Abstract: An adhesive system for securing optical elements to a housing or substrate in an aligned position that is maintained over widely varying environmental conditions. A fiber optic device is constructed such that applied adhesive is not disposed between a fiber optic element and the housing of the fiber optic device, but is disposed on longitudinal seams defined by the portion of the element proximal a side of the housing or substrate. In one embodiment, the adhesive has a filler, such as amorphous silica. A method of making includes aligning, applying adhesive, and curing adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus for directing a light path sequentially between multiple positions. A rotary switch rotates a light beam from a prism relative to a plurality of optical elements arranged radially on a switch body. In one embodiment, a prism rotates in the switch body, causing the light beam to sweep through the optical elements. In another embodiment, the switch body rotates about a prism transmitting the light beam. In various embodiments, the optical elements include a photodetector, a filter and a photodetector pair, a reflector, and a filter and a reflector.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching optical signals. An optical bench includes a plurality of through-openings for receiving a plurality of collimators and a plurality of actuators. The actuators include a mirror for redirecting an optical signal from one collimator to another. The collimators and actuators are secured to the optical bench by an adhesive system that includes opposing longitudinal slots containing adhesive securing the collimators and actuators to the optical bench.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching optical signals. An optical bench includes a plurality of through-openings for receiving a plurality of collimators and a plurality of actuators. The actuators include a mirror for redirecting an optical signal from one collimator to another. The collimators and actuators are secured to the optical bench by an adhesive system that includes opposing longitudinal slots containing adhesive securing the collimators and actuators to the optical bench.

Abstract: An adhesive system for securing optical elements to a housing or substrate in an aligned position that is maintained over widely varying environmental conditions. A fiber optic device is constructed such that applied adhesive is not disposed between a fiber optic element and the housing of the fiber optic device, but is disposed on longitudinal seams defined by the portion of the element proximal a side of the housing or substrate. In one embodiment, the adhesive has a filler, such as amorphous silica. A method of making includes aligning, applying adhesive, and curing adhesive.

Abstract: A low reflection termination device comprised of a tubular glass housing having an interior cavity, an optical fiber having an end with a portion of the end being formed by the application of heat into a glass bead and extends into the glass housing with the glass bead positioned within the interior cavity, a clear cured epoxy disposed within the cavity of the housing surrounding the glass bead, and a light absorbing material which coats the tubular glass housing.

Abstract: A broadband optical fiber coupler comprising at least three continuous optical fibers fused at a region of coupling, at least one of the continuous optical fibers being dissimilar to others of the continuous optical fibers in the region of coupling, the region of coupling being of a length and the dissimilarity being of a degree to provide broadband response over a predetermined range of wavelengths. A related method for making a broadband optical fiber coupler is also disclosed.

Abstract: A single mode fiber optic multiplexer/demultiplexer has first and second optical fibers, each having an input and an output end. The first and second optical fibers are single mode fibers each having a core of a predetermined diameter and a cladding about the core of a predetermined diameter. Along a predetermined length two fibers are placed in juxtaposition and the claddings are fused together to form a fiber optic coupler. Previous to being fused, the claddings are reduced by etching. The coupling of the fiber optic device is such that a first light having a first predetermined wavelength and a second light having a second predetermined wavelength enter together on an input of one of the fibers and are substantially split such that substantially only the first light will appear on an output of one of the fibers and substantially only a second light will appear on an output of the other fiber.

Abstract: A deflection detection device for monitoring deflection of a diaphragm having a radius r has a first plurality of optical fibers having fiber ends concentrically disposed about the center of the diaphragm at a radius r.sub.1 where r.sub.1 is less than r. A second plurality of optical fibers having fiber ends concentrically disposed about the center of the diaphragm forms a circle having a radius r.sub.2 where r is greater than r.sub.2 is greater than r.sub.1. A third plurality of optical fibers having fiber ends concentrically disposed about the center of the diaphragm forms a circle having a radius r.sub.3 where r is greater than r.sub.3 is greater than r.sub.2. The ends of the first and third plurality of optical fibers are light capturing and the ends of the second plurality of optical fibers are light emitting.

Abstract: An optical device for monitoring pressure is described. The device is capable of monitoring pressure in relatively hostile high temperature, high pressure environments through the use of a pressure-sensitive means having an all-glass housing. The subject optical device relies on the photoelastic effect produced when a material is subjected to a uniaxial stress to produce birefringent banding. In the subject device, polychromatic light is modified to produce a signal having wavelength-dependent intensity variations to allow the pressure-sensitive device to monitor pressure over a relatively wide range.

Abstract: A photoluminescent indicator apparatus having automatic feedback means to maintain the sensitivity of the indicator apparatus with respect to variations in environmental conditions. The apparatus includes a sample of photoluminescent material having a photoluminescent decay rate which varies as a function of environmental conditions. The sample is positioned in a remote location having some unknown aspect of the environment desired to be measured. The sample is optically excited with a modulating signal to generate an excitation output signal functionally dependent on the modulating signal and indicative of the unknown environmental condition. A phase detection means is provided for comparing difference in phase between a phase reference signal and the excitation output signal to generate a phase differential signal functionally related to the photoluminescent decay rate of the sample.