Abstract: A laser gyro of the present invention includes laser light excitation means (a semiconductor laser device 100) that excites first and second laser lights propagating in the opposite directions to each other in a circular ring-shaped path (an optical path 40), coupling means (optical waveguides 41 and 42) for superimposing the first and the second laser lights, and a photodetector for observing an interference signal generated by the superimposed first and second laser lights.

Abstract: An optical communication system is constructed which enables highly reliable and flexible connection to communication nodes connected to a path establishment circuit, by utilizing wavelength-routing characteristics of a path establishment circuit such as an arrayed waveguide grating. The optical communication system has multiple communication nodes having a signal output port and signal input port pair, and a path establishment circuit having multiple optical input ports and multiple optical output ports which are set so that optical signals input from the respective optical input ports are output to predetermined optical output ports corresponding to the wavelengths of the optical signals.

Abstract: An optical communication network system and a wavelength-routing device and a communication node therefor are provided which can easily increase the optical paths between communication nodes, which are capable of expanding transmission capacity, and which excel in flexibility and expandability. An optical signal within a wavelength band (?Bm±??m) which has been transmitted from a predetermined communication node (200-1 through 200-4) is subjected to wavelength-band demultiplexing of the wavelength bands by wavelength-band demultiplexers (220-1 through 220-4) of a wavelength-routing device (210), and is then subjected to wavelength-routing by arrayed-waveguide gratings (241 through 244) according to the wavelength bands, and furthermore is multiplexed with optical signals of other wavelength bands by wavelength-band multiplexers (230-1 through 230-4), and after having been outputted, is transmitted to a communication node.

Abstract: A laser gyro of the present invention includes laser light excitation means (a semiconductor laser device 100) that excites first and second laser lights propagating in the opposite directions to each other in a circular ring-shaped path (an optical path 40), coupling means (optical waveguides 41 and 42) for superimposing the first and the second laser lights, and a photodetector for observing an interference signal generated by the superimposed first and second laser lights.

Abstract: A fiber optic communication system includes a device of switching and setting wavelength of optical signals used in communication by network-node equipments, which sets the mapping of the wavelength of the optical signal used in communication by the network node equipments, and the input/output ports of an array waveguide grating (AWG), so as to construct a predetermined logical network topology by a plurality of network node equipments which are connected via optical fibers to the array waveguide grating that outputs optical signals inputted to optical input ports, to predetermined optical output ports in accordance with the wavelength thereof. As well as enabling a simple construction, it is easy to realize flexible network design, construction, and operation, and different network groups can also be easily connected to each other. Moreover, a fiber optic communication system having robust security and which can be stably operated even at the time of failure is realized at low cost.

Abstract: An optical communication equipment comprises shared optical sources 88a–88d to be shared by communication nodes 100a–100d, the wavelengths of optical signals 76a–76d are converted into desired wavelengths ?a–?d according to the addressed information of the corresponding optical label signals 77a–77d by using the shared optical sources 88a–88d, and routed to the addressed communication nodes without being converted into electrical signals by using the wavelength routing function of the cyclic-wavelength arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) 120. The load of each communication node can be reduced by incorporating the multi-wavelength optical sources, which can be shared among individual communication nodes, into the router 80.

Abstract: An optical communication equipment comprises shared optical sources 88a–88d to be shared by communication nodes 100a–100d, the wavelengths of optical signals 76a–76d are converted into desired wavelengths ?a–?d according to the addressed information of the corresponding optical label signals 77a–77d by using the shared optical sources 88a–88d, and routed to the addressed communication nodes without being converted into electrical signals by using the wavelength routing function of the cyclic-wavelength arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) 120. The load of each communication node can be reduced by incorporating the multi-wavelength optical sources, which can be shared among individual communication nodes, into the router 80.

Abstract: A fiber optic communication system includes a device of switching and setting wavelength of optical signals used in communication by network-node equipments, which sets the mapping of the wavelength of the optical signal used in communication by the network node equipments, and the input/output ports of an array waveguide grating (AWG), so as to construct a predetermined logical network topology by a plurality of network node equipments which are connected via optical fibers to the array waveguide grating that outputs optical signals inputted to optical input ports, to predetermined optical output ports in accordance with the wavelength thereof. As well as enabling a simple construction, it is easy to realize flexible network design, construction, and operation, and different network groups can also be easily connected to each other. Moreover, a fiber optic communication system having robust security and which can be stably operated even at the time of failure is realized at low cost.

Abstract: An optical communication network system and a wavelength-routing device and a communication node therefor are provided which can easily increase the optical paths between communication nodes, which are capable of expanding transmission capacity, and which excel in flexibility and expandability. An optical signal within a wavelength band (?Bm±??m) which has been transmitted from a predetermined communication node (200-1 through 200-4) is subjected to wavelength-band demultiplexing of the wavelength bands by wavelength-band demultiplexers (220-1 through 220-4) of a wavelength-routing device (210), and is then subjected to wavelength-routing by arrayed-waveguide gratings (241 through 244) according to the wavelength bands, and furthermore is multiplexed with optical signals of other wavelength bands by wavelength-band multiplexers (230-1 through 230-4), and after having been outputted, is transmitted to a communication node.

Abstract: An optical communication equipment comprises shared optical sources 88a-88d to be shared by communication nodes 100a-100d, the wavelengths of optical signals 76a-76d are converted into desired wavelengths &lgr;a-&lgr;d according to the addressed information of the corresponding optical label signals 77a-77d by using the shared optical sources 88a-88d and routed to the addressed communication nodes without being converted into electrical signals by using the wavelength routing function of the cyclic-wavelength arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) 120. The load of each communication node can be reduced by incorporating the multi-wavelength optical sources, which can be shared among individual communication nodes, into the router 80.

Abstract: An optical communication system is constructed which enables highly reliable and flexible connection to communication nodes connected to a path establishment circuit, by utilizing wavelength-routing characteristics of a path establishment circuit such as an arrayed waveguide grating. The optical communication system has multiple communication nodes having a signal output port and signal input port pair, and a path establishment circuit having multiple optical input ports and multiple optical output ports which are set so that optical signals input from the respective optical input ports are output to predetermined optical output ports corresponding to the wavelengths of the optical signals.

Abstract: An optical communication equipment comprises shared optical sources 88a-88d to be shared by communication nodes 100a-100d, the wavelengths of optical signals 76a-76d are converted into desired wavelengths &lgr;a-&lgr;d according to the addressed information of the corresponding optical label signals 77a-77d by using the shared optical sources 88a-88d, and routed to the addressed communication nodes without being converted into electrical signals by using the wavelength routing function of the cyclic-wavelength arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) 120. The load of each communication node can be reduced by incorporating the multi-wavelength optical sources, which can be shared among individual communication nodes, into the router 80.

Abstract: An optical communication equipment comprises shared optical sources 88a-88d to be shared by communication nodes 100a-100d, the wavelengths of optical signals 76a-76d are converted into desired wavelengths &lgr;a-&lgr;d according to the addressed information of the corresponding optical label signals 77a-77d by using the shared optical sources 88a-88d, and routed to the addressed communication nodes without being converted into electrical signals by using the wavelength routing function of the cyclic-wavelength arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) 120. The load of each communication node can be reduced by incorporating the multi-wavelength optical sources, which can be shared among individual communication nodes, into the router 80.

Abstract: An ion generation apparatus utilizes microwaves and employs the electron cyclotron resonance phenomenon to generate plasma. The plasma is confined in a plasma generation chamber by a mirror field, whereby high density plasma is obtained. A target disposed within the plasma generation chamber is sputtered by the ions in the high density plasma, so that a large number of ions is produced. This ion generation apparatus can be employed in a thin film forming apparatus which forms a thin film on the surface of a substrate by directing the ions and neutral particles to the substrate. An ion extracting grid may be included. Permanent magnets may be disposed at the upper and lower ends of the target disposed in the plasma generation chamber so as to permit the leakage of magnetic flux to the inner surface of the target. This permits the film to be formed at a high rate even when the voltage applied to the target is relatively low.

Abstract: A thin film forming apparatus comprising a plasma generating chamber into which is introduced a gas to generate plasma; a first target and a second target which are made of a material to be sputtered and are disposed in the vicinity of both end portions of interior of the plasma generating chamber, respectively, at least one of the first and second targets having the form of a cylinder; at least one power supply for applying a negative potential to the first and second targets; an electromagnet adapted to establish the magnetic field within the plasma generating chamber and inducing the magnetic flux leaving one of the first and second targets and entering the other; and a specimen chamber which incorporates therein a substrate holder and is communicated to one end of the plasma generating chamber on the side of the cylindrical target.

Abstract: A thin film forming apparatus comprises a plasma generating chamber into which is introduced a gas to generate plasma therein; a microwave introduction window connected to the plasma generating chamber for introducing the microwave into the latter, a first target and a second target made of materials to be sputtered and disposed at both end portions of interior of the plasma generating chamber, respectively, at least one of the first and second targets being in the form of a tube, at least one power supply for applying a negative voltage to the first and second targets, magnetic field producing means for producing the magnetic field and the magnetic flux leaving one of the first and second targets and entering the other, and a specimen chamber communicated to the plasma generating chamber and having a substrate holder installed therein.

Abstract: Plasma is generated by electron cyclotron resonance utilizing microwave energy and is confined within a plasma generation chamber by a mirror magnetic field, whereby high density plasma is obtained. Targets are disposed within the plasma generation chamber in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic flux and sputtered by the ions in the high density plasma, whereby a large amount of ions are sputtered and neutral particles produced. The ions and neutral particles are extracted in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic flux and deposited over the surface of a substrate so that it is possible to form a thin film at a high deposition rate without the bombardment of high-energy particles upon the substrate. Furthermore, the ions and neutral particles can be extracted through a slit-like opening formed through the cylindrical wall of the plasma generation chamber, so that a thin film is continuously formed on the surface of a tape-like substrate.