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: A method of manufacturing an optical interconnect includes 3D printing a plurality of non-intersecting and spaced apart optical waveguides from a material that guides electromagnetic waves in the optical spectrum after being cross-linked or polymerized in a region activated by the 3D printing. At least some of the optical waveguides change direction at least once by about 90°. The method further includes encasing at least each end of the optical waveguides with a material having a lower index of refraction than the material from which the optical waveguides are formed by 3D printing, to secure the optical waveguides. A corresponding 3D printing apparatus is also described.

Abstract: Wavelength-based optical power provisioning is provided by multiplexing a plurality of continuous wave light beams at different wavelengths onto a single optical fiber as a multiplexed light source and demultiplexing the multiplexed light source based on wavelength at a photonic unit coupled to the optical fiber to recover the continuous wave light beams. The recovered continuous wave light beams are split into a plurality of light beams by the photonic unit, each light beam having the same wavelength and the same or lower power as one of the recovered continuous wave light beams so that at least one of the light beams generated by the photonic unit has a higher power than the other light beams generated by the photonic unit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical interconnect includes 3D printing a plurality of non-intersecting and spaced apart optical waveguides from a material that guides electromagnetic waves in the optical spectrum after being cross-linked or polymerized in a region activated by the 3D printing. At least some of the optical waveguides change direction at least once by about 90°. The method further includes encasing at least each end of the optical waveguides with a material having a lower index of refraction than the material from which the optical waveguides are formed by 3D printing, to secure the optical waveguides. A corresponding 3D printing apparatus is also described.

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: Methods and systems for distributing multicast signals carried by an incoming light wave are disclosed. According to one aspect, the invention provides a method of controlling an optical device. The method includes dynamically controlling a plurality of optical attenuators of the optical device based on control signals indicative of changes to a multicast group.

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: Optical components are provided for use in information and communications technology (ICT) systems. For example, an optical assembly includes an optical module configured to modulate continuous wave optical beams of different powers into a plurality of modulated optical signals at different powers and couple the modulated optical signals onto different length optical mediums, so that lower power ones of the modulated optical signals are coupled to shorter ones of the optical mediums and higher power ones of the modulated optical signals are coupled to longer ones of the optical mediums. An optical power splitter includes a plurality of optical couplers configured to input continuous wave optical beams of the same power and output a plurality of continuous wave optical beams at different powers.

Abstract: A chassis includes a plurality of continuous wave lasers each operable to emit a continuous wave optical beam at the same power as the other lasers, and a plurality of optical couplers operable to input the continuous wave optical beams of the same power and output a plurality of continuous wave optical beams at different powers. The chassis further includes a plurality of optical assemblies operable to modulate the continuous wave optical beams of different powers into a plurality of modulated optical signals at different powers and couple the modulated optical signals onto different length optical mediums so that lower power ones of the modulated optical signals are coupled to shorter ones of the optical mediums and higher power ones of the modulated optical signals are coupled to longer ones of the optical mediums.

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 audio listening device having a damped ball joint type interface between an ear-cup assembly and a headband assembly is provided. For example, the audio listening device can include a headband assembly comprising at least one end; an ear-cup assembly pivotably engaged to the at least one end of the headband assembly by an engagement structure, the engagement structure comprising at least two cooperatively coupled curved surfaces; and a damper rim coupled to the ear-cup assembly and to the at least one end of the headband assembly, wherein the damper rim is configured to at least partially constrict movement of the ear-cup assembly relative to the headband assembly.