Abstract: A planar optical waveguide is provided. The planar optical waveguide includes a polymer substrate having a coefficient of thermal expansion, a first cladding disposed on the substrate, and a core disposed on at least a portion of the first cladding. The core is a halogenated polymer having an absorptive optical loss of less than approximately 2.5×10?4 dB/cm in the range from about 1250 to 1700 nm. The core has a thermo-optic coefficient and a refractive index, a product of the thermo-optic coefficient and the reciprocal of the refractive index being approximately equal to the negative of the coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A microresonator is provided that incorporates a composite material comprising a polymer matrix and nanoparticles dispersed therein. The microresonator includes the composite material having a shape that is bounded at least in part by a reflecting surface. The shape of the microresonator allows a discrete electromagnetic frequency to set up a standing wave mode. Advantageously, the polymer matrix comprises at least one halogenated polymer and the dispersed nanoparticles comprise an outer coating layer, which may also comprise a halogenated polymer. Methods for making composite materials and microresonators are also provided. Applications include, for example, active and passive switches, add/drop filters, modulators, isolators, and integrated optical switch array circuits.

Abstract: A temperature controller module for electronically controlling the temperature of a device, such as a pump laser or laser diode, controls the device temperature based on low heat dissipation inductors and current sources. The temperature controller module shuts off the thermoelectric cooler when the temperature of the laser exceeds a predetermined amount. Further, the temperature controller module is integrated in a compact, self-contained modular form to allow use in space critical applications.

Abstract: An optical assembly has two mechanically matched substrates, each substrate including structures, such as circuits and circuit elements, that are in shapes complementary to the structures on the other substrate. At least one substrate includes a clipgate for at least one optical component.

Abstract: A microresonator is provided that incorporates a composite material comprising a polymer matrix and nanoparticles dispersed therein. The microresonator includes the composite material having a shape that is bounded at least in part by a reflecting surface. The shape of the microresonator allows a discrete electromagnetic frequency to set up a standing wave mode. Advantageously, the polymer matrix comprises at least one halogenated polymer and the dispersed nanoparticles comprise an outer coating layer, which may also comprise a halogenated polymer. Methods for making composite materials and microresonators are also provided. Applications include, for example, active and passive switches, add/drop filters, modulators, isolators, and integrated optical switch array circuits.

Abstract: A multifunctional integrated optical waveguide is provided. The planar optical waveguide structure includes an active gain medium for optical amplification, and a passive component(s) (i.e. arrayed waveguide grating, splitter, and tap) for processing the signal (i.e. multiplexing, demultiplexing, monitoring, add-dropping, routing and splits) on a solid substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials comprising a host matrix, and a plurality of magneto-optic nanoparticles within the host matrix, a process of forming a composite material comprising coating a plurality of magneto-optic nanoparticles with at least one polymer layer, and dispersing the plurality of coated nanoparticles into a host matrix material, and thin-film magneto-optic articles, and optical components, such as integrated optical components, as well as optical devices, such as optical rotators, such as Faraday rotators, optical isolators, optical circulators, optical modulators, waveguides, and amplifiers, comprising the composite material according to the present invention.

Abstract: A solid substrate comprising a first major surface, a second major surface juxtaposed from and parallel or substantially parallel to the first major surface, wherein the substrate has a plurality of surface relief structures, located on the substrate between the first and second major surfaces, and extending over the substrate; wherein the solid substrate comprises a host matrix, and at least one nanoparticle within the host matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composite material comprising a nanoporous polymer matrix and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed within said matrix, wherein the nanoparticles possess specified thermal properties. The resulting nanoporous polymer nanocomposite is an optical medium with tunable and controllable thermal properties, including the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the thermal conductivity, and the thermooptic coefficient.

Abstract: A composite material that includes a host matrix and a plurality of dispersed nanoparticles within the host matrix. Each of the plurality of nanoparticles may include a halogenated outer coating layer that seals the nanoparticle and prevents agglomeration of the nanoparticles within the host matrix. The invention also includes a process of forming the composite material. Depending on the nanoparticle material, the composite material may have various applications including, but not limited to, optical devices, windowpanes, mirrors, mirror panels, optical lenses, optical lens arrays, optical displays, liquid crystal displays, cathode ray tubes, optical filters, optical components, all these more generally referred to as components.

Abstract: A temperature controller module for electronically controlling the temperature of a device, such as a pump laser or laser diode, controls the device temperature based on low heat dissipation inductors and current sources. The temperature controller module shuts off the thermoelectric cooler when the temperature of the laser exceeds a predetermined amount. Further, the temperature controller module is integrated in a compact, self-contained modular form to allow use in space critical applications.

Abstract: A planar optical waveguide is provided. The planar optical waveguide includes a polymer substrate having a coefficient of thermal expansion, a first cladding disposed on the substrate, and a core disposed on at least a portion of the first cladding. The core is a halogenated polymer having an absorptive optical loss of less than approximately 2.5×1031 ∝dB/cm in the range from about 1250 to 1700 nm. The core has a thermo-optic coefficient and a refractive index, a product of the thermo-optic coefficient and the reciprocal of the refractive index being approximately equal to the negative of the coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A system and method for electronically controlling the temperature of a pump laser or laser diode controls temperature uses methods of sourcing drive current. Further, the system shuts off the laser diode and/or a thermoelectric cooler when the temperature of the pump laser exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An optical amplifier module is disclosed. The optical amplifier module includes a housing having an interior length and an interior width generally shorter than the interior length and an electronic control board disposed within the housing. The electronic control board includes a plurality of electronically connected components. The optical amplifier module also includes a gain medium disposed in the housing in a generally circularly spiral shape, such that the gain medium has a radius of curvature approximately one half the interior width of the housing. The optical amplifier module further includes a pump laser electronically connected to the electronic control board and optically connected to the gain medium.

Abstract: A controllable optical amplifier module is disclosed. The controllable optical amplifier module includes a signal line. The signal line includes an input for receiving an input signal, an output for discharging an amplified signal such that the output is optically connected to the input, a gain medium optically disposed between the input and the output, and a first tap for generating a first tapped signal such that the first tap is optically disposed between the input and the output. The controllable optical amplifier module also includes at least one pump laser having a laser output optically connected to the gain medium and an ability to adjustably alter the intensity of the amplified signal. A method of adjustably amplifying an optical signal is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical amplifier module is disclosed. The optical amplifier module includes a housing having an interior length and an interior width generally shorter than the interior length and an electronic control board disposed within the housing. The electronic control board includes a plurality of electronically connected components. The optical amplifier module also includes a gain medium disposed in the housing in a generally circularly spiral shape, such that the gain medium has a radius of curvature approximately one half the interior width of the housing. The optical amplifier module further includes a pump laser electronically connected to the electronic control board and optically connected to the gain medium.