Abstract: Spliced multi-clad optical fibers with a cladding light stripper (CLS) encapsulating the splice. The splice may facilitate conversion between two optical fibers having different architectures, such as different core and/or cladding dimensions. The CLS may comprise a first length of fiber on a first side of the splice, and a second length of fiber on a second side of the splice, encapsulating the splice within the lengths of the CLS. The splice may abut one or more of the lengths of the CLS, or may be separated from one or more lengths of the CLS by an intermediate length of a first and/or second fiber joined by the splice.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a camera, a dark field illumination source, and a fiber inspection housing including a fiber connector input situated to receive an optical fiber connector so that an optical fiber output end of the optical fiber connector is removably insertable into an interior region of the fiber inspection housing and securable at a predetermined location in the interior region, a camera input situated to receive and secure the camera so that the camera is in optical communication with the interior region and the optical fiber output end, and a dark field illumination source input situated to receive the dark field illumination source so that light emitted from the dark field illumination source is received by the optical fiber output end at a dark field illumination angle and is scattered by contamination or defects associated with the optical fiber output end so as to be detectable by the camera.

Abstract: Spliced multi-clad optical fibers with a cladding light stripper (CLS) encapsulating the splice. The splice may facilitate conversion between two optical fibers having different architectures, such as different core and/or cladding dimensions. The CLS may comprise a first length of fiber on a first side of the splice, and a second length of fiber on a second side of the splice, encapsulating the splice within the lengths of the CLS. The splice may abut one or more of the lengths of the CLS, or may be separated from one or more lengths of the CLS by an intermediate length of a first and/or second fiber joined by the splice.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a laser system that includes a first fiber having an output end and situated to propagate a first laser beam with a first beam parameter product (bpp) and a second fiber having an input end spliced to the output end of the first fiber at a fiber splice so as to receive the first laser beam and to form a second laser beam having a second bpp that is greater than the first bpp, wherein the output end of the first fiber and the input end of the second fiber are spliced at a tilt angle so as to increase the first bpp to the second bpp.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a laser system that includes a first fiber having an output end and situated to propagate a first laser beam with a first beam parameter product (bpp) and a second fiber having an input end spliced to the output end of the first fiber at a fiber splice so as to receive the first laser beam and to form a second laser beam having a second bpp that is greater than the first bpp, wherein the output end of the first fiber and the input end of the second fiber are spliced at a tilt angle so as to increase the first bpp to the second bpp.

Abstract: A contact lens incorporating one or more dynamic stabilization zones fabricated from a material that is readily deformable under eyelid pressure during blinking allows for the control over rotation of the contact lens on the eye. As the material deforms, the angle of contact between the eyelid and the one or more dynamic stabilization zones changes as does the rotational force acting on the contact lens.

Abstract: Multi-clad optical fiber cladding light stripper (CLS) comprising an inner cladding with one or more recessed surface regions to remove light propagating within the inner cladding. A CLS may comprise such recessed surface regions along two or more azimuthal angles about the fiber axis, for example to improve stripping efficiency. One or more dimensions, or spatial distribution, of the recessed surface regions may be randomized, for example to improve stripping uniformity across a multiplicity of modes propagating within a cladding. Adjacent recessed surface regions may abut, for example, end-to-end, as segments of a recess that occupies a majority, or even an entirety, of the length of a fiber surrounded by a heat sink. One or more dimensions, or angular position, of individual ones of the abutted recessed surface regions may vary, according to a regular or irregular pattern.

Abstract: Spliced multi-clad optical fibers with a cladding light stripper (CLS) encapsulating the splice. The splice may facilitate conversion between two optical fibers having different architectures, such as different core and/or cladding dimensions. The CLS may comprise a first length of fiber on a first side of the splice, and a second length of fiber on a second side of the splice, encapsulating the splice within the lengths of the CLS. The splice may abut one or more of the lengths of the CLS, or may be separated from one or more lengths of the CLS by an intermediate length of a first and/or second fiber joined by the splice.

Abstract: A new vision test, incorporating textual and non-textual elements in an image, is configured to demonstrate the effects of low cylinder astigmatism and other sources of blur on visual quality. The elements are designed to be noticeable, relevant, important and engaging. The new vision test may be utilized to supplement conventional vision testing.

Abstract: A molded contact lens comprising a stiffer optic zone relative to the peripheral zone of the contact lens provides an optical element for correcting astigmatism without the need for or substantially minimizing the need for the correction of rotational misalignment. The higher elastic modulus optic zone vaults over the cornea thereby allowing a tear lens to form. The tear lens follows or assumes the shape of the back surface of the contact lens. The combination of the tear lens and the optical zone provide an optical element for correction of refractive error.

Abstract: A contact lens incorporating one or more compliant dynamic translation zones fabricated from a material that is readily deformable under eyelid pressure during blinking and which allows for the control over translation of the contact lens on the eye. The one or more compliant dynamic translation zones provide for the comfortable relative movement of the contact lens over the eye.

Abstract: A contact lens incorporating one or more dynamic stabilization zones fabricated from a material that is readily deformable under eyelid pressure during blinking allows for the control over rotation of the contact lens on the eye. As the material deforms, the angle of contact between the eyelid and the one or more dynamic stabilization zones changes as does the rotational force acting on the contact lens.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a laser system that includes a first fiber having an output end and situated to propagate a first laser beam with a first beam parameter product (bpp) and a second fiber having an input end spliced to the output end of the first fiber at a fiber splice so as to receive the first laser beam and to form a second laser beam having a second bpp that is greater than the first bpp, wherein the output end of the first fiber and the input end of the second fiber are spliced at a tilt angle so as to increase the first bpp to the second bpp.

Abstract: A contact lens incorporating one or more dynamic stabilization zones fabricated from a material that is readily deformable under eyelid pressure during blinking allows for the control over rotation of the contact lens on the eye. As the material deforms, the angle of contact between the eyelid and the one or more dynamic stabilization zones changes as does the rotational force acting on the contact lens.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a camera, a dark field illumination source, and a fiber inspection housing including a fiber connector input situated to receive an optical fiber connector so that an optical fiber output end of the optical fiber connector is removably insertable into an interior region of the fiber inspection housing and securable at a predetermined location in the interior region, a camera input situated to receive and secure the camera so that the camera is in optical communication with the interior region and the optical fiber output end, and a dark field illumination source input situated to receive the dark field illumination source so that light emitted from the dark field illumination source is received by the optical fiber output end at a dark field illumination angle and is scattered by contamination or defects associated with the optical fiber output end so as to be detectable by the camera.

Abstract: A new vision test, incorporating textual and non-textual elements in an image, is configured to demonstrate the effects of low cylinder astigmatism and other sources of blur on visual quality. The elements are designed to be noticeable, relevant, important and engaging. The new vision test may be utilized to supplement conventional vision testing.

Abstract: A new vision test, incorporating textual and non-textual elements in an image, is configured to demonstrate the effects of low cylinder astigmatism and other sources of blur on visual quality. The elements are designed to be noticeable, relevant, important and engaging. The new vision test may be utilized to supplement conventional vision testing.

Abstract: A contact lens incorporating one or more dynamic fluid zones fabricated from a material that is readily deformable under eyelid pressure during blinking allows for the delivery of one or more agents to the eye, dynamic cosmetic eye enhancement, and/or dynamic rotational misalignment correction. The one or more agents may include therapeutic agents, nutritional agents and pharmacological agents.

Abstract: A new vision test, incorporating textual and non-textual elements in an image, is configured to demonstrate the effects of low cylinder astigmatism and other sources of blur on visual quality. The elements are designed to be noticeable, relevant, important and engaging. The new vision test may be utilized to supplement conventional vision testing.

Abstract: A contact lens incorporating one or more dynamic stabilization zones fabricated from a material that is readily deformable under eyelid pressure during blinking allows for the control over rotation of the contact lens on the eye. As the material deforms, the angle of contact between the eyelid and the one or more dynamic stabilization zones changes as does the rotational force acting on the contact lens.