Abstract: An apparatus consisting of stacked slab waveguides whose outputs are vertically staggered is disclosed. At the input to the stacked waveguides, the entrances to each slab lie in approximately the same vertical plane. A spot which is imaged onto the input will be transformed approximately to a set of staggered rectangles at the output, without substantial loss in brightness, which staggered rectangles can serve as a convenient input to a spectroscopic apparatus. A slit mask can be added to spatially filter the outputs so as to present the desired transverse width in the plane of the spectroscopic apparatus parallel to its dispersion.

Abstract: An apparatus consisting of stacked slab waveguides whose outputs are vertically staggered is disclosed. At the input to the stacked waveguides, the entrances to each slab lie in approximately the same vertical plane. A spot which is imaged onto the input will be transformed approximately to a set of staggered rectangles at the output, without substantial loss in brightness, which staggered rectangles can serve as a convenient input to a spectroscopic apparatus. A slit mask can be added to spatially filter the outputs so as to present the desired transverse width in the plane of the spectroscopic apparatus parallel to its dispersion.

Abstract: An apparatus consisting of stacked slab waveguides whose outputs are vertically staggered is disclosed. At the input to the stacked waveguides, the entrances to each slab lie in approximately the same vertical plane. A spot which is imaged onto the input will be transformed approximately to a set of staggered rectangles at the output, without substantial loss in brightness, which staggered rectangles can serve as a convenient input to a spectroscopic apparatus. A slit mask can be added to spatially filter the outputs so as to present the desired transverse width in the plane of the spectroscopic apparatus parallel to its dispersion.

Abstract: An apparatus consisting of two pairs of identical lenses which is suitable as a compound objective lens for high numerical aperture imaging is disclosed. The compound lens also has a wide field of view as a fraction of the compound lens focal length. By suitable choice of lens materials, well corrected near infrared imaging can be achieved. When two such compound lenses together with a diffraction grating are assembled into a spectrometer, excellent wavelength resolution in the near infrared can also be obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an optical window transmits both an excitation beam to a sample and scattered light from the sample which is within the angular range of the collection optics. Scattered light from the sample outside the angular range of the collection optics is re-directed back to the sample by reflection from one or more surfaces of the apparatus. As a result, the magnitude of scattered light collected is increased.

Abstract: An apparatus consisting of stacked slab waveguides whose outputs are vertically staggered is disclosed. At the input to the stacked waveguides, the entrances to each slab lie in approximately the same vertical plane. A spot which is imaged onto the input will be transformed approximately to a set of staggered rectangles at the output, without substantial loss in brightness, which staggered rectangles can serve as a convenient input to a spectroscopic apparatus. A slit mask can be added to spatially filter the outputs so as to present the desired transverse width in the plane of the spectroscopic apparatus parallel to its dispersion.

Abstract: An apparatus consisting of two pairs of identical lenses which is suitable as a compound objective lens for high numerical aperture imaging is disclosed. The compound lens also has a wide field of view as a fraction of the compound lens focal length. By suitable choice of lens materials, well corrected near infrared imaging can be achieved. When two such compound lenses together with a diffraction grating are assembled into a spectrometer, excellent wavelength resolution in the near infrared can also be obtained.

Abstract: A method (and system) for manufacturing an optical switching device. The method includes forming an array plate comprising at least one hundred sites from a first physical process, where each of the sites is for coupling to an optical fiber. The sites have a first spatial degree of error relative to an ideal mathematical grid of the sites. The first spatial degree of error is derived from at least the first physical process. The method forms a lens plate comprising a plurality of lenses from a second physical process. Each of the lenses is going to be coupled to at least one of the sites on the array plate. The lenses have a second spatial degree of error relative to a second mathematical grid of lenses. The second spatial degree of error is derived from at least the second physical process. The method then derives lens measurement values from each of the plurality of lenses.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching one of a plurality of optical signals from a plurality of optical fibers. The apparatus has an input fiber bundle housing comprising an outer side and an inner side. The input fiber bundle housing has a plurality of sites oriented in a spatial manner on the outer side for coupling to a plurality of input optical fibers. Each of the input optical fibers is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The apparatus also has a first mirror array disposed facing the inner side of the input fiber bundle housing. The first mirror array includes a plurality of mirrors. Each of the mirrors corresponds to one of the sites on the outer side of the input fiber bundle housing. A second mirror array is disposed facing the first mirror array. The second mirror array is also disposed around a periphery of the input fiber bundle.