Abstract: A heat sink module consistent with the present invention includes a heat pipe for efficient heat transfer heat away from a semiconductor pump laser. The heat pipe heat sink occupies less space than a conventional heat sink, and the condenser portion of the heat pipe heat sink can be easily manufactured using an extrusion process.

Abstract: A technique is proposed for normalizing the multi-bit output of a RAKE receiver by automatically selecting from it fewer bits which are representative of the data in the CDMA signal. The invention is applicable to a CDMA signal in which the data is transmitted discontinuously and a pilot symbol is inserted into the data sequence and transmitted at a different power level. The proposed technique may be operated either on the basis that the power ratio of the pilot part of the CDMA signal to the data part is known, or alternatively without any knowledge of this power ratio. In both cases the pilot part is used to determine the bit position on which the normalization works, and also the fine adjustment of the data part of the CDMA signal.

Abstract: An optical device that can be used in a range of telecommunications applications including optical multiplexers/demultiplexers and optical routers. The optical device splits and combines optical signals of frequency division multiplexed optical communication channels which are evenly spaced apart in frequency from one another. The optical device includes a first filter and a second filter. The first filter splits and combines odd and even channels depending on the propagation direction of the optical signal. The first filter exhibits complementary phase retardations corresponding with odd integer multiples of half a wavelength for each center wavelength associated with a selected one of the odd and even set of channels and with integer multiples of a full wavelength for each center wavelength associated with a remaining one of the odd set and the even set.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical filters that can be used in a range of telecommunications applications including optical multiplexers/demultiplexers, optical routers, and optical gain scalers. The optical filter is modular, using two or more couplers with a pair of delay paths between each pair of couplers in a sequence to generate a range of optical filter functions. The desired filter profile/function is obtained by proper selection of the coupling ratio for each coupler and by the length of each pair of delay paths. The couplers may be implemented as polarization or intensity beam splitters positioned along the optical path. Each coupler couples in controllable amounts, one or two inputs with the corresponding pair of delay paths.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an integrated polarization combining wavelength division multiplexer (IPWDM). The IPWDM of the invention provides optical polarization beam splitting/combining, wavelength division multiplexing, and reverse optical path isolation. In one embodiment, the IPWDM comprises a wavelength division multiplexer between two beam angle turners. In an exemplary implementation, the beam angle turners are implemented as a Faraday rotator between two birefringent wedges, while the wavelength division multiplexer is implemented as a thin film dielectric band splitter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating an optical filter is disclosed. The device substantially maintains the selected center wavelength in the optical filter across a range of operating temperatures. In an embodiment of the invention an optical filter is disclosed for filtering a selected channel among a plurality of multiplexed channels of an optical communication. The optical filter includes an optical fiber and an elongate housing. The optical fiber has a first side and a second side and a filter portion intermediate the first side and the second side, and the optical fiber for transmitting the multiplexed optical communication and the filter portion for filtering the selected channel. The elongate housing includes exposed end portions through which the optical fiber extends. The optical fiber is affixed at each exposed end portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides to an organo-bridged ladderlike polysiloxane having the following formula: and a tube-like organosilicon polymer, complexes thereof and the method for producing the same.

Abstract: An isolator is disclosed that features a single birefringent correction element. The correction element is configured to eliminate differential group delay and walk-off simultaneously.

Abstract: Adders each add up an addition value sent from a metric calculator and a state metric read from a memory. A maximum value selector generates a first likelihood when a data bit is 1, based on the addition values added up by the adders. A maximum value selector generates a second likelihood when a data bit is 0, based on the addition values added up by the adders. A subtracter subtracts the second likelihood from the first likelihood to generate a likelihood ratio, and a subtracter subtracts data from the likelihood ratio and generates extrinsic information. A re-normalizer multiplies the extrinsic information by a predetermined value to re-normalize it and temporarily stores it in a memory. The extrinsic information stored in the memory is used as the prior probability information for the next iterative decoding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiplexing/de-multiplexing optical signals is disclosed. The disclosed devices do not require active components. The devices may be used on their own or as part of a larger system such as a multi-stage mux/demux, an optical switch, or router. The optical device includes a linear polarizer, wave plates and a beam displacer/combiner. The wave plates optically couple to the linear polarizer. The wave plates rotate both odd and even channel components of an optical beam between a linear and an orthogonal relationship depending on the propagation direction. Each wave plate has a selected length and index of refraction determinative of a free spectral range which correspond to a spacing between adjacent gridlines of the selected wavelength grid. Each of the wave plates is tuned to even symmetry with the selected wavelength grid.

Abstract: An optical polarization beam splitter comprises a first optical fiber having an end defining a first optical axis, a second optical fiber having an end defining a second optical axis, and a third optical fiber having an end defining a third optical axis parallel to and spaced apart from the second optical axis. A collimating lens is disposed along the first optical axis positioned to form a collimated optical beam from the first optical fiber. A focussing lens is disposed along a path of the collimated optical beam. A birefringent walk-off crystal has a first face adjacent to the focussing lens and a second face located at a focal plane of the focussing lens and in contact with the ends of the second and third optical fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical circulators including a first beam displacer/combiner, a first nonreciprocal rotator, a first beam angle turner, a second beam angle turner, a second nonreciprocal rotator, and a second beam displacer/combiner, together with methods of using the optical circulators and telecommunications systems including the optical circulators.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a method and apparatus for the parallel optical processing of a plurality of optical beams within a 2 port optical processing unit. The optical processing unit may perform any of the functions associated with 2 port devices such as: isolators, modulators, filters etc. The present invention further advantageously provides optimal and uniform coupling between each pair of optical fibers, i.e. each discrete pair of access ports, with the optical processing unit. This is achieved in part by a precise geometric arrangement of all elements of the apparatus. The present invention further advantageously provides a reduced form factor and cost when compared with individual 2 port devices.

Abstract: An optical polarization beam splitter comprises a first optical fiber having an end defining a first optical axis, a second optical fiber having an end defining a second optical axis, and a third optical fiber having an end defining a third optical axis parallel to and spaced apart from the second optical axis. A collimating lens is disposed along the first optical axis positioned to form a collimated optical beam from the first optical fiber. A focussing lens is disposed along a path of the collimated optical beam. A birefringent walk-off crystal has a first face adjacent to the focussing lens and a second face located at a focal plane of the focussing lens and in contact with the ends of the second and third optical fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical circulators including a first beam displacer/combiner, a first nonreciprocal rotator, a first beam angle turner, a second beam angle turner, a second nonreciprocal rotator, and a second beam displacer/combiner, together with methods of using the optical circulators and telecommunications systems including the optical circulators.

Abstract: An optical polarization beam splitter comprises a first optical fiber having an end defining a first optical axis, a second optical fiber having an end defining a second optical axis, and a third optical fiber having an end defining a third optical axis parallel to and spaced apart from the second optical axis. A collimating lens is disposed along the first optical axis positioned to form a collimated optical beam from the first optical fiber. A focussing lens is disposed along a path of the collimated optical beam. A birefringent walk-off crystal has a first face adjacent to the focussing lens and a second face located at a focal plane of the focussing lens and in contact with the ends of the second and third optical fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical circulators possessing a longitudinal axis, the optical circulator including a first and second walk-off crystals optically coupled in a substantially equivalent optical distance, cascaded walk-off configuration, together with systems including such circulators, and methods of circulating optical signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically circulating light beams between ports is disclosed, with a first port positioned at a proximal end of the apparatus, a second port positioned at a distal end of the apparatus, and a third port positioned at the proximal end of the apparatus. The first port is capable of transmitting a first light beam and the second port is capable of transmitting a second light beam. The apparatus includes a first beam bender. The first beam bender has opposing first and second faces. The first face and the second face are at an angle to one another. The first face and the second face intersect a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal to the distal end of the optical circulator. The beam bender is responsive to a polarization orientation of the first light beam to refract the first light beam toward the second port. The beam bender is further responsive to a polarization orientation of the second light beam to refract the second light beam toward the third port.

Abstract: As will be described in more detail hereinafter, an intracavity doubled single longitudinal mode laser is disclosed which provides stable (i.e., low amplitude variation in its output beam intensity), efficient operation in conjunction with a highly advantageous decoupled alignment configuration. An associated method is also disclosed. A lasant material is positioned in the light path of the laser for producing light at a desired fundamental wavelength and possibly other, unwanted wavelengths. Polarizing means is also positioned in the light path for polarizing the desired fundamental wavelength and the unwanted wavelengths of light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the epidermis with actinic light includes a solid state diode system with a continuous output. The light beam is generated by either a high power light emitting diode or a laser diode or a combination thereof. A computer controlled pattern generator (CCPG) directs the continuous light beam to trace predetermined patterns on a selected area of the skin. This integrated continuous light source and patterned treatment technique obviate the need for high peak power pulsed systems, while providing sufficient energy density at the target site to effect hair removal and other skin treatment modalities. The moving light beam has a computer controlled dwell time to generate a relatively high amount of energy in a short period of time at the target. The optimum dwell time is about 0.5 ms to 500 ms, and the wavelength is in the range of 600 nm to 990 nm. The spot size is in the range of 0.01 to 10.0 mm and the treatment area is in the range of 0.01 to 100 cm.sup.2.