the PIG VCSEL thereby lowering contact and device resistance to improve VCSEL performance further. The PIG VCSEL is a substantially planarized device for ease of manufacture.

Abstract: Planar index guided vertical cavity surface emitting laser (PIG VCSEL) utilizes index guiding to provide improved optical confinement and proton implantation to improve current confinement. Index guiding is achieved by etching index guide openings (holes or partial ridges) around the optical confinement region and may be adjusted by varying the etched volume of the index guide openings (holes and partial ridges). The top contact surface area is increased in the PIG VCSEL thereby lowering contact and device resistance to improve VCSEL performance further. The PIG VCSEL is a substantially planarized device for ease of manufacture.

Abstract: A fiber optic module having a push button release to unlatch and withdrawal (i.e. unplug) it from a cage or a module receptacle. A kicker-actuator includes a button, an arm or push rod, and a hook in one embodiment to couple to an actuator. An integrated actuator is also provided with the push button subassembly. Embodiments of a withdrawal tab are also provided to pull the fiber optic module away from the cage or module receptacle. A nose grip is further provided pull the fiber optic module away from the cage or module receptacle. A belly-to-belly mounting configuration is introduced for the push button release fiber optic modules.

Abstract: Alternating layers of N+ GaAs (80 .ANG.) and N+ Ga.sub.1-x Al.sub.x As (300 .ANG.), all heavily doped with a uniform flux of Sn, and biased by 2V, provide a multiple quantum-well heterojunction structure for infrared detection with cutoff wavelength established by the choice of the value x which defines the depth of the wells. Fine tuning of the cutoff wavelength may be achieved by varying the bias voltage. By biasing the individual quantum-well layers progressively through a voltage divider, an avalanche mechanism may be achieved in the detector for signal amplification. The detectors may be fabricated in large two-dimensional arrays.