Abstract: An optical fiber collimator using a gradient index rod lens for securing a required long opposing distance and easy handling. The collimator includes a single mode fiber and a gradient index rod lens for receiving an incident light from the single mode fiber and converting the incident light into a collimated light, or condensing an incident light and coupling the condensed incident light to the single mode fiber. A meandering period (pitch) of a ray determined by a refractive index distribution of the rod lens is decided. The gradient index rod lens has a lens length larger by 0.5 meandering periods than a minimum lens length required to obtain a predetermined opposing distance between a pair of the rod lenses.

Abstract: A fast tunable optical filter with unique selection means, capable of being monolithically integrated on silica or semiconductive wafers, includes a frequency routing device (FRD) for receiving up to P input optical signals and responsively providing up to Q outputs, where P and Q are integers greater than or equal to one, at least one input selecting device for selectively coupling up to P optical signals to the FRD, and at least one output selecting device for selectively inhibiting up to Q outputs of said FRD.

Abstract: A polarization coupler includes a stress-inducing feature disposed to generate a stress-field in a substrate. First and second waveguides each have a coupling portion that pass through the stress-field. First and second periodic-structures are in optical communication with the coupling portions of the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of photoinducing a Bragg grating in an optical fiber (300) or a waveguide, in which a selected zone of the fiber (300) or waveguide is subjected to a step of being exposed with a source beam (120) using a mirror (200) in such a manner as to fold a portion (122) of the source beam (120) as reflected by the mirror (200) onto a portion (224) of the source beam that is not reflected by the mirror, thereby obtaining a diffraction grating in the fiber (300) or waveguide, the method being characterized in that an additional exposure step is performed on said portion of the fiber (300) or waveguide, and in that relative displacement is imparted between the two exposure steps to elements selected from the beam (120), the fiber (300) or waveguide, and the mirror (200) in such a manner as to cause a same portion of the beam (120) used for photoinduction in both exposure steps to be reflected by the mirror (200) in one of the steps and not reflected by the mirror (200) in the other step.

Abstract: An arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) device is described in which there are a plurality of output waveguides (10) coupled at one end to the output side of an second optical interaction region (4) of the AWG, and wherein the output waveguides are substantially identically curved in at least a portion of the fan-out region of the AWG. This improves the channel (frequency) spacing accuracy of the AWG. In one embodiment input waveguides (2) of the AWG are also substantially identically curved in at least a portion of the fan-in region of the AWG, these being inversely curved to the substantially identically curved portions of the output waveguides, with respect to the direction of travel of light along the waveguides. This has been found to reduce asymmetry in the channel output response.

Abstract: An arrayed waveguide grating 101 is shown, which comprises at least one input waveguide 103, a plurality of output waveguides 104, at least one wavelength compensation output waveguide 105 disposed adjacent to the output waveguide 104, a channel waveguide array 107, an input side slab-waveguide 108, and an output side slab-waveguide 109. The wavelength compensation output waveguide 105 has a tapering connecting portion connected to the output side slab-waveguide 105. Thus, the outputted light has a sharp spectrum, thus permitting ready wavelength compensation.

Abstract: In a laser apparatus, a plurality of semiconductor laser elements respectively emit laser beams; a multimode optical fiber has a light-entrance end and a light-emission end; an optical condensing system collects the laser beams emitted from the plurality of semiconductor laser elements, and couples the collected laser beams to the light-entrance end of the multimode optical fiber; and a protection member is arranged at the light-emission end of the multimode optical fiber, protects the light-emission end from the atmosphere, and has a light-emission window located at at least a predetermined distance from the light-emission end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for multiplying light frequencies, especially laser light. Said device comprises an optically non-linear element having a rigid structure with normal regions and inversion regions, the direction of the spontaneous polarization in the inversion regions being inverted in relation to the normal direction in the normal regions. The inventive device also comprises electrodes for producing an electric field. The aim of the invention is to create a device which enables light frequencies to be multiplied and a higher conversion efficiency of a coupled pumping wave in relation to known devices. To this end, the grid structure consists of at least one first grid section (21; 41; 65), the electrodes (29, 30; 51, 52; 54, 55; 58, 59, 60; 72, 73) being associated with the second grid section (22; 42; 66).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode structure, which comprises a substrate provided with an electrode formed thereon, wherein the substrate comprises a layer of a fluorine-containing polyimide and a layer of a fluorine-free resin is interposed between the polyimide layer and the electrode and, in particular, to the foregoing electrode structure, wherein the electrode comprises a gold layer as the outermost or surface layer and an aluminum layer interposed between the substrate and the gold layer. The electrode structure of the present invention never causes any peeling off of the electrode due to insufficient adhesion of the electrode to the substrate, the structure has sufficiently high strength and therefore the boundary between the substrate and the electrode formed thereon is not destroyed by the energy of ultrasonics applied thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting device for providing an optical connection between an apparatus comprising a apparatus port and provided for receiving and/or sending optical signals, and at least one optical fiber comprising a connector. The connecting device comprises a support plate supporting at least one adapter. The adapter comprises an adapter contact adapted for a plug connection with the apparatus port of the apparatus, and a connector contact adapted for a plug and/or screw connection with the connector of the fiber. The support plate provides a grip for manually plugging in/off all of its adapters simultaneously into/from the respective apparatus ports.

Abstract: A method wherein optical fibers in a silicon connector are joined to a second optical component. The silicon connector is etched back with a dry etchant that is highly preferential for silicon to thereby etch the silicon connector much more than the optical fiber. After etching, the optical fibers protrude beyond the silicon connector so that they may be easily joined to the second optical component. Also disclosed is an optical fiber assembly made according to this method.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical signal transmission system for transmitting data between electronic units via a rear plate. The inventive transmission system comprises a point of separation on which an optical image system (31), for an easily separable connection, is arranged in such a way that optical power loss during the signal transmission is minimised.

Abstract: An integrated optical module interface is provided that includes an opening for a fiber optic connector with fiber optic guide pins and a lens opening. The integrated optical module interface also has a plurality of alignment elements to assist in aligning an optical device with the fiber optic connector. Latch elements are also provided to secure a fiber optic connector in the optical module interface. Preferably, the optical module interface is unitary, but could also be made of two components.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable utilizing fibers mixed within the jacket material. This design improves the properties of the jacket by decreasing the jacket's shrinkage after aging; decreasing the jacket's coefficient of thermal expansion; and increasing the jacket's surface roughness.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable with optical fibers stranded around a central strength member, and surrounded outerjacket made of a low coefficient of friction material and thinly constructed to show the profile of the stranded shape of the optical lines through the jacket, to thereby form a textured surface

Abstract: A nonmetallic, nonconductive strength member for use in a cable or as a component of a strength reinforcement system of a cable is provided. The strength member is constructed of low cost materials and includes multiple glass fibers coated with a coating composition. The strength member provides flexibility and high tensile strength. The strength member exhibits low smoke generation and low flammability properties. The coating composition includes at least a lubricant that imparts a substantially smooth surface and a low coefficient of friction to the glass fibers to help facilitate processing of the strength member(s) during cabling and stranding procedures. The coating composition also includes at least an adhesive component that helps to substantially adhere the glass fibers together and helps to form the glass fibers into the strength member. The strength member can be configured as a yarn or as a strand for incorporation within a cable and/or for arrangement with one or more cable components.

Abstract: Disclosed is an array immobilizing selective binding substances thereon, with which each sample can be distinguished without relying on the positions, an arbitrary array may be made, the density may be freely changed depending on the method of using, and with which the reaction between the bound sample and another sample can be detected easily. The present invention provides a fiber on which a selective-binding substance is immobilized, or a fiber array comprising a bundle of the fibers. A method for binding reaction between a selective binding substance and a corresponding selective binding substance, in which a test sample and/or the corresponding selective binding substance is(are) moved relative to the surface on which the selective binding substance is immobilized by, for example, applying an AC voltage in a direction crossing the perpendicular axis of the surface on which the selective binding substance is immobilized was also provided.

Abstract: A waveguide configuration including a core having an index of refraction and a shear velocity, a first cladding extending about the core having a shear velocity which is less than that of the core and an index of refraction which is less than the core, a second cladding extending about the first cladding, the second cladding having a shear velocity which is greater than that of the first cladding, wherein an optical mode has an index of refraction greater than that of the second cladding, and a buffer extending about the second cladding.

Abstract: An optical fiber characterized by a dispersion of not less than 2 ps/nm/km and not more than 10 ps/nm/km at a wavelength of 1550 nm, an effective area of 65 &mgr;m2 or more at a wavelength of 1550 nm, a positive dispersion slope at a wavelength of 1550 nm, a zero dispersion wavelength outside the wavelength range of 1400 nm to 1460 nm, an absolute value of dispersion of not less than 2 ps/nm/km and not more than 10 ps/nm/km at a wavelength of 1400 nm, a cutoff wavelength of 1400 nm or shorter, and a transmission loss of 0.40 dB/km or less at a wavelength of 1400 nm is provided. By using the optical fiber of the present invention, the WDM transmission both in the 1.55 &mgr;m wavelength band and in the wavelength range between 1400 nm to 1460 nm is realized.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to design a photonic crystal fiber with high birefringence property such to preserve the polarization of optical signals transmitted through such fiber without implying to high manufacturing cost. For that a photonic crystal fiber is designed having at least the inner rows of the used longitudinal holes surrounding its guiding core following a parallelogram shape arrangement. This leads to a photonic crystal with an at most two fold rotational symmetry about a longitudinal symmetry. It is a particularly advantageous way to introduce a high birefringence which will guarantee to retain the polarisation of the transmitted optical signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for manufacturing microstructured optical fibers having an arbitrary core size and shape. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of fabricating a photonic band gap fiber includes the steps of forming an assembly of stacked elongate elements, the assembly including a first set of elongate elements, the first set of elongate elements defining and surrounding a core volume, and a second set of elongate elements surrounding the first set of elongate elements, wherein the core volume defined by the first set of elongate elements has a shape that is not essentially an integer multiple of the external shape of the elongate elements of the second set of elongate elements; including the assembly in a photonic band gap fiber preform; and drawing the photonic band gap fiber preform into the photonic band gap fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber article comprising an optical fiber having a core and a cladding disposed about the core. The cladding can have a normal effective refractive index that is lower than the refractive index of the core, and the optical fiber can include a selected section wherein the cladding has a selected effective refractive index that is substantially higher than the normal effective refractive index for expanding the mode field diameter of the fiber along the selected section to be substantially larger than the normal mode field diameter. The fiber can be microstructured optical fiber, and can be joined, such as by splicing, to another optical fiber or device.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for monolithic integration of active devices within passive semiconductor waveguides and the application of this method for use in InP-based planar wavelength division multiplexing components of optical communication systems. The epitaxial device is grown in a single run and comprises a number of layers, such that the lower part of the structure acts as a single mode passive waveguide while the upper part of the structure contains a planar PIN diode. The PIN structure is present only in the active waveguide portion and absent in all the passive waveguide portions. The active and passive waveguide portions have substantially similar guiding properties with the exception of a mode tail above a top surface of the passive waveguide portion within the active waveguide portion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for transmitting an optical wave comprising at least an input optical guiding means and an output optical guiding means between which an optical wave is capable of passing through via their adjacent end surfaces and actuating means for moving one of the optical guiding means relative to the other, wherein the detecting means (22) sense a measuring signal representing the optical wave intensity in the output guiding means (9); comparing means (24) compare the value of said measuring signal to a reference value associated with a desired value of the optical wave intensity in the output guiding means and delivering a comparison signal (26) according to the result of said comparison; and control means (26) subjected to said comparison signal delivering a signal controlling said actuating means (13a) to adjust the position of the input guiding means.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator with tunable wavelength selectivity includes at least two reflectors disposed parallel to each other at a predetermined angle from an optic axis and driving units connected to said at least two reflectors for allowing the reflectors to move back and forth in a direction perpendicular or parallel to the optic axis or to revolve centering on an axis perpendicular or parallel to the optic axis. Since the variable optical attenuator of the present invention serves as a variable optical attenuator and, at the same time, as a tunable wavelength filter, problems of insertion loss and optical alignment that might be caused by separately installing a variable optical attenuator and a wavelength filter can be effectively prevented. Moreover, by implementing the variable optical attenuator and the tunable wavelength filter by using a single device, the size of a system using the optical attenuator can be reduced.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable suitable for blowing into and through ducts containing pressurized gas, such as natural gas, has the fibers therein arranged in arrays that form longitudinally extending vents. The vents are blocked from transmission of any gas by each being filled with a compliant member which assumes the cross-sectional shape of the vents thereby blocking it.

Abstract: An electro-optic waveguide device, comprising (a) a first polymer buffer clad having a refractive index of about 1.445 to about 1.505 and a thickness of about 2.2 &mgr;m to about 3.2 &mgr;m; (b) a first polymer clad having a refractive index of about 1.53 to about 1.61 and a thickness of about 1.0 &mgr;m to about 3.0 &mgr;m; (c) an electro-optic polymer core having a refractive index of about 1.54 to about 1.62 and a thickness of about 1.0 &mgr;m to about 3.0 &mgr;m; and (d) a second polymer buffer clad having a refractive index of about 1.445 to about 1.505 and a thickness of about 2.2 &mgr;m to about 3.2 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An electro-optic waveguide device that includes (a) an electro-optic polymer core having a refractive index and (b) an electro-optic first polymer clad in proximity to the electro-optic polymer core.

Abstract: Electro-optic waveguide devices that comprise an electro-optic polymer core and a polymer buffer clad. The polymer buffer clad comprises an organically modified sol-gel and has a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the core.

Abstract: The invention provides a light guide member and an illuminating device which are able to efficiently uniformly irradiate illumination light to only an area requiring illumination. Therefore, a reflection face is constructed by reflection stripes such as many grooves, etc. widened in a concentric circle shape. Light from a light source unit is widened toward this entire reflection face without irregularities by a diffusing portion such as a reflection prism, etc. Thus, only the range actually requiring the illumination can be illuminated without irregularities, and visibility of the illumination range using a front light is raised.

Abstract: A driving device for optical-fiber handicrafts includes a base, an electromotor mounted in the base and a plurality of optical-fiber holes defined on a ceiling of the base, a plurality of optical-fiber pipes respectively located aligningly to the optical-fiber holes, a driving setting on the outer-top surface of the base actively connected to the optical-fiber pipes, and an axle defining on the electromotor and actively connected to the driving setting to drive the optical-fiber pipes regularly moving.

Abstract: A viewer can enter into a wish list a show listed on an electronic program guide (EPG) that is being shown on a channel not subscribed to by the viewer. Should the show later become available on a subscribed-to channel, it is automatically recorded.

Abstract: A video signal recording/playback apparatus includes a switch and a capture unit. The switch selects and outputs one of a first video signal recorded and played back in a recording medium and a distributed second video signal. The capture unit temporarily storing the video signal output from the switch. Simultaneously to a pause operation requested or after a predetermined period of time from the pause operation, the capture unit stores one image of the video signal and outputs the image as a pause image, and does not store a remaining of the video signal. Then, soon after the switch starts to output the first video signal recording/playbackced by a player, the capture unit starts storing the first video signal and outputs the first video signal as its is. The video signal recording/playback apparatus can smoothly shift from the pause image to an image of the recording/playbackced video signal when shifting from a time keep mode to a playback mode.

Abstract: An information playback apparatus according to one aspect of this invention comprises a first acquisition unit configured to acquire first expansion information from an information storage medium, a first storage unit configured to store the first expansion information acquired by the first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire second expansion information from an external apparatus via a communication line, a second storage unit configured to store the second expansion information acquired by the second acquisition unit, a transfer control unit configured to transfer the second expansion information stored in the second storage unit to the first storage unit in response to a request that requires the second expansion information, and a playback unit configured to play back the first expansion information and the second expansion information stored in the first storage unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a video display appliance from which a video signal processing unit and a PC signal processing unit are separated and to which the separated signal processing units are detachably connected or connected by a communication cable. The video display appliance includes an interface receiving a digital video signal to be displayed on the panel and a detection signal indicating a connection state of the signal processing apparatus from the signal processing apparatus, a microcomputer for controlling operation of the video display appliance according to the detection signal transmitted from the interface, a scaler for converting a video signal transmitted from the interface to match a resolution of the panel under the control of the microcomputer, and a driving circuit for driving the panel by using the video signal inputted from the scaler. The signal processing apparatus can be detachably connected to the video display appliance.

Abstract: It is possible for a program producer to produce a program without the binding of on-air time restriction, while airing a program in accordance with its on air time scheduled by a program organizing apparatus, by concurrently airing another video/audio which exceeds the on air time. Furthermore, viewers are able to enjoy two types of versions for one program, that is, an ordinary version fitting with its on air time frame and a longer version with extra video/audio exceeding its on air time frame.

Abstract: A recording medium, comprising a lead-in area, a data recording area that is formed on an outer periphery side of the lead-in area and in which a plurality of pieces of content data is recorded, and a lead-out area formed on an outer periphery side of the data recording area, wherein first copyright management information and second copyright management information with which copyrights of the plurality of pieces of content data are managed are recorded at different positions whose secrecies are different from each other.

Abstract: A video signal recording/playback apparatus displays a current playback position as a time difference from a current recording position in a simple form. The video signal recording/playback apparatus displays the playback position together with an entire scheduled recording time as a frame, thus allowing a user to acknowledge the current playback position with the current recording time.

Abstract: The recording medium includes a data area storing at least multiple graphics streams in at least one portion thereof. The multiple grapics streams are multiplexed, and each graphics stream is a transport stream stored as one or more packets. Each packet has a packet identifier, and the packets of the same graphics stream have the same packet identifier.

Abstract: A recording medium for storing information for still pictures, and a recording and/or reproducing method and apparatus therefor. A writeable and rewriteable recording medium stores data for a plurality of still pictures and audio data added thereto in one file or a space having a logically one-dimensional order, rather than in each file, and still picture group information for separating the still picture data into within a predetermined maximum number of groups in order to manage the still pictures at a group level is then stored on the recording medium. Thus, large-capacity still picture data and audio data added thereto can be recorded and/or reproduced using a minimum amount of information. The still picture group information includes general information for still picture groups, and information for still pictures in each still picture group.

Abstract: A recording medium for storing information for still pictures, and a recording and/or reproducing method and apparatus therefor. A writeable and rewriteable recording medium stores data for a plurality of still pictures and audio data added thereto in one file or a space having a logically one-dimensional order, rather than in each file, and still picture group information for separating the still picture data into within a predetermined maximum number of groups in order to manage the still pictures at a group level is then stored on the recording medium. Thus, large-capacity still picture data and audio data added thereto can be recorded and/or reproduced using a minimum amount of information. The still picture group information includes general information for still picture groups, and information for still pictures in each still picture group.

Abstract: An optical audio disc comprises the first pack (A Pack), the second pack (A-CONT Pack), the third pack (V Pack), and the fourth pack (CONT Pack) in which the A-CONT Pack is placed at the head of a data array and a plurality of the A and V Packs follow the A-CONT Pack in each audio contents block unit (ACBU). Information contained in an A-CONT Pack manages audio data contained in the A Pack. The A Pack contains audio data and the V Pack contains other data than the audio data such as closed caption (CC) data as well as video data. A reproduction apparatus for an optical audio disc (DVD-Audio disc) comprises the CONT Pack detector section 1103, the A-CONT Pack detector section 1109, the parameter sections 1108 and 1114, the V Pack buffer section 1104, and the A Pack buffer section 1110. The CONT Pack detector section 1103 and the A-CONT Pack detector section 1109 detect reproduced CONT and A-CONT Packs contained in the DVD-Audio disc 1101 respectively.

Abstract: It is an object to decrease the influence of a noise generated from an operating device without providing a shielding plate in an audio and video combined apparatus in which a DVD unit and a video cassette unit are provided in the same housing. A double-sided board (13) mounting a DVD operating device (5) and a video operating device (10) is provided between a video cassette deck (8) and a bottom plate panel (1a) of a housing (1). The DVD operating device (5) is positioned below the video cassette deck (8). The DVD operating device (5) is surrounded by a metallic chassis of the video cassette deck (8) and the metallic bottom plate panel (1a) of the housing (1) and is thus shielded electromagnetically. A noise generated from the DVD operating device (5) is shielded so that the video cassette deck (8) is not influenced.

Abstract: The recording medium has a data structure for managing reproduction of at least multiple reproduction path video data recorded on the recording medium. The recording medium includes a data area storing at least a portion of the multiple reproduction path video data. The multiple reproduction path video data is divided into one or more interleaving units, and each interleaving unit is associated with one of the reproduction paths. Each interleaving unit starts and ends with a reproduction path change point, and the interleaving units associated with different reproduction paths are interleaved in the data area.

Abstract: A method of recording image files to CD. The real-time method of recording digital image files to CD establishes ISO file parameters of a waiting recordable CD, and determines the files' recording location accordingly, with no need for additional hard drive or computer support.

Abstract: Provided is a digital video recorder for processing digital video data continuously input in frame units and storing the data on a video storing portion, which includes a wavelet conversion portion to classify digital video data of a present frame by frequency band, a motion area dividing portion to divide the present frame into a high frequency band and a low frequency band according to the digital video data classified by the wavelet conversion portion, a motion detecting portion to generate fractal coefficients from video data in the low frequency band of the present frame, compare the generated fractal coefficients with fractal coefficients of a preceding frame to obtain difference values therebetween, and obtain motion information of the present frame from the difference values, and an adaptive storage control portion to obtain a motion weighted value of the present frame according to the motion information from the motion detecting portion when a storage capacity of the video storing portion is not more

Abstract: A system and method for creating interactive media such as DVDs. Raw content is edited into chapters, together with menus that allow quick access to the chapters. A finished multimedia title in various formats may be created. The finished title is pre-mastered and may be duplicated locally or may be sent out for mass production.

Abstract: A portable transcription device includes a reader module, a recording module, and a control module. The reader module is used to read data contained in a first storage medium of a first file system, and the recording module is used to record data into a second storage medium of the second file system. The control module includes a transcribing unit for transcribing data between the first file system and the second file system, and a MPEG encoder for encoding MPEG streams. Image files contained in a memory card inserted into the reader are MPEG-encoded, transcribed, and backup in a video disc ready for playback.

Abstract: A vapor dispensing device having a high transverse loading stability includes a relatively low profile with respect to the supporting wall or electrical receptacle such that the frequency and impact of accidental physical contact with the device are appropriately reduced. To achieve a low profile, the housing of a vapor dispensing device is designed such that the distance from the outlet face of the wall receptacle to a worst-case transverse loading point (dL) is less than the distance from the plug to a worst-case support point (dS).

Abstract: An infrared ray lamp having a structure wherein a groove is formed in the vicinity of each of both end portions of a substantially plate heating element formed of a carbon-based substance, a carbon-based adhesive is applied to a region including the groove, and the end portion of the heating element is inserted into a slit formed at the end portion of a heat-emitting block having high conductivity so as to be sandwiched; by forming a reflection film on the glass tube of the infrared ray lamp, an infrared ray lamp having a desired emission intensity distribution is provided; a heating apparatus using this infrared ray lamp and method of producing the infrared ray lamp are also provided.