Abstract: An optical fiber array device includes a substrate, a cover plate, and a ceramic ferrule array. A receiving groove is defined in one surface of the substrate. The substrate and the cover plate are coupled together and cover the receiving groove. The receiving groove includes a first groove wall and a second groove wall. The ceramic ferrule array includes at least one layer of ceramic ferrules and a number of positioning members. Opposite sides of the at least one layer of ceramic ferrules respectively abut the first groove wall and the second groove wall. Each of the positioning members is located between two adjacent ceramic ferrules.

Abstract: A high-density fiber array unit includes a plurality of substrates arranged and connected in an array, a side plate arranged at one side of the plurality of substrates and connected to one of the plurality of substrates, and a plurality of fibers. Each substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, and the first surface defines positioning grooves. The side plate is connected to the first surface of one of the substrates, and each fiber can be fixed to and held by a positioning groove. A fiber array apparatus including the fiber array unit is also provided.

Abstract: A high-density fiber array unit includes a plurality of substrates arranged and connected in an array, a side plate arranged at one side of the plurality of substrates and connected to one of the plurality of substrates, and a plurality of fibers. Each substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, and the first surface defines positioning grooves. The side plate is connected to the first surface of one of the substrates, and each fiber can be fixed to and held by a positioning groove. A fiber array apparatus including the fiber array unit is also provided.

Abstract: An optical fiber device includes a plurality of optical fibers that are bundled together within an impact mounted ferrule. A preferred impact mounted bundled optical fiber device includes two, three, four, seven, thirteen or nineteen optical fibers. In these devices the optical fibers are fixedly held in place by frictional contact between the optical fibers within the impact mounted ferrule tip. The impact mounted bundled optical ferrule can be utilized in many optical devices including add/drop devices, bifurcation devices, signal combining devices, multiplexer devices, demultiplexer devices, isolator devices, as well as other types of optical signal processing devices.

Abstract: An optical attenuator uses a segment of attenuating fiber interposed in the optical path. The attenuating fiber is produced by using a solution doping technique to introduce transition or rare earth elements into the fiber's core. The dopant reduces the transmission of the fiber. The degree of attenuation depends upon the material used as the dopant, the dopant level, and the length of the attenuation segment. In a specific embodiment, an optical attenuator is provided having a first and second signal carrying optical fibers and an attenuating fiber segment, each of which has a core, a cladding substantially coaxial with the core, and a substantially planar endface. The attenuating fiber segment is fusion spliced between the first and second signal carrying optical fibers. In a second embodiment a portion of the cladding of the attenuating fiber is chemically etched.

Abstract: An optical attenuator uses a segment of attenuating fiber interposed in the optical path. The attenuating fiber is produced by using a solution doping technique to introduce transition or rare earth elements into the fiber's core. The dopant reduces the transmission of the fiber. The degree of attenuation depends upon the material used as the dopant, the dopant level, and the length of the attenuation segment. In a specific embodiment, an optical attenuator is provided having a first and second signal carrying optical fibers and an attenuating fiber segment, each of which has a core, a cladding substantially coaxial with the core, and a substantially planar endface. The attenuating fiber segment is fusion spliced between the first and second signal carrying optical fibers. In a second embodiment a portion of the cladding of the attenuating fiber is chemically etched.

Abstract: A fiber optic isolator uses only one-half the amount of costly rotator material as the prior art and an isolated laser amplifier uses only one-quarter the amount of costly rotator material. An embodiment of a fiber optic isolator includes a concave reflector and a fiber holder defining first and second fiber ports that register the respective ends of first and second fibers. A polarizer is located between the first port and the reflector, an analyzer is located between the second port and the reflector, and a Faraday rotator is disposed between the polarizer and analyzer on one side and the reflector on the other side. The polarizer and analyzer have their polarization axes at a relative angle of 45.degree. while the rotator is configured to provide a 22.5.degree. rotation.