Abstract: An optical device which reduces coupling loss while improving practicality is provided. A multi-core fiber coupling device is an optical device which couples a multi-core fiber to single core fibers, and includes a first optical system which is located on optical axes of a plurality of beams emitted from the multi-core fiber, and which makes the optical axes of the respective beams non-parallel to each other, thereby making the beams in a state of being separated from each other, and a second optical system S2 which makes the optical axes of the plurality of beams in a state of being non-parallel to each other on the side of the first optical system, in a state of being approximately parallel to each other.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable is provided as one capable of preventing damage of an inside tube and an outside tube. An optical fiber cable 1 is provided with an optical fiber 2 for propagating laser light, an inside tube 3 housing an end portion of this optical fiber 2, and an outside tube 4 arranged outside the inside tube 3 and surrounding the inside tube 3. A space portion 5 is provided between the optical fiber 2 and an inner peripheral surface of the inside tube 3.

Abstract: In a wavelength selective switch, respective values are set to satisfy an expression (?2>2×?1+?). Therefore, when an inclination angle of a mirror is changed to move primary reflected light to be close to an output port in operation, secondary reflected light moves away from the output port. Therefore, when an inclination angle of a mirror is changed to couple the primary reflected light to the output port, coupling of the secondary reflected light to the output port is suppressed.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable is provided as one capable of preventing damage of an inside tube and an outside tube. An optical fiber cable 1 is provided with an optical fiber 2 for propagating laser light, an inside tube 3 housing an end portion of this optical fiber 2, and an outside tube 4 arranged outside the inside tube 3 and surrounding the inside tube 3. A space portion 5 is provided between the optical fiber 2 and an inner peripheral surface of the inside tube 3.

Abstract: An optical device which reduces coupling loss while improving practicality is provided. A multi-core fiber coupling device is an optical device which couples a multi-core fiber to single core fibers, and includes a first optical system which is located on optical axes of a plurality of beams emitted from the multi-core fiber, and which makes the optical axes of the respective beams non-parallel to each other, thereby making the beams in a state of being separated from each other, and a second optical system S2 which makes the optical axes of the plurality of beams in a state of being non-parallel to each other on the side of the first optical system, in a state of being approximately parallel to each other.

Abstract: An optical fiber connecting method and optical fiber connecting structure which can efficiently connect a multicore fiber to a plurality of single-core fibers with high accuracy. The method comprises preparing an MT ferrule for holding an MCF, axially rotating and positioning the MCF with respect to the MT ferrule, and then fixing the MCF to the MT ferrule; preparing an MT ferrule for holding a plurality of SCFs, positioning them such that cores are arranged at respective positions corresponding to arrangements of a plurality of cores in the MCF, and then fixing the plurality of SCFs to the MT ferrule; and positioning and joining the MT ferrules such that the plurality of cores face the respective single cores, so as to connect the MCF to the plurality of SCFs.

Abstract: This invention relates to optical sensing technology to measure and control a physical quantity of an object that exists on or within a microstructure object, utilizing Brillouin scattering decreases. The measurement method prepares an optical waveguide one-, two- or three-dimensionally, on or within a micro-chemical chip, IC chip, or other element, and measures a physical quantity of the object on the basis of a property variation of light attributed to Brillouin scattering occurring in the optical waveguide.

Abstract: An optical variable attenuator 1 has a planar waveguide 2 and an actuator structure 3. The planar waveguide 2 is provided with an input optical waveguide core 4A for input of an optical signal, an output optical waveguide core 4B for outputting an optical signal from the optical waveguide core 4A, and an a movable mirror optical waveguide core 4C for guiding light that does not enter the optical waveguide core 4B, out of the optical signal from the optical waveguide core 4A. The actuator structure 3 has a movable mirror 7 for reflecting the optical signal emerging from the input optical waveguide core 4A, toward the output optical waveguide core 4B. A light receiving device 10 for receiving light passing the optical waveguide core 4C is provided at one end face of the planar waveguide 2.

Abstract: An optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention has an actuator structure. The actuator structure has a substrate, a stationary electrode, a movable electrode, an optical element, and a hole portion. The stationary electrode is provided on a surface of the substrate. The movable electrode is provided on the surface of the substrate. The optical element is provided on the movable electrode. The substrate faces the movable electrode. The hole portion is formed in a part of the substrate. A region near the movable electrode where the optical element is provided is immersed in a matching oil.

Abstract: A movable mirror device has a plurality of reflecting mirrors and a plurality of mirror drivers. The plurality of reflecting mirrors are reflecting mirrors to reflect signal light and are arranged in a one-dimensional direction along a predetermined plane. The plurality of mirror drivers are arranged two-dimensionally relative to the one-dimensional direction and individually drive the respective reflecting mirrors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical communication system of a structure permitting the communication carrier side to select a delivery service content to be finally provided from a terminal in a communication network through an optical fiber to a subscriber home. The optical communication system comprises a terminal as a final repeater in a predetermined communication network for delivering signal light with multiple signal channels multiplexed, to a plurality of subscriber homes; and an optical fiber network with one or more branch points installed between the terminal and the subscriber homes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wavelength-selectable device of a smaller structure capable of selecting a wavelength. The wavelength-selectable device has a waveguide substrate in which optical waveguides are built, a wavelength selector, and a movable mirror. The wavelength selector is fixed at a position where light propagating in the optical waveguide arrives, and the movable mirror is arranged to be movable between a first position where the light propagating in the optical waveguide arrives and a second position off the optical waveguide. This configuration achieves the wavelength-selectable device in the smaller structure.

Abstract: An optical switch is provided in which the difference of the optical loss due to the difference of optical path can be reduced. The optical switch comprises the first switching parts 2A–2D and the second switching parts 3A–3D. The first switching parts 2A–2D each comprise: a planar waveguide device 4 in which four coupling optical waveguides 5a–5d and an input optical waveguide 6 are provided; and reflection mirrors 8a–8d for reflecting a light signal incident from the input optical waveguide 6 to the respective coupling optical waveguides 5a–5d, respectively. The second switching parts 3A–3D each comprise: a planar waveguide device 9 in which coupling optical waveguides 10a–10d and an output optical waveguide 11 are provided; and reflection mirrors 13a–13d for reflecting a light signal incident from the respective coupling optical waveguides 10a–10d to the output optical waveguide 11.

Abstract: An optical switch according to this invention has a planar waveguide in which an optical path is formed. A trench is formed in the upper surface of this planar waveguide. A cantilevered movable member is mounted on the planar waveguide. A comb is formed in the end portion of this movable member. A mirror which intercepts light propagating on the optical path is fixed to the end of the movable member. An electrode opposing the movable member is formed on the planar waveguide. A comb is formed in that portion of this electrode, which opposes the comb of the movable member. The movable member and electrode are connected via a voltage source. When this voltage source generates electrostatic force between the movable member and electrode, the movable member bends, and the mirror moves along the bottom surface of the trench accordingly.

Abstract: An optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention has an actuator structure. The actuator structure has a substrate, a stationary electrode, a movable electrode, an optical element, and a hole portion. The stationary electrode is provided on a surface of the substrate. The movable electrode is provided on the surface of the substrate. The optical element is provided on the movable electrode. The substrate faces the movable electrode. The hole portion is formed in a part of the substrate. A region near the movable electrode where the optical element is provided is immersed in a matching oil.

Abstract: An optical switch 1 has a plane waveguide 2 provided with optical waveguide 3, and an actuator structure 5 including a beamlike member 6 supported in a doubly supported manner on the plane waveguide 2. A mirror 10 for shutting out light passing on the optical waveguide 3 is provided in the central region of the beamlike member 6. Interconnecting members 12 extending in the longitudinal direction of the beamlike member 6 are coupled to the both ends of the beamlike member 6. The interconnecting members 12 preliminarily exert a compressive force on the beamlike member 6 so as to deflect the beamlike member 6 with compression stress in an initial state in which the mirror 10 is located at a position where the mirror allows the light passing on the optical waveguide 3 to pass or at a position where the mirror shuts out the light passing on the optical waveguide 3.

Abstract: An actuator structure 5 is arranged to generate an electrostatic force between electrodes 7, 8 to move the electrode 7 relative to the electrode 8. The electrode 7 has a stationary portion 10 fixed to an upper surface of a substrate, a connection portion 11 supported on this stationary portion 10, and a comb portion 12 supported on the connection portion 11. The electrode 8 has a stationary portion 15 fixed to the upper surface of the substrate, and a comb portion 17 coupled trough a connection portion 16 to the stationary portion 15. The comb portion 17 is opposed to the comb portion 12.

Abstract: An optical variable attenuator 1 has a planar waveguide 2 and an actuator structure 3. The planar waveguide 2 is provided with an input optical waveguide core 4A for input of an optical signal, an output optical waveguide core 4B for outputting an optical signal from the optical waveguide core 4A, and an a movable mirror optical waveguide core 4C for guiding light that does not enter the optical waveguide core 4B, out of the optical signal from the optical waveguide core 4A. The actuator structure 3 has a movable mirror 7 for reflecting the optical signal emerging from the input optical waveguide core 4A, toward the output optical waveguide core 4B. A light receiving device 10 for receiving light passing the optical waveguide core 4C is provided at one end face of the planar waveguide 2.

Abstract: An optical signal, which is to become the subject of dispersion compensation, is split by optical combining/splitting unit 2, and each frequency component of the optical signal that is split is reflected by the corresponding reflective mirror 30 included in reflective mirror group 3 to apply a predetermined phase shift to the respective frequency components Each reflected frequency component is then combined using optical combining/splitting unit 2, to give dispersion compensated optical signal Furthermore, in regards to reflective mirror group 3, which is used to apply phase shift to each frequency component of an optical signal, each of the respective plurality of reflective mirrors 30 is made a movable mirror having a movable reflection position that reflects the frequency components. Through this, dispersion that develops in an optical signal may be compensated with favorable controllability and high accuracy.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical switch for switching between a plurality of main light emitters respectively emitting light components having wavelengths different from each other and a backup light emitter adapted to replace any of the main light emitters, a light emitter switching method for switching from one failed main light emitter to a backup light emitter by using the optical switch the above switch and a light receiver switching method for switching from one failed main light receiver to a backup light receiver by using the above.