Abstract: Designs of optical devices providing multiplexing or demultiplexing functions are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an optical device or an assembly employs an array of micro lenses, an array of filters and a mirror or an array of mirrors all bonded onto a substrate to provide multiplexing or demultiplexing functions. To compensate for possible errors caused by some or all of these components, one or more compensatory optical plates are provided to respectively correct these errors. Depending on implementation, the compensatory optical plates may be designed differently to correct various errors.

Abstract: Improved designs of optical devices for processing optical signals with one or more specified wavelengths are disclosed. According to embodiment, a filter mirror assembly appears an “L” shape and provides a filtering function as well as a reflecting function. The filter mirror assembly is so mounted that a rotation thereof will not alter the optical path the beam positions of signals resulted from a rotation of the filter mirror assembly. To cancel or minimize a lateral shift introduced to a light beam going through an optical filter, an optical compensator is introduced and rotates oppositely whenever the optical filter rotates.

Abstract: Techniques for calibrating tunable optical devices using a probing signal as a reference so as to achieve an accurate control over an absolute wavelength of the tunable optical devices. A probing signal being a calibrated optical signal with a spectrum centered at a desired add/drop channel or wavelength is introduced into an N-port circulator coupled between two tunable optical devices. When the two tunable optical devices are tuned not exactly at the desired wavelength, a portion of probing signal will be reflected or dropped out by the two tunable optical devices. The dropped probing signal is detected and coupled to a signal processor or circuitry configured to generate adjustments to or the control signals for controlling the tunable optical devices in accordance with the reflected probing signal being maximized.

Abstract: Optical devices and methods for regulating optical channel signals with specified wavelengths are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a number of variable optical apparatuses are employed. Each of the variable optical apparatuses includes a first and a second optical channel module, both configured at a wavelength ?i. Each of the variable optical apparatuses further includes an optical regulator (i.e. a neutral density filter controlled by a stepper motor) coupled between the first and second optical channel modules. When signals with different wavelengths arrive, only the signal with the wavelength ?i will transmit through the first optical channel module and the rest are reflected off. The transmitted signal is regulated (i.e. attenuated or strengthened) accordingly by the optical regulator before transmitting through the second optical channel module. Hence, the signals with different wavelengths can be respectively regulated by one of the variable optical apparatuses.

Abstract: Improved designs of optical devices for processing optical signals with own or more specified wavelengths are disclosed. According to embodiment, a filter mirror assembly appears an “L” shape and provides a filtering function as well as a reflecting function. The filter mirror assembly is so mounted that a rotation thereof will not alter the optical path the beam positions of signals resulted from the filter mirror assembly.

Abstract: The inventions invention relates to a generic re-configurable WDM optical cross connection device which may be viewed as an optical network element comprising transport interfaces optionally along with tributary interfaces. An switch system includes a plurality of switch modules each essentially including a pair of R-channel input collimators on one side and a pair of R-channel output collimators on the other side with a switching prism moveably positioned therebetween in an existence/active or non-existence/inactive manner. A pair of input fibers are respectively connected to the two input collimators and an pair of output fibers are respectively connected t the two output collimators. A plurality of jumper fibers cascading said switch modules together.

Abstract: Techniques for bonding aligned optical parts to a substrate are disclosed. According to one embodiment, one or more wedges are used to fill in gaps between aligned optical parts and a substrate. Using an appropriate material, the wedges are respectively slid in till respective contacts between the aligned optical parts and the wedges are established, a small amount of a bonding agent is then only applied to the respect contacts. As a result, the shrinkage that may be caused by the bonding agent to destabilize the aligned optical parts is minimized and the alignments among the optical parts are preserved and can sustain under very high environmental stresses.

Abstract: Fiber optical interleavers based on a retro-reflective structure are disclosed. The retro-reflective structure includes three stages of optical components. A first stage includes walk-off crystals, at least one of the crystals is used to displace a received optical signal with multiplexed bands or channels therein into a first ray (e.g. an O-ray) and a second ray (e.g. an E-ray). A second stage following the first stage includes at least a pair of birefringent crystals to form an interferometer that create path or phase differences introduced by the birefringent index differences between the first ray and the second ray. A third stage following the second stage includes a pair of half wave plates, a walk-off crystal and a quarter wave plate, wherein the quarter wave plate has a highly reflective coating on one end to retro-reflect light beams back through the same stages. Respective reflected and processed first ray and second ray are then combined in the first stage to output respective demultiplexed beams.

Abstract: Improved designs of optical multiplexing/demultiplexing module are disclosed for use in multiplexing a composite optical signal into respective individual channels or wavelengths or demultiplexing individual channels or wavelengths into a composite optical signal. According to one embodiment, the optical multiplexing/demultiplexing module comprises an array of collimators, an array of optical filters and an array of mirrors. The collimators are boned to a common substrate after being aligned with a respect optical filter. Different from the prior art devices, the aligned positions of the collimators are secured or held up by preformed wedges. A bonding agent is then applied only to respective contacts between the collimators and the wedges. The wedges are further bonded to a common substrate to secure the collimators.

Abstract: Improved designs of optical multiplexing/demultiplexing module are disclosed for use in multiplexing a composite optical signal into respective individual channels or wavelengths or demultiplexing individual channels or wavelengths into a composite optical signal. According to one embodiment, the optical multiplexing/demultiplexing module comprises an array of collimators, an array of optical filters and an array of mirrors. The collimators are boned to a common substrate after being aligned with a respect optical filter. Different from the prior art devices, the aligned positions of the collimators are secured or help up by preformed wedges. A bonding agent is then applied only to respective contacts between the collimators and the wedges. The wedges are further bonded to a common substrate to secure the collimators.

Abstract: An optical fiber structure for demultiplexing/multiplexing includes a coupler which splits an incoming signal with multiple channels into two substantially identical signals that are respectively processed to separate the closely located successive channel groups for further demultiplexing or multiplexing. The spectrum characteristics to process the two identical signals are so chosen that the channel distortion and/or transmission loss are minimized. In particular, multiple stages of splitter filters are used to shorten the transmission path a channel signal has to pass through. As a result, signal distortion and/or transmission loss are minimized and the channel groups are interleaved by a single channel group.

Abstract: A retro-reflective multi-port fiber optic device includes the triple-fiber ferrule with a GRIN rod lens to couple the light. The triple-fiber ferrule with three fibers thereof is attached to the angled facet of the GRIN rod lens and the WDM filter is attached to the opposite side of the lens. A reflective mirror is aligned with and attached next to the other side of the WDM filter opposite to the lens. The triple-fiber ferrule, which is specifically selected from adense series of triple-fiber ferrules respectively defining three-fiber assemblies with different fiber spacings, is used to couple light in and out of the device, and tune the filter center wavelength to the desired ITU grid.

Abstract: The inventions invention relates to a generic re-configurable WDM optical cross connection device which may be viewed as an optical network element comprising transport interfaces optionally along with tributary interfaces. An switch system includes a plurality of switch modules each essentially including a pair of R-channel input collimators on one side and a pair of R-channel output collimators on the other side with a switching prism moveably positioned therebetween in an existence/active or non-existence/inactive manner. A pair of input fibers are respectively connected to the two input collimators and an pair of output fibers are respectively connected t the two output collimators. A plurality of jumper fibers cascading said switch modules together.

Abstract: A retro-reflective multi-port fiber optic device includes the triple-fiber ferrule with a GRIN rod lens to couple the light. The triple-fiber ferrule with three fibers thereof is attached to the angled facet of the GRIN rod lens and the WDM filter is attached to the opposite side of the lens. A reflective mirror is aligned with and attached next to the other side of the WDM filter opposite to the lens. The triple-fiber ferrule, which is specifically selected from adense series of triple-fiber ferrules respectively defining three-fiber assemblies with different fiber spacings, is used to couple light in and out of the device, and tune the filter center wavelength to the desired ITU grid.

Abstract: An improved motor housing with a slop structure at one side of the housing, the slot structure is arranged with ledges along its outer edges in which several threaded holes are provided for placing bolts through which clamping level of the outer body can be controlled so that a stator core can be inserted or removed easily and repeatedly, resulting in low cost, simplified assembling process, and facilitating modification and test of a motor in the development stage in research institutions.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter is disclosed which exhibits both low insertion loss and small ripple in the passband, requirements which were considered mutually exclusive in the prior art. In accordance with the present invention, apodized group-type recessed electrodes are utilized to form the transducers. The grouping of the electrodes functions to reduce reflection between electrodes and apodization of the electrodes functions to increase the sideband rejection. However, merely combining these techniques is inadequate since the apodization process produces additional ripple between adjacent electrodes, thus increasing the passband ripple. By recessing the apodized groups of electrodes, this reflection is minimized and a SAW filter formed in accordance with the present invention is thus capable of providing both low insertion loss and small ripple with high sideband rejection.

Abstract: The efficiencies of laser isotope separation processes based on multiple photon absorption from infrared laser pulses are enhanced thermally by raising the temperature of the gas upon which the laser beam is incident, thereby increasing the absorption and the isotopically selective excitation which enables isotopes in the gas to be separated. This same enhancement is applicable to processes for laser purification of gases which involve multiple photon absorption from infrared laser pulses.