Abstract: A method of passivating an edge-emitting semiconductor diode laser and the resultant product. Laser bars are cleaved in air from a wafer containing multiple laser bars. The bars are placed into a vacuum processing chamber in which two steps are performed without breaking vacuum. The first step includes cleaning the facets including removing the native oxide by, for example, a low-energy ion beam or by an electron cyclotron resonance (EAR) plasma containing hydrogen and possibly argon or xenon with the bars being negatively biased. The second step includes coating the cleaned facets with a thin passivation layer of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), whereby the facets are coating by the passivation layer without an intervening oxide. A low oxygen partial pressure of no more than 10−8 Torr is maintained between the cleaning and deposition, both of which preferably are done in the same chamber.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming at least one layer over an optical element includes providing the optical fiber which has a central axis; rotating the optical element about the central axis; and forming the layer with a substantially uniform thickness during the rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tunable optical device 10 that includes an optical fiber device 12 having optical properties that vary with temperature and a heater 14. The heater 14 is thermally coupled to the optical fiber device 12. The heater 14 includes a metal layer 18 and two electrical contacts 20, 22 that are electrically connected to the metal layer 18. The electrical contacts 20, 22 are spaced apart from one another along the metal layer 18. The electrical resistance of the portion of the metal layer 18 between the contacts 20, 22 varies with temperature and serves as a resistive heater. The invention also includes a controller 16 that is electrically connected to the heater 14. The controller 16 provides electrical power to the heater 14 and measures the electrical voltage across the heater 14. The controller 16 compares the measured electrical voltage to a pre-selected reference value. The controller then regulates the amount of electrical current supplied to the heater 14.