Abstract: An embodiment provides an optical interconnect comprising first and second planar metallization layers, a glass substrate disposed between at least portions of the first and second metallization layers, an aperture in the second metallization layer having a first and second ends, and a polymer waveguide having a first end adjacent the first end of the aperture. The first end of the waveguide can have a first edge defining a first acute angle with respect to a top surface of the waveguide. The first end of the optical waveguide can be configured to receive an optical signal traversing through the glass substrate from a source proximate a first position on a top surface of the glass substrate and direct the optical signal with the first edge in a direction parallel to the glass substrate towards a second end of the waveguide.

Abstract: A fiber optic interconnect device includes a silicon substrate having at least one groove formed therein. The groove includes a pair of sidewalls and a first end disposed at an end of the pair of sidewalls. The device also includes an optical fiber disposed in the groove, the optical fiber having a cylindrical body, an endface formed on an end of the cylindrical body, and a multi-faceted mirror formed on the endface, and a light source adapted to transmit light to the multifaceted mirror to launch light through the optical fiber to a detector.

Abstract: A fiber optic interconnect device includes a silicon substrate having at least one groove formed therein. The groove includes a pair of sidewalls and a first end disposed at an end of the pair of sidewalls. The device also includes an optical fiber disposed in the groove, the optical fiber having a cylindrical body, an endface formed on an end of the cylindrical body, and a multi-faceted mirror formed on the endface, and a light source adapted to transmit light to the multifaceted mirror to launch light through the optical fiber to a detector.

Abstract: An optical package having a top and bottom orientation and comprising: (a) a platform defining a V-groove with walls of a certain pitch; (b) a first optical component having a reference surface and two sides, each side being beveled at the certain pitch outwardly from the reference surface, the first optical component having a first optical axis, the first optical component being disposed in the V-groove such that the reference surface faces downward and the sides are in parallel contact with the walls of the V-groove; and (c) a second optical component having an outer periphery with at least two contact points and a second optical axis, the second optical component being disposed in the V-groove such that the contact points contact the walls of the V-groove and the second optical axis is coaxial with the first optical axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical connector comprising a ferrule having an unpolished mating face and defining a fiber bore, at least one fiber contained within the ferrule such that an end face of the fiber is presented at said mating face, and a film having an outer surface, the film being disposed on the ferrule mating face such that any air gap between the outer surface of the film and the end face of the fiber is essentially eliminated, and the outer surface being suitable for mating with a mating structure such that the fiber is optically coupled with a mating optical pathway in a mating structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical connector comprising a ferrule having an unpolished mating face and defining a fiber bore, at least one fiber contained within the ferrule such that an end face of the fiber is presented at said mating face, and a film having an outer surface, the film being disposed on the ferrule mating face such that any air gap between the outer surface of the film and the end face of the fiber is essentially eliminated, and the outer surface being suitable for mating with a mating structure such that the fiber is optically coupled with a mating optical pathway in a mating structure.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an optical waveguide is provided on a silica or silicon substrate using MPACVD and ICP etching processes. Optical fiber is coupled to the waveguide by positioning the fiber in a groove formed in the waveguide and compressing a top lid on the fiber. The top lid is secured to the waveguide and fiber by an epoxy or a solder. In a solder based embodiment, the cladding of the fiber may have a metallization evaporated thereon.

Abstract: A wideband signal distribution system for distributing among a plurality of outlets wideband signals modulated onto RF carrier signals within a specified frequency band. The system functions as "passive" infrastructure and includes a distribution unit having a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, a transmission path, a combiner for applying signals appearing at the plurality of input ports to the transmission path, and a splitter for applying signals appearing on the transmission path to all of the plurality of output ports. The system further includes a plurality of cables selected from the class of fiber optic cables, coaxial cables, and twisted pair wire cables, each extending between a respective one of the distribution unit ports and a respective one of the plurality of outlets, and a plurality of impedance matching devices, where such devices are appropriate for the type or types of cable used. Each of the devices terminates a respective end of a respective one of the cables.

Abstract: A planar hybrid optical amplifier is fabricated on a single crystal substrate. The components that are common to a variety of optical amplifier circuits are mounted on the substrate and the planar device that results is readily interchanged in various applications. In one embodiment the multiplexed signal consisting of light from a pump laser and an optical signal are introduced into a rare earth doped fiber which amplifies the input signal through stimulated emission of radiation.

Abstract: A passively aligned optical interconnect is described for use as a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) and demultiplexer. The device makes use of silicon waferboard for a low cost interconnect. Computer generated holograms are used to effect the multiplexing/demultiplexing as well as focusing of the beams. In an alternative embodiment, the device is used as a beam splitter for monochromatic light. In yet another embodiment, the device is used to spatially separate the polarization states of light.

Abstract: A compact optical transceiver including a ceramic mounting block 1, with a laser diode 3 abutting a first end of the mounting block for generating light of a first wavelength. A GRIN lens 5, mounted to the mounting block, then receives and focuses the generated light to an optical fiber 13 which is attached to the compact optical transceiver. A dichroic substance 7 acts as a beamsplitter by passing light of a first wavelength and deflecting light of a second wavelength. The dichroic substance 7 is coated on a glass plate, which is mounted in a first angular groove of the mounting block. The beamsplitter 7 receives and passes the generated light of the first wavelength which has been focused by the GRIN lens 5. From a remote transmitter, light of a second wavelength is then transmitted through an optical fiber 13, to the compact optical transceiver from a direction opposite that of the light generated by the laser diode 3.

Abstract: A compact optical transceiver including a ceramic mounting block 1, with a laser diode 3 abutting a first end of the mounting block for generating light of a first wavelength. A holographic optical element (HOE) 5 is positioned adjacent laser diode 3 and acts as a hologram lens which receives and focuses the generated light to the end face of an optical fiber 13 which is attached to the compact optical transceiver. A glass element 7 is mounted on the mounting block between the diode and the optical fiber end face, and includes dichroic substance 8 coated to the fiber-proximate side of the glass element 7 and acts as a beamsplitter by passing light of a first wavelength and deflecting light of a second wavelength. The glass element 7 is mounted in an angular positioning groove of the mounting block. The beamsplitter 8 receives and passes the generated light of the first wavelength which has been focused by the HOE 5.

Abstract: A connector assembly (10) for connecting a laser diode (14) and an optical fiber (12). The assembly (10) includes an optical connector subassembly (26) having an input for collecting optical energy emitted by the laser diode (14) and an output for transmitting a beam of the collected optical energy to the optical fiber (12), and attenuation means (24) between the input and the output for reducing the power of the beam of collected optical energy at the output to be transmitted to the optical fiber (12). A connector assembly of the present invention is effective in transmitting energy from a light source to an optical fiber with the same accuracy of alignment as a coupling of an optical fiber to an optical fiber; and, at the same time, is effective in controlling the power of the transmitted energy to protect against accidental injury due to inadvertent viewing of the light source when the optical fiber is disconnected from the assembly and to control the power of the optical energy entering the optical fiber.

Abstract: A coupler (2,3) comprises, a central single mode optical fiber (5) and N number of glass fibers (4), having radii of equal dimensions, fused together along biconic tapered sections (13, 13) to couple optical power from the central fiber (5) completely and uniformly to only the fibers (4) that have optical cores (6).

Abstract: An optical simulator 10, shaped to be interchangeable with a complimentary connector 7 that intermates with an optical connector housing 6 having an optical emitter 4 and an optical detector 5, comprises an alignment fixture with connectors for intermating with the optical emitter 4 and the optical detector 5. Included is an optical fiber 11 formed in a loop and installed within the alignment fixture 12 with a first end face 15 of the loop 11 aligned with the emitter 4 and a second end face 16 of the loop 11 aligned with the detector 5 of the optical connector 6. The simulator 10 is a solid molded body of an electrically insulating material. The optical fiber formed in a loop 11 further comprises an optical fiber having a rigid thin coating of electroplated metal 14.

Abstract: An optical source comprises (a) a laser light source for emitting light in a light path; and (b) at least one holographic optical element disposed in the light path; wherein the laser light source and the holographic optical element are integrated into a monolithic strucuture. The holographic optical element collimates emitted light, circularizes emitted light, compensates for optical source wavelength shifts, launches the emitted light so that it is efficiently coupled to an optical fiber, and/or isolates the laser light source from interfering reflected light. Since the optical source is disposed in a single monolithic structure and a discrete holographic optical element may perform five distinct functions, the optical sources are compact, commercially versatile and easy to handle.

Abstract: An optical simulator 10, shaped to be interchangeable with a complimentary connector 7 that intermates with an optical connector housing 6 having an optical emitter 4 and an optical detector 5, comprises an alignment fixture with connectors for intermating with the optical emitter 4 and the optical detector 5. Included is an optical fiber 11 formed in a loop and installed within the alignment fixture 12 with a first end face 15 of the loop 11 aligned with the emitter 4 and a second end face 16 of the loop 11 aligned with the detector 5 of the optical connector 6. The simulator 10 is a solid molded body of an electrically insulating material. The optical fiber formed in a loop 11 further comprises an optical fiber having a rigid thin coating of electroplated metal 14.

Abstract: An electro-optic device assembly and handling technique is disclosed. The assembly comprises an elongate combination heat sink and retention clip, a heat dispersive substrate affixed to one elongate face of the clip and having lead means secured to an outward face thereof, and an electrooptic chip mounted upon the substrate making electrical contact with the leads. A length of waveguide is bonded to an active portion of the chip, and a ferrule member is provided having a profiled passageway for receiving the above assembly therein. Subsequently, the ferrule is inserted into a header housing, and malleable ends of the heat sink clip are inwardly clasped upon the profile of the header housing to secure the heat sink clip, and assembly elements thereupon, to the connector housing.

Abstract: An asymmetric optical fiber for tap optically coupling an ingoing fiber, an outgoing fiber, a tap fiber and optionally an optical source fiber, includes a housing, and at least one wavelength compensated holographic optical element (HOE) disposed in the housing. The housing includes first, second and third guides therein for guiding the ingoing fiber, and the outgoing fiber, and the tap fiber, and optinally a fourth guide means for guiding the optical source fiber, respectively, adjacent to the HOE. The HOE is adapted to couple optical energy from the ingoing fiber to both the outgoing and tap fiber, and to launch optical energy from the optical source fiber to the ingoing fiber. The disclosed taps are simple in design, easy to manufacture and connect, and cause minimal attenuation of the ongoing optical signal. The taps are also compact; optical fiber alignment is facilitated and they allow for an optical signal to be efficiently launched in an uphill direction into the ingoing fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupler for coupling optical fibers to one another comprises a holographic optical element (HOE), having an optical axis enclosed in a housing. The housing includes fiber guides adapted to receive at least one pair of optical fibers and to dispose at least an end of each of the pair of fibers substantially parallel to each other, substantially perpendicular to one face of the HOE, equidistant from th eoptical axis of the HOE, and equidistant from the surface of the HOE. The optical fiber coupler is compact, commercially versatile, inexpensive to manufacture and easy to connect.