Abstract: Integrated WDM mux/demux devices are disclosed. Some embodiments are directed to an in-line WDM mux/demux device formed with a substrate and a common port at a first side of the substrate and a plurality of separated wavelength ports at a second side of the substrate. The first side of the substrate is free of separated wavelength ports. Other embodiments are directed to a WDM mux/demux device in which a linear variable filter is disposed in the substrate for separating the signals in different channels. In other embodiments, the filter or filters are sandwiched between the edges of adjacent substrates, such that light propagating along a waveguide in one of the substrates is transmitted through the filter to a waveguide in the second substrate. The adjacent substrates may be mounted to a base substrate.

Abstract: An optical communications system includes a laser transmitter to generate an optical signal and a first optical fiber network coupled to transmit the optical signal from the laser transmitter system. A first latchable, asymmetric coupler is disposed along the first optical fiber network to receive the optical signal, and has a first tap output that receives a selected and alterable first fraction of the optical signal. A second latchable, asymmetric coupler is disposed along the first optical fiber network to receive the optical signal from the first latchable asymmetric coupler and has a second tap output that receives a selected and alterable second fraction of the optical signal incident at the second latchable. In certain embodiments the first and second couplers are capable of operating at any of at least three tapping fractions.

Abstract: Optical guiding elements are 3D printed on the ends of optical fibers. A multifiber connector includes fibers having 3D printed elements that are flush with the end face of the connector. The printed 3D element may be down-tapered for coupling between a single mode optical fiber and an optical chip waveguide. The cross-sectional shape of the 3D printed optical element may change along its length so as to more closely match to the mode field of a non-circular waveguide on the optical chip. The optical element may be printed with a gradient index. The optical element may be provided with an output face distal from the optical fiber that is not flat and which changes the divergence of the light passing therethrough.

Abstract: Optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) devices include an optical chip having a number of waveguides therein, with a common optical fiber and single wavelength channel optical fibers optically coupled to the waveguides. Wavelength sensitive filters are disposed between the chip and the fibers, or across waveguides within the chip to reflect light at certain wavelengths and to transmit light at other wavelengths. In sonic embodiments, all of the fibers are located at the same end of the chip, in others the common fiber is located at one side of the chip and the single channel fibers located at another side, while in others the common fiber is located at a first side of the chip and the single channel fibers are located either at the first side of the chip or at a second side of the chip.

Abstract: An optical device that includes a multicore optical fiber having at least two cores. An alignment feature is attached at the first end of the first multicore optical fiber. The device also includes a substrate having at least two waveguides, each waveguide comprising a redirecting feature. A fiber holder is located on the substrate to hold the multicore fiber in a correct axially rotational orientation using the alignment feature, so that light couples between the cores of the multicore fiber and respective waveguides in the substrate.

Abstract: An optical communications system includes a laser transmitter to generate an optical signal and a first optical fiber network coupled to transmit the optical signal from the laser transmitter system. A first latchable, asymmetric coupler is disposed along the first optical fiber network to receive the optical signal, and has a first tap output that receives a selected and alterable first fraction of the optical signal. A second latchable, asymmetric coupler is disposed along the first optical fiber network to receive the optical signal from the first latchable asymmetric coupler and has a second tap output that receives a selected and alterable second fraction of the optical signal incident at the second latchable. In certain embodiments the first and second couplers are capable of operating at any of at least three tapping fractions.

Abstract: The invention relates to the fabrication of optical switches in transparent substrates. The method includes exposing part of the substrate to a stream of femtosecond laser pulses to form an exposed volume which can later be etched to form a channel used for microfluidic control of the switch. This process is referred to as femtosecond laser induced chemical etching (FLICE). The waveguides of the optical switch are also written in the substrate by using femtosecond laser inscription (FLI), which can be performed in the same operation as the exposure step in the FLICE formation of the channel, thus ensuring alignment between the waveguides and the channel.

Abstract: An optical communications system includes a laser transmitter to generate an optical signal and a first optical fiber network coupled to transmit the optical signal from the laser transmitter system. A first latchable, asymmetric coupler is disposed along the first optical fiber network to receive the optical signal, and has a first tap output that receives a selected and alterable first fraction of the optical signal. A second latchable, asymmetric coupler is disposed along the first optical fiber network to receive the optical signal from the first latchable asymmetric coupler and has a second tap output that receives a selected and alterable second fraction of the optical signal incident at the second latchable. In certain embodiments the first and second couplers are capable of operating at any of at least three tapping fractions.

Abstract: Optical devices a formed by mounting one optical chip directly to another. In some embodiments, one of the optical chips is formed in a low index contrast platform while the other is formed in a high index contrast platform. In other embodiments, one optical chip includes a number of optical functional elements having different operational characteristics, such as a number of optical taps having different tap ratios. A second chip is mounted to receive an optical signal from an optical functional element having a selected operational characteristic.

Abstract: An optical communications system includes a laser transmitter to generate an optical signal and a first optical fiber network coupled to transmit the optical signal from the laser transmitter system. A first latchable, asymmetric coupler is disposed along the first optical fiber network to receive the optical signal, and has a first tap output that receives a selected and alterable first fraction of the optical signal. A second latchable, asymmetric coupler is disposed along the first optical fiber network to receive the optical signal from the first latchable asymmetric coupler and has a second tap output that receives a selected and alterable second fraction of the optical signal incident at the second latchable. In certain embodiments the first and second couplers are capable of operating at any of at least three tapping fractions.

Abstract: A tapered core structure is written on the end of an optical fiber using a 3D-printing process. The tapered core may expand the mode diameter for improved coupling between fibers or may reduce the mode diameter to enhance coupling to a waveguide smaller than the fiber core. The written core is surrounded by a cladding. The diameter of the core is varied while it is being written, allowing a wide range of taper profiles to be implemented. The 3D-printing process is readily adapted to permit multiple fibers to have tapered cores written on their ends during the same process cycle.