Abstract: Wavelength tunable light sources and methods of operating the same are described. In one aspect, a wavelength tunable light source includes a resonant light path, an optical gain medium, an optical grating, a first acousto-optic deflector, and a second acousto-optic deflector. In another aspect, a light source has a resonant light path containing first and second acousto-optic devices for tuning an output light beam over a specified frequency range with an output wavelength profile. The first acousto-optic device is driven with a first signal having a first time-varying frequency profile. The second acousto-optic device is driven with a second signal having a second time-varying frequency profile, wherein the second time-varying frequency profile differs from the first time-varying frequency profile by an amount substantially proportional to a time rate is of change of the output wavelength profile.

Abstract: The CRCSEL comprises a single-mode optical gain structure and an optically-resonant cavity. The single-mode optical gain structure is structured to generate excitation light having a wavelength and a direction. The optically-resonant cavity is optically coupled to the single-mode optical gain structure and is structured to emit an output light beam in a direction substantially orthogonal to the excitation light. The change in light direction provided by the optically-resonant cavity enables the output light beam to emit from a surface while allowing the excitation light to be generated in a large, high-gain single-mode optical gain structure.

Abstract: A method of making an optical device to wavelength multiplex/de-multiplex light signals by altering the refractive index of regions within a material is disclosed. A substrate is formed from a material having a refractive index that can be altered by a process. At least one region within the substrate is subjected to the process, thereby altering the refractive index of the substrate within that region. An optical component of the multiplexer/de-multiplexer is formed by or includes the altered region. Also disclosed is an optical multiplexer/de-multiplexer device that includes an optical component that includes a region within a substrate, in which the region has an altered refractive index.

Abstract: The optical multiplexer/demultiplexer comprises an input/output channel array, a diffractive element, an arraying device and a converging element. The input/output channel array is located adjacent an optical axis and includes input/output channels arrayed in a first direction, orthogonal to the optical axis, at a predetermined pitch. The diffractive element is arranged to receive light from the input/output channel array at a location separated from the input/output channel array along the optical axis. The diffractive element diffracts the light to array the light wavelength-dependently in a second direction, different from the first direction. The arraying device receives light diffracted by the diffractive element and arrays the light in the first direction at a pitch equivalent to the predetermined pitch. The converging element is located along the optical axis between the diffractive element and either or both the arraying device and the input/output channel array.

Abstract: A demultiplexer system having an interleaver for dividing the incoming wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) signal into interleaved WDM signals and a single demultiplexing device for demultiplexing the de-interleaved WDM signals into single-channel signals is disclosed. Because a single demultiplexing device is used, size and cost savings can be realized.

Abstract: A light emitting device comprises a light emitting diode that emits primary light and a SrGa2S4:Eu2+ phosphor material capable of absorbing at least a portion of the primary light and emitting secondary light. The secondary light includes a wavelength longer than a wavelength of the primary light.

Abstract: The frequency-selective optical multiplexer comprises, an LC polarization controller, a spectral demux/mux and input/output optics including two ports, a first optical path spatially separated from a second optical path and polarization-dispersive optics. The polarization dispersive optics are disposed between the ports and the optical paths; generate from an optical signal a pair of polarization components, composed of a first polarization component and a second polarization component having orthogonal polarizations; and output the first and second polarization components via the first and second optical paths, respectively. The first and second polarization components have first and second polarizations when the optical signal is received at one port, and have the second and the first polarizations, respectively, when the optical signal is received at the other port.

Abstract: A multiple wavelength output light source is disclosed. The multiple wavelength output light source comprises a laser device having a plurality of output wavelengths, and a modulator associated with and configured to modulate each wavelength independently. The plurality of modulated wavelengths can be separated prior to modulating and then combined, after modulation, onto a single optical fiber. The multiple modulated laser outputs can be used in a WDM or a DWDM optical communication system.

Abstract: An interleaver implemented using a directional separator and Bragg grating sections is disclosed. Wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal enters the interleaver and is directed from the input medium to a first output medium. The first output medium includes Bragg grating segments designed to reflect alternating channels of the WDM signal. The reflected channels are directed to a second output medium.

Abstract: An optical demultiplexer is implemented using a dispersive means and a photodetector array. An incoming wave division multiplexed (WDM) signal is dispersed into its component optical channels, and each optical channel is converted into its corresponding electrical signal. Outputs of the optical multiplexer are electrical signals.

Abstract: A light source for generating light that is collected by an optical system that collects light leaving the light source within a predetermined acceptance angle relative to an axis defined in relation to the optical system. The light source includes a plurality of LEDs mounted on a reflecting base. Each of the LEDs generates light that leaves that LED via a top surface, a bottom surface, and one or more side surfaces of the LED. The reflecting base has a reflective surface in contact with the bottom surface of each of the LEDs. Light leaving the side surfaces of the LEDs is reflected into the acceptance angle of the optical system by a plurality of reflectors. In one embodiment of the invention, the reflectors include a plurality of reflecting facets for reflecting light leaving the side surfaces of the LEDs. The facets may be part of the reflective base or separate objects located between the LEDs. In another embodiment of the invention, the reflectors include scattering centers located between the LEDs.

Abstract: A light source having emissions in a plurality of spectral bands. The simplest light source according to the present invention is constructed from first and second light sources and a dichroic beam splitter. The first and second solid state light sources emit light in first and second bands of non or only partially-overlapping wavelengths. The dichroic beam splitter combines light from the first and second solid state light sources by passing light in the first band while reflecting light in the second band to generate light having a spectral content in the first and second bands. The solid state light sources are preferably arrays of LEDs, VCSELs, or edge emitting semiconductor lasers. A light source having improved radiance in the green region of the spectrum can be constructed by utilizing first and second solid state light sources that emit in different bands in the green portion of the spectrum.

Abstract: A light source having emissions in a plurality of spectral bands. The simplest light source according to the present invention is constructed from first and second light sources and a dichroic beam splitter. The first and second solid state light sources emit light in first and second bands of non or only partially-overlapping wavelengths. The dichroic beam splitter combines light from the first and second solid state light sources by passing light in the first band while reflecting light in the second band to generate light having a spectral content in the first and second bands. The solid state light sources are preferably arrays of LEDs, VCSELs, or edge emitting semiconductor lasers. A light source having improved radiance in the green region of the spectrum can be constructed by utilizing first and second solid state light sources that emit in different bands in the green portion of the spectrum.

Abstract: A light source constructed from a two dimensional array of light emitting devices. The light emitting devices include first, second and third types of light emitter. The first type of light emitting device covers a first area in the two dimensional array and emits light in a first region of the optical spectrum. The second type of light emitting device covers a second area in the two dimensional array and emits light in a second region of the optical spectrum, and the third type of light emitting device covers a third area in the two dimensional array and emits light in a third region of the optical spectrum. The first, second, and third areas are chosen such that the simultaneous output from all emitters generates white light. At least one of the emitter types covers an area larger than that covered by the others.

Abstract: An improved packing system and method are disclosed wherein a packing section includes a liquid distributor and a separator placed above the distributor so that gas rising through the liquid distributor contacts liquid in the distributor, forming a gas-liquid combination which rises in co-current flow to the separator. Liquid is collected in the separator, from which gas rises.

Abstract: A composition for use in constructing a photosensitive film for recording an image. The composition includes first, second, and third particle types, each the particle type including a crystalline base material having a trap dopant and a color dopant deposited therein. Each of the color dopants has a different spectral sensitivity. One of the particle types is sensitive to light in the red portion of the visible spectrum. This particle type includes a crystalline base material including an alkaline earth sulfide or selenide doped with Yb.sup.+2.

Abstract: A simplified, cost effective optical apparatus for solid state photorecording of optical images with enhanced resolution. The optical apparatus of the invention includes an array of optical apertures and a plurality of portions of a phosphorescent material. Each portion is optically coupled to a respective one of the apertures. The apertures are exposed to an optical image so as to record the image in the plurality of portions of the phosphorescent material. A number of the apertures of the invention is large, preferably within a range of approximately one million to seven million apertures. For example in a preferred embodiment the number of the apertures is approximately six million apertures. Preferably, the optical apertures are microscopic optical apertures. For example, each aperture has a respective width dimension within a range of approximately ten to fifty microns. Preferably, the respective width dimension of each aperture is approximately twelve microns.

Abstract: An electrically tunable optical oscillator. An acoustooptically tunable filter is located in a feedback path of an optical oscillator. The filter non-collinearly diffracts the light signal to selectively tune the oscillator. In one embodiment the light signal passes twice through a single filter in a single transit around the feedback path. In another embodiment the light passes through a pair of filters which are arranged such that any frequency shift created by one is cancelled by the other.

Abstract: An external cavity laser is formed by feeding back light from a laser through two or more acoustooptic tuneable filters back to the laser. The Doppler shifts introduced by the filters do not entirely cancel. The net Doppler shift caused by the filters is continuously tuned to cause the bandpass of the filter to follow the shifting resonating frequency of the laser to prevent mode hopping.

Abstract: A bilithic laser resonator having a first block separated from a second block by a gap that can be adjusted to tune the wavelength of the laser. At least one of these blocks consists of a material that is capable of lasing and at least one of these blocks consists of a material that is capable of producing Faraday rotation of an optical beam.