Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of a wavelength division multiplexing optical transmission apparatus and, more particularly, to a wavelength division multiplexing optical transmission apparatus having high wavelength stability unaffected by the temperature characteristics, aging, etc. of an arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) and its peripheral components.

Abstract: An apparatus for demultiplexing a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal includes a plurality of wavelength channels each having a different signal wavelength. The apparatus includes a signal port and a plurality of grating modules. Each grating module has a coupler and a fiber Bragg grating which has a unique wavelength. The grating modules each have an input port, an optical tap, and an output port. The grating modules are configured in a row having a first end and a second end. This is accomplished by connecting the output port of each grating module to the input port of another grating module. The first end of the row of grating modules is connected to the signal port. The Bragg gratings reflect different signal wavelengths.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for optical demultiplexing and optical multiplexing. An optical wavelength demultiplexer adapted to perform wavelength demultiplexing of an input optical signal containing a plurality of wavelengths is provided. A tuneable filter in combination with a device with a required free spectral range results in a tuneable demultiplexer arrangement which eliminates the need to inventory large numbers of different demultiplexers. Similarly, tuneable lasers in combination with a device with a required free spectral range result in a tuneable multiplexer arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for changing the propagation constant of a region of delaying propagation constant in an optical waveguide. The method comprising positioning an electrode of a prescribed electrode shape proximate the waveguide. A changeable region of delaying propagation constant is projected into the waveguides that corresponds, in shape, to the prescribed electrode shape by applying a voltage to the shaped electrode. The propagation constant level of the region of delaying propagation constant is controlled by varying the voltage. Light passing through the region of delaying propagation constant is delayed by a controllable amount.

Abstract: A zigzag waveguide device-based apparatus and method for achieving or maintaining wavelength lock for a tunable laser designed to generate light at a selected one of a plurality of target wavelengths. The apparatus has a reflectively coupled zigzag waveguide device for receiving a portion of light output by the tunable laser, the zigzag waveguide device having a plurality of filters, each having a passband centered at a respective one of the plurality of target wavelengths, whereby said zigzag waveguide device produces a plurality of filtered light outputs. A plurality of photosensors is provided, one for each of said plurality of filters, each said filter positioned to receive a respective one of the plurality of filtered light outputs, each said filter producing a filter output signal related to the intensity of said portion of light in the passband of the corresponding filter.

Abstract: A configurable dispersion compensating device for compensating for both the dispersion and slope of an attached optical communication span comprising at least one mode transformer and an optional fixed trim fiber. Additional trim fibers are switched into the optical path as required in order to maintain a dispersion and dispersion slope target for each span and for the overall optical communication link. In one embodiment the trim fiber comprises standard single mode fiber, while in another embodiment a slope correcting trim fiber is utilized. Optionally, attenuators are switched in place of unused trim fiber to maintain a fixed insertion loss. Switches may comprise patch cords or optical switches which may be manually operated or operated from a remote network management station.

Abstract: An optical filter having at least one optical fiber component and a thermal compensation device which includes a first, second and third member in which the thermal compensation device has a first and a second fixing point, the first, second and third members are made from materials having first, second and third thermal expansion coefficients, the optical fiber component is attached to the thermal compensation device at the first and the second fixing points thus defining a composite thermal expansion. The optical filter is such that the composite thermal expansion compensates for thermal behavior of the optical fiber component.

Abstract: An optical fiber collimator includes a transparent rod having a diameter large compared with the core diameter of the fiber but small compared with the lens. A first fusion splice connects the optical fiber to one end of the transparent rod and a second fusion splice connects the second end of the rod to the lens.

Abstract: A spherical lens is used to focus and direct light into an optical fiber for transmitting the focused light to an energy converter, a lighting or heating system, or a lighting or heating apparatus. The collected light may be converted to electricity by powering a steam turbine generator, thermal photo-voltaic cells, or the like. The collect light may also be supplied as a centralized light source to reflective lighting fixtures connected by fiber optics.

Abstract: An object beam divided by a light dividing means 12 is caused to enter a photo-refractive polymer layer 6 through an optical fiber 23. On the other hand, a reference beam divided by the light dividing means 12 is irradiated on the photo-refractive polymer layer 6 through a lens 13 from the opposite side. In this manner, the object beam is superimposed on the reference beam in the photo-refractive polymer layer 6 to provide an interference fringe or pattern. Since a photo-refractive polymer has a specific characteristic whereby the refractive index changes according to the intensity of irradiation light and the change is fixed after the irradiation light is stopped, a diffraction grating 5 corresponding to the interference fringe is recorded on the photo-refractive polymer layer 6. This diffraction grating 5 exhibits a specific characteristic whereby the object beam emitted from the optical fiber 23 is emitted in the direction of the reference beam.

Abstract: An optical module 31 is provided in which a wavelength division element 32 such as an optical multi-layer film or diffraction grating is united between the sides of lens blocks 3 of optical module units 1 and 6 opposed to optical fiber blocks 2. Only light with a wavelength &lgr;i among light (wavelength components: &lgr;1, &lgr;2 . . . &lgr;n) from an optical fiber 41 is transmitted through the wavelength division element 32 and enters an optical fiber 42 of the optical module unit 6. On the other hand, the light (wavelength components: &lgr;1, &lgr;2 . . . &lgr;n-&lgr;i) reflected at the wavelength division element 32 is taken out of an optical fiber 43 of the optical module unit 1.

Abstract: There are provided an optical fiber having a light focusing function and capable of setting the distance WD to the beam waist position and the beam waist diameter &ohgr; independently, and a method of manufacturing the optical fiber efficiently and at high accuracy. An end surface of a single mode optical fiber is connected to one end surface of a very short piece of spacer constituted of an optical fiber the diameter of which is identical to that of the single mode optical fiber and the refractive index of which is uniform. The other end surface of the spacer is connected to one end surface of a very short piece of graded index optical fiber the diameter of which is identical to that of the single mode optical fiber and the refractive index of which varies continuously in the direction of its diameter.

Abstract: An optical module which satisfies a required insertion loss and can be easily assembled with high productivity. The optical module includes first optical fiber, a first lens, an optical device, a second lens, and second optical fiber. The first lens receives an incident light from the first optical fiber and converts the incident light into a parallel light. The optical device receives the parallel light and performs predetermined optical processing on the parallel light. The second lens receives a transmitted parallel light from the optical device and converge the transmitted parallel light to produce an outgoing light. The second optical fiber receives the outgoing light. An optical axis of the first lens and an optical axis of the second lens are substantially coincident with each other. An optical axis of the first optical fiber and an optical axis of the second optical fiber are substantially parallel with each other and substantially parallel to the optical axes of the first and the second lenses.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in optical communication systems to multiplex/demultiplex an optical signal consisting of an optical channel(s) of distinct wavelength(s) having a select channel spacing within a select wavelength range. The apparatus includes a plurality of optical waveguides aligned generally along the same optical axis with each having a propagating end. At least two of the optical waveguides each propagate a distinct multiplexed optical signal comprising a plurality of channels, with the multiplexed optical waveguides being arranged in a multiplexed linear array. The others of the optical waveguides are single channel waveguides arranged in a two dimensional array with linear rows perpendicular to the multiplex linear array and with each linear row corresponding to a multiplex optical waveguide.

Abstract: A holographic medium comprising an optical waveguide including at least one core layer positioned between portions having a lower refractive index; a diffraction grating layer formed at a boundary between the core layer and the above portions or in the core layer; and a storage layer outside the optical waveguide. An optical waveguide having the above structure in which the diffraction efficiency of the diffraction grating layer has a specific distribution is useful. In multiple-angle storage, a reference beam is emitted from an end face of a core layer or from the upper or lower side of the medium and a photodetector may be used, so as to control the incident angle. The reference beam and/or the optical waveguide is moved so that the reference beam couples only with a specific diffraction grating layer. The object beam may be focused onto a small target area of the storage layer.

Abstract: A system for compensating chromatic dispersion includes a long variable pitch Bragg grating written in an optical fiber in which wavelength division multiplexed transmission channels propagate. A system for generating a thermal gradient includes at least two heating systems distributed over the grating and controlled independently of each other to compensate simultaneously the chromatic dispersion on a plurality of transmission channels.

Abstract: An optical component is described. The optical component includes a light distribution component having a light signal carrying region for carrying a light signal through the light distribution component. The optical component also includes a functional region positioned in the light distribution component such that the light signal carrying region extends through at least a portion of the functional region. The index of refraction of the light signal carrying region inside of the functional region is different from the index of refraction of the light signal carrying region outside of the functional region. Additionally, the functional region is shaped such that the dispersion profile of the light signal changes in response to traveling through the functional region. In some instances, the light distribution component has the geometry of a star coupler or a Rowland circle.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for altering the propagation constant of a region of deflecting propagation constant in an optical waveguide. The method comprising positioning an electrode of an electrode shape proximate the waveguide. A region of deflecting propagation constant is projected into the waveguide and corresponds, in shape, to the electrode shape by applying a voltage to the shaped electrode. The propagation constant of the region of deflecting propagation constant is controlled by varying the voltage that adjusts a deflection angle applied to an input optical signal flowing through the waveguide.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for altering the propagation constant of a region of filtering propagation constant in an optical waveguide. The method comprising positioning an electrode of an electrode shape proximate the waveguide. An altered region of filtering propagation constant is projected into the waveguide that corresponds, in shape, to the electrode shape by applying a voltage to the shaped electrode. The propagation constant of the region of filtering propagation constant is controlled by varying the voltage. Such filter embodiments as an Infinite Impulse Response filter and a Finite Impulse Response filter may be provided.

Abstract: A multi axis optical component actuator mechanism is disclosed using a plurality of electromagnetic coil actuators and a plurality of magnetic stator assemblies for aligning an optical component in a plurality of axes. In the preferred embodiment the plurality of electromagnetic coils are rigidly coupled together to a carriage and the optical component. The carriage is free to move within a plurality of magnetic flux air gaps defined within a plurality of magnetic stator assemblies in response to a plurality of control signals having a magnitude and polarity. Advantageously the disclosed multi-axis optical component actuation mechanism has a high frequency response as well as inexpensive cost of manufacturing.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a positioner for an optical element. The positioner includes a base having a receptacle and a substantially planar surface slidably engageable with a substrate. The positioner also includes a mounting platform disposed in the receptacle. The receptacle constrains the mounting platform to translation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substantially planar surface and the mounting platform is configured so as to be free to rotate about three orthogonal axes within the receptacle. The optical element is coupled to the mounting platform. The optical element is aligned with a second optical element by selectively positioning the mounting platform.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for cleaning particulate matter from contact surfaces of fiber-optics ferrules of an electronics assembly has one or more first connector halves for engaging one or more second connector halves hosting the ferrules to be cleaned, and one or more cleaning inserts provided within the one or more first connector halves, the cleaning inserts comprising adherent surfaces for removing particulates from engaged surfaces. The tool is characterized in that the one or more cleaning inserts are sized to contact the contact surfaces of the fiber optics ferrules with the first connector half engaged in the second connector half.

Abstract: An optical connector ferrule comprising a main section comprising optical fiber receiving areas, and side sections on opposite lateral sides of the main section. The optical fiber receiving areas comprise a single slot which is sized and shaped to receive a plurality of spaced optical fibers and is adapted to keep the optical fibers spaced from each other in the slot.

Abstract: The optical fiber connector according to the present invention has an optical fiber with an expanded center core at the free end of the fiber. The optical fiber is securely attached within the center bore of the ferrule. The ferrule has a front end and a rear end. The front end of the ferrule makes contact with another optical connector. The rear end of the ferrule is housed within a connector body. The free end of the optical fiber with the expanded center core is exposed at the front end of the ferrule, where a contact is made with another optical connector. The optical fiber connector has a typical structure, except for the expanded center core, including a ferrule, a connector body, strain relief boot, and a cable protecting the optical fiber outside the connector.

Abstract: Existing packages for photodiodes employ a silicone sealant to prevent moisture ingress and an adhesive to encapsulate the silicone covered photodiode. Differing coefficients of thermal expansion of the silicone and the adhesive can result in the disadvantageous formation of vacuum voids. The present invention overcomes this disadvantage by providing a package in which a silicon micro-bench supports a photodiode, the photodiode being substantially covered with silicone and not further encapsulated with an adhesive.

Abstract: A method of packaging an optical chip or an optical chip with an electronic chip that allows for close connections between the two chips. The method reduces parasitic capacitance and inductance, and provides unobstructed optical access while allowing for connection of a heat sink to the electronic chip for cooling.

Abstract: An optical connector capable of precisely aligning optical fibers with optical devices in a passive fashion is presented. The connector includes a fiber block and a device module. The fiber block can receive optical fibers and where the cores of the optical fibers are positioned in V-grooves. The device module receives optical devices in inserts formed in the device module such that electrical connections can be accomplished between electrical leads formed in the device module and the optical devices. The fiber block and the device module include complementary alignment mechanisms so that a precise alignment of the optical fibers with the optical devices can be accomplished. In some embodiments, the complementary alignment mechanism can be alignment holes and corresponding pins formed in the fiber block and device module. In some embodiments, a cover latched on the device module includes springs which hold the fiber block firmly in place in the device module.

Abstract: An optical module includes a base and a plurality of cooling fins mounted to the back surface of a printed wiring board used to support a number of opto-electronic devices. To optimize heat removal; the fins are mounted on the back surface in alignment with the opto-electronic devices mounted on the front surface. The module also includes a number of fiber-optic management features which are mounted on the wiring board or materially integrated with the base and cooling fins. By combining fiber-optic management features with a heat sink, on the opposite side of board-mounted opto-electronic components, the optical module achieves increased packaging density and functionality on a per volume basis compared with its conventional counterparts.

Abstract: Concepts for conveniently arranging devices for the transduction of signals to and from voltage and current domains to infrared radiation domains is described. Specifically, optoelectronic components and methods of making the same are described. In one aspect, the optoelectronic component includes a base substrate having a pair of angled (or substantially perpendicular) faces with electrical traces extending therebetween. A semiconductor chip assembly is mounted on the first face of the base substrate and a photonic device is mounted on the second face. Both the semiconductor chip assembly and the photonic device are electrically connected to traces on the base substrate. The semiconductor chip assembly is generally arranged to be electrically connected to external devices. The photonic devices are generally arranged to optically communicate with one or more optical fibers. The described structure may be used with a wide variety of photonic devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical assembly for opto-electronic packages comprising an optical fiber secured on the underside of an elongated support member in optical alignment with an opto-electronic device, wherein said support member is affixed to an aligning member, which in turn is affixed, e.g., by laser welding, to a welding platform. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated support member is a planar parallelepiped. In a further preferred embodiment, the elongated support member is a parallelepiped with an axially extended slot, in which the optical fiber is secured with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the axially extended slot.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing an optical waveguide filter for reliably selecting light of desired wavelength using polarization mode conversion, to realize a sufficient extinction ratio.

Abstract: A water-tight fiber optic ribbon communications cable constructed without the use of gel or grease in the buffer tube(s) thereof. A plurality of water-blocking yarns are provided around at least a portion of the stack of fiber optic ribbons loosely positioned within the buffer tube(s) that possess water swellable characteristics. The swell capacity of the plurality of water blocking yarns exceeds the critical mass of water that could enter the buffer tube(s) by a factor of 2.0 or more. Optionally, superabsorbent powder can be applied between and/or on the fiber optic ribbon stack.

Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon assembly (2, 3) of the present invention includes a plurality of aligned optical fibers (27) and a laminated structure surrounding the optical fibers. The laminated structure includes a clear polyvinyl chloride (PVC) extrusion layer (22) bonding the fibers together and a pair of Kapton layers (21) laminated over the PVC extrusion layer. Additional KEVLAR members (34) may be aligned with the fibers and embedded in the PVC extrusion layer and the Kapton layers, thereby providing the fibers with additional protection from tensile loads.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a concept of “smart” ribbons, which use functionally tensioned optical fibers during the manufacture of fiber optic ribbons to create fiber ribbons with controlled geometrical configuration, optimized strain distribution and reduced attenuation. The ribbons may have flat or bowed cross section and be straight along the length or curved in its plane, or twisted unidirectionally, or periodically. These shapes and residual stress-strain state are induced and controlled by using tension functions instead of traditional constant-value tension per fiber during the ribbon manufacture. Further, the present invention reduces signal loss and/or attenuation in ribbon fibers caused by an increase in the strain variation from tensile strain to compressive strain along the length of the individual fibers when ribbons are manufactured, stacked, stranded around a strength member or twisted and bent during cable installation.

Abstract: A dispersion compensating optical fiber ribbon comprising a plurality of coated optical fibers arranged in a parallel planar array, wherein each of the optical fibers exhibits at a wavelength of 1550 nm, a dispersion value of −10 ps/nm/km or less, the dispersion slope of a negative value, and the transmission loss of not more than 1 dB/km.

Abstract: In a thin conductor cable configured as a flat ribbon cable and surrounded by a common exterior sheath, the plurality of thin conductors are adhesively grouped together using an emulsion polymer.

Abstract: A large number of display components are arranged and fixed, for example, in a matrix configuration on a first principal surface of a large optical guide plate to construct a main display device body. A substance having a light-transmitting property adjusted for its refractive index is allowed to intervene at least between the large optical guide plate and the display components. The refractive index of the substance is preferably similar to the refractive index of the large optical guide plate as closely as possible. As for the light-transmitting property of the substrate, it is preferable that the transmittance is not less than 50% for the perpendicular incident light at the wavelength in the visible light region, and it is more preferable that the transmittance is not less than 70%, in order to successfully introduce the light into the display component in an efficient manner and suppress the electric power consumption.

Abstract: An optical article including a core; at least one cladding layer; and a narrow fluorine reservoir between the core and the cladding layer. The fluorine reservoir has a higher concentration of fluorine than either the cladding layer or the core. One particular embodiment includes a core including a halide-doped silicate glass that comprises approximately the following in cation-plus-halide mole percent 0.25-5 mol % Al2O3, 0.05-1.5 mol % La2O3, 0.0005-0.75 mol % Er2O3, 0.5-6 mol % F, 0-1 mol % Cl.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single mode optical waveguide fiber having a low cut off wavelength, and mode field diameter and bend resistance similar to step index single mode optical waveguide fiber designed for use at 1310 nm. By including a clad region of raised refractive index spaced apart from the core region of the single mode optical waveguide fiber, the cut off wavelength can be reduced to 850 nm. The single mode optical waveguide fiber in accord with the invention may also have a core region having a reduced refractive index on centerline surrounded by a region of higher refractive index and a clad region which is substantially uniform. The single mode optical waveguide fiber is thus ideally suited for use with the low cost, reliable VCSEL operating at 850 nm, a Fabry-Perot laser operating at 1310 nm, or a distributed feedback laser operating at 1550 nm thereby enabling low cost, easily installed, home access portions of the broadband telecommunications system.

Abstract: A graded index fiber formed of a plurality of fused graded index fibers is provided. Each fiber is formed from a preform comprising a plurality of fused low index rods with at least one high index rod arranged in a pre-determined pattern which have been drawn and fused. An array may be made utilizing such fibers, with each fiber having a center located at a specified position. A method of forming the GRIN fibers and the GRIN fiber array is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber including a fiber core and at least one coating substantially encapsulating the fiber core, wherein the at least one coating includes a material forming a data storage medium which is capable of digitally encoding information at a data density of at least about 4 bits per centimeter. Both magnetically and optically encoded fibers are disclosed. Also disclosed are a method of making an optical fiber of the present invention, methods of digitally encoding information onto an optical fiber, and a method of retrieving information digitally encoded onto an optical fiber.

Abstract: A single mode optical waveguide which is lithographically formed and employs polymeric materials having low propagation loss. The optical waveguide has a substrate, a polymeric, buffer layer having an index of refraction nb disposed on a surface of the substrate, a patterned, light-transmissive core layer having an index of refraction nc disposed directly on a surface of the cladding layer, and an overcladding layer having an index of refraction no on a top surface of the core, side walls of the core, and exposed portions of the buffer layer, with nb<no<nc and &Dgr;n=nc−no.

Abstract: A photonic crystal, and a photonic device having such a photonic crystal, configured by changing its physical geometry in at feast one region to alter light propagation and/or confinement, The configuring means may include electrostrictive, piezoelectric or magnetostrictive components of the photonic crystal, or an actuation device affixed to the photonic crystal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of modifying a planar waveguide core formed on a planar substrate and having at least one rough sidewall. The method comprises the steps of forming an overlayer having substantially the same refractive index as the waveguide core over each rough sidewall of the waveguide core so as to smooth over the sidewall roughness; and etching back the overlayer to form a desired waveguide structure with reduced sidewall roughness, wherein the rough sidewalls of the original waveguide core remain substantially coated with overlayer material in the desired waveguide structure. The roughness of the original sidewalls of the waveguide core is effectively reduced by leaving their coated with the overlayer material, which has been etched back. This leaves smoother sidewalls in the desired waveguide structure when compared with the original sidewalls of the waveguide core. The invention is particularly useful for reducing sidewall scattering losses in planar waveguide optical amplifiers.

Abstract: The present invention provides for polarization independence in electrooptic waveguides. Specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic waveguide for an optical signal is provided. The waveguide comprises a plurality of control electrodes, an optical waveguide core defining a primary axis of propagation, and an electrooptic cladding at least partially surrounding the core. The control electrodes are positioned to generate a contoured electric field across the cladding. The cladding is poled along a poling contour. The contoured electric field and/or the poling contour are asymmetric relative to a plane intersecting the waveguide core and extending along the primary axis of propagation. The electrooptic cladding defines at least two cladding regions on opposite sides of the waveguide core.

Abstract: The present invention aims to simplify a mass production process of an optical waveguide device and to reduce cost as well as noise. The optical waveguide device includes an optical waveguide whose entrance end face and exit end face are substantially parallel to each other. A SHG device is mass-produced by optically polishing an optical material substrate with a large area and then cutting the substrate. This method can mass-produce the optical waveguide devices having a uniform device length. The angle between the exit end face of the optical waveguide and the direction of an optical axis of the optical waveguide at the exit end face is not 90°, thereby reducing return light from the exit end face.

Abstract: An optical waveguide provided on a substrate, which comprises a core for transmitting light and a clad formed around the core, wherein the clad is made of a fluorinated alicyclic structure-containing polymer having functional groups.

Abstract: Optical waveguide structures including optical filters can be formed using a semiconductor structure having a monocrystalline silicon substrate, an amorphous oxide material overlying the monocrystalline silicon substrate, a monocrystalline perovskite oxide material overlying the amorphous oxide material, and a monocrystalline compound semiconductor material overlying the monocrystalline perovskite oxide material, and/or other types of material such as metals and non-metals.

Abstract: A method for reducing optical loss in opto-electronic devices includes passivating P-type dopant impurities formed within various cladding and contact layer films. The passivating species is atomic hydrogen produced by a hydrogen containing plasma. The atomic hydrogen complexes with P-type dopant impurities to form electrically neutral pairs which are void of free carriers. Absorption, and loss, of the optical wave is therefore suppressed as it propagates through the P-doped layers because of the reduced free carrier concentration in the P-doped layers.

Abstract: A planar optical waveguide is disclosed. The waveguide includes a substrate, a first cladding disposed on the substrate, and a first core disposed on a first portion of the first cladding. The first core is constructed from a first material. The optical waveguide also includes a second core disposed on a second portion of the first cladding, with the second core being constructed from a second material and a second cladding disposed on the first core, the second core, and a remaining portion of the first cladding. A method of manufacturing the waveguide is also disclosed.