Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosed of temporarily changing refractive index of an optical fiber containing a longitudinal electrode arranged in the cladding of said fiber along and parallel to the core of the fiber, wherein the change in refractive index is performed by applying a high voltage pulse to said longitudinal electrode, the high voltage pulse including a magnitude of at least 100 volts and a duration sufficiently short to prevent melting of the electrode, such that the electrode thermally expands through ohmic heating without melting and exerts a pressure on the fiber core to induce said temporary change of the refractive index. The method is suitably used for Q-switching a fiber laser.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosed of temporarily changing refractive index of an optical fiber containing a longitudinal electrode arranged in the cladding of said fiber along and parallel to the core of the fiber, wherein the change in refractive index is performed by applying a high voltage pulse to said longitudinal electrode, the high voltage pulse including a magnitude of at least 100 volts and a duration sufficiently short to prevent melting of the electrode, such that the electrode thermally expands through ohmic heating without melting and exerts a pressure on the fiber core to induce said temporary change of the refractive index. The method is suitably used for Q-switching a fiber laser.

Abstract: A method of forming a longitudinal solid body within at least one longitudinal hole formed in an optical fiber, comprising the steps of placing a first end and a portion of the optical fiber in a heating chamber; keeping a second end of said optical fiber outside of the heating chamber; forcing a molten material into the longitudinal hole of the fiber from the first end; and thereupon longitudinally extracting the optical fiber from the heating chamber at a controlled rate. Preferably, the fiber is extracted while molten material is being urged into the fiber.

Abstract: An impedance-matching coupler (1) comprises a dielectric substrate (10) onto which a conducting strip (12) is disposed. A dielectric layer (14), preferably a dielectric film, is formed on top of the conducting strip and the first dielectric layer to encircle the conducting strip. A metallic layer (16, 18) is finally provided on top of the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a dielectric constant that is substantially higher that the dielectric constant for the dielectric substrate, preferably more than ten times higher. A dielectric film with a thickness of less than 100 ?m is advantageous, preferably between 5 and 100 ?m, and even more preferably between 10 and 70 ?m. The thickness of the dielectric substrate is preferably larger than for the dielectric film, preferably more than ten time larger. The conducting strip has preferably a constant width. The dielectric film thickness is preferably larger than 10% of the conducting strip width.

Abstract: An impedance-matching coupler (1) comprises a dielectric substrate (10) onto which a conducting strip (12) is disposed. A dielectric layer (14), preferably a dielectric film, is formed on top of the conducting strip and the first dielectric layer to encircle the conducting strip. A metallic layer (16, 18) is finally provided on top of the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a dielectric constant that is substantially higher that the dielectric constant for the dielectric substrate, preferably more than ten times higher. A dielectric film with a thickness of less than 100 ?m is advantageous, preferably between 5 and 100 ?m, and even more preferably between 10 and 70 ?m. The thickness of the dielectric substrate is preferably larger than for the dielectric film, preferably more than ten time larger. The conducting strip has preferably a constant width. The dielectric film thickness is preferably larger than 10% of the conducting strip width.

Abstract: An arrangement and method provide an optical thulium doped fiber amplifier utilizing a dual wavelength pumping scheme for amplifying an optical signal. The method includes the steps of: a first deposition (a) of energy into the fiber amplifier by pumping with radiation of a first wavelength; and a second deposition (b) of energy into the fiber amplifier by pumping with radiation of a second wavelength. The radiation of the first wavelength is arranged to induce, by single photon absorption, a population to the 3H4 level of the thulium dopant, and the radiation of the second wavelength primarily depopulates the 3F4 level, by excited absorption of a single photon, preferably by strong excited state absorption to the 3F2 level. The steps gives a population inversion between the 3H4 and the 3F4 levels and facilitate a power efficient high gain amplification.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the refractive index in the core of an optical fiber. According to the invention, an optical fiber is provided with a longitudinal electrode running along the core of the fiber. An electric current is passed through the electrode to induce ohmic heating thereof, causing thermal expansion and consequently a compressing force upon the core of the fiber. This compression of the core leads to induced changes in the refractive index in the direction of the compressing force, and hence induces or alters birefringence in the core.

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a polarization control element which may be easily produced and miniaturized and has high reliability. SOLUTION: A core region 11 is a region of a circular shape in cross section disposed at the center of an optical fiber 10 and has a refractive index n1. A clad region 12 is a region disposed around this core region 11 and has a refractive index n2 smaller than the refractive index n1 of the core region 11. A pair of conductive parts 13a and 13b are respectively symmetrical with each other with respect to the optical axis center and are disposed within the clad region 12 over a specified range in a longitudinal direction. When current is passed to a pair of the conductive parts 13a and 13b, respectively, a stress is generated therein and a strain is generated in the core region 11 and the clad region 12. The propagation light propagated in the optical fiber 10 is controlled in the polarization state according to this strain.

Abstract: A method of forming a longitudinal solid body within at least one longitudinal hole formed in an optical fiber, comprising the steps of placing a first end and a portion of the optical fiber in a heating chamber; keeping a second end of said optical fiber outside of the heating chamber; forcing a molten material into the longitudinal hole of the fiber from the first end; and thereupon longitudinally extracting the optical fiber from the heating chamber at a controlled rate. Preferably, the fiber is extracted while molten material is being urged into the fiber.

Abstract: An arrangement and method provide an optical thulium doped fiber amplifier utilizing a dual wavelength pumping scheme for amplifying an optical signal. The method includes the steps of: a first deposition (a) of energy into the fiber amplifier by pumping with radiation of a first wavelength; and a second deposition (b) of energy into the fiber amplifier by pumping with radiation of a second wavelength. The radiation of the first wavelength is arranged to induce, by single photon absorption, a population to the 3H4 level of the thulium dopant, and the radiation of the second wavelength primarily depopulates the 3F4 level, by excited absorption of a single photon, preferably by strong excited state absorption to the 3F2 level. The steps gives a population inversion between the 3H4 and the 3F4 levels and facilitate a power efficient high gain amplification.

Abstract: An optical device includes a waveguide and a film or layer of a material having highly nonlinear optical characteristics, in particular a semiconductor material. The film is located so close to the waveguide core that the evanescent field of light propagating along the waveguide extends up to the film. In this optical device, the large nonlinear properties of the material influence the optical characteristics of the waveguide. When positioned along a similar D-fiber, the device can be used as a fiber-based, nonlinear coupler controlled by a relatively weak light signal. The same device can be used as an element of a laser and in a number of various other applications.

Abstract: A coupling device has a dielectric substrate with at least two joined transmission lines formed thereon. The two transmission lines have a common signal carrying conductor and separate ground plane conducting means. The conductor cross-section and the conductor spacing cross-section are varied along the length of the transmission lines to provide a large change of the characteristic impedance of the coupling device along the line length.

Abstract: The spatial or temporal characteristic of a beam of light or other electromagnetic radiation or a beam of sub-atomic particles is measured by an array of detectors. The array comprises the layer 1 of photosensitive material on which there are positioned pairs of electrodes 1a, 2a and 1b, 2b etc., with gaps between the electrodes of a pair. The gaps are spaced apart linearly and the material is chosen so that incident light affects current flow between the electrodes defining a gap. Changes in current flow between the individual pairs of electrodes are measured. For measurement of spatial profile layer 1 has a resistivity which varies linearly with the amplitude of incident light. For measurement of temporal profile the beam is split with the split beams being directed on to the array with different angles of incidence and the material is chosen to have a two-photon conductivity.