Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing light signals. A light signal is sent into a first optical fiber core in an optical coupler having an input region, a coupling region, and an output region. The first optical fiber core is located in a cladding having a substantially circular cross section. The light signal is coupled between the first optical fiber core and one of the first optical fiber core and a second optical fiber core in the coupling region of the optical coupler based on a position of the coupling region as the light signal travels through the coupling region to the output region of the optical coupler using a switching system configured to move the coupling region between one of a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing light signals. A light signal is sent into a first optical fiber core in an optical coupler having an input region, a coupling region, and an output region. The first optical fiber core is located in a cladding having a substantially circular cross section. The light signal is coupled between the first optical fiber core and one of the first optical fiber core and a second optical fiber core in the coupling region of the optical coupler based on a position of the coupling region as the light signal travels through the coupling region to the output region of the optical coupler using a switching system configured to move the coupling region between one of a first position and a second position.

Abstract: An optical fiber coil including an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, the optical fiber including first, second, third and fourth segments, wherein the first segment is contiguous with the second segment, the second segment is contiguous with the third segment, and the third segment is contiguous with the fourth segment, and plural substantially planar layers stacked along a coil axis, the layers including a first planer layer formed from the first segment, a second planar layer formed from the second segment, a third planar layer formed from the third segment, and a fourth planar layer formed from the fourth segment, wherein the fourth planar layer is positioned between the first planar layer and the second planar layer, and wherein the second planer layer is positioned between the third planer layer and the fourth planar layer.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, a photonic crystal fiber apparatus includes a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer. The first cladding layer includes a plurality of photonic crystal rods disposed in an array along a longitudinal axis. The array has a separation between a first portion of the rods that defines a core region. A second portion of the photonic crystal rods is doped with two rare earth elements. The first cladding layer is configured to propagate signal light. The second cladding layer provides physical support for the plurality of photonic crystal rods and is configured to propagate pump light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus hermetically sealing a fiber array block is described. In one embodiment, a fiber array plate is fabricated and an array of tapered holes formed therein. An adhering metal layer, such as a titanium, nickel and gold multilayer, is deposited upon the fiber array plate. A solder preform is positioned on the fiber array plate so that the array of holes in the solder preform corresponds to the array of holes in the array plate. Fibers having an adhering metal layer deposited thereon, are then inserted through the fiber array plate. The tapered holes make the fiber insertion process easier. The fiber array plate is then heated such that the solder preform melts causing the solder to fill any gaps between the fiber array plates and the fiber. When the solder cools a hermetic seal is formed while the fibers remain accurately positioned.

Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device having one or more depletion regions that are controlled by one or more control electrodes to vary the spatial distribution of the carriers in an active layer. The voltages on the control electrodes can be controlled to modulate the current density in the active layer and the output light intensity. The polarization of a surface emitting diode laser based on this device can be controlled or modulated.

Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device having one or more depletion regions that are controlled by one or more control electrodes to vary the spatial distribution of the carriers in an active layer. The voltages on the control electrodes can be controlled to modulate the current density in the active layer and the output light intensity. The polarization of a surface emitting diode laser based on this device can be controlled or modulated.

Abstract: A quantum well infrared photodetector and modulator are monolithically integrated to one another. The infrared scene impinges on an infrared receiving element such as a phase grating, which couples it to a modulator. The modulator includes asymmetric quantum wells which are shifted by an applied bias. By appropriately adjusting the bias, the modulator can pass a maximum amount of the input information or can pass less. The photodetector and modulator both use the same kinds of materials, preferably GaAs and Al.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As, so they essentially become a single unit, obtaining better noise and operating characteristics from the combination.