Abstract: A hybrid rotary joint provides both optical and fluid channels for applications such as optogenetic research. The rotary joint has a stationary component and a rotating component. The optical channel and fluid channel permit simultaneous and rotation-insensitive passage of light and fluid from the stationary to the rotating side of the hybrid rotary joint. The input to the optical channel is provided via an input optical fiber and the input to the fluid channel is fluid from a fluid source. The outputs are an optical fiber output and a fluid channel output. As light passes from the stationary side to the rotating side of the hybrid rotary joint, it is deflected off a beam deflector having an angular orientation that is passively aligned and made independent of the angular orientation of the rotating component via the interaction between magnets attached to each of the beam deflector and the stationary component.

Abstract: The optoelectronic mechanical assembly can have an integrated light source and couple a non-rotary light outlet thereof directly into a tip of a freely rotatable optical fiber. The assembly includes a fixable structure which can house a light source, and a rotary structure which receives the optical fiber and which is mounted to the fixable structure by way of at least one bearing, in a manner to maintain the optical alignment of the optical fiber with the non-rotary outlet. If more than one light source is used, they can be combined into the common outlet by a beam combiner.

Abstract: A regular pentagonal arrangement of multiple selectively transmitting interfaces provides a beam-splitter and beam combiner in a compact and cost-effective package. The selectively transmitting interfaces are either provided on transparent plates, or alternatively can be external surfaces of a solid transparent prism. One or more of the sides of the regular pentagonal arrangement includes a transparent or absent surface, so that for beam-splitter operation, the input light can be introduced, and for beam combiner operation, the combined light can be emitted. In beam-splitter operation, the input optical beam is introduced through the transparent side, and is sequentially reflected between the plurality of selectively transmitting interfaces, with beams containing the wavelengths corresponding to each of the selectively transmitting interfaces being emitted from the corresponding surface to the outside of the beam-splitter.

Abstract: The hybrid fiber-optic cannula can have a body having an implant end, a light passage extending through the body, and a light inlet end coinciding with the light passage, an optical fiber held in the body in coincidence with the light passage and oriented out the implant end, the light inlet end being opposite the implant end relative to the light passage, and a conduit extending through the body between a conduit outlet located at the implant end and a conduit inlet. A fluid and/or electrical wires, can be conveyed by the conduit, for instance.

Abstract: A cannula can have a ferrule with two interspaced optical fiber passages extending therebetween, each securely housing an optical fiber therein having a first tip exposed at a connection end, and a second tip protruding from an opposite implant end by a penetration distance, and a bore extending into the ferrule from the connection end. The cannula can be removably connected by a patch cord having a ferrule with a guide pin, with a relatively high degree of optical alignment, by inserting both ferrules into corresponding ends of a sleeve and engaging the guide pin within the bore.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nonfull aperture Luneburg-type lens for correction of an adjacent light source. The lens includes a core having a circular cross-section and a graded refractive index, and a cladding enclosing the core. The cladding has a circular cross-section and a homogenous refractive index. Also disclosed is a method for forming the nonfull aperture Luneburg-type lens with a graded index core and a homogenous cladding, and a high numerical aperture laser diode assembly including the nonfull aperture Luneburg-type lens.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nonfull aperture Luneburg-type lens for correction of an adjacent light source. The lens includes a core having a circular cross-section and a graded refractive index, and a cladding enclosing the core. The cladding has a circular cross-section and a homogenous refractive index. Also disclosed is a method for forming the nonfull aperture Luneburg-type lens with a graded index core and a homogenous cladding, and a high numerical aperture laser diode assembly including the nonfull aperture Luneburg-type lens.