Abstract: Fiber optic terminals, tools and methods for adjusting a split ratio of a fiber optic terminal are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tool for adjusting a split ratio of a fiber optic terminal includes an axle for insertion into a port of the fiber optic terminal, and a terminal engagement body disposed about the axle. The terminal engagement body includes a terminal engagement feature for engaging an alignment feature within the fiber optic terminal, wherein the axle is free to rotate with respect to the terminal engagement body, and a set-point indicator. The tool further includes an end piece coupled to the axle, and a plurality of set-point markers, wherein rotation of the end piece causes rotation of the axle and an alignment between one set-point marker of the plurality of set-point markers with the set-point indicator indicates the split ratio of the fiber optic terminal.

Abstract: Network access devices and methods for increasing availability in an optical network. The network access device includes a first common port configured to receive a primary optical beam, a second common port configured to receive a secondary optical beam, a wavelength division multiplexing device, and an optical coupling device. When operating in a normal state, the optical coupling device provides at least a portion of the primary optical beam to the wavelength division multiplexing device. In response to a problem being detected in the primary distribution cable, the optical coupling device provides at least a portion of the secondary optical beam to the wavelength division multiplexing device. Problems in the primary distribution cable may be detected by a sensing device in the network access device based on a loss of signal at the first common port.

Abstract: An apparatus for curing a coating composition disposed on a glass fiber includes a diffuse reflector surrounding a coating composition disposed on a glass fiber. The diffuse reflector defines a cavity having a sidewall extending from a first end to a second end. The first end has a first opening and the second end has a second opening. The glass fiber passes through the cavity from the first opening to the second opening. The sidewall has an interior surface facing the coating composition disposed on the glass fiber. The interior surface includes a scattering material. A light source integrated with the diffuse reflector. The light source directs light to the scattering material. The scattering material diffusely reflects at least 90% of the light. The diffusely reflected light has sufficient intensity to cure the coating composition.

Abstract: Fiber optic networks, optical network units, and methods of configuring a fiber optic network and an optical network unit using a variable ratio coupler are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic network includes a feeder optical cable. The first optical network unit and the second optical network unit each includes a variable ratio coupler operable to selectively set a split-ratio among a plurality of split-ratios, and a fiber optic transceiver module. The fiber optic network further includes a first drop cable optically coupling the first optical network unit to the feeder optical cable at a first position, and a second drop cable optically coupling the second optical network unit to the feeder optical cable at a second position. A first split-ratio of the first optical network unit is based on the first position and a second split-ratio of the second optical network unit is based on the second position.

Abstract: Fiber optic terminals, tools and methods for adjusting a split ratio of a fiber optic terminal are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tool for adjusting a split ratio of a fiber optic terminal includes an axle for insertion into a port of the fiber optic terminal, and a terminal engagement body disposed about the axle. The terminal engagement body includes a terminal engagement feature for engaging an alignment feature within the fiber optic terminal, wherein the axle is free to rotate with respect to the terminal engagement body, and a set-point indicator. The tool further includes an end piece coupled to the axle, and a plurality of set-point markers, wherein rotation of the end piece causes rotation of the axle and an alignment between one set-point marker of the plurality of set-point markers with the set-point indicator indicates the split ratio of the fiber optic terminal.

Abstract: A Raman spectroscopy system is provided. The spectroscopy system includes an optical switch including a pump inlet, a return outlet, a plurality of pump outlets, and a plurality of return inlets. The spectroscopy system includes a plurality of radiation sources optically coupled to the pump inlet of the optical switch, and a detector optically coupled to the return outlet of the optical switch. The spectroscopy system further includes a plurality of probes, each probe optically connected to at least one of the plurality of pump outlets of the optical switch by at least one excitation fiber and optically coupled to one of the return inlets of the optical switch by at least one emission fiber.

Abstract: A Raman spectroscopy system is provided. The spectroscopy system includes an optical switch including a pump inlet, a return outlet, a plurality of pump outlets, and a plurality of return inlets. The spectroscopy system includes a plurality of radiation sources optically coupled to the pump inlet of the optical switch, and a detector optically coupled to the return outlet of the optical switch. The spectroscopy system further includes a plurality of probes, each probe optically connected to at least one of the plurality of pump outlets of the optical switch by at least one excitation fiber and optically coupled to one of the return inlets of the optical switch by at least one emission fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic dust cap is provided for a fiber optic connector having a connector housing and a ferrule extending therefrom and terminating at a ferrule end face. The fiber optic dust cap includes a hollow body including a front end, a rear end, and, a bore extending therebetween. At least a first portion of the bore extends along a longitudinal axis and is configured to receive the connector housing, and at least a second portion of the bore is configured to be radially spaced apart from the ferrule. The fiber optic dust cap also includes a transparent window positioned over the bore and configured to be longitudinally spaced apart from the ferrule when the connector housing is received by at least the first portion of the bore. A method of inspecting a ferrule end face through the dust cap is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved process for preheating and doping a preform having a consolidated glass core and a silica soot cladding surrounding core involves waveguiding millimeter wavelength electromagnetic radiation into the preform to cause heating of the preform within the interior via absorption of the electromagnetic radiation by silica in the preform while the preform is exposed to a gas phase dopant.

Abstract: Optical connections and optical receptacle bodies are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connection includes an optical chip, a receptacle body and first and second alignment pins. The optical chip includes a surface, an edge extending from the surface, and at least one optical waveguide within the optical chip and terminating at the edge. The receptacle body includes a first surface, a second surface, a first groove at the second surface, a second groove at the second surface, and a through-hole extending from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the through-hole is disposed between the first groove and the second groove. The first alignment pin is disposed on the surface of the optical chip and within the first groove of the receptacle body. The second alignment pin is disposed on the surface of the optical chip and within the second groove of the receptacle body.

Abstract: An improved process for preheating and doping a preform having a consolidated glass core and a silica soot cladding surrounding core involves waveguiding millimeter wavelength electromagnetic radiation into the preform to cause heating of the preform within the interior via absorption of the electromagnetic radiation by silica in the preform while the preform is exposed to a gas phase dopant.

Abstract: A method for operating a wavelength-converted light source includes directing a pump beam having a fundamental wavelength from the laser source into an input facet of the wavelength conversion device such that a wavelength-converted output beam is emitted from an output facet of the wavelength conversion device in the field of view of an optical detector. A physical property of the wavelength conversion device is varied within individual ones of a succession of consecutive speckle reduction intervals having durations less than the integration time of the optical detector. The physical property of the wavelength conversion device is varied by an amount that is sufficient to change in a phase-matched (PM) wavelength of the wavelength conversion device. The fundamental wavelength of the pump beam is thereafter adjusted based on the change in the PM wavelength to maintain an efficiency of the wavelength conversion in the wavelength conversion device.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing non-linear optical materials and fabricating wavelength conversion devices are provided. The method of characterizing non-linear optical materials comprising a periodically poled waveguide layer and at least one waveguide region includes coupling at least one diagnostic laser beam into the waveguide region at one or more input locations positioned on the waveguide layer of the non-linear optical material, and out-coupling the diagnostic laser beam from the waveguide region by applying an electric field to the periodically poled domains at one or more output locations positioned on the waveguide layer. The method also includes measuring an intensity level of the out-coupled beam and determining at least one optical property of the waveguide region based at least in part on the measured intensity level of the out-coupled beam. The characterization method may be implemented into a wavelength conversion fabrication process.

Abstract: A method of operating a laser source comprising is provided. The method reduces speckle contrast in a projected image by creating a plurality of statistically independent speckle patterns. The method comprises generating a plurality of sub-beams that define an optical mode. The method further comprises controlling the phase of selected sub-beams to continuously sequence the laser source through a plurality of orthogonal optical modes. The plurality of orthogonal modes create a corresponding number of statistically independent speckle patterns, thus reducing speckle contrast in a image projected using the laser source by time averaging.

Abstract: A method for operating a wavelength-converted light source includes directing a pump beam having a fundamental wavelength from the laser source into an input facet of the wavelength conversion device such that a wavelength-converted output beam is emitted from an output facet of the wavelength conversion device in the field of view of an optical detector. A physical property of the wavelength conversion device is varied within individual ones of a succession of consecutive speckle reduction intervals having durations less than the integration time of the optical detector. The physical property of the wavelength conversion device is varied by an amount that is sufficient to change in a phase-matched (PM) wavelength of the wavelength conversion device. The fundamental wavelength of the pump beam is thereafter adjusted based on the change in the PM wavelength to maintain an efficiency of the wavelength conversion in the wavelength conversion device.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing non-linear optical materials and fabricating wavelength conversion devices are provided. The method of characterizing non-linear optical materials comprising a periodically poled waveguide layer and at least one waveguide region includes coupling at least one diagnostic laser beam into the waveguide region at one or more input locations positioned on the waveguide layer of the non-linear optical material, and out-coupling the diagnostic laser beam from the waveguide region by applying an electric field to the periodically poled domains at one or more output locations positioned on the waveguide layer. The method also includes measuring an intensity level of the out-coupled beam and determining at least one optical property of the waveguide region based at least in part on the measured intensity level of the out-coupled beam. The characterization method may be implemented into a wavelength conversion fabrication process.

Abstract: A method of operating a laser source comprising is provided. The method reduces speckle contrast in a projected image by creating a plurality of statistically independent speckle patterns. The method comprises generating a plurality of sub-beams that define an optical mode. The method further comprises controlling the phase of selected sub-beams to continuously sequence the laser source through a plurality of orthogonal optical modes. The plurality of orthogonal modes create a corresponding number of statistically independent speckle patterns, thus reducing speckle contrast in a image projected using the laser source by time averaging.

Abstract: A bridge fiber and a method of connecting two other dissimilar optical waveguide fibers is presented. The bridge fiber may be utilized to connect positive dispersion fibers or step index single mode fibers to compensative fibers, such as dispersion compensation fibers or dispersion-slope compensation fibers.

Abstract: The optical fiber system includes a connector that is adapted to selectively communicate with an external pump system. The connector communicates with an onboard pump multiplexer which also receives input from an on-board pump via a connector. The on-board pump may be hot swapped by connecting an external pump system to the connector and coordinating the power up of the external pump system with the power down of the on-board pump to replace a failed on-board pump with a new pump.

Abstract: The optical fiber pumping system includes a connector that is adapted to selectively communicate with an external pump system. The connector communicates with an onboard pump multiplexer which also receives input from an on-board pump via a connector. The on-board pump may be hot swapped by connecting an external pump system to the connector and coordinating the power up of the external pump system with the power down of the on-board pump to replace a failed on-board pump with a new pump.