Abstract: A reflective objective is disclosed, in which essentially all the optical power is in a single, off-axis, concave mirror, which is oriented generally perpendicular to the central axis of the objective. An incident beam is directed to and from the concave mirror by a pair of flat mirrors, so that a central on-axis ray in the incident beam is collinear with the corresponding thrice-reflected ray at the object. The object is one focal length away from the concave mirror. The aperture stop is also one focal length away from the concave mirror, leading to a condition of telecentricity at the object. Different focal lengths for the objectives are realized by using mirrors with different curvatures, located at different distances away from the central axis of the objective. The reflective objective can optionally be retrofitted into a turret typically used for microscope objectives, and can optionally have refractive elements, making the objective catadioptric.

Abstract: A compact, in-line polarization combiner uses a folded, reflective optical path from a first fiber to a second fiber. The combiner includes first and second fibers at one end of an in-line package, and a third fiber at the other end of the in-line package. A first polarization-dependent optical path is defined between the first and second fibers for light in a first polarization state. A second polarization-dependent path is defined between the first and third fibers for light in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. A polarizer is disposed between the ends of the combiner and reflects light on the first path between the first and second fibers and transmits light on the second path between the first and third ports, A reflector is disposed on the first path to reflect light to the polarizer.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic tap monitor has characteristics that are flatter over the wavelength range of interest. The polarization dependence of the characteristics of the tap monitor is reduced, and the package for the tap monitor is smaller. The tap monitor reduces the amount of light reflected back to the source. The tap monitor is also assembled in a manner to improve temperature stability, so that its characteristics over a range of temperatures are more nearly constant.

Abstract: The invention relates to an approach to angle tuning a thin film, interference filter device in which light is delivered to the filter from a fiber lying off-axis relative to the filter, and to a method of optically coupling such a device. The optical device comprises a lens unit having an optical axis and an adjustable effective focal length. The device also includes a first port disposed on a first side of the lens unit and on a first side of the optical axis, and an optical element disposed on the second side of the lens unit. The optical element has an optical characteristic that is dependent on the angle of incidence on the optical element. The lens unit has an adjustable focal length so light from the first port is incident on the optical element at a desired angle.

Abstract: Two sub-assemblies in a fiber optic device are fitted to mounting faces of a central section. The mounting faces are typically flat and mutually orthogonal, thus permitting the adjustment of the two sub-assemblies in decoupled degrees of freedom. This results in a simpler adjustment procedure for aligning the two sub-assemblies. Furthermore, the mounting of the sub-assemblies using the orthogonal mounting faces permits the use of relatively thin layers of adhesive that reduce misalignment problems arising from mismatched thermal expansion when the temperature changes.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to a fiber optic device that is easier to align than conventional devices, and to a method for aligning such devices. An embodiment of the invention includes a first focusing element having an optical axis and a first focal length, and a first optical fiber optically coupled to a first side of the first focusing element. The first optical fiber is disposed at a first transverse distance from the optical axis so that light from the first optical fiber propagates on a second side of the first focusing element as a substantially collimated beam at a first angle to the optical axis. A wedged optical element is optically coupled to the second side of the first focusing element and deviates the substantially collimated beam so as to propagate in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.

Abstract: A particular focusing arrangement in a dual fiber collimator improves the transmission efficiency and ease of alignment of the collimator. In particular, the collimator includes two optical fibers mounted in a dual-fiber ferrule. The fiber end-faces are co-planar with the angle-polished end-face of the ferrule and displaced along the optical axis of the ferrule. The collimator unit also includes a first focusing element centered along the optical axis of the ferrule and positioned such that its back front focal point is between the two end faces of the fibers. An advantage provided by this arrangement is that by changing the fiber polish angle and polish azimuth, relative to a line connecting the fiber centers, superior coupling from one fiber to the other can be achieved, even with different working distances and at various wavelengths.

Abstract: A laser source is located in a relatively cool accessible location. Because there is adequate heat dissipation for the laser source, changes in the laser wavelength that arise from laser temperature changes are minimized. The invention described here includes the use of optical fiber to deliver light from the laser source. The laser reliability is improved because of reduced temperature and temperature fluctuations are experienced by the laser source. Because the laser source can be placed outside the drives hermetic seal, the laser can be easily replaced in the field, if required.

Abstract: An optical head for performing optical data operations relative to a medium includes a slider body and at least one lens. Positioned between the slider body and the lens is an aperture stop for blocking the transmittance of light. The aperture stop includes an opaque layer that circumscribes a transparent region.

Abstract: A fiber collimator device includes polarization controlling optics to simplify the manufacture of fiber collimators that use polarization maintaining fiber. In particular, the use of the polarization control optics in a fiber collimator reduces the need to align the polarization axis of the polarization maintaining fiber, thus reducing the time spent on fabricating the device. This is useful where the collimation device includes a polarization mode combiner.

Abstract: A particular focusing arrangement in a dual fiber collimator improves the transmission efficiency and ease of alignment of the collimator. In particular, the collimator includes two optical fibers mounted in a dual-fiber ferrule. The fiber end-faces are co-planar with the angle-polished end-face of the ferrule and displaced along the optical axis of the ferrule. The collimator unit also includes a first focusing element centered along the optical axis of the ferrule and positioned such that its back front focal point is between the two end faces of the fibers. An advantage provided by this arrangement is that by changing the fiber polish angle and polish azimuth, relative to a line connecting the fiber centers, superior coupling from one fiber to the other can be achieved, even with different working distances and at various wavelengths.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to a new approach to angle tuning a thin film, interference filter device in which the light is delivered to the filter from a fiber lying off-axis relative to the filter, and to a method of optically coupling such a device. An embodiment of the invention is directed to an optical device comprising a lens unit having an optical axis and an adjustable effective focal length. The optical device includes a first port disposed on a first side of the lens unit and on a first side of the optical axis, and an optical element disposed on the second side of the lens unit, the optical element having an optical characteristic that is dependent on the angle of incidence on the optical element. Wherein the lens unit has an adjustable focal length adjusted so that light from the first port is incident on the optical element at a desired optical characteristic of the optical element.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to a method for aligning collimator sub-assemblies, disposed along a longitudinal axis. The invention arises from a realization that prohibiting the two collimator sub-assemblies from being adjusted in the same rotational degree of freedom leads to faster and easier alignment. In particular, the method includes rotating only one of the first and second sub-assemblies in a first plane defined by the longitudinal axis and a first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In some aspects of the invention, one of the first and second sub-assemblies are rotated in a second plane defined by the longitudinal axis and a second axis perpendicular to the both the longitudinal axis and the first axis. The sub-assemblies may also be translated in a direction parallel to the first axis and/or in a direction parallel to the second axis.

Abstract: A fiber collimator device includes polarization controlling optics to simplify the manufacture of fiber collimators that use polarization maintaining fiber. In particular, the use of the polarization control optics in a fiber collimator reduces the need to align the polarization axis of the polarization maintaining fiber, thus reducing the time spent on fabricating the device. This is useful where the collimation device includes a polarization mode combiner.

Abstract: A compact, in-line polarization combiner uses a folded, reflective optical path from a first fiber to a second fiber. The combiner includes first and second fibers at one end of an in-line package, and a third fiber at the other end of the in-line package. A first polarization-dependent optical path is defined between the first and second fibers for light in a first polarization state. A second polarization-dependent path is defined between the first and third fibers for light in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. A polarizer is disposed between the ends of the combiner and reflects light on the first path between the first and second fibers and transmits light on the second path between the first and third ports, A reflector is disposed on the first path to reflect light to the polarizer.

Abstract: Two sub-assemblies in a fiber optic device are fitted to mounting faces of a central section. The mounting faces are typically flat and mutually orthogonal, thus permitting the adjustment of the two sub-assemblies in decoupled degrees of freedom. This results in a simpler adjustment procedure for aligning the two sub-assemblies. Furthermore, the mounting of the sub-assemblies using the orthogonal mounting faces permits the use of relatively thin layers of adhesive that reduce misalignment problems arising from mismatched thermal expansion when the temperature changes.

Abstract: Two sub-assemblies in a fiber optic device are fitted to respective end faces of a central section, along a longitudinal axis. The end faces of the central section are non-parallel. Butting the sub-assemblies to respective ends of the central section permits relative adjustment of the two sub-assemblies in substantially decoupled degrees of freedom. This results in a simpler adjustment procedure for aligning the two sub-assemblies. Furthermore, the mounting of the sub-assemblies using angled faces permits the use of relatively thin layers of adhesive that reduce misalignment problems arising from mismatched thermal expansion when the temperature changes.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic tap monitor has characteristics that are flatter over the wavelength range of interest. The polarization dependence of the characteristics of the tap monitor is reduced, and the package for the tap monitor is smaller. The tap monitor reduces the amount of light reflected back to the source. The tap monitor is also assembled in a manner to improve temperature stability, so that its characteristics over a range of temperatures are more nearly constant.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to a fiber optic device that is easier to align than conventional devices, and to a method for aligning such devices. An embodiment of the invention includes a first focusing element having an optical axis and a first focal length, and a first optical fiber optically coupled to a first side of the first focusing element. The first optical fiber is disposed at a first transverse distance from the optical axis so that light from the first optical fiber propagates on a second side of the first focusing element as a substantially collimated beam at a first angle to the optical axis. A wedged optical element is optically coupled to the second side of the first focusing element and deviates the substantially collimated beam so as to propagate in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.

Abstract: An optical data storage system that includes an optical source and an optical storage medium. The system includes a plurality of armatures positioned adjacent to the optical storage medium. Mounted on each armature are elements that perform functions such as beam-splitting, beam-shaping, relaying and fine tuning to collectively form an armature-mounted optical coupling system. An optical switch couples the optical source to each of the armature-mounted optical coupling systems. This configuration of an optical data storage system ensures that one optical source can be utilized for a plurality of optical detection systems.