Abstract: A multi-fiber alignment system is provided for actively aligning optical fibers to an optical waveguide base on alignment status between each optical fiber and a corresponding optical device. Each of the optical fibers is held by bonding agent on a thermal pad from which radiation melts the bonding agent during adjustment of the optical fiber, and the optical fiber is fixed in its position by solidifying the bonding agent when being accurately aligned to a corresponding optical device.

Abstract: An adhesive for bonding an optoelectronic device within a hermetically sealable package comprising a low outgassing adhesive selected to limit the outgassing of organic molecules in a cured state.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for fusion-splicing a first optical transmission member to a second optical transmission member with a heat source, the first and second optical transmission members each having a retaining member surface configured to form a continuous joint joining the first and second optical transmission members. The method includes disposing the first optical transmission member in a first retaining member and disposing the second optical transmission member in a second retaining member. First and second retaining members are composed of similar or like materials. Corresponding optical surfaces of the first and second optical transmission members are aligned along one axis.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring the position of optical transmission members in an array includes: directing a laser light from a single laser source to two or more optical transmission members in an array; creating an optical interference pattern between the laser light emanating from the two or more optical transmission members; and characterizing the optical interference pattern to provide information about a position of the two or more optical transmission members in the array. In one embodiment, the array is a one-dimensional array. In another embodiment, the array is a two-dimensional array.

Abstract: A method for optically joining an optical fiber array holder with an opponent member includes: disposing the plurality of optical fibers extending from the end face in a fiber array holder; polishing an end face of each of the plurality of optical fibers disposed in the fiber array block; removing the fiber array block from the plurality of optical fibers; and placing the plurality of optical fibers in corresponding guides formed in a waveguide substrate, the polished end faces of each of the plurality of optical fibers extending to an opponent member.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating an array of multiple optical fibers is disclosed. The method comprises providing a substrate having a plurality of guides formed therein each penetrating through the substrate, the substrate having one or more via holes in fluid communication with the plurality of guides. The plurality of optical fibers is disposed with respective guides, each of the optical fibers being placed with a corresponding one of the guides. An adhesive is injected into the one or more via holes, the adhesive fixing the optical fibers in the respective guides of the substrate.

Abstract: A multi-fiber alignment system is provided for actively aligning optical fibers to an optical waveguide base on alignment status between each optical fiber and a corresponding optical device. Each of the optical fibers is held by bonding agent on a thermal pad from which radiation melts the bonding agent during adjustment of the optical fiber, and the optical fiber is fixed in its position by solidifying the bonding agent when being accurately aligned to a corresponding optical device.

Abstract: A method is provided for attaching one or more optical fibers to a retaining device. The method includes: applying a fluid to a through hole in a retaining device; disposing an optical fiber proximate an end of the through hole; developing a differential pressure in the fluid across the through hole; drawing a portion of the optical fiber into the through hole using a force associated with said differential pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating a multi-fiber array in which optical fibers are actively aligned to their target positions. The method includes providing an array member for receiving optical fibers, forming in the array member through-holes, placing the optical fibers in the respective through-holes, applying adhesive into the respective through-holes, adjusting position of each optical fiber so that the optical fibers are aligned in accordance with reference measurements, and curing the adhesive to fix the optical fibers aligned in the respective through-holes.

Abstract: A system is provided for partially or completely offsetting optical fiber amplifier gain spectrum variations due to temperature by setting the optical pump signal leading into the amplifier to a desired wavelength value. Optical fiber amplifiers have gain spectrum variations associated with temperature and gain spectrum variations associated with the optical pump signal wavelength. By controlling the optical pump signal wavelength supplying the amplifier, the optical fiber amplifier gain variations due to temperature can be partially or completely offset, which helps minimize total amplifier spectral gain variations. The invention is applicable to dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems.

Abstract: A polarization independent optical isolator is disclosed which uses a single birefringent plate. A pair of stacked reciprocal rotators, a Faraday rotator, and reflector are positioned in tandem adjacent to the birefringent plate. In the forward (transmitting) direction, a lightwave signal exiting an optical fiber is split into a pair of orthogonal rays by the birefringent plate. The orthogonal rays then pass through a first reciprocal rotator and the Faraday rotator. The rotated rays are then redirected by the reflector back through the Faraday rotator. After passing through the second reciprocal rotator, the orthogonal rays re-enter the same birefringent plate where they are recombined and launched in an output fiber. Since a Faraday rotator is a non-reciprocal device, any signal traveling through the isolator in the reverse (isolation) direction will be split on both passes through the birefringent plate such that neither will intercept the input fiber.

Abstract: An optical isolator is disclosed which comprises a Faraday rotator disposed between a pair of polarization selective elements (e.g., linear polarizers, birefringent wedges, birefringent plates, etc.). Improvement in isolation stability as a function of variations in temperature and/or signal wavelength are achieved in accordance with the teachings of the present invention by utilizing a Faraday device with a rotation .theta. less than the conventional 45.degree.. A linear reduction in .theta., while resulting in a some signal loss, provides a linear increase in both temperature and wavelength stability.