Abstract: Apparatus for shaping an optical beam bundle carrying a plurality of substantially parallel optical beams disposed in a common plane of travel. First reflective facets and second reflective facets are provided, the first reflective facets being oriented so as to deflect the optical beams of the bundle into a plurality of intermediate, substantially non-parallel optical beams. Each of the second reflective facets is spatially disposed so as to receive a respective one of the intermediate optical beams at a different respective distance from the plane of travel of the optical beam bundle. Also, the second reflective facets are oriented so as to deflect the intermediate optical beams into a bundle of substantially parallel output optical beams. In this way, the output beam can be more adapted for a particular application. In certain cases, this also achieves increased brightness of a laser beam through reduced output beam divergence and/or total cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A coupling technique for the side coupling of light from a light source into a waveguide is provided. A transversal groove is made into a section of the waveguide, extending into the target light guiding region. A coupling element is coupled to the light source at one of its end to receive the light beam therefrom. The opposite end of the coupling element is inserted in the groove and has at least one reflecting interface which specularly reflects the light beam for propagation into the waveguide. This technique may advantageously be used to couple light from the laser diodes of an array into one or a plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: A coupling technique for the side coupling of light from a light source into a waveguide is provided. A transversal groove is made into a section of the waveguide, extending into the target light guiding region. A coupling element is coupled to the light source at one of its end to receive the light beam therefrom. The opposite end of the coupling element is inserted in the groove and has at least one reflecting interface which specularly reflects the light beam for propagation into the waveguide. This technique may advantageously be used to couple light from the laser diodes of an array into one or a plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: The present invention concerns waveguides made from porous glass which have been doped with certain selected materials which exhibit optical properties. In the context of the invention, the selected materials are optical materials which exhibit optical activity or a Faraday effect, such as an electro-optic material, and more specifically a polymer. Devices made according to the present invention can be used as phase modulators.

Abstract: The present invention concerns waveguides made from porous glass which have been doped with certain selected materials which exhibit optical properties. In the context of the invention, the selected materials are optical materials which exhibit optical activity or a Faraday effect, such as an electro-optic material, and more specifically a polymer. Devices made according to the present invention can be used as phase modulators.

Abstract: An optical fiber pumping apparatus for use with a double-cladding fiber in an optical amplifier or laser configuration comprises a plurality of laser diodes used as pump sources disposed in a spatial configuration for radiating pump energy along an optical axis through a surrounding generally annular area, leaving an available middle area. The apparatus further comprises an optical coupling device having an optical input portion generally aligned with the optical axis to collect the pump energy and having an optical output portion aligned with the pumping input portion for transferring the pump energy to the inner cladding surrounding the doped core of the fiber. The apparatus exhibits high pump power rating and allows efficient input signal coupling in optical fiber amplifier applications. According to the different preferred embodiments, the apparatus can act either simultaneously or independently as a pump combiner, multiple pump injector, signal coupler or pump/signal multiplexer/demultiplexer.