Abstract: The invention relates to optical modules for use in larger electro-optic components, such as erbium doped fiber amplifiers. One aspect of the invention relates to the optical module including input and/or output fiber tube ferrules surrounded by glass mounting sleeves secured to a metal housing using a suitable adhesive. Preferably, the optical module includes one or more optical elements, such as isolators, WDM filters and beam splitters, for effecting light traveling therethrough before entering or exiting a main housing of the electro-optic component. Another aspect of the invention relates to the electro-optic component including the main housing with gaps in the outer wall thereof for receiving the optical modules. Preferably, the optical component includes an electro-optical system including lasers, erbium doped fiber, an integrated circuit board and controller hardware.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical coupling system having a first collimator assembly having a first optical axis, a second collimator assembly having a second optical axis, an optical device, such as a tap coupler, an isolator or a WDM filter, disposed along an optical path between the first and the second collimator assembly, a first sleeve for containing the first collimator assembly, said first sleeve having an angled end face for forming a first angle, and a second sleeve for containing the second collimator assembly, said second sleeve having an end face for abutting the angled end face of the first sleeve such that the first optical axis of the first collimator assembly intersects with the second optical axis of the second collimator assembly at a coupling angle. The first sleeve and the second sleeve are relatively rotatable to each other for changing the coupling angle. Furthermore, the end face of the second sleeve is angled for forming a second angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical modules for use in larger electro-optic components, such as erbium doped fiber amplifiers. One aspect of the invention relates to the optical module including input and/or output fiber tube ferrules surrounded by glass mounting sleeves secured to a metal housing using a suitable adhesive. Preferably, the optical module includes one or more optical elements, such as isolators, WDM filters and beam splitters, for effecting light traveling therethrough before entering or exiting a main housing of the electro-optic component. Another aspect of the invention relates to the electro-optic component including the main housing with gaps in the outer wall thereof for receiving the optical modules. Preferably, the optical component includes an electro-optical system including lasers, erbium doped fiber, an integrated circuit board and controller hardware.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical coupling system having a first collimator assembly having a first optical axis, a second collimator assembly having a second optical axis, an optical device, such as a tap coupler, an isolator or a WDM filter, disposed along an optical path between the first and the second collimator assembly, a first sleeve for containing the first collimator assembly, said first sleeve having an angled end face for forming a first angle, and a second sleeve for containing the second collimator assembly, said second sleeve having an end face for abutting the angled end face of the first sleeve such that the first optical axis of the first collimator assembly intersects with the second optical axis of the second collimator assembly at a coupling angle. The first sleeve and the second sleeve are relatively rotatable to each other for changing the coupling angle. Furthermore, the end face of the second sleeve is angled for forming a second angle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a planar wave guide structure having a grating element fabricated thereon as well as a focusing element therein. The lens element of the present disclosure is preferably a void, to include air, a vacuum or other material which has an index of refraction less than an index of refraction of the core layer of the planar wave guide in which the lens element is disposed. The lens element is preferably fabricated by laser micromachining or other techniques described herein. The grating at the far end of the planar wave guide functions to separate wavelengths in the demultiplexing embodiment of the present disclosure, and as a wavelength integrator in the multiplexing embodiment of the disclosure of the present invention.

Abstract: A scalable optical switching device comprising: (a) an input optical fiber; (b) a plurality of output optical fibers; (c) a rigid concave spherical mirror; and (d) at least one planar refractive plate located between the input fiber and the mirror and shiftable between a first position and a second position wherein the refractive plate has a thickness dimension in the direction through which a light beam from the input optical fiber passes and an index of refraction that are selected to transmit the light beam to and from the mirror through the refractive plate to different output optical fibers when the refractive plate is switched between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: The invention is an optical ADD/DROP filter suitable for dense wavelength division multiplexing/de-multiplexing. It comprises an optical bench having a longitudinal V-groove into which the optical components of the ADD/DROP filter are passively aligned and bonded. The bench further includes first and second pairs of opposed, spaced, vertical members at each end between which a fiber array block is inserted. In the method of constructing the ADD/DROP filter, an interference filter is bonded to a first collimating lens. Then, the first collimating lens with the interference filter attached thereto and a second collimating lens are placed in the V-groove of the bench where they are passively aligned. The two collimating lenses are then bonded to the bench. Fiber array substrates are inserted between the pairs of opposed, spaced, vertical members and a UV transparent block is inserted on top of each fiber array between the corresponding pair of opposed, spaced, vertical members.

Abstract: Optical devices, such as couplers, isolators and filters, are important building blocks in most WDM systems, within which light from a fiber is collimated, processed, and then focused onto another fiber. Unfortunately, during the processing of the light the beam gets walked-off from its initial path. In order for the light to fully couple between the fibers it is imperative that this walk-off be accounted for. Conventional systems simply mount the focusing lens and output ferrule offset from the collimating lens and input ferrule to ensure good coupling. However, there are several advantages to positioning the collimating lens coaxial with the focusing lens. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method for optically coupling fibers with coaxial lenses by rotating an angle polished end face of at least one (preferably two) of the ferrules and lenses relative to the other ferrules and lenses. A greater range of positions is obtained when two of the ferrule and/or the lens are rotated.

Abstract: The invention is an optical ADD/DROP filter suitable for dense wavelength division multiplexing/de-multiplexing. It comprises an optical bench having a longitudinal V-groove into which the optical components of the ADD/DROP filter are passively aligned and bonded. The bench further includes first and second pairs of opposed, spaced, vertical members at each end between which a fiber array block is inserted. In the method of constructing the ADD/DROP filter, an interference filter is bonded to a first collimating lens. Then, the first collimating lens with the interference filter attached thereto and a second collimating lens are placed in the V-groove of the bench where they are passively aligned. The two collimating lenses are then bonded to the bench. Fiber array substrates are inserted between the pairs of opposed, spaced, vertical members and a UV transparent block is inserted on top of each fiber array between the corresponding pair of opposed, spaced, vertical members.

Abstract: An optical switch 10 has a first waveguide I arranged in a first set, 2.sup.N waveguides in a second set, and N number of successive refractive elements between ends of the waveguides and a reflector 9, wherein an output signal is coupled to any of the 2.sup.N waveguides by pivoting said refractive elements to selected binary states.

Abstract: An optical switch (1) has a refractive element (3) between a reflector (5) and multiple optical waveguides (6), the refractive element (3) being pivotable to a first position to optically couple a first set of the waveguides (6), the refractive element (3) being pivotable to a second position to optically couple a second set of waveguides (6), a magnet (4) with the refractive element (3) on an inertially balanced holder (2), a ferrous element (32) to which the magnet (4) is attracted, to pivot the refractive element (3) to the first position, and a magnetic coil (29) applying a torque on the magnet (4) and pivoting the refractive element (3) toward the second position.

Abstract: An optical switch (1) has a refractive element (3) between a reflector (5) and multiple optical waveguides (6), the refractive element (3) being pivotable to different positions to optically couple different sets of the waveguides (6), the reflector (5) being received on a reflector holder (7), the reflector holder (7) engaging spaced apart springs (9), and the springs (9) being compressed to aim the focal point of the reflector (5) at a precise position in front of the waveguides (6).