Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a polarization maintaining optical coupler, protective jackets of the optical fibers are tapered adjacent the fused portions. In one embodiment of the method a fusing heat source travels repeatedly over a fixed predetermined distance. The fused portion is surrounded by air.

Abstract: A compact sized polarization maintaining optical coupler utilizes a fused and tapered optical fiber coupler. The protective jackets of the optical fibers are tapered adjacent the fused portions. The fused portion is surrounded by air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for suppressing false resonances in fiber optic modulators forms cavities in the modulator housing and fills the cavities with a flowable composition that includes iron.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for testing an optical circuit simultaneously contacts and allows testing of a plurality of optical circuits in a substrate before the optical circuits are cut from the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing an optical fiber in a housing includes welding the optical fiber to fused silica or to a glass frit material such that the physical properties of the optical fiber are substantially unchanged.

Abstract: An optical source emits a source optical signal having a source optical signal power and a wavelength. A splitter or other similar device splits the source optical signal into a first optical signal having a first optical signal power and into a second optical signal having a second optical signal power such that the source optical signal power is split between the first optical signal power and the second optical signal power. This split is dependent upon the wavelength of the source optical signal. A first detector detects the first optical signal power and a second detector detects the second optical signal power. A controller responds to the first and second detectors in order to control the wavelength of the source optical signal.

Abstract: An optical fiber directional coupler housing having a primary protective body substantially formed as a rectangular block with a receiving space therein. A slot in the primary protective body provides the receiving space therein. The coupled portion of the coupler to be housed is positioned in the receiving space. A resilient support material having an index of refraction less than that of the coupled portion extends into the receiving space extending between the coupled portion of the coupler which it also at least partially surrounds and the primary protective body. Plugs are typically provided at the ends of the protective body to secure the optical fibers extending from the coupled portion to the body. A heat shrinkable tubing is used as a jacket which encompasses and extends beyond the primary body.

Abstract: A fiber optic polarization maintaining apparatus for use in fabrication of fused optical couplers, where the fused optical couplers include first and second optical fibers which each have a principle axis. A light launching source is coupled through a lens into a first end of a selected one of the first and second optical fibers. A piezoelectric element in combination with a solenoid applies external stress in the form of an AC modulation signal to the selected one of the first and second optical fibers. A rotating apparatus rotates the selected one of the first and second optical fibers during modulation. Apparatus for collimating light is coupled to a second end of the selected fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic polarization maintaining apparatus for use in fabrication of fused optical couplers, where the fused optical couplers include first and second optical fibers. The apparatus includes apparatus for holding the first and second optical fibers in a first predetermined alignment where the first and second fibers each include a stripped portion and where the stripped portions are held in contact along their length. Apparatus for heating the first and second optical fibers are located adjacent the holding apparatus wherein the heating apparatus is brushed across the length of the first and second fibers so as to oscillate across the fibers in an amplitude varied in an ever decreasing stepped manner until fusion of the fibers is complete.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a housing for an optical coupler. The housing includes a primary protective body having a receiving space therein, wherein the coupled portion of the coupler is positioned. A support material at least partially about the coupled portion of the coupler extends in the receiving space to the primary protective body. The support material is resilient and has an index of refraction less than that of the coupled portion of the coupler.

Abstract: A proximity switch for use with a single optical source of energy. A passive fiber-optic magnetometer includes a Michelson type magnetometer in which one of the legs is sensitized to magnetic fields. A fiber-optic data link connects the magnetometer to the single optical source of energy and to a photo detector. A permanent magnet positioned adjacent the magnetometer causes constructive interference which is detected by the photo detector.

Abstract: An electrically passive fiber optic position sensor having a course measurement indicator and a fine measurement indicator combined to determine the overall position, whether linear or angular, of an object measured. The coarse measurement sensor depends on bending loss of optic fiber in one embodiment and on the Faraday effect in another embodiment. The fine measurement indicator depends on the Faraday effect in both embodiments. The invention avoids the problems of contaminated optics as the light need not leave the optic fiber.