Abstract: A multi-spectrum, multi-channel imaging spectrometer includes two or more input slits or other light input devices, one for each of two or more input channels. The input slits are vertically and horizontally displaced, with respect to each other. The vertical displacements cause spectra from the two channels to be vertically displaced, with respect to each other, on a single image sensor on a stationary image plane. The horizontal displacements cause incident light beams from the respective input channels to strike a convex grating at different respective incidence angles and produce separate spectra having different respective spectral ranges. A retroflective spectrometer includes a convex grating that, by diffraction, disperses wavelengths of light at different angles and orders approximately back along an incident light beam. A single concave mirror reflects both the input channel and the dispersed spectrum.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making a self-aligning optical system are provided, Briefly described, in architecture, one such system for making an optical system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system includes a grating substrate supporting a holographically-formed diffraction grating and an array mount for defining relative locations of point sources of light. The array mount contains recording points that define locations of point sources of recording light used to illuminate the grating substrate during fabrication of the holographically-formed diffraction grating and use points that define locations of light apertures used in operation of the holographically-formed diffraction grating. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: The tunable optical filter includes an elastic substrate, a diffractive element in the elastic substrate, an actuator for stretching the elastic substrate to control the pitch of the diffractive element, a first optical path and a second optical path. The diffractive element optically couples the second optical path to the first optical path at an optical frequency determined by the pitch of the diffractive element.

Abstract: A spectrum analyzer providing an integrated calibration function and for providing that calibration function automatically. The injection of light to be analyzed through a central aperture of a scanning grating onto a focusing reflector provides in combination four traversals of the space therebetween. The spectrometer thus is used to separate wavelength information spacially and receive it back at the same or adjacent aperture(s) to be analyzed by a processing system to establish the spectra for the incident light. The light is typically injected from and received back into optical fibers or other light carrying elements. Calibration light is also applied through the same or adjacent apertures in the grating from a known source and spectra such as Argon to use as a calibration reference by detecting the known spectra peaks and correlating it to grating scan angle.

Abstract: The tunable optical filter includes an elastic substrate, a diffractive element in the elastic substrate, an actuator for stretching the elastic substrate to control the pitch of the diffractive element, a first optical path and a second optical path. The diffractive element optically couples the second optical path to the first optical path at an optical frequency determined by the pitch of the diffractive element.

Abstract: An optical communication channel switch includes an aberration corrected spectrometer adapted for receiving plural channels of communication in a one dimensional array of sites where each site corresponds to a source, and a channel selector for selectively switching channels. After receiving the plural channels, the aberration corrected spectrometer provides the channels in a two dimensional array in which channels are distributed in rows (or columns) of similar frequency and different sources and in columns (or rows) of differing frequency and common sources. The channel selector selectively switches channels among sites in the two dimensional array and provides a single dimensional reconfigured array of frequency separated channels that is combined into the two dimensional array. Another aberration corrected spectrometer receives the selectively switched two dimensional array and combines the channels into a single dimensional array of sites having one or more frequency separated channels.

Abstract: A spectrum analyzer providing an integrated calibration function and for providing that calibration function automatically. The injection of light to be analyzed through a central aperture of a scanning grating onto a focusing reflector provides in combination four traversals of the space therebetween. The spectrometer thus is used to separate wavelength information spacially and receive it back at the same or adjacent aperture(s) to be analyzed by a processing system to establish the spectra for the incident light. The light is typically injected from and received back into optical fibers or other light carrying elements. Calibration light is also applied through the same or adjacent apertures in the grating from a known source and spectra such as Argon to use as a calibration reference by detecting the known spectra peaks and correlating it to grating scan angle.

Abstract: An optical communication channel switch includes an aberration corrected spectrometer adapted for receiving plural channels of communication in a one dimensional array of sites where each site corresponds to a source, and a channel selector for selectively switching channels. After receiving the plural channels, the aberration corrected spectrometer provides the channels in a two dimensional array in which channels are distributed in rows (or columns) of similar frequency and different sources and in columns (or rows) of differing frequency and common sources. The channel selector selectively switches channels among sites in the two dimensional array and provides a single dimensional reconfigured array of frequency separated channels that is combined into the two dimensional array. Another aberration corrected spectrometer receives the selectively switched two dimensional array and combines the channels into a single dimensional array of sites having one or more frequency separated channels.

Abstract: A multiplexer/demultiplexer having a holographically formed reflective grating incorporated therein. In operation as a demultiplexer a single signal having a plurality of wavelengths impinges upon the holographic reflective grating in an appropriate manner and is separated into a plurality of signals, each being of a different one of the wavelengths. In the multiplexing mode of operation, a plurality of signals, each being of a different wavelength impinges upon the holographic reflective grating in an appropriate manner and emerges therefrom as a single signal having all of the different wavelengths.