Abstract: A cover assembly for an electronic device includes a sensor element embedded in the opening of a substrate such that the first side of the sensor element is flush with the first surface of the substrate. This allows for conductive elements in the sensor element to be present at a surface of the cover assembly. The conductive elements are inside via holes. A sensor substrate with the via holes can be formed using a redraw process or a laser damage and etch process.

Abstract: Monolithic beam-shaping optical systems and methods are disclosed for an optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe that includes a transparent cylindrical housing having asymmetric optical power. The system includes a transparent monolithic body having a folded optical axis and at least one alignment feature that supports the end of an optical fiber adjacent an angled planar end wall. The monolithic body also includes a total-internal reflection surface and a lens surface that define object and image planes. Light from the optical fiber end traverses the optical path, which includes the cylindrical housing residing between the lens surface and the image plane. Either the lens surface by itself or the lens surface and the reflective (eg, TIR) surface in combination are configured to substantially correct for the asymmetric optical power of the cylindrical housing, thereby forming a substantially rotationally symmetric image spot at the image plane.

Abstract: A monolithic optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe is provided. The probe includes a first section having a groove, an optical fiber in the groove, and a second section having a reflective surface. The optical fiber is in optical communication with the reflective surface.

Abstract: Monolithic beam-shaping optical systems and methods are disclosed for an optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe that includes a transparent cylindrical housing having asymmetric optical power. The system includes a transparent monolithic body having a folded optical axis and at least one alignment feature that supports the end of an optical fiber adjacent an angled planar end wall. The monolithic body also includes a total-internal reflection surface and a lens surface that define object and image planes. Light from the optical fiber end traverses the optical path, which includes the cylindrical housing residing between the lens surface and the image plane. Either the lens surface by itself or the lens surface and the reflective (eg, TIR) surface in combination are configured to substantially correct for the asymmetric optical power of the cylindrical housing, thereby forming a substantially rotationally symmetric image spot at the image plane.

Abstract: A method of assembling optoelectronic and/or photonic components, said method comprising: (i) providing at least two optoelectronic and/or photonic components; (ii) aligning and situating these components relative to one another and in close proximity with one another so as to: (a) provide optical coupling between these components; and (b) maintain the distance d between the adjacent parts of these components, where d is 0 to 100 ?m; (iii) adhering these components to one another with while maintaining optical coupling therebetween; and (iv) laser welding these components together while maintaining optical coupling therebetween.

Abstract: A device-to-device optical connector assembly is configured to provide an optical signal as an expanded beam to an expanded beam plug cable. The connector assembly includes an active receptacle having a lead-in portion that receives a light beam from an opto-electronic device, a lead-out portion and a turn portion that turns the light beam and delivers a collimated light beam to the lead-out portion. A waveguide rod is optically coupled to the lead-out portion of the active receptacle that receives the collimated light beam and carries the collimated light beam from the active receptacle to the expanded beam plug cable. In one embodiment, the waveguide rod has a step index core waveguide profile with its fundamental mode generally matching the coupling optics of a complementary cable assembly or the like within a predetermined value.

Abstract: Stub lens assemblies for use in optical coherence tomography. The stub lens assembly has an optical fiber having an end, and an optical fiber ferrule that supports the optical fiber. The stub lens assembly also has a sleeve having a central channel with first and second ends, with the optical fiber ferrule supported within the central channel at the first end. The stub lens assembly further includes a stub lens element having a stub section with a proximal end that resides adjacent the optical fiber end within the central channel of the sleeve. The stub section is formed integral with a lens, which has a lens surface. The sleeve supports the optical fiber end and the proximal end of the stub section in a cooperative optical relationship.

Abstract: According to some embodiments a housing for the OCT comprises: (a) a tubular body with an inner diameter of less than 5 mm (for example less than 2 mm, and in some embodiments not greater than 1.5 mm), a first end, a second end; and a window formed in the tubular body closer to the second end than to the first end, displaced from the second end, and framed by a portion of the tubular body, wherein the window has a width w. According to some embodiments, 0.05 mm<w<8 mm.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include fiber optic connectors that include a tray that translates from a retracted position to an extended position along with cable assemblies using the connector and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, the connector includes a housing, a fiber optic body having an optical interface with at least one optical channel, at least one optical fiber in optical communication with the at least one optical channel of the optical interface, a tray that is movable between a first position that retracts the tray into the housing and a second position where the tray extends from the housing, wherein the fiber optic body is essentially stationary with respect to the tray, and an actuator for moving the tray between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: Methods of making a stub lens element and assemblies for coherence tomography (OCT) applications are disclosed. The method of making the stub lens element includes drawing a rod of optical material and processing the drawn rod to form a lens integrally connected to a stub section. The methods also include operably supporting an optical fiber and a stub lens element in a cooperative optical relationship to form a stub lens sub-assembly. The methods also include operably supporting the stub lens sub-assembly and a light-deflecting member in a cooperative optical relationship to form a probe optical assembly that has a folded optical path.

Abstract: Probes optical assemblies and probes for optical coherence tomography (OCT) applications are disclosed. The probe assembly includes an optical fiber, a stub lens and a light-deflecting member arranged in a cooperative optical relationship to define an optical path between the optical fiber end and an image plane that is folded by the light-deflecting member. The optical probe includes a transparent jacket that contains the optical probe assembly.

Abstract: A torque transmission assembly comprising: (i) an optical fiber coupled to an optical sensing component and capable of rotating and translating the optical sensing component and of transmitting light to and from the optical sensing component; and (b) an annular structure surrounding the optical fiber, the annular structure in conjunction with said optical fiber transmits torque from a rotating component to the optical sensing component, wherein the annular structure does not include a steel wire torque spring.

Abstract: An OCT assembly comprising: (a) a light transmissive rod having a first end, a second end, and a central axis; and a refractive surface adjacent to the second end; (b) a housing surrounding the OCT probe component; the housing having a tubular body with the window situated over the refractive surface, said tubular body having a surface wherein said surface of said tubular body has a coefficient of friction being less than 0.3; (c) an optical fiber connected to the OCT probe component; (d) an annular structure surrounding said optical fiber and capable of translating and rotating the OCT probe component.

Abstract: A method of assembling optoelectronic and/or photonic components, said method comprising: (i) providing at least two optoelectronic and/or photonic components; (ii) aligning and situating these components relative to one another and in close proximity with one another so as to: (a) provide optical coupling between these components; and (b) maintain the distance d between the adjacent parts of these components, where d is 0 to 100 ?m; (iii) adhering these components to one another with while maintaining optical coupling therebetween; and (iv) laser welding these components together while maintaining optical coupling therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical ports and devices using the optical ports. The optical port includes a mounting body having a first pocket and at least one mounting surface for securing the optical port, one or more optical elements, and a first alignment feature disposed in the pocket, wherein the alignment feature includes a piston that is translatable during mating. The one or more optical elements may be an integral portion of the mounting body or a discrete lens. In other embodiments, the mounting body may include a plurality of pockets and one of the pockets may include a magnet for securing a plug to the optical port. The optical port may optionally have a minimalist optical port footprint so that the complimentary mating optical plug engages a portion of the frame during mating.

Abstract: Gradient index (GRIN) lens chips for optical connections, and related methods of creating GRIN lens chips are disclosed. Each GRIN lens chip may include at least one GRIN lens and a GRIN lens holder for aligning the GRIN lens in an optical connection. When creating a GRIN lens chip, a shaped substrate may be provided including a GRIN lens holder and at least one GRIN groove for securing and aligning the GRIN lens relative to the GRIN lens holder. The GRIN lens may be part of a GRIN lens rod. By freeing the GRIN lens holder from the shaped substrate, the GRIN lens holder may include a fiber mating surface and a terminal mating surface. The fiber mating surface and the terminal mating surface may be used to align the GRIN lens holder in the optical connection.

Abstract: Gradient index (GRIN) lens chips and associated small form factor optical arrays for optical connections, and related fiber optic connectors are disclosed. By aligning GRIN lenses within a GRIN lens chip, a more precise and reliable alignment may be achieved with respect to optical fibers than if a single conventional ferrule is utilized to align and secure both GRIN lenses and optical fibers. The GRIN lens chip may include a GRIN lens received and thereby aligned within a groove disposed between a fiber end and a terminal end of a GRIN lens holder body. The optical fibers may also be received and thereby aligned within a groove of a ferrule body. In this manner, when the GRIN lens chip containing the GRIN lenses is aligned with a ferrule body containing the optical fibers, then the GRIN lenses may be precisely located relative to the optical fibers.

Abstract: Monolithic beam-shaping optical systems and methods are disclosed for an optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe that includes a transparent cylindrical housing having asymmetric optical power. The system includes a transparent monolithic body having a folded optical axis and at least one alignment feature that supports the end of an optical fiber adjacent an angled planar end wall. The monolithic body also includes a total-internal reflection surface and a lens surface that define object and image planes. Light from the optical fiber end traverses the optical path, which includes the cylindrical housing residing between the lens surface and the image plane. Either the lens surface by itself or the lens surface and the reflective (eg, TIR) surface in combination are configured to substantially correct for the asymmetric optical power of the cylindrical housing, thereby forming a substantially rotationally symmetric image spot at the image plane.

Abstract: Stub lens assemblies for use in optical coherence tomography. The stub lens assembly has an optical fiber having an end, and an optical fiber ferrule that supports the optical fiber. The stub lens assembly also has a sleeve having a central channel with first and second ends, with the optical fiber ferrule supported within the central channel at the first end. The stub lens assembly further includes a stub lens element having a stub section with a proximal end that resides adjacent the optical fiber end within the central channel of the sleeve. The stub section is formed integral with a lens, which has a lens surface. The sleeve supports the optical fiber end and the proximal end of the stub section in a cooperative optical relationship.

Abstract: Methods of making a stub lens element and assemblies for coherence tomography (OCT) applications are disclosed. The method of making the stub lens element includes drawing a rod of optical material and processing the drawn rod to form a lens integrally connected to a stub section. The methods also include operably supporting an optical fiber and a stub lens element in a cooperative optical relationship to form a stub lens sub-assembly. The methods also include operably supporting the stub lens sub-assembly and a light-deflecting member in a cooperative optical relationship to form a probe optical assembly that has a folded optical path.