Abstract: Disclosed is a laser module case having a snout disposed within a wall of the case, wherein the snout may allow alignment of a laser with an optical fiber after closure of the case. The snout has an inner end, outer end and longitudinal hollow. An optical fiber assembly, also with an inner end, outer end and longitudinal hollow, is disposed within the snout hollow. An inner flange secures the snout to the optical fiber assembly at their inner ends and an outer flange secures the snout to the optical fiber assembly at their outer ends. The optical fiber assembly is of a smaller cross-sectional diameter than the snout hollow so that it may move in an X and Y-direction. The optical fiber assembly may be aligned with a laser positioned within the case after the case is closed. The aligned fiber assembly may then be secured in position by the outer flange.

Abstract: An optic fiber must be properly aligned with a laser in order to maximize optical power transmission. The fiber is aligned with a holder by welding the fiber to the holder. A screen is placed between the welds and the laser in order to protect the laser from weld splatter.

Abstract: A laser module wherein a platform supports an optical fiber component having a cantilever portion. The cantilever portion has a length sufficient to provide alignment of the optical fiber component with a laser. Alignment may be, for example, in an X-direction, Y-direction, or both. The platform may be housed in a compliant case. Also disclosed is a method of monitoring the coupling efficiency between, and the alignment of, the laser and optical fiber component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laser module case having a snout disposed within a wall of the case, wherein the snout may allow alignment of a laser with an optical fiber after closure of the case. The snout has an inner end, outer end and longitudinal hollow. An optical fiber assembly, also with an inner end, outer end and longitudinal hollow, is disposed within the snout hollow. An inner flange secures the snout to the optical fiber assembly at their inner ends and an outer flange secures the snout to the optical fiber assembly at their outer ends. The optical fiber assembly is of a smaller cross-sectional diameter than the snout hollow so that it may move in an X and Y-direction. The optical fiber assembly may be aligned with a laser positioned within the case after the case is closed. The aligned fiber assembly may then be secured in position by the outer flange.

Abstract: A laser module platform comprising a snout to support an optical fiber in alignment with a laser. The snout may form a seal with a case surrounding the platform. An optical fiber component is secured to the snout with one or more joints. The joints may be flanges, solder joints or welded joints.

Abstract: A laser support structure and method of mounting a laser in a module. The laser support structure is used in a laser module to support a laser in alignment with an optical fiber. The support structure comprises a frame having a base portion, and a mounting portion opposed to the base portion with a space therebetween. A dielectric layer to which the laser may be attached is suspended from the mounting portion and extends partially into the space between the mounting portion and the base portion. As the dielectric layer expands or contracts, it does so within the space between the mounting portion and the base portion with minimal displacement of the laser.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) lightwave communication system having allocated wide bands of wavelengths within which the respective optical pump light employed to amplify the optical signals must stay. As the temperature of the pump laser varies, its lasing wavelength is allowed to wander anywhere within its allocated wavelength band. Preferably, the pump lasers are wavelength stabilized within its respective allocated wavelength band by means of a fiber Bragg grating having an appropriately wide spectral width. Extending the lasing wavelength range of the pump laser advantageously, in turn, may be used to extend the temperature range over which the pump laser can be operated or locked.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for eliminating, or at least minimizing, the locking range variability of laser modules which employ external grating, such as fiber bragg gratings. It has been observed that the coupling efficiency between the laser and its output fiber is a highly variable property of the laser module, causing variations in the laser module's locking range. The laser module's locking range, however, can be readily reset to or near its nominal value by measuring the laser module's coupling efficiency, and then judiciously choosing a grating having a peak reflectivity which compensates for variations in the coupling efficiency by maintaining constant the effective reflectivity Reff of the fiber/grating combination.

Abstract: A system is provided for mounting a fiber between locks by placing the locks at or near the natural inflection points of a sinusoidally curved fiber. This is accomplished by angularly offsetting the fiber exiting the locks at equal angles from an imaginary center line drawn between the locks, and by providing enough slack in the fiber between the locks to cause the inflection points to be positioned at or near the locks.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for adjusting the operating temperature range of a laser module such that it substantially covers or is coextensive with the span in temperatures for the desired application. In accordance with the principles of the invention, it has been found that the laser module's operating temperature range can be readily adjusted by judiciously increasing its thermal resistance so as to elevate, and thereby offset the laser's temperature from its ambient or surrounding temperature. As such, by judiciously impeding the laser module's heat flow, the laser module's operating locking temperature range can be made to be cover the span in temperatures for the desired application. Preferably, washers of a known thermal resistance are employed to increase the laser module's thermal resistance to accordingly impede heat flow from the laser to its surroundings, and thereby offset the laser's temperature.

Abstract: An optical module that compensates for a stress induced displacement is realized by employing asymmetric ferrule and clip assemblies. In one embodiment, the optical module includes a ferrule and clip assembly having posts or vertical members joined thereto with welds positioned along the longitudinal or center axes of the posts. Importantly, however, the effective axis of rotation about which one of the welds rotates under an applied axial displacement is offset along the longitudinal axis. This offset causes the welds to rotate asymmetrically with respect to the rotational axes which are orthogonal to the stress induced displacement, and is advantageously used to compensate for any stress induced displacement of the fiber that is quadratic in nature. In another embodiment, the optical module includes an asymmetric ferrule and clip assembly wherein at least one weld is offset along from the post's longitudinal or center axis, breaking the left-right symmetry of the assembly.

Abstract: A module which holds an optical fiber and a laser in alignment to couple light energy emitted from the laser to an end of the fiber. The fiber is held within a metal ferrule. The fiber and the laser are aligned by means of a metal platform to which both the ferrule and the laser are secured. Only the ferrule is secured to the outer box of the module, so that the platform, along with the alignment of the fiber and the laser, are isolated from mechanical stresses induced in the box.

Abstract: A module which holds an optical fiber and a laser in alignment to couple light energy emitted from the laser to an end of the fiber. The fiber is held within a metal ferrule. The fiber and the laser are aligned by means of a metal platform to which both the ferrule and the laser are secured. The ferrule is secured to the platform by means of thin flexible washers which compensate for thermal expansion mismatch along the axis of the fiber. In addition, by using dissimilar metals to form the platform, transverse thermal expansion matching is attained.

Abstract: Semiconductor light emitting devices, lasers and LEDs, are described in which the current flow channel is narrower near the top surface of the device and wider at its bottom near the active region. Also, described are several attenuation masks for fabricating the channels of these devices by particle bombardment.