Abstract: A device. At least some example embodiments are a device including a filter element configured to receive optical energy from a first optical fiber. The filter element is reflective in a preselected band of optical wavelengths. A first lens is configured to receive optical energy transmitted through the filter element. A shell is disposed about the optical filter and the first lens; surfaces of the first lens, the filter element and the shell form a first boundary portion of an internal volume of an interior of the shell. A fluid is sealably disposed within the internal volume.

Abstract: A device. The device includes a substrate a substrate, a first optical waveguide disposed on the substrate and a second optical waveguide disposed on the substrate. The device further includes a coupling element disposed on the substrate, the coupling element configured to couple an optical signal in the first optical waveguide to the second optical waveguide, and couple an optical signal in the second optical waveguide to the first optical waveguide. A first reflective element is disposed at an end of the first optical waveguide configured to reflect optical signals in the first optical waveguide. A second reflective element disposed at an end of the second optical waveguide configured to reflect signals in the second optical waveguide.

Abstract: A device. At least some example embodiments are a device including a filter element configured to receive optical energy from a first optical fiber. The filter element is reflective in a preselected band of optical wavelengths. A first lens is configured to receive optical energy transmitted through the filter element. A shell is disposed about the optical filter and the first lens; surfaces of the first lens, the filter element and the shell form a first boundary portion of an internal volume of an interior of the shell. A fluid is sealably disposed within the internal volume.

Abstract: A device. The device includes a substrate a substrate, a first optical waveguide disposed on the substrate and a second optical waveguide disposed on the substrate. The device further includes a coupling element disposed on the substrate, the coupling element configured to couple an optical signal in the first optical waveguide to the second optical waveguide, and couple an optical signal in the second optical waveguide to the first optical waveguide. A first reflective element is disposed at an end of the first optical waveguide configured to reflect optical signals in the first optical waveguide. A second reflective element disposed at an end of the second optical waveguide configured to reflect signals in the second optical waveguide.

Abstract: Example devices are optical dividers including: a first optical coupler; a second optical coupler; and a third optical coupler. The devices also comprise a first optical fiber integrated in the first optical coupler, the first optical fiber coupled to an optical combiner, and a second optical fiber integrated in the first optical coupler and in the second optical coupler, the second optical fiber coupled to the optical combiner. The devices further comprise a third optical fiber integrated in the second optical coupler and in the third optical coupler, the third optical fiber coupled to the optical combiner. The optical combiner includes: a first output coupler; a second output coupler; and the optical combiner couples a subset of the first through third optical fibers to the first output coupler; and the optical combiner couples a subset of the first through third optical fibers to the second output coupler.

Abstract: Example devices are optical dividers including: a first optical coupler; a second optical coupler; and a third optical coupler. The devices also comprise a first optical fiber integrated in the first optical coupler, the first optical fiber coupled to an optical combiner, and a second optical fiber integrated in the first optical coupler and in the second optical coupler, the second optical fiber coupled to the optical combiner. The devices further comprise a third optical fiber integrated in the second optical coupler and in the third optical coupler, the third optical fiber coupled to the optical combiner. The optical combiner includes: a first output coupler; a second output coupler; and the optical combiner couples a subset of the first through third optical fibers to the first output coupler; and the optical combiner couples a subset of the first through third optical fibers to the second output coupler.

Abstract: The deposition rate of MCVD processes is enhanced by applying at least a first and a second independently controlled heat source to a plurality of reactants which are used to form deposited particulate matter. The first heat source is adjusted so as to provide at least a specified rate of reaction for the reactants, and the second source is adjusted so as to provide at least a specified deposition rate for the particulate matter.

Abstract: Bubble-free core glass can be deposited at relatively high rate (e.g., >0.3 gm SiO.sub.2 /minute, preferably 0.6 gm SiO.sub.2 /minute or more) by MCVD if the deposition conditions are appropriately selected. For instance, a relatively high torch traverse speed, a relatively low sintering temperature, and/or relatively low gas flow rates can facilitate high rate deposition of bubble-free glass. By way of example, conditions are disclosed that yielded essentially bubble-free core glass (.DELTA.=0.35%) at a rate of 1 gm SiO.sub.2 /minute.

Abstract: Multistage Er-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) are disclosed. They comprise a first stage that comprises Er and Al, and further comprise a second stage that comprises Er and a further rare earth element, exemplary Yb. Such multistage EDFAs can have advantageous characteristics e.g., a relatively wide flat gain region (e.g. 1544-1562 nm), and relatively high output power, without significant degradation of the noise figure. Exemplary, the amplifiers are used in WDM systems and in analog CATV systems.