Abstract: A method and system for providing an optical switch is described. The method and system include providing a triple fiber collimator, a beam deflector and a reflector. The triple fiber collimator is for receiving an optical signal from a first fiber and outputting the optical signal to a second fiber or a third fiber. The beam deflector has a first portion and a second portion. The beam deflector resides between the reflector and the triple fiber collimator. The optical signal travels through the first portion of the beam deflector, is reflected by the reflector and is output over the second fiber when the beam deflector is in a first position. The optical signal travels through the second portion of the beam deflector, is reflected by the reflector and is output over the third fiber when the beam deflector is in a second position.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a dense wavelength division multiplexer is disclosed. The method and system include providing a dual fiber collimator, a filter and a filter holder. The dual fiber collimator includes a lens and a capillary. The capillary is for holding a plurality of fibers. The filter holder has an aperture therein. The filter is disposed between the dual fiber collimator and the filter holder. The filter has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface is covered with a filter coating. The filter is affixed to the filter holder by the second surface.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a highly integrated hybrid component is disclosed. The method and system include providing a triple fiber collimator, a dual isolator/polarization beam deflector and a dual fiber collimator. The triple fiber collimator receives a plurality of pump signals in a first direction and outputs an optical signal in a second direction. The dual isolator/polarization beam deflector is optically coupled to the triple fiber collimator. The dual isolator/polarization beam deflector transmits the pump signals in the first direction, prevents a portion of the pump signals from traveling out of the triple-fiber collimator in the second direction, provides the optical signal in the second direction and prevents a portion of the optical signal from traveling out of the dual fiber collimator in the first direction. The dual fiber collimator receives the optical signal traveling in the second direction and outputs the pump signals traveling in the first direction.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an isolator/polarization beam deflector is disclosed. The method and system include a first collimator, a core and a second collimator. The first collimator collimates a plurality of optical signals traveling in a first direction. The core receives the optical signals from the first collimator. The core includes first and second birefringent wedges and a rotator between the first and second birefringent wedges. The first collimator, the first birefringent wedge and the rotator transmit the optical signals such that the optical signals cross at an interface between the rotator and the second birefringent wedge. The core transmits the optical signals with a deflection, combines the optical signals to provide a combined optical signal and prevents a reflected portion of the optical signals from traveling opposite to the first direction. The second collimator receives and couples the combined optical signal to the output.

Abstract: A method and system for filtering an optical signal is disclosed. The method and system comprise providing a polarization beam splitter, first and second rotators, a liquid crystal tunable filter, and first and second prisms. The polarization beam splitter splits the optical signal into two components based on polarization. The first rotator rotates a polarization 45 degrees in a first direction and is located between the liquid crystal tunable filter unit and the polarization beam splitter. The liquid crystal tunable filter unit includes liquid crystal molecules aligned 45 degrees clockwise relative to the vertical direction and is placed between the first rotator and the second rotator. The second rotator rotates the polarization 45 degrees opposite to the first direction. The first prism is located near the second rotator, while the second prism is near the beam splitter.

Abstract: An optical switch using a refractive optical element (52) to direct a light beam in selected directions upon operation of the switch. In a preferred embodiment, the refractive optical element is an optical wedge having a first portion (67) that transmits a light beam in a selected direction, and a second portion (50) that transmits the light beam in another direction, when the first or second portions of the optical wedge are switched into the path of the light beam. The refractive optical element is less sensitive to misalignment than a reflective element, for example. In a further embodiment, the optical wedge is combined with wavelength-selective filters (118, 128) and other components to provide a channel DROP and/or ADD function with high isolation.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an optical circulator is disclosed. The optical circulator includes a first port, a second port and a third port adjacent to the first port. The optical circulator also includes a first birefringent material, a first rotator pair, a polarization beam deflector, a second birefringent material, a second rotator pair and a third birefringent material. The first birefringent material is optically coupled to the first port and the third port and has a longitudinal axis, a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a first displacement direction. The polarization beam deflector changes the direction of the optical signal without introducing a walk-off in the optical signal. The first displacement direction is at a first oblique angle from the transverse direction.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an optical circulator is disclosed. The optical circulator includes, a first port, a second port, a third port and means for establishing a first optical path and a second optical path, the second port is opposite to the first port, while the third port is adjacent to the first port. The first optical path is from the first port to the second port, while the second optical path from the second port to the third port. The optical path establishing means include a first and a second half wave plate, a first and a second rotator pair, and a polarization beam deflector. The first rotator pair is between the first port and the first half wave plate. The second rotator pair is between the second port and the second half wave plate. The polarization beam deflector is for altering a direction of the first optical path and the second optical path. The polarization beam deflector is located between the first rotator pair and the first half wave plate.

Abstract: An optical amplifier assembly integrating wavelength selective input and output filters. Integration of wavelength selective filters with a doped fiber optical amplifier stage provides a modular amplifier for use in wavelength division multiplexed optical communication systems. In one embodiment, a center tap provides access to the selected light signal after a first amplifier stage, allowing signal modification before returning the light signal to a second amplifier stage of the integrated amplifier. In a further embodiment, a pump interconnect is provided between the first and second amplifier stages to allow operation of both amplifier stages from a single pump light source.