Abstract: A method and apparatus within an optical transmitter (300) for suppressing relative intensity noise (RIN) by generating at least two optical signals (305,310), each having differing wavelengths and combining the optical signals with a combiner (315) into a composite output signal, wherein the composite output signal has an output power value equal to the sum of the power value of the optical signals. The composite output signal is then transmitted over a communication medium, wherein information content of the optical signals are substantially equivalent, and wherein combining the optical signals before transmitting provides a reduction in RIN of the composite output signal compared to the RIN of a single optical signal transmitted over a communication medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus within an optical transmitter (300) for suppressing relative intensity noise (RIN) by generating at least two optical signals (305, 310), each having differing wavelengths and combining the optical signals with a combiner (315) into a composite output signal, wherein the composite output signal has an output power value equal to the sum of the power value of the optical signals. The composite output signal is then transmitted over a communication medium, wherein information content of the optical signals are substantially equivalent, and wherein combining the optical signals before transmitting provides a reduction in RIN of the composite output signal compared to the RIN of a single optical signal transmitted over a communication medium.

Abstract: An optical polarizer is described in which a propagation layer, i.e., a titanium diffused light guiding region in a lithium niobate Z-cut crystal, is covered with a dielectric buffer layer of ZnO. The dielectric buffer layer is covered by a meal layer, typically aluminum, although gold or silver can be used. The thickness of the buffer is chosen so as to increase the attenuation of TM modes of radiation in the waveguide relative to TE modes. The buffer layer thickness can fall within a broad range and is not required to fall within a very precise range to achieve a peak level of attenuation.