Abstract: The position detector of an object includes a body defining an input receiving an optical fibre delivering a light signal, and an output delivering a signal representative of the position of the object. A mirror is mounted to move between first and second positions in the body with respect to the input. The first position or the second position ensures transmission of the light signal from the input to the output. The other of the first position and the second position prevents transmission of the light signal to the output. A spring is mounted in the body in order to place the mirror in the first position. A tip is movable relative to the body between a first position and a second position along a direction of movement and is intended to cooperate with the object to be monitored.

Abstract: In a system for converting digital data into a modulated optical signal, an electrically controllable device having M actuating electrodes provides and optical signal that is modulated in response to binary voltages applied to the actuating electrodes. A digital-to-digital converter provides a mapping of input data words to binary actuation vectors for M bits and supplies the binary actuation vectors as M bits of binary actuation voltages to the M actuating electrodes, where M is larger than the number of bits in each input data word. The digital-to-digital converter maps each digital input data word to a binary actuation vector by selecting a binary actuation vector from a subset of binary actuation vectors available to represent each of the input data words.

Abstract: [Object] To provide the identification device that performs identification accurately without being affected by variations in ambient light and an electronic device. [Solution] Provided is an identification device including: a direct reflected light information calculation unit configured to calculate, on the basis of sensing data by a TOF sensor that applies light to an object to detect the light, direct reflected light information about direct reflected light from the object; an object detection unit configured to detect the object on the basis of the direct reflected light information; and an object identification unit configured to identify the object on the basis of the direct reflected light information about the object detected.

Abstract: A low-jitter digital clock signal generating system which uses optical pulses output from a pulse laser includes a first balanced photodetector that converts first and second optical pulses with a delayed time interval into first and second electrical pulses through first and second photodiodes and outputs first and second modulated pulses generated by allowing the first and second electrical pulses to partially overlap each other, a second balanced photodetector that converts third and fourth optical pulses with the delayed time interval into third and fourth electrical pulses through third and fourth photodiodes, and outputs a second modulated pulse generated by allowing the third and fourth electrical pulses to partially overlap each other, and a capacitor. The capacitor is charged by the first modulated pulse, is discharged by the second modulated pulse, and outputs a voltage according to the charging and discharging as a clock signal.

Abstract: A detection system for measuring the presence of one or more conditions in a predetermined area includes a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light. The at least one fiber optic cable defines a node arranged to measure the one or more conditions. The node is arranged such that light scattered by an atmosphere adjacent the node is received by at least one core of the fiber optic cable. A control system operably connected to the fiber harness includes a light source for transmitting light to the node and a light sensitive device configured to receive scattered light associated with the node. The control system analyzes more than one signal corresponding to more than one wavelength of the scattered light associated with the node to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions at the node.

Abstract: A telemetry system is operable to transmit data by bridging the low signal bandwidth available to high temperature electronics with the high spectral bandwidth available in optical fiber. A transmitter, such as a frequency comb, generates light to a fiber and the light is demultiplexed to separate the light into separate wavelengths. Modulators encode downhole data onto each wavelength and a multiplexer recombines the wavelengths onto a single fiber that passes the light back to the surface where a second demultiplexer separates the light to be transmitted to distinct receivers that detect the encoded data. A dual fiber system may also be utilized. One or more commands may also be transmitted to the downhole tools by transmitted the encoded command to a coupler that is coupled to a multiplexer where a downhole receiver determines the downhole tool that should receive the associated command.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a content of a sample material is presented. The system includes a fiber sensitized to a first substance, and at least one electrode configured to expose the fiber to an electric field. The system includes an optical sensor configured to detect a displacement of the fiber when the fiber is exposed to the electric field, and a processor configured to use the displacement of the fiber to characterize a content of the sample material.

Abstract: A photonically-sampled electronically-quantized analog-to-digital converter generates an optical signal comprising a series of optical pulses. The optical signal is split into a first and a second optical path. The split optical signal is detected in the first path and then the detected optical signal is converted to a reference digital signal. The split optical signal in the second path is modulated with an input RF signal and a plurality of demultiplexed RF-modulated optically-sampled signals is generated from the modulated optical signal. The plurality of demultiplexed RF-modulated optically-sampled signals is then pulse broadened, detected, and converted to a plurality of sampled-RF digital signals. The reference digital signal and the plurality of sampled-RF digital signals are digital signal processed to generate a digital representation of the input RF signal.

Abstract: An optoelectronic circuit for transmitting an optical clock signal to an electronic component contains a clock-generating device for the generation of an optical clock signal, a converter element for the conversion of the optical clock signal into an electrical clock signal supplied to the electronic component and an optical line from the clock-generating device to the conversion element. The optoelectronic circuit in this context provides a delay time of the optical clock signal from the clock-generating device to the conversion element. The optoelectronic circuit accordingly comprises an adjustable optical element for adjusting the delay time between the clock-generating device and the electronic component.

Abstract: A method and a device for analyzing a structure by tomography and diffuse acousto-elastic field correlation are provided. An optical fiber comprising a plurality of measurement points of FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) type, comprising sensors of Bragg grating type, is deployed in or on the structure to be analyzed. The method comprises the emission of light, into the optical fiber, and the measurement by correlation for each pair of FBG sensors. In a development, a prior imaging of the structure is performed by reconstruction of the velocities of propagation. Other developments comprise: the determination of the positions of the FBG sensors, the calibration of the tomography, the rosette configuration of the sensors forming the measurement points, the use of a plurality of optical fibers, of multiplexers, of lasers, of optical circulators, of omnidirectional optical sensors, of active noise sources, such as piezoelectric transducers, incorporated or not in the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus may include an optical combiner configured to combine a first optical beam having an adjusted first polarization with a second optical beam having an adjusted second polarization into an output beam having a third polarization. The third polarization may be a linear combination of the adjusted first polarization and the adjusted second polarization. Information may be communicated by adjusting the polarization according to an information source.

Abstract: To realize collective measurement of ultrawide-band optical signals which have exceeded an electrical band limit. This photodetection device (100) comprises: a time-delay adjustment means (10) into which is input an optical signal that is a detection object; an optical frequency comb generator (20) that generates an optical frequency comb; a photomixer (30) that photomixes optical signal series which are sequentially output from the time delay adjustment means (10) and which were subjected to time adjustment, and the optical frequency comb signal which is output from the optical frequency comb generator (20); and a photodetector (40) that detects the mixed signal output from the photomixer (30). The time delay adjustment means (10) performs time adjustment on the optical signal series so that each of the time adjusted optical signal series is photomixed with the optical frequency comb at different timings in the photomixer (30).

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a first operation unit and second operation unit, and performs the first function in accordance with an operation to the first operation unit and an operation to the second operation unit. When an instruction to perform the first function is accepted from an operation to the first operation unit, the electronic apparatus displays first operational display items for accepting, from an operation to the first operation unit, an instruction to perform the second function different from the first function. When an instruction to perform the first function is accepted from an operation to the second operation unit, the electronic apparatus displays second operational display items for accepting, from an operation to the second operation unit, an instruction to perform the second function.

Abstract: An interferometer apparatus for an optical fiber system and method of use is described. The interferometer comprises an optical coupler and optical fibers which define first and second optical paths. Light propagating in the first and second optical paths is reflected back to the optical coupler to generate an interference signal. First, second and third interference signal components are directed towards respective first, second and third photodetectors. The third photodetector is connected to the coupler via a non-reciprocal optical device and is configured to measure the intensity of the third interference signal component directed back towards the input fiber. Methods of use in applications to monitoring acoustic perturbations and a calibration method are described.

Abstract: An optical device has a first metasurface. A high-contrast pattern of the first metasurface is operable for modifying, over a first phase profile, a phase front of an incident light beam. A second metasurface, is disposed over a plane parallel to the first metasurface with a second high-contrast pattern and operable for shaping, over a second phase profile, the modified phase front of the incident light beam into a converging spherical phase front. A spacer layer, in which the modified phase front of the incident light beam diffracts, is disposed in a controllably changeable separation between the first and second metasurfaces. Controllably changing the separation between the first and the second metasurfaces by a first distance correspondingly changes the position of the focus point of the converging spherical phase front by a second distance.

Abstract: A multi-path interferometric sensor for sensing small changes in the refractive index of sensing arms thereof, such as caused by the presence of an analyte or changes in analyte concentration, is disclosed. The sensor includes a single light source, a single detector, and a plurality of interferometers or a single multi-path interferometer. The various sensing branches within the multi-path interferometric sensor each include a delay having a different length. This results in a different modulation frequency for each interferometer, each of carriers include phase information that correlates to a change in refractive index and, ultimately, analyte concentration. The plural carrier frequencies enable simultaneous detection of multiple samples.

Abstract: A pulsed light synchronizer synchronizes a first pulsed light having a first period and a second pulsed light and having a second period equal to the first period with each other. A third pulsed light is acquired by providing a first delay time between two pulsed lights acquired by dividing the first pulsed light, and by multiplexing the pulsed lights acquired from the first pulsed light. A fourth pulsed light is acquired by providing a second delay time between two pulsed lights acquired by dividing the second pulsed light, and by multiplexing the pulsed lights acquired from the second pulsed light. The pulsed light synchronizer detects, through a detector, a pulsed light acquired by multiplexing the third and fourth pulsed lights, and adjusts at least one of the first and second periods based on a timing difference between the third and fourth pulsed lights acquired from the detector.

Abstract: An analog-digital converter has an optical input stage configured to convert an analog input signal (S(t)) into a phase-modulated optical signal and to supply it to a hybrid coupler having a plurality of output waveguides, each being connected to at least one photodiode. The photodiodes are each connected to the input of an associated analog-digital converter via which an analog electrical input signal is convertible into a digital output signal. An output stage is configured to form the digital data stream at the output from the digital output signals of the analog-digital converter, and the output stage may be configured to select the output signal of the analog-digital converter which lies within a predefinable range of the amplitude and has a predefinable slope and/or is larger than a predefinable adjacent output signal.

Abstract: An optical monitoring system comprising first and second sensor arrays interrogated via first and second optical connections from an interrogator location. The system is configured such that no wavelength is carried bi-directionally in the first and second optical connections. In typical systems the optical connections comprise trunk cables from the sensor arrays to the interrogator location.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides a push latch having a pivotally mounted blocking hammer including a head with a lever arm extending away from the head to a counter-weight. Under normal operating conditions, the hammer is held in an inert/balanced condition. Under such normal conditions, a portion of the hammer head may be in periodic contact with a resin of tacky character defining a bumper to aid in dampening vibration. Upon the occurrence of a high impact force, the rotational force provided by the counterweight is sufficient to cause the hammer to rotate into blocking relation relative to the latching mechanism so as to prevent unlatching. In the rotated condition, the counterweight may be in contact with an optional resin of tacky character defining a bumper to reduce rebound action.

Abstract: A method for generating M demodulation signals is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes: providing M input signals, injecting each input signal into at least one first interferometer, and detecting M demodulation signals. The method also includes choosing M positive integers that are not all equal to zero and computing M demodulation signals. The ith demodulation signal being the product of Ri+1 functions, Ri being the chosen integer that corresponds to the first delay of the ith first interferometer, and the pth function being equal to St,p(t)=S(t=p?i), where p is an integer between 0 and Ri, ?i is the first delay introduced by the delay line of the ith first interferometer, and S is a transform of the signal at the output of the ith first interferometer.

Abstract: An adapter block constructed to mount to more than one mounting configuration of a telecommunications panel. The adapter block including a housing constructed to slide mount to a panel, and pivot mount to a panel from either a front or a rear of the panel. The housing including flexible levers that provide a snap-fit connection to secure the adapter block relative to the panel in each of the mounting configurations. The adapter block providing access to cable terminations of the block in each of the mounting configurations.

Abstract: Provided is a fiber-optic sensor device. The fiber-optic sensor device is capable of sensing a change in physical quantity by using two fiber Bragg grating units arranged within an optical fiber and a fiber-optic sensor unit arranged therebetween, thereby implementing a low cost fiber-optic grating sensor having a simple structure without requiring a reference FBG.

Abstract: A method for obtaining information about a subsurface formation from acoustic signals that contain information about the subsurface formation, comprises a) transmitting an optical signal into a fiber optic cable (14) that includes a sensing apparatus (20) comprising a plurality of substantially parallel fiber lengths (24), b) collecting from the sensing apparatus a plurality of received optical signals, each received signal comprising a portion of the transmitted signal that has been reflected from a different segment of a cable length, wherein the different segments are each in different cable lengths and correspond to a single selected location along the sensing cable, and c) processing the collected signals so as to obtain information about an acoustic signal received at the different segments. The cable may be ribbon cable and the lateral distance between the different segments may be less than 10 meters.

Abstract: A method and an inspection system that exhibiting speckle reduction characteristics includes a light source arranged to generate input light pulses, and diffuser-free speckle reduction optics that include a beam splitter, for splitting an input light pulse from the light source into multiple light pulses that are oriented at angles in relation to each other when exiting the beam splitter, and at least one optical element for directing the multiple light pulses to impinge on an inspected object at different angles.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to an optical waveguide component configured for operation with amplitude modulated optical signals at a line rate. The optical waveguide component includes a first optical waveguide segment having a first port and a second port; and a plurality of second optical waveguides each forming a closed loop. Each of the second optical waveguides is electromagnetically coupled to the first optical waveguide exactly once, and each of the closed loops has a round trip time. A product of the line rate and each of the round-trip times is equal to or greater than unity.

Abstract: A transmission line and method for implementing includes a plurality of segments forming an electrical path and a continuous optical path passing through the segments. Discrete inductors are formed between and connect adjacent segments. The inductors are formed in a plurality of metal layers of an integrated circuit to balance capacitance of an optical modulator which includes the transmission line to achieve a characteristic impedance for the transmission line.

Abstract: A transmission line and method for implementing includes a plurality of segments forming an electrical path and a continuous optical path passing through the segments. Discrete inductors are formed between and connect adjacent segments. The inductors are formed in a plurality of metal layers of an integrated circuit to balance capacitance of an optical modulator which includes the transmission line to achieve a characteristic impedance for the transmission line.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an optical filter is provided. The system and method includes dithering a delay of an optical path within an optical filter unit cell, measuring a position of a filter zero, measuring a position of a filter pole, or measuring positions of both a filter zero and a filter pole by observing an output of the unit cell when the delay is dithered, and using the measurement as feedback for maintaining the position of the filter zero at a desired position, maintaining the position of the filter pole at a desired position, or maintaining the positions of both the filter zero and the filter pole at desired positions.

Abstract: An all-optical integrated photonic clock, systems employing the same, and methods of making and using the same. Illustrative examples are provided based on silicon semiconductor technology that employs rectangular waveguides fabricated on SOI wafers. In some embodiments, the clock can provide an optical timing signal. In some embodiments, the clock can provide a jitter-free electrical signal derived from the clock by use of a high speed photodetector.

Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to shorten a cavity length of an optoelectronic oscillator and to integrate on a semiconductor or SiO2-substrate. An optoelectronic oscillator 10 have an optoelectronic loop comprising a semiconductor laser 11, an optical waveguide 12 guiding laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser, a photodetector 13 detecting laser light guided by the optical waveguide and outputting an electrical signal, an amplifier 14 amplifying the electrical signal outputted from the photodetector, generating an amplified signal and formed on a semiconductor substrate 15. Laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 11 is controlled by generated amplified signal and it oscillates with a fundamental oscillation frequency determined by a delay time of carrier in the optoelectronic loop circuit or one of the high harmonic components of integral multiples of a fundamental oscillation frequency.

Abstract: A pulse modifier, and associated lithographic apparatus and a method for manufacturing a device, is disclosed. The pulse modifier is configured to receive an input pulse of radiation and further configured to emit a plurality of corresponding output pulse portions of radiation, wherein the respective pulse portions are respectively mirrored about an axis transverse to the optical axis and mirrored about a point of the optical axis of the pulse portions.

Abstract: An improved optic system for measuring and/or controlling displacement, force, pressure, position, or chemistry is disclosed. This apparatus allows for more accurate, robust, and economical communication between the transducer (or control input element) and the reader device (or control output), allows the use of a single optic fiber and/or or a gap for the communication link, and produces substantial insensitivity to attenuation due to mechanical, chemical, thermal, and radiation effects acting on the optic fiber or open space in which the signal propagates. It is also significantly immune to interference from electromagnetic radiation, since the link can be easily produced as a non-conductor which will not propagate unwanted electrical energy or lightning, and is intrinsically safe from igniting fires or explosions. It also facilitates use on rotating machinery and remote location of the transducer by the ability to transmit the signal across a large gap or air space.

Abstract: An all-optical integrated photonic clock, systems employing the same, and methods of making and using the same. Illustrative examples are provided based on silicon semiconductor technology that employs rectangular waveguides fabricated on SOI wafers. In some embodiments, the clock can provide an optical timing signal. In some embodiments, the clock can provide a jitter-free electrical signal derived from the clock by use of a high speed photodetector.

Abstract: This invention relates to optical delay lines, particularly to modifying an optical signal passing through an optical delay line. A method of applying a Doppler shift to an optical signal as it passes through an optical delay line is provided, the method comprising the step of progressively altering a property of the optical delay line during passage of the optical signal therethrough such that the time taken for the optical signal to pass therethrough is progressively lengthened or progressively shortened for successive portions of the optical signal. In addition, an optical delay line is provided that may be used in accordance with the above method.

Abstract: A novel laser obstacle warning and ranging system, for detecting hard-to-see long and thin obstacles in particular, comprises a fiber laser including a signal diode, a circulator, an erbium doped fiber, a wavelength division multiplexer, a narrow band reflector, a first fiber pump diode, an input combiner, an erbium-ytterbium co-doped fiber, a second fiber pump diode, an output combiner and a third fiber pump diode.

Abstract: A high frequency electrical signal control device comprises a transmitter for generating a high frequency electrical signal, a receiver, a transmission line for propagating the electrical signal, and a structure for radiating the electrical signal propagated through the transmission line to the space or receiving a signal from the space. The degree of coupling of the electrical signal between the space and the transmission line provided by the structure can be variably controlled.

Abstract: An optical buffer device includes plural optical memory elements that are capable of holding light and an optical delay element. The plural optical memory elements are arranged on an optical path through which signal light and control light propagate in mutually opposite directions. Further, the optical delay element is disposed between the optical memory elements that are adjacent to each other. The optical delay element imparts different delays to the signal light and the control light. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment of this optical buffer device, each of the optical memory elements includes an optical waveguide through which the signal light and the control light propagate and an optical resonator that is disposed in proximity to this optical waveguide, and a coupling between the optical waveguide and the optical resonator is generated or cancelled depending on whether or not the control light is inputted.

Abstract: Traffic sensing and monitoring apparatus (100) comprises a length of optical fiber (112), means (102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 109, 119) arranged to introduce a series of pulse pairs into an input end of the length, each of the pulse pairs comprising first and second pulses of radiation having a frequency difference ? and the second pulse being delayed with respect to the first by a delay ?, and the apparatus further comprising a photodetector arranged to detect radiation which is Rayleigh-backscattered within the length of fiber towards the input end to generate an output signal in response thereto. Apparatus of the invention allows sensing and monitoring of traffic at any position along a long length of road (e.g. 5 km) with lower installation and maintenance costs per unit length compared to prior art systems providing the same spatial resolution.

Abstract: A high frequency electrical signal control device comprises a transmitter for generating a high frequency electrical signal, a receiver, a transmission line for propagating the electrical signal, and a structure for radiating the electrical signal propagated through the transmission line to the space or receiving a signal from the space. The degree of coupling of the electrical signal between the space and the transmission line provided by the structure can be variably controlled.

Abstract: Optical devices and techniques for using optical polarization of light to transmit through an optical path four times to quadruple a total delay in the light through the optical path.

Abstract: An intensity modulated broadband optical signal source is arranged to produce optical signals in a plurality of wavelength bands. A demultiplexer/multiplexer pair receives optical signals from the optical signal source and produces a separate optical signal for each wavelength band. An optical coupler is arranged to receive the separate optical signals. Optical fiber loops connected to the optical coupler guides both clockwise and counter clockwise waves for each of the separate optical signals. The optical signals propagate through a sensor in each loop and then combine in the optical coupler to form a plurality of interference signals in each wavelength band. A multiplexer is optically coupled to the optical coupler to receive the interference signals therefrom, and a detector array having a selected detector corresponding to the each of the plurality of wavelength bands is arranged to provide an electrical signal that indicates the interference signals for each wavelength band.

Abstract: Traffic sensing and monitoring apparatus (100) comprises a length of optical fibre (112), means (102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 109, 119) arranged to introduce a series of pulse pairs into an input end of the length, each of the pulse pairs comprising first and second pulses of radiation having a frequency difference ? and the second pulse being delayed with respect to the first by a delay ?, and the apparatus further comprising a photodetector arranged to detect radiation which is Rayleigh-backscattered within the length of fibre towards the input end to generate an output signal in response thereto. Apparatus of the invention allows sensing and monitoring of traffic at any position along a long length of road (e.g. 5 km) with lower installation and maintenance costs per unit length compared to prior art systems providing the same spatial resolution.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing peak power of a laser pulse and reducing speckle contrast of a single pulse comprises a plurality of elements oriented to split and delay a pulse or pulses transmitted from a light emitting device. The design provides the ability to divide the pulse into multiple pulses by delaying the components relative to one another. Reduction of speckle contrast entails using the same or similar components to the power reduction design, reoriented to orient received energy wherein angles between the optical paths are altered such that the split or divided light energy components strike the target at different angles or different positions. An alternate embodiment for reducing speckle contrast is disclosed wherein a single pulse is passed in an angular orientation through a grating to create a delayed portion of the pulse relative to the leading edge of the pulse.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for detecting aerosols. The systems and methods can be used to detect harmful aerosols, such as, bio-aerosols.

Abstract: A transimpedance amplifier (TIA) with integrated filtering. A capacitance is integrated into the TIA and connected to the power supply and to an internal ground of the TIA. Noise on the power supply of the transimpedance amplifier is filtered by the capacitor such that the power supply noise is reduced. The integrated capacitor also reduces noise ground. The integrated capacitor also reduces the effects of common mode noise that may be received from another circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating between serially connected electrical devices of a network is provided. The network includes a series of electrical devices, and fiber optic connectors between electrical devices of the series of electrical devices forming a closed communication ring in which output of each electrical device is communicatively connected to input of a subsequent electrical device of the series of electrical devices.

Abstract: A system for sensing characteristics of the environment is disclosed. Sensors utilize exponential growth of a signal initiated by interaction of a sensor element with characteristics of the environment. Specific substances in the environment can be detected. The sensor element may be intrinsically sensitive to the specific substance or can be coated with a material that is sensitive to the specific substance. The sensor component is designed such that it can be made to cause exponential growth of a system signal. The exponential growth of the sensor signal is produced by parametric amplification.

Abstract: A light source includes: a light source system includes: a light source unit producing a first pulsed light beam having a plurality of frequency components; a splitter splitting the first pulsed light beam into second and third pulsed light beams; a first photonic crystal fiber converting the split second pulsed light beam into a wider bandwidth; a second photonic crystal fiber converting the split third pulsed light beam into a wider bandwidth; a first adjuster adjusting a spectrum of the second pulsed light beam converted into the wider bandwidth; a phase adjuster matching phases of the second and third pulsed light beams converted into the wider bandwidth; and a superimposing unit superimposing the second pulsed light beam having the adjusted spectrum and the third pulsed light beam converted into the wider bandwidth.

Abstract: An electro-optic delay line frequency discriminator has an optical signal source providing first and second optical signals that are directed along first and second paths, respectively. In the first path, the first optical signal is converted to a first corresponding optical signal that corresponds to an electrical input signal, and the first corresponding optical signal is then delayed. In the second path, the second optical signal is delayed, and the delayed second optical signal is then converted to a second corresponding optical signal that corresponds to the electrical input signal. The first and second corresponding optical signals are converted to first and second corresponding electrical signals, respectively; and a detector, responsive to the first and second corresponding electrical signals, provides an electrical output signal from the discriminator. Optical source relative intensity noise (RIN) is canceled out and does not degrade the signal-to-noise ratio of the discriminator output.