Abstract: In one embodiment, a coupler includes a glass tube having a refractive index n3 and a passageway, a first optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide positioned within the passageway, each of the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide comprising a core surrounded by a cladding. The glass tube further includes a tapered region having a taper length. A coupling region is present between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide within the tapered region. A refractive index of the cladding is less than a refractive index of the core, and a lowest refractive index of the cladding of the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide is n2. Additionally, n3 is lower than n2 such that a value of ?2-3 is 0.07%??2-3?0.125, where ?2-3 equals (n22?n32)/2n22.

Abstract: Fiber optic terminals, tools and methods for adjusting a split ratio of a fiber optic terminal are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tool for adjusting a split ratio of a fiber optic terminal includes an axle for insertion into a port of the fiber optic terminal, and a terminal engagement body disposed about the axle. The terminal engagement body includes a terminal engagement feature for engaging an alignment feature within the fiber optic terminal, wherein the axle is free to rotate with respect to the terminal engagement body, and a set-point indicator. The tool further includes an end piece coupled to the axle, and a plurality of set-point markers, wherein rotation of the end piece causes rotation of the axle and an alignment between one set-point marker of the plurality of set-point markers with the set-point indicator indicates the split ratio of the fiber optic terminal.

Abstract: A glass container including a body having a delamination factor less than or equal to 10 and at least one marking is described. The body has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall thickness extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. The marking is located within the wall thickness. In particular, the marking is a portion of the body having a refractive index that differs from a refractive index of an unmarked portion of the body. Methods of forming the marking within the body are also described.

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a tape advancing through the manufacturing system and a station of the manufacturing system. The tape includes a first portion having grains of an inorganic material bound by an organic binder. The station of the manufacturing system receives the first portion of the tape and prepares the tape for sintering by chemically changing the organic binder and/or removing the organic binder from the first portion of the tape, leaving the grains of the inorganic material, to form a second portion of the tape and, at least in part, prepare the tape for sintering.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to lensed optical fiber connector ferrule end faces having molded contact surfaces. The contact surfaces reduce ferrule end face contact area and thereby reduce the influence of trapped dust and debris on lens angular misalignment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for removing coatings from optical fibers. A system includes a gas source for providing gas, and a heater configured to heat the gas. The system further includes a holder comprising first and second attachment features, wherein the attachment features secure a coated optical fiber along a removal path. The system further includes at least one nozzle connected to the gas source, wherein the at least on nozzle is aimed in a nozzle direction that is towards the removal path at a pitch, such that the nozzle is non-perpendicular towards the removal path. The nozzle further directs a continuous stream of the heated gas towards the coated optical fiber causing the coating of the coated optical fiber to be removed. The methods and systems may employ a second nozzle that may be offset from the first nozzle angularly and/or laterally with respect to the removal path.

Abstract: A process for forming glass planar waveguide structure includes producing or obtaining a fusion drawn glass laminate (10) comprising a core glass layer (10) and a first clad glass layer (14) and a second clad glass layer (16) then removing or thinning portions of at least the second glass clad layer (16) leaving remaining or thicker portions of the second glass clad layer (16), the remaining or thicker portions corresponding to a planar waveguide pattern and resulting in a glass planar waveguide structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to lensed optical fiber connector ferrule end faces having molded contact surfaces. The contact surfaces reduce ferrule end face contact area and thereby reduce the influence of trapped dust and debris on lens angular misalignment.

Abstract: A method of forming a strengthened glass article is provided. The method includes providing a strengthened glass article. The strengthened glass article is in the form of a container including a sidewall having an exterior surface and an interior surface that encloses an interior volume. The sidewall has an exterior strengthened surface layer that includes the exterior surface, an interior strengthened surface layer that includes the interior surface and a central layer between the exterior strengthened surface layer and the interior strengthened surface layer that is under a tensile stress. A laser-induced intended line of separation is formed in the central layer at a predetermined depth between the exterior strengthened surface layer and the interior strengthened surface layer by irradiating the sidewall with a laser without separating the glass article.

Abstract: Fiber optic terminals, tools and methods for adjusting a split ratio of a fiber optic terminal are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tool for adjusting a split ratio of a fiber optic terminal includes an axle for insertion into a port of the fiber optic terminal, and a terminal engagement body disposed about the axle. The terminal engagement body includes a terminal engagement feature for engaging an alignment feature within the fiber optic terminal, wherein the axle is free to rotate with respect to the terminal engagement body, and a set-point indicator. The tool further includes an end piece coupled to the axle, and a plurality of set-point markers, wherein rotation of the end piece causes rotation of the axle and an alignment between one set-point marker of the plurality of set-point markers with the set-point indicator indicates the split ratio of the fiber optic terminal.

Abstract: A polarization controller comprising: (i) an optical fiber, and (ii) a carrier surrounding the optical fiber, the carrier comprising an off-center through hole with at least one collapsed region, such that the optical fiber is situated within the through hole and contacts the at least one collapsed region of the through hole, and the collapsed region exerts pressure on the optical fiber.

Abstract: A polarization controller comprising: (i) an optical fiber, and (ii) a carrier surrounding the optical fiber, the carrier comprising an off-center through hole with at least one collapsed region, such that the optical fiber is situated within the through hole and contacts the at least one collapsed region of the through hole, and the collapsed region exerts pressure on the optical fiber.

Abstract: Non-contact methods of predicting an insertion loss of a test optical fiber connector are disclosed. Light is sent down the at least one optical fiber of the connector in the fundamental mode to emit an output light beam. The output-beam image is captured at different distances from the fiber end faces to define multiple output-beam images each associated with one of the multiple measurement positions. A Gaussian curve is then fitted to the multiple output-beam images to determine a mode field diameter, an offset, and a tilt of the output light beam. A Gaussian field model that incorporates the offset, the tilt, and the mode-field diameter is then used to predict the insertion loss when connecting to a reference optical fiber of a reference optical fiber connector.

Abstract: A polarization controller comprising: (i) an optical fiber, and (ii) a carrier surrounding the optical fiber, the carrier comprising an off-center through hole with at least one collapsed region, such that the optical fiber is situated within the through hole and contacts the at least one collapsed region of the through hole, and the collapsed region exerts pressure on the optical fiber.

Abstract: A glass container comprises a glass body comprising a first region under a compressive stress extending from a surface of the glass body to a depth of compression and a second region extending from the depth of compression into a thickness of the glass body, the second region being under a tensile stress. The glass container also includes a localized compressive stress region having a localized compressive stress extending from the surface to a localized depth of compression within the body. The localized depth of compression is greater than the depth of compression of the first region. The glass container also includes a crack re-direction region extending in a predetermined propagation direction, wherein the crack re-direction region possesses a higher tensile stress than the tensile stress in the second region in a sub-region of the crack re-direction region, the sub-region extending substantially perpendicular to the predetermined propagation direction.

Abstract: A non-contact system for measuring an insertion loss of a cable assembly with cable fibers includes a light source system that emits light and a launch connector supporting launch fibers. A detector system includes receive fibers supported by a receive connector. The detector system has detectors optically coupled to the receive fibers, with one detector directly optically coupled to the light source system for calibration. A first movable stage supports the launch connector and a second movable stage supports the receive connector. A launch optical system images output end faces of the launch fibers onto input end faces of the cable fibers of the cable assembly. A receive optical system images output end faces of the cable fibers onto input end faces of the receive fibers. The light exiting the receive fibers is detected and processed to determine the insertion loss of the cable assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for ion exchanging glass articles. Methods for ion exchanging glass articles include receiving processing instructions from one or more user input devices, loading a cassette containing a plurality of glass articles into a molten salt bath of one or more ion exchange stations automatically with a robotic lift based on the processing instructions, removing the cassette from the molten salt bath automatically with the robotic lift after a predetermined time based on the processing instructions, and rotating the cassette automatically to drain fluid of the molten salt bath from the cassette.

Abstract: Non-contact methods of predicting an insertion loss of a test optical fiber connector are disclosed. Light is sent down the at least one optical fiber of the connector in the fundamental mode to emit an output light beam. The output-beam image is captured at different distances from the fiber end faces to define multiple output-beam images each associated with one of the multiple measurement positions. A Gaussian curve is then fitted to the multiple output-beam images to determine a mode field diameter, an offset, and a tilt of the output light beam. A Gaussian field model that incorporates the offset, the tilt, and the mode-field diameter is then used to predict the insertion loss when connecting to a reference optical fiber of a reference optical fiber connector.

Abstract: Optical assemblies and lensed connector ferrule assemblies having one or more optical fibers aligned to one or more lenses of a lens substrate and methods of their manufacture are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical assembly includes a ferrule and a mirror surface. The ferrule includes a lens holder having a lens substrate cavity and an engagement surface. The ferrule further includes a lens substrate disposed within the lens substrate cavity. The lens substrate has at least one lens. The mirror surface is coupled to the engagement surface such that the at least one lens is offset from the mirror surface by an offset distance.

Abstract: A glass container including a body having a delamination factor less than or equal to 10 and at least one marking is described. The body has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall thickness extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. The marking is located within the wall thickness. In particular, the marking is a portion of the body having a refractive index that differs from a refractive index of an unmarked portion of the body. Methods of forming the marking within the body are also described.