Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a backlight module and a display apparatus thereof. The display apparatus comprises a display panel and a backlight module. The backlight module comprises a light guide plate having a light incident side, a plurality of optical fiber bundles disposed at an edge of the light incident side of the light guide plate. Each of the optical fiber bundles comprises a light-guiding section and a light-outputting section, and a plurality of light-outputting sections of the plurality of optical fiber bundles are arranged at the light incident side of the light guide plate.

Abstract: A pigtail-type optical receptacle includes a ferrule, an optical fiber, a protective member, a sleeve, and a holder. The ferrule has a through-hole extending in an axial direction. The optical fiber is held by the ferrule in a state of being inserted into the through-hole and extends outside the ferrule from a rear end side of the ferrule. The protective member covers a portion of the optical fiber extending outside the ferrule. The sleeve engages an outer surface of the ferrule. The through-hole includes a first region and a second region. The second region is disposed rearward of the first region. The width in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the through-hole in the second region widens toward the rear end side of the ferrule. The holder holds a portion of the outer surface of the ferrule rearward of the first region.

Abstract: An optical connector includes a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. A first planar lens is positioned to operate on light exiting the first optical fiber to create a predetermined change in a wave front of the light. A second planar lens is positioned to accept the light from the first planar lens, the second planar lens focusing the light onto the second optical fiber. The first planar lens and second planar lens each include a regularly spaced array of posts with periodically varying diameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a mid-IR graded microstructure to the end of an As2S3 optical fiber are presented herein. The method and apparatus transfer a microstructure from a negative imprint on a nickel shim to an As2S3 fiber tip with minimal shape distortion and minimal damage-threshold impact resulting in large gains in anti-reflective properties.

Abstract: Embodiments for processing of gradient index (GRIN) rods into GRIN lenses attachable to optical devices, components, and methods are disclosed. A cylindrical GRIN rod comprises an optical axis and a longitudinal axis at a center axis, where the index of refraction may be greatest at the optical axis. The GRIN rod includes GRIN lenses along the longitudinal axis. The GRIN lenses include a first optical surface and a second optical surface opposite the first optical surface. Separation processes and devices may separate the GRIN lenses from the GRIN rods and these processes may be automated. Other processes may polish the first and the second optical surfaces. A gripper may insert the GRIN lens into an optical device.

Abstract: An optical probe for emitting and/or receiving light within a body comprises an optical fiber that transmits and/or receives an optical signal, a silicon optical bench including a fiber groove running longitudinally that holds an optical fiber termination of the optical fiber and a reflecting surface that optically couples an endface of the optical fiber termination to a lateral side of the optical bench. The fiber groove is fabricated using silicon anisotropic etching techniques. Some examples use a housing around the optical bench that is fabricated using LIGA or other electroforming technology. A method for forming lens structure is also described that comprises forming a refractive lens in a first layer of a composite wafer material, such as SOI (silicon on insulator) wafers and forming an optical port through a backside of the composite wafer material along an optical axis of the refractive lens. The refractive lens is preferably formed using grey-scale lithography and dry etching the first layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a paired optical fiber probe with a single body lens and a method for manufacturing the same. The probe includes a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber arranged in parallel with the first optical fiber, and an optical fiber lens which is formed by heating a predetermined region including one end of the first optical fiber and one end of the second optical fiber using a heating means such that ends of the first and second optical fibers are integrally connected to each other, the optical lens having a lens surface with a predetermined radius of curvature. Thus, an optical coupling efficiency can be effectively improved through a simple manufacturing process, and the probe of the present invention can be utilized in a fluorescence spectroscopic system or an imaging system adopting reflectometry.

Abstract: A method of making an axicon includes providing a structure having an axicon-shape cavity, the cavity having a first end and a second end, the first end of the cavity having a cross sectional dimension that is smaller than the second end, placing a polymeric substance into the axicon-shape cavity, and forming an axicon using the polymeric substance.

Abstract: A method for verifying tolerance of a connector molding die includes, firstly, providing a first connector molding die, and molding a first optical connector using the first connector molding die. The centers of the lenses relative to the center of the first transmission surface are located. A second connector molding die is provided. A second optical connector is molded by the second connector molding die. The central locations of the first blind holes are determined by measuring the central locations of the second blind holes based on the center of the second transmission surface. Difference values between the locations of the centers of the lenses and the central locations of the first blind holes are determined.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical waveguide includes: step A of forming a first resin layer 23 by allowing a first liquid-state resin to flow to be extended in a manner so as to bury and enclose cores 22; step B of forming a second resin layer 25 by allowing a second liquid-state resin having a viscosity higher than that of the first liquid-state resin to flow to be extended on the first resin layer 23, after or while the first resin layer 23 is heated; and step C of forming an over-cladding layer 26 by curing the first resin layer 23 and the second resin layer 25.

Abstract: A single piece light guide is disclosed herein. The single piece light guide may include a light rod and a lens. The single piece light guide may be formed using injection molding. The light guide may have one or more regions between the light rod and the lens. A housing may be provided for the light guide. The housing may have an opening that physically supports the light rod. Therefore, the light rod may be secured into place, which may prevent misalignment during use. The one or more regions between the light rod and the lens may assist in assembling and holding the light guide in the housing.

Abstract: A manufacture method of a non-spherical lens module includes: firstly, forming a housing having a row of through holes running through a first surface and a second surface thereof; secondly, providing and filling liquid waveguide with the through holes and forming two convex portions at jointing positions of the through holes and said two surfaces respectively; lastly, cooling the liquid waveguide to form the waveguide in the through hole, cooling the two convex portions to form first and second lens portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a truncated ball lens, and method of making same, in which a ball lens, having a focal point internal to (i.e., inside of) the ball lens, is constructed by removing a surface of the ball lens so as to expose the focal point. The exposed side of the truncated ball lens faces the endface of a fiber directing light towards the lens. In a preferred embodiment, an optical axis of the truncated ball lens coincides with an optical axis of the fiber.

Abstract: A method for making an optical fiber connector includes a mold. The mold includes a first mold portion having inserts each for molding a blind hole preform, and a second mold portion having a flat molding surface for forming a flat optical surface, and a number of curved molding surfaces for forming lens caps. A non-contact detection instrument is provided to project a light beam to the bottom of the blind hole preforms with the light beam passing through the flat optical surface. Then a coarseness factor image is obtained and analyzed to determine whether a coarseness factor of the bottom of the corresponding blind hole preform is acceptable and the corresponding insert is modified if it is not acceptable. Finally, the curved molding surfaces are aligned with the inserts to form the lens caps on the flat optical surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a fiber optic device includes securing one or more optical fibers to a support. The support is coupled to a base that includes one or more optoelectronic devices. After one or more of the fibers are secured to the support, and the support is secured to the base, one or more of the fibers are cleaved. This method, and fiber optic devices made using this method are more easily aligned and may be produced at lower costs than existing manufacturing processes.

Abstract: An optical channel tap assembly comprises a first N by M waveguide array including a first set of optical channels to convey optical signals along a first set of conveyance paths. The optical channel tap assembly also comprises a second N by M waveguide array including a second set of optical channels to convey the optical signals along a second set of conveyance paths, the optical signals received from the first set of conveyance paths. Additionally, the optical channel tap assembly comprises a beam splitter, disposed between the first N by M waveguide array and the second N by M waveguide array, to divert a first portion of power from the optical signals away from the second N by M waveguide array while allowing a second portion of power from the optical signals to propagate into the second N by M waveguide array.

Abstract: A lens is described which includes a substrate having a first side and an opposite second side. A first guided mode resonance grating is supported by the first side of the substrate and a second guided mode resonance grating is supported by the second side of the substrate. The second guided mode resonance grating can be offset from the first guided mode resonance grating. The second guided mode resonance grating can shape and reflect a wave front of an incident optical beam within the substrate towards the first guided mode resonance grating. The first guided mode resonance grating can redirect the reflected incident optical beam out of the second side of the substrate.

Abstract: Optical qualities of a production lot of base material used in the fabrication of semi-finished lenses may be accurately determined by employing chipper plate samples produced from the base material in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In various implementations of the present invention, the chipper plates samples may be fabricated by subjecting base material to an extended cycle time and temperature profile using a mold having cavities of different thicknesses. The resulting chipper plates provide an improved indication of the color of semi-finished lenses molded from the production lot as well as an improved indication of resin stabilizer defects that may be utilized during a pelletizing process to control and enhance the quality of a production lot. Furthermore, the chipper plates may be provided by suppliers as samples of a production lot to enable customers to base purchasing decisions on a reliable and accurate measure of optical properties.

Abstract: A method for making an optical fiber connector includes a mold. The mold includes a first mold portion having inserts each for molding a blind hole preform, and a second mold portion having a flat molding surface for forming a flat optical surface, and a number of curved molding surfaces for forming lens caps. A non-contact detection instrument is provided to project a light beam to the bottom of the blind hole preforms with the light beam passing through the flat optical surface. Then a coarseness factor image is obtained and analyzed to determine whether a coarseness factor of the bottom of the corresponding blind hole preform is acceptable and the corresponding insert is modified if it is not acceptable. Finally, the curved molding surfaces are aligned with the inserts to form the lens caps on the flat optical surface.

Abstract: A mold for molding optical fiber connector includes a core pin, a core mold and a cavity mold. The core pin has insertion portion and a blind hole forming portion. The core mold is used to clamp the insertion portion of the core pin. The cavity mold includes a molding cavity and a through hole defined in the sidewall of the cavity mold, the molding cavity includes a lens forming portion used to mold the lens. A positioning block defining an aligning hole is positioned in the through hole, the aligning hole is used to clamp the blind hole forming portion of the core pin to make the blind hole forming portion align with the lens forming portion during the injection molding process. The present art also relate to a method for adjusting the mold.

Abstract: A method of forming a waveguide or an optical assembly includes molding a waveguide material, optionally in alignment with one or more optical components. The one or more optical components are aligned in a precision mold that is also used to form the waveguide. A cladding and encapsulation material can also be molded. The molded materials can be used to hold the components together in alignment in a single assembly. A connector structure can be molded as part of the assembly or can be prefabricated and incorporated into the molded assembly to facilitate connecting the assembly to other components without requiring active alignment or polishing of optical fiber ends.

Abstract: A manufacture method of a non-spherical lens module includes: firstly, forming a housing having a row of through holes running through a first surface and a second surface thereof; secondly, providing and filling liquid waveguide with the through holes and forming two convex portions at jointing positions of the through holes and said two surfaces respectively; lastly, cooling the liquid waveguide to form the waveguide in the through hole, cooling the two convex portions to form first and second lens portions.

Abstract: Injection molding of monolithically integrated optical components is disclosed. In one embodiment, an injection molding system includes a moldplate having an array of specially designed cavities. In at least one cavity, different types of photo-curable optical materials are injected in an ordered sequence. In a first instance, a lens material is injected into the cavity and subsequently cured to form a predetermined lens element at the base of the cavity. In a second instance, a filter material is injected into the cavity above the already formed lens element. The filter material is also cured, and an optical filter is formed stacked onto the lens element and contained within sidewall of the cavity. In this manner, a complex optical component having an optical filter automatically aligned with, and monolithically integrated into, a lens element is readily formed in a single injection molding process.

Abstract: A system and method for creating fiber optic terminations includes a fiber optic connector tooling device and an improved hot plate termination plate or oven. The device cooperates with the oven to produce a fiber optic termination end with optimal light diffusion qualities. The device properly aligns a plastic fiber optic cable and connector with each other and perpendicularly aligns both with the oven. The device provides gradual forward pressure to seat the plastic cable in the connector to melt the second end of the cable and form an optical lens with optimal light diffusion qualities. A method of creating optically clear lens at a termination end of the plastic fiber optic cable uses the fiber optic connector tooling device to assist in holding and guiding the fiber optical cable to the improved oven in proper axial alignment to create a defect free lens.

Abstract: A forming method of a refractive index matching film comprises steps: one end of an optical fiber is brought into contact with a liquid surface of a photo-curable refractive index matching solution; curing reaction light is made incident to the opposite end of the optical fiber and is emitted through the one end of the optical fiber so as to cure preliminarily the photo-curable refractive index matching solution in contact with the one end of the optical fiber; the curing reaction light is tentatively stopped; the one end of the optical fiber is separated from the liquid surface of the photo-curable refractive index matching solution; and the curing reaction light is made incident again from the opposite end of the optical fiber so as to cure the preliminarily cured photo-curable refractive index matching solution and form a refractive index matching film.

Abstract: The invention is based on a hybrid plug which produces both optical waveguide connections and electrical connections to a corresponding mating plug. In order to avoid mutual spherical optical transfer parts with an air crossover between the optical waveguides and the paralleling ball parts, it is proposed that the plug has a mounting and centering part and a lens part with encapsulated lenses which are produced from same polymer material and are adhesively bounded to one another. They have common channels for the ferrules which are inserted into ferrule holders with the optical waveguides.

Abstract: Provided is an optical fiber illuminator used for recording and reading high density optical information according to a near field recording (NFR) scheme, a method of fabricating the optical fiber illuminator, and an optical recording head and recording apparatus having the optical fiber illuminator. The optical fiber illuminator includes: an optical fiber having a core upon which light is incident and a clad that surrounds the core, one end of the optical fiber having a mirror formed in an inclined manner; and a lens formed on an outer surface of the optical fiber for focusing light reflected by the mirror. The optical fiber illuminator has an improved optical arrangement for optical illumination and detection, it is easy to manufacture, its optical input is easy to control, and it can be readily provided in an array form.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved optical device having at least a first and second optical components. The optical device further includes a first extending tube securely attached to the first and second optical components as a first building block wherein the first and second optical components are aligned and position adjusted in the position-holding-and-fixing means and securely attached thereto by a room-temperature UV curable epoxy UV cured at room temperature. The optical device then further assembled using a step-by-step building block assembling process with more building blocks assembled by optical components similar to the first building block described above. In other preferred embodiment, the first and second optical components held in the extending tube having a pre-aligned dihedral angle between the first and second optical components.

Abstract: A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. In one embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. In a second embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through the central bore of the ferrule. Next, a cap sleeve with a lens therein is slid over and attached to the ferrule such that the lens abuts or is attached to the optical fiber. In either embodiment, an inspection slot may optionally be formed in the ferrule and/or the cap sleeve to allow a technician to inspect the state of the attachment and/or abutment and/or spacing of the optical fiber and lens.

Abstract: Variants of a method for manufacturing a microlens of any desired shape at the extremity of a lead waveguide are provided. A lens element having a non-uniform radial etchability profile is provided at the extremity of the lead waveguide. Preferably, the etchability profile is determined by a non-uniform radial distribution of dopants in the lens element. A spacer may optionally be placed between the waveguide and the lens element. The lens element is then brought down to an appropriate length and etched to its final shape which is mainly determined by the dopant distribution. An optical coupling assembly having a non-uniform radial distribution of dopants therein is also provided.

Abstract: A method provided for manufacturing a lensed tip optical fiber. The method includes providing an optically transparent cylindrical fiber; and etching a first end of the optically transparent cylindrical fiber to form a tip. The tip is heated which forms a lens surface at the heated tip.

Abstract: A method of forming a waveguide or an optical assembly includes molding a waveguide material, optionally in alignment with one or more optical components. The one or more optical components are aligned in a precision mold that is also used to form the waveguide. A cladding and encapsulation material can also be molded. The molded materials can be used to hold the components together in alignment in a single assembly. A connector structure can be molded as part of the assembly or can be prefabricated and incorporated into the molded assembly to facilitate connecting the assembly to other components without requiring active alignment or polishing of optical fiber ends.

Abstract: Singulating polymer waveguides made on a substrate using photolithography. A first polymer cladding layer is formed and patterned on a first surface of a substrate to form a plurality of bottom cladding elements. Each of the bottom cladding elements are structurally independent from the other bottom cladding elements on the substrate. A second polymer layer is then formed and patterned on each of the bottom cladding elements to form a plurality of waveguide cores on each of the plurality of bottom cladding elements respectively. A third polymer top cladding layer is next formed over the plurality of waveguide cores on each of the bottom cladding elements respectively. In various embodiments, the individual waveguides can be separated from the substrate by using a selective tape or by cutting or sawing the substrate between the bottom cladding elements.

Abstract: An optoelectronic circuit including: an IC chip made up of a substrate in which an optical waveguide and a mirror have been fabricated, the substrate having a first lens formed thereon, wherein the mirror is aligned with the optical waveguide and the first lens is aligned with the mirror to form an optical path connecting the first lens, the mirror, and the optical waveguide; and an optical coupler including a second lens, the optical coupler affixed to the substrate and positioned to align the second lens with the first lens so as to couple an optical signal into or out of the optical waveguide within the IC chip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rapid prototyping apparatus for the manufacturing of three dimensional objects by additive treatment of cross sections comprising a wholly or partially light-sensitive material, said apparatus comprising at least one light source for illumination of a cross section of the light-sensitive material by at least one spatial light modulator of individually controllable light modulators, wherein at least one light source is optically coupled with a plurality of light guides arranged with respect to the spatial light modulator arrangement in such a manner that each light guide illuminates a sub-area of the cross section. According to the invention, it is possible to obtain a significant simplification of an RP design system, just as the apparatuses designed are essentially capable of creating prototypes of any size, according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for forming convex and concave elements on the ends of supporting members. A convex element may be formed by forming a droplet on the end of the supporting member, then curing the droplet. The size of the droplet may be controlled using evaporation of a solvent from the droplet. In another aspect of the invention, an optical element may be formed by forming a droplet on the end of the supporting member, contacting the droplet with a mold, and curing the droplet, thereby forming an element with a curvature opposite that of the mold. When the supporting member is an optical fiber, the elements formed by the methods of the present invention are useful as lenses and mirrors in micro-optic devices.

Abstract: There is provided an optical module capable of improving assembling efficiency and reducing the number of parts to reduce production costs, and an optical connector having the same. The optical module has a holder 3, a lens 12 and a diffraction grating 13 for damping the quantity of light. The holder 3, the lens 12 and the diffraction grating 13 are formed of a resin material so as to be integrated with each other. The diffracting grating 13 is designed to prevent high-order diffracted light beams from being coupled with an optical fiber 8.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for dispensing a beneficial agent into an expandable medical device. The method includes the step of placing an expandable medical device on a mandrel, the medical device forming a cylindrical device having a plurality of openings and dispensing a beneficial agent into the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A thermally-shaped optical fiber and a method for forming the same so as to minimize the presence of optical artifacts in the optical fiber that contributes to insertion loss.

Abstract: A system for molding optical attenuators that have a lens portion and a supporting portion includes a molding machine containing a mold, an extractor robot and optical inspection portion, and a controller that assesses the inspection information and send control signals to the molding machine and mold. The mold includes a cavity and a core which define a space in which the supporting portion and the attenuator are formed. The cavity and core are separable from each other by an actuating motor of the molding machine subsequent to each injection cycle to permit removal of each molded optical attenuator. The mold also includes a core pin, movably located in the core element. The core pin has a proximal end defining a surface of the lens portion and a distal end remote from the molding space. A core pin motor is coupled to the core pin, through a number of intermediate elements, so that the core pin can be moved relative to the core element to adjust a thickness of the lens portion.

Abstract: A method for shaping an optical fiber with various geometries while minimizing unwanted artifacts in the core of the optical fiber. The method facilitates control of sag in the region of the core that is exposed to a beam of optical energy. The sag is reduced, if not eliminated, by maintaining the cross-sectional area of the core that is exposed to the beam at thermal equilibrium.

Abstract: High performance microlens arrays are fabricated by (i) depositing liquid on the hydrophilic domains of substrates of patterned wettability by either (a) condensing liquid on the domains or (b) withdrawing the substrate from a liquid solution and (ii) optionally curing the liquid to form solid microlenses. The f-number (f#) of formed microlenses is controlled by adjusting liquid viscosity, surface tension, density, and index of refraction, as well as the surface free energies of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic areas. The f-number of formed microlenses is also adjustable by controlling substrate dipping angle and withdrawal speed, the array fill factor and the number of dip coats used. At an optimum withdrawal speed f# is minimized and array uniformity is maximized. At this optimum, arrays of f/3.48 microlenses were fabricated using one dip-coat with uniformity better than &Dgr;f/f˜±3.8% while multiple dip-coats permit production of f/1.

Abstract: A wavelength selective optical fiber coupler having various applications in the field of optical communications is disclosed. The coupler is composed of dissimilar waveguides in close proximity. A light induced, permanent index of refraction grating is recorded in the coupler waist The grating filters and transfers energy within a particular range of wavelengths from a first waveguide to a second waveguide. Transversely asymmetric gratings provide an efficient means of energy transfer. The coupler can be used to combine or multiplex a plurality of lasers operating at slightly different wavelengths into a single fiber. Other embodiments such as a dispersion compensator and gain flattening filter are disclosed.