Abstract: A liquid crystal optical performance monitor is described that employs a liquid crystal tunable filter for receiving a P-polarization beam and a rotated S-polarization beam from a C-polarizer. The rotated S-polarization beam from a birefringent crystal in C-polarizer propagates through a waveplate which rotates the polarization by 90 degrees, resulting in the rotated S-polarization beam having the same polarization orientation as the P-polarization beam. The liquid crystal tunable filter therefore receives just the P-polarization orientation. The C-polarizer and a small beam collimator are rotated so that the polarization orientation of the P-polarization beam and the rotated S-polarization beam matches the orientation of the LC inside the LC cavity of the LC tunable filter. In a first embodiment, the liquid crystal optical performance monitor is implemented with a photodiode. In a second embodiment, the liquid crystal optical performance monitor is implemented with a bi-cell photo diode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for a fiber optic housing and aligning device. In one embodiment, a fiber optic housing and aligning device is provided. The device includes a housing having an opening in a wall thereof, the wall having a curved surface; a tubular casing comprising a ring therearound, the ring having a curved surface which mates with the curved surface of the housing so that the casing is directionally adjustable relative to the housing; and a collimator disposed within the casing, wherein the ring and the wall are configured to be permanently fixed to one another.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for a fiber optic housing and aligning device. In one embodiment, a fiber optic housing and aligning device is provided. The device includes a housing having an opening in a wall thereof, the wall having a curved surface; a tubular casing comprising a ring therearound, the ring having a curved surface which mates with the curved surface of the housing so that the casing is directionally adjustable relative to the housing; and a collimator disposed within the casing, wherein the ring and the wall are configured to be permanently fixed to one another.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for a fiber optic housing and aligning device. A fiber optic housing and aligning device in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing, a directionally adjustable tubular casing that is mechanically coupled to a wall of the housing, and a collimator disposed within the directionally adjustable tubular casing, wherein the adjustable tubular casing comprises a convex spherical cap surface that mates with a concave seating surface of an opening within the wall and wherein the spherical cap surface may be attached to the housing by laser welding or by epoxy.