Abstract: A system includes a housing having a front panel, a substrate that is positioned at a distance from the front panel, and a data processor mounted on the substrate. The system includes a pluggable module having an optical module, at least one first optical connector, a first fiber optic cable optically coupled between the optical module and the first optical connector, and a fiber guide positioned between the optical module and the first optical connector and provides mechanical support for the optical module and the first optical connector. The optical module receives optical signals from the first optical connector and generates electrical signals based on the received optical signals, and the electrical signals are transmitted to the data processor. The pluggable module has a shape that enables the pluggable module to pass through an opening in the front panel to enable the optical module to be coupled to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of assembling an optical device including: providing a photonic integrated circuit including a plurality of vertical-coupling elements disposed along a main surface of the photonic integrated circuit; attaching an optical subassembly to the photonic integrated circuit; removably connecting a fiber connector to a ferrule frame, in which the fiber connector is attached to an array of optical fibers; aligning the ferrule frame to the optical subassembly using an active alignment process; and securely connecting the ferrule frame to the optical subassembly after the active alignment process.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fiber-optic connector configured to be connected between one or more optical fibers having a plurality of fiber cores and a photonic integrated circuit including a plurality of vertical-coupling elements disposed along a main surface of the photonic integrated circuit. The fiber-optic connector includes a polarization beam splitter and a patterned birefringent plate. The polarization beam splitter is configured to split an incident light beam from a corresponding fiber core into a first beam having a first polarization and a second beam having a second polarization different from the first polarization. The patterned birefringent plate includes a first region and a second region, the first region has a first optical birefringence, the second region has a second optical birefringence that is different from the first optical birefringence.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rackmount device, in which the rackmount device includes a housing configured to be installed in a server rack, in which the housing has a width in a range from 16 to 20 inches and a height in a range from 1 to 12 inches, the housing includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a bottom surface. The rackmount device includes a first circuit board or substrate having a first surface that defines a length and a width of the first circuit board or substrate, in which the first circuit board or substrate is positioned relative to the housing such that the first surface of the first circuit board or substrate is at an angle relative to the bottom surface of the housing, and the angle is in a range from 45° to 90°.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: at least one of a circuit board or a substrate; and a first structure attached to the at least one of a circuit board or a substrate. The first structure is configured to enable an optical module with connector to be removably coupled to the first structure, and the optical module with connector is configured to enable an optical fiber connector to be removably coupled to the optical module with connector.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a waste elimination apparatus. The waste elimination apparatus, in one configuration, includes a conduit having a first end and a second opposing end defined by a length (lc). The waste elimination apparatus, in this configuration, further includes a user operable valve coupled to the first end, the user operable valve configured to couple to a liquid source, and a waste elimination fixture coupled to the second opposing end in fluid communication with the user operable valve. The waste elimination fixture, in this configuration, includes an enclosure, wherein the enclosure is configured to at least partially surround animal waste, and a spray feature located within the enclosure in fluid communication with the user operable valve, the spray feature having one or more holes configured to concentrate liquid provided by the liquid source via the user operable valve upon the animal waste.

Abstract: A communication system adapted to use wavelength (frequency) division multiplexing for quantum-key distribution (QKD) and having a transmitter coupled to a receiver via a transmission link. In one embodiment, the receiver is adapted to (i) phase-shift a local oscillator (LO) signal generated at the receiver, (ii) combine the LO signal with a quantum-information (QI) signal received via the transmission link from the transmitter to produce interference signals, (iii) measure an intensity difference for these interference signals, and (iv) phase-lock the LO signal to the QI signal based on the measurement result. In one configuration, the QI signal has a plurality of pilot frequency components, each carrying a training signal, and a plurality of QKD frequency components, each carrying quantum key data. Advantageously, the system can maintain a phase lock for the QKD frequency components of the QI and LO signals, while the QKD frequency components of the QI signal continuously carry quantum key data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for routing messages in a network includes first filters to provide frequency-based message signals converted from an optically-based signal and mixers adapted to mix the frequency-based message signals with sub-carriers to generate frequency-based sub-carrier modulated message signals. A frequency generator connected to the mixers provides the sub-carriers to the mixers and a combiner connected to the mixers combines the frequency-based sub-carrier modulated message signals. Second filters connected to the combiner receive and group the frequency-based sub-carrier modulated message signals. Optical transmitters connected to second filters optically convert and transmit the frequency-based sub-carrier modulated message signals. The frequency generator generates and applies a particular sub-carrier frequency to one of the mixers according to information contained in the frequency-based message signal.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting optically labeled packets using DPSK/ASK modulation. The system comprises a transmitter including at least two modulators adapted to provide DPSK modulation of a payload portion of optically labeled packets and ASK modulation for a label portion of the optically labeled packets. A receiver is also provided which includes a balanced detector for detection of the payload portion of the optically labeled packets.

Abstract: An article for directing optical signals among optical waveguides is disclosed. The article comprises a plurality of mirror elements that are mechanically and electrically interconnected to form a reflective surface. The reflective surface is deformable upon application of a voltage. Optical signals delivered from a source waveguide may be directed to different destination waveguides as the reflective surface is deformed. The plurality of mirror elements is actuated by a single actuator.

Abstract: Opto-mechanical arrangements for use in light wave paths use actuator wires of a material, such as NiTi, whose length can be shortened by flowing heating current in the wire. The arrangements include switches and attenuator assemblies.

Abstract: One-by-three and two-by-two optical switches comprising optical waveguides or fibers with tapered ends that utilize electrostatically-driven actuators are disclosed. Tapering of the fiber ends allow the ends to be positioned in close proximity to one another to yield an optical switch with low insertion loss.

Abstract: An article comprising a light-actuated photonic switch is disclosed. The light-actuated photonic switch advantageously includes a photogenerator that powers a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) switch having very low voltage requirements. The MEMS switch is operable to move a reflector into or out of a path of an optical signal travelling between two waveguides. Since the MEMS switch has such low voltage requirements, a long wave photogenerator, which generates relatively low voltages, can be used. As long wavelength light experiences relatively little attenuation in optical fiber, active lightwave circuits incorporating the present light-actuated photonic switch can have very long fiber runs to remote nodes.

Abstract: The specification describes lightwave systems with remotely powered photoelectric generators. Optical power transmitted through the fiber is incident on a remotely located photodiode array. High power conversion efficiency coupled with a specially designed diode array generates sufficient power to operate electromechanical or electrooptic apparatus in the remote station. Long wavelength photodiodes in a circular or polygonal circularly symmetric array are serially connected to increase the voltage to practical operating levels. The photodiodes are fabricated to allow back lighting of the array. The bottom contact layer is made transparent to the wavelength of the power signal. This arrangement allows the contact area to extend over the entire front surface of the diode to reduce contact resistance. It also gives nearly optimum fill factor. The front surface may be metallized so the incident light undergoes a double pass through the absorbing layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stabilizing or otherwise controlling optical signal power levels in a multi-channel optical communication system. A multi-channel optical signal is detected in a single receiver, and the resulting detected signal is supplied to a correlator. The correlator correlates the detected multi-channel signal with a data signal associated with a particular channel to be controlled in order to generate a measure of the optical signal power of the particular channel. The measure is utilized in a feedback control loop to control an optical signal power level of the particular channel. The correlator may generate the measure of optical signal power by mixing the detected signal and the data signal in an RF mixer, by multiplying the detected signal and a data signal in the form of a unique identifier associated with the particular channel, or by using other suitable correlation techniques.

Abstract: A Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) optical monitor, based on concatenated fiber gratings, uses a single modulator and detector and has high dynamic range and good sensitivity through signal averaging. The WDM optical monitor may be implemented in a time-domain or frequency-domain embodiment and used for SNR measurement of WDM optical signals.

Abstract: A micro-opto-electromechanical systems (MOEMS) device comprises a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device and a silicon optical-bench (SiOB) device or system. The MEMS device interacts with the SiOB mechanically or electromagnetically. In one embodiment, the MEMS device is operable to provide a switching function for the SiOB device. The MEMS device comprises an actuator that is mechanically linked to an optical interruptor that prevents at least a portion of an optical signal incident thereon from propagating therethrough. In an actuated state, the actuator causes the optical interrupter to move into an optical path of an optical signal traveling through an SiOB device. The signal is at least partially reflected or absorbed such that only a portion of the signal propagates beyond the point of contact with the optical interrupter.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining alignment between a source and router in a Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) fiber optic network. In a preferred embodiment, a narrow band of the wavelengths emitted by the WDM source is designated as a monitor channel. The monitor channel is matched in wavelength to a fiber grating that is located in the optical path between the source and router so that the grating reflects the monitor channel light while allowing all other source light to pass through unimpeded. By monitoring the reflected light and adjusting the source wavelengths to maximize the amount of reflected light, alignment between the source and router is maintained.

Abstract: The specification describes lightwave systems with remotely powered photoelectric generators. Optical power transmitted through the fiber is incident on a remotely located photodiode array. High power conversion efficiency coupled with a specially designed diode array generates sufficient power to operate electromechanical or electrooptic apparatus in the remote station. Long wavelength photodiodes are serially connected to increase the voltage to practical operating levels. In a communication system, with an optical signal transmitted with the optical power, multiplexers are used for separating the optical power from the optical signal.

Abstract: In a fiber optic communication system, a multifrequency light source generates a signal having a plurality of discrete and temporally spaced wavelengths. The wavelengths can be modulated with data for transmission in an optic medium. The multifrequency light source is cascaded with a power splitter for dividing the generated signal into a plurality of multifrequency signals of substantially equal power. The wavelengths in the plurality of signals may be modulated with data for transmission in an optic medium to a plurality of optic receivers for retrieval of the data.