Abstract: Optical waveguide coupling ratios can be modified for a package by providing a substrate with a photonic circuit disposed on a first section of the substrate and a plurality of optical waveguides formed in glass disposed on a second section of the substrate, the waveguides being connected to the photonic circuit, adjacent ones of the waveguides having a fixed coupling ratio. A three-dimensional region of the glass abutting an end of one or more of the waveguides is lased to change a refractive index of the glass in each three-dimensional region, and thereby extend a length of each waveguide abutting one of the three-dimensional regions so that the coupling ratio between that waveguide and an adjacent waveguide is changed as a function of the extended length. The lasing is controlled based on feedback so that each coupling ratio changed by the lasing varies by less than a target amount.

Abstract: A headphone includes a pair of right and left headphone units, a resilient band formed substantially into a U shape to be mounted on a human head, and a pair of arm members. Each of the arm members is rotatably coupled via a pivot joint to an end part of the band and supporting one the headphone units. Each of the pivot joints includes a detent hinge for locking into a plurality of rotational positions an arm member relatively to the corresponding end part of the band.

Abstract: A wavelength converter includes first silicon waveguides and second silicon waveguides intersecting the first silicon waveguides to form an arrayed waveguide. The arrayed waveguide receives optical data signals at the same wavelength at a first input and optical pump signals at different wavelengths at a second input. Microring resonators evanescently couple different ones of the first silicon waveguides to different ones of the second silicon waveguides. Each microring resonator is tuned to the wavelength of the optical data signals or one of the wavelengths of the optical pump signals, so that different combinations of the optical data signals and the optical pump signals are provided at an output of the arrayed waveguide. A non-linear optical media converts the wavelength of each combined optical signal at the output of the arrayed waveguide to yield wavelength converted signals each having a new dedicated wavelength.

Abstract: Presented is a system and method for distributing a network application across a plurality of geographically dispersed network sites. The system comprises a plurality of network sites connected by a shared network and interconnected by a dedicated non-blocking communication network. The system can use different interconnecting network topologies based on the number of sites to be interconnected. The method balances the network application load and resources across the interconnected network sites based on a distribution policy implemented without burdening the shared network. The method provides redundancy capabilities by detecting the loss of a network site and redistributing the network application load to the remaining network sites.

Abstract: An optical physical interface module is provided which includes a first optical physical interface, a second optical physical interface and one or more optical components. The first optical physical interface is configured to plug into a first connector and communicate optical signals toward the first connector. The second optical physical interface is configured to receive a second connector and communicate optical signals toward the second connector. The one or more optical components are operable to process optical signals between the first and second optical physical interfaces. The optical physical interface module may be provided at the edge of a circuit board so that the circuit board has an optical interface for external communication. The optical physical interface module may be a stand-alone module or integrated into a connector of an optical cable, among other configurations.

Abstract: An optical patch unit is adapted for mounting in or on an optical equipment rack and facilitates a migration from one optical shuffle box or topology to another. The optical patch unit simplifies the replacement of an optical shuffle box, in some cases allowing a phased migration that minimizes system down-time. The optical patch units described herein include passive optical patch panels. Chassis card and optical shuffle connections are terminated at the passive optical patch panel, making it possible to simplify the cabling between the chassis cards and the optical shuffle box. Once installed, chassis card cables do not need to be manipulated at all during subsequent optical shuffle maintenance procedures. Other optical patch units described herein include active optical patch units, which make the migration process less dependent on human intervention and can further reduce system down-time.

Abstract: An optical communications system includes a first plurality of optical components having optical ports, a second plurality of optical components having optical ports and an optical cross-connect. The optical cross-connect includes a block of a single continuous construction and material having a first side adjacent the first optical components and a second side adjacent the second optical components, and a plurality of non-intersecting, continuous waveguides formed within the block and extending from the first side of the block to the second side of the block. The refractive index of each waveguide is different than the surrounding material of the block, and each waveguide changes direction at least once within the block. The waveguides are optically aligned with the optical ports of the first optical components at the first side of the block and with the optical ports of the second optical components at the second side of the block.

Abstract: A headphone assembly is provided and includes a headband assembly comprising at least one end; an ear-cup assembly pivotably engaged to the headband assembly by an engagement structure positioned proximate to the at least one end of the headband assembly, the ear-cup assembly comprising a cap and a housing, wherein the cap and the housing are connected to form an enclosed space inside the ear-cup assembly; a transducer configured to produce sound and positioned within the enclosed space of the ear-cup assembly; and a damper rim positioned between the ear-cup assembly and the at least one end of the headband assembly, the damper rim covering the engagement structure and being engaged to the ear-cup assembly and the at least one end of the headband assembly.