Abstract: A light guide (1) formed from an unclad flexible polyurethane fiber produces significant side scattering (2) over distances of up to several meters. The polyurethane fiber is in the form of a solid fiber or a tube and may comprise light scattering particles. The polyurethane fiber may comprise a transparent flexible polyurethane UV resistant outer cladding. Embodiments include illuminated shoe laces, a power cord safety indicator, an illuminated dental suction tube and a dental curing tip.

Abstract: The present invention consists in an optical device comprising an optical component and an optical medium with different refractive indices, said optical component being at least partly immersed in said optical medium, which device is characterized in that said optical medium contains a salt that is in the liquid state in the range of temperatures at which said optical component is used and stored, i.e. in a range of temperatures generally from ?40° C. to +200° C. The optical component may in particular be a Bragg long-period grating (LPG) or a photonic crystal fiber.

Abstract: A nanometer slot waveguide includes a nanometer slot waveguide structure with vertically stacked layers. The vertically stacked layers include a substrate, a first waveguide layer defining a first rail, a spacer layer defining a slot, and a second waveguide layer defining a second rail.

Abstract: A method for producing a membrane device by providing a substrate (24), adding a liquid (16) thereon, and covering the liquid (16) and at least one substrate portion bearing the liquid (16) with a homogenous continuous thin film (18) by means of a low-pressure deposition process. The liquid is made of a plastic material and forms a membrane.

Abstract: A treatment method for an optical fiber including accommodating an optical fiber inside a treatment chamber; introducing a deuterium containing gas into the treatment chamber; and in a deuterium treatment step, exposing the optical fiber to atmosphere of the deuterium containing gas. In the deuterium treatment step, a deuterium concentration D in the treatment chamber during the deuterium treatment is calculated from an initial value A of a deuterium concentration in the deuterium containing gas inside the treatment chamber, a concentration B of oxygen in an ambient atmosphere of the treatment chamber, and a concentration C of oxygen in the deuterium containing gas inside the treatment chamber, and the deuterium concentration in the treatment chamber is controlled based on the deuterium concentration D calculated. Other gases such as hydrogen containing gas or nitrogen containing gas may also be used according to the invention.

Abstract: An optical fiber is made of silica-based glass, and includes a core and a cladding. The optical fiber has a mode field diameter of 5.4 micrometers or larger at a wavelength of 1300 nanometers, transmits light with a wavelength of 1250 nanometers in a single mode, and has a bending loss of 1 dB/turn or smaller at a wavelength of 1300 nanometers when the optical fiber is bent with a curvature radius of 1 millimeter.

Abstract: A polysilane composition characterized as containing a polysilane compound and a silicone compound in the ratio (polysilane compound:silicon compound) by weight of 80:20-5:95, and also containing an organic peroxide in the amount of 1-30 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the polysilane compound and silicone compound, wherein the silicone compound contains 40-100% by weight of a double bond containing silicon compound.

Abstract: An optical fiber, made of silica-based glass, comprising a core and a cladding. The optical fiber having a mode field diameter of 6.5 ?m or larger at a wavelength of 1300 nm, transmitting light with a wavelength of 1250 nm in a single mode, and having a bending loss of 1 dB/turn or smaller at a wavelength of 1300 nm when the optical fiber is bent with a curvature radius of 1.5 mm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric composition of matter. The composition includes at least one polymer matrix and plurality of quantum dots distributed therein. The polymer may be a perfluorocyclobutane polymer having high optical transmission at telecommunications wavelengths. The quantum dots may include cap compounds to increase the solubility of the quantum dots in the composition. Typical cap compounds include aromatic organic molecules. Optical devices including waveguides may be fabricated from the polymeric compositions of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a telecommunications cable having a layer constructed to resist post-extrusion shrinkage. The layer includes a plurality of discrete shrinkage-reduction members embedded within a base material. The shrinkage-reduction members can be made of a liquid crystal polymer. The disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing telecommunications cables having layers adapted to resist post-extrusion shrinkage.

Abstract: A random array of holes is created in an optical fiber by gas generated during fiber drawing. The gas forms bubbles which are drawn into long, microscopic holes. The gas is created by a gas generating material such as silicon nitride. Silicon nitride oxidizes to produce nitrogen oxides when heated. The gas generating material can alternatively be silicon carbide or other nitrides or carbides. The random holes can provide cladding for optical confinement when located around a fiber core. The random holes can also be present in the fiber core. The fibers can be made of silica. The present random hole fibers are particularly useful as pressure sensors since they experience a large wavelength dependant increase in optical loss when pressure or force is applied.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (1100) for cleaning an endface (1104) of an optical fiber (1106), wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within an interface device (1103) is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing (1114) having an interface portion (1124) adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing assembly (1116) at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein at least a portion (1112) of the fluid dispensing assembly engages the endface when the interface portion is received by the interface device. The fluid dispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface when the interface portion of the housing is received by the interface device to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. The cleaning apparatus may include a contact cleaning assembly (1304) and/or a microscope (1408).

Abstract: High performance media suitable for recording with a blue laser is disclosed. The blue-sensitized holographic media provides greater dynamic range and higher sensitivity than previously disclosed blue-sensitized holographic media. These media can be used for diverse applications such as data storage where the articles provide denser data storage and more rapid hologram writing times or for optical waveguides where the articles provide greater optical confinement and more rapid manufacturing times.

Abstract: A method of preventing hydrogen darkening of optic fiber, which includes a step of providing a protective barrier of hydrogen free flowing gas around the optic fiber, such that the flowing gas sweeps away hydrogen.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device includes a lower cladding layer, a high refractive index region provided on the lower cladding layer, a pair of cores provided on the lower cladding layer on both sides of the high refractive index region, and an upper cladding layer provided on the high refractive index region and the pair of cores. One of the upper and lower cladding layers has a pair of band-shaped parts disposed between the high refractive index region and the pair of cores.

Abstract: In a waveguide 10 including a substrate 1, a lower clad 2, an upper clad 3, and a core 4, the outline of a cross section perpendicular to the light propagating direction of the core 4 surrounded by the lower clad 2 has a shape curved with respect to the center of the cross section. The separation in the waveguide is thereby prevented, and the reliability of the optical property is enhanced.

Abstract: An optical material having a reflecting membrane, an enhanced reflecting membrane, or an anti-reflecting membrane formed with coating is provided. The optical material includes an optical material matrix, and a first inorganic compound layer and a second inorganic compound layer which are alternately stacked on the optical material matrix, wherein the first inorganic compound layer is formed of a titanium compound having a hydrolysable residue and oilophilic smectite and has a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the optical material matrix, and wherein the second inorganic compound layer includes silicon oxide and has a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the optical material matrix.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to modulators that can be operated electronically and used to modulate electromagnetic radiation. In one embodiment of the present invention, a modulator comprises a slot waveguide having a top semiconductor layer, a bottom semiconductor layer, and a transmission layer sandwiched between the top semiconductor layer and the bottom semiconductor layer. The slot waveguide also includes a plurality of holes forming a Bragg grating along the length of the slot waveguide.

Abstract: A circuitized substrate (e.g., PCB) including an internal optical pathway as part thereof such that the substrate is capable of transmitting and/or receiving both electrical and optical signals. The substrate includes an angular reflector on one of the cladding layers such that optical signals passing through the optical core will impinge on the angled reflecting surfaces of the angular reflector and be reflected up through an opening (including one with optically transparent material therein), e.g., to a second circuitized substrate also having at least one internal optical pathway as part thereof, to thus interconnect the two substrates optically. A method of making the substrate is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber having a silica-based core comprising an alkali metal oxide selected from the group consisting of K2O, Na2O, LiO2, Rb2O, Cs2O and mixtures thereof in an average concentration in said core between about 50 and 500 ppm by weight, said core further comprising chlorine and fluorine, wherein the average concentration of fluorine in said core is greater than the average concentration of alkali metal oxide in said core and the average concentration of chlorine in said core is greater than the average concentration of alkali metal oxide in said core; and a silica-based cladding surrounding and directly adjacent the core. By appropriately selecting the concentration of alkali metal oxide dopant in the core and the cladding, a low loss optical fiber may be obtained.

Abstract: A method of making a microresonator device includes the steps of providing at least a first substrate and providing a waveguide integrated on the substrate. The waveguide includes a core and a metal cladding layer on at least part of one boundary of the core. Another step is positioning a microresonator so that it is in an optically coupling relationship with the waveguide.

Abstract: A copolymer containing a repeating unit of formula (1) and a repeating unit of formula (2-1) or (2-2): wherein R1 and R2 represent alkyl or aryl, R3 represents alkyl, aryl, alkoxy or amino, R5 and R6 represent hydrogen, alkyl or aryl. The copolymer exhibits excellent mechanical properties, and capable of forming a coating film having low reflectivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an LED lighting apparatus having a separate wavelength conversion unit, which comprises the wavelength conversion unit and an LED. The wavelength conversion unit has an optical component and a wavelength conversion layer. The LED may be such positioned that the wavelength conversion layer is excited thereby. By forming the wavelength conversion unit at a surface of the optical component, the process of the LED can be simplified and the yield can be improved. Further, the present invention contributes to extending the application scope of the LED lighting apparatus by separating the wavelength conversion unit from the LED, so as to achieve optically desired light beams with evenness.

Abstract: A polarizer is formed with an arrangement of polymer fibers substantially parallel within a polymer matrix. The polymer fibers are formed of at least first and second polymer materials. At least one of the polymer matrix and the first and second polymer materials is birefringent, and provides a birefringent interface with the adjacent material. Light is reflected and/or scattered at the birefringent interfaces with sensitivity to the polarization of the light. In some embodiments, the polymer fibers are formed as composite fibers, having a plurality of scattering polymer fibers disposed within a filler to form the composite fiber. In other embodiments, the polymer fiber is a multilayered polymer fiber. The polymer fibers may be arranged within the polymer matrix as part of a fiber weave.

Abstract: An optical amplifier including an optical waveguide layer (for example channel-shaped optical waveguide layer) including Pb1?xLax(ZryTi1?y)1?x/4O3(PLZT: 0<x<0.3, 0<y<1.0) doped with a rare earth element at an amount of 0.2 mol % to 11.0 mol %, the optical waveguide layer (for example channel-shaped optical waveguide layer) being formed as a single crystal film by solid-phase epitaxial growth.

Abstract: A method of forming an alkali metal oxide-doped optical fiber by diffusing an alkali metal into a surface of a glass article is disclosed. The silica glass article may be in the form of a tube or a rod, or a collection of tubes or rods. The silica glass article containing the alkali metal, and impurities that may have been unintentionally diffused into the glass article, is etched to a depth sufficient to remove the impurities. The silica glass article may be further processed to form a complete optical fiber preform. The preform, when drawn into an optical fiber, exhibits a low attenuation.

Abstract: A single mode optical transmission fiber comprises a depressed core having at least 0.41 weight percent fluorine and an index difference (|?n1|) with pure silica greater than 1.5×10?3, a depressed cladding having at least 1.2 weight percent fluorine and an index difference (|?n2|) with pure silica greater than 4.5×10?3 and an index difference (|?n2|?|?n1|) with the depressed core greater than or equal to 3×10?3.

Abstract: This invention discloses a multi-layered laminate armor wrap for use with a copper or fiber optic cable having at least one water absorbing fabric layer, at least one polymer layer, and at least one layer fabricated from a metal or a metal alloy. Each layer in the multi-layered laminate armor wrap is fused or adhered to the adjacent layers to form a fused or sealed laminate armor wrap. This invention also discloses a method of making such an armor wrap.

Abstract: SiGe quantum wells where the well material has a lowest conduction band energy minimum at k=0 (the ? point of the first Brillouin zone) are provided. Quantum well structures that satisfy this condition have “Kane-like” bands at and near k=0 which can provide physical effects useful for various device applications, especially optical modulators. In the Si1-xGex material system, this condition on the band structure is satisfied for x greater than about 0.7. The quantum well barrier composition may or may not have Kane-like bands. Optical modulators including such SiGe quantum wells can be operated at temperatures other than room temperature. Such temperature control is preferred for providing optical modulators that operate in the telecommunication C band (˜1530 nm to ˜1565 nm).

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a planar optical waveguide having an optical core and optical cladding next to the optical core. The optical core or cladding includes a plurality of particles therein. Each particle has a nucleus and polymeric molecules permanently bonded to the nucleus to form a shell. A plurality of nuclei are dispersed in said core or cladding.

Abstract: A heat-resisting plastic optical fiber which excels in heat resistance and mass production and a manufacturing method thereof. The heat-resisting plastic optical fiber has a core which consists of transparent resin, and clad coated on the outer periphery of the core, which consists of the resin whose refractive index is lower than that of core. Precursor of material for the core material consists of the mixture of a group of monomers which contain polyfunctional monomer and transparent thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Fiber optic cable systems and methods incorporating a luminescent compound-containing layer to identify cracks. Exemplary embodiments include a fiber optic cable apparatus including a core for receiving laser light emitted from a VCSEL for the detection of faults in the fiber optic cable, a cladding disposed around the core, the cladding having an index of retraction differential with the core thereby allowing containment of light within the core by total internal reflection within the core, a buffer disposed around the cladding, the buffer capable of receiving LED emitted light for the detection of faults in the fiber optic cable, a braiding layer disposed around the buffer and configured to allow LED light to transmit from the buffer, and a jacket disposed around the braiding layer, the jacket having optical properties to receive LED light transmitted down the buffer in response to VCSEL light having been unsuccessfully transmitted down the core.

Abstract: A cylindrical outer clad section is formed by melt-extrusion molding of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) having a molecular structure in which the number of defect bonds of successive CF2 units and successive CH2 units constitutes not less than 4% with respect to a total number of bonds of CF2 units and CH2 units. Next, an inner clad section forming material is poured into a hollow portion of the outer clad section and polymerized to form a cylindrical inner clad section. A core section forming material is filled in a hollow portion of the inner clad section and polymerized to form a core section. Thus, a preform is fabricated. The preform is heat-drawn to obtain a POF. The POF has an outer clad in which small spherocrystals are formed. Average roughness Ra of an inner wall of the outer clad is less than 0.10 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical filters comprising a squarylium compound represented by General Formula (I): [wherein R1 and R2 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group optionally having substituent(s) or the like, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group optionally having substituent(s), and Y represents a group represented by General Formula (A): (wherein R4 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group optionally having substituent(s) or the like, R5 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or the like, and R6, R7, R8 and R9 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group optionally having substituent(s) or the like)] and the like.

Abstract: A waveguide configuration comprising a core, a first cladding, a second cladding, and a buffer. The core includes an index of refraction and an acoustic shear velocity. The first cladding extends about the core and has an acoustic shear velocity which is less than that of the core and an index of refraction which is less than the core. The second cladding extends about the first cladding. The second cladding has an acoustic shear velocity which is greater than that of the first cladding and less than the acoustic shear velocity of the core. The second cladding has an index of refraction which is less than that of an optical mode. The buffer extends about the second cladding.

Abstract: An optical fiber including: (i) a silica based, Yb doped core having a first index of refraction n1, said core comprising more than 1 wt % of Yb, said core having less than 5 dB/km loss at a wavelength situated between 1150 nm and 1350 nm and less than 20 dB/km loss at the wavelength of 1380 nm and slope efficiency of over 0.8; and (ii) at least one silica based cladding surrounding the core and having a second index of refraction n2, such that n1>n2.

Abstract: An optical element for controlling light propagation including: transparent material; and inorganic fine particles dispersed in the transparent material, wherein the transparent material and the inorganic fine particles meet at least one of following a) and b): a) a rate of change of a refractive index of the transparent material with temperature and a rate of change of a refractive index of the inorganic fine particles with temperature are opposite in sign; b) a thermal expansion coefficient of the transparent material and a thermal expansion coefficient of the inorganic fine particles are opposite in sign.

Abstract: A novel single point leaky waveguide structure and its use as an optical sensor for the detection of particles is disclosed. The waveguide structure is fabricated to increase the overlap of the evanescent field extension from the sensor surface with particles in the bulk solution of a flowing system so as to place most of the volume of the particles within the evanescent field. Increasing the overlap of the evanescent field with the particles and permitting mode propagation along the direction of flow for a few millimetres provides an effective interrogation approach for multiple particle detection in a single flow channel.

Abstract: An optical fiber transmits at least a signal light having a wavelength of 1550 nanometers in a fundamental propagation mode. The optical fiber has, a cutoff wavelength equal to or longer than 1550 nanometers, a wavelength dispersion of 4 ps/nm/km to 7 ps/nm/km in the fundamental propagation mode at the wavelength of 1550 nanometers, a dispersion slope of a positive value equal to or smaller than 0.03 ps/nm2/km in the fundamental propagation mode at the wavelength of 1550 nanometers, an effective core area equal to or larger then 60 ?m2 in the fundamental propagation mode at the wavelength of 1550 nanometers, and a bending loss equal to or smaller than 20 dB/m with a winding of 16 turns at a diameter of 20 millimeters in the fundamental propagation mode at the wavelength of 1550 nanometers.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical fiber 10 comprising a substantially pure silica glass core 12, a concentric tin-doped core/cladding interface region 14, and a concentric fluorine-doped depressed cladding layer 16. The tin-doped core/cladding interface region 14 comprises a low concentration gradient of tin dioxide, which advantageously results in a de minimis refractive index change, resistance to hydrogen incursion, and thermal stability of any fiber Bragg gratings written into the interface region 14.

Abstract: The present invention provides a curable liquid resin composition which, when cured, exhibits excellent removability from an adjacent coating layer and is suitable for an optical fiber upjacket material. The curable liquid resin optical fiber upjacket composition comprising a urethane (meth)acrylate or a (meth)acrylate oligomer, a reactive diluent, a polymerization initiator, and a polyol compound having a molecular weight of 1500 or more.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber having a silica-based core and a silica-based cladding, the core comprising germania, and oxides of an alkali metal and phosphorous. By appropriately selecting the concentration of alkali metal and phosphorous oxides, fibers exhibiting low attenuation and low hydrogen aged attenuation may be obtained. In a preferred embodiment, the alkali metal oxide is potassium oxide (K2O).

Abstract: A core rod is inserted into a cladding pipe, moisture in a space between the core rod and the cladding pipe is removed, and an optical fiber is drawn while the space is connected to a dry-gas atmosphere and/or being decompressed and while the core rod and the cladding pipe are being unified with each other. Alternatively, the core rod is inserted into the cladding pipe, and an optical fiber is drawn from one end while moisture on the surface of the core rod and the internal surface of the cladding pipe is being removed. Accordingly, a high quality optical fiber is manufactured with good productivity.

Abstract: A silicon based source for radiation in the 0.5-14 Terahertz regime. This new class of devices will permit continuously tunable, milli-Watt scale, continuous-wave, room temperature operation, a substantial advance over currently available technologies. The Silicon Terahertz Generator (STG) employs a silicon waveguide for near infrared radiation, situated within a metal waveguide for Terahertz radiation. A nonlinear polymer cladding permits two near-infrared lasers to mix, and through difference frequency generation produces Terahertz output. The small dimensions of the design greatly increase the optical fields, enhancing the nonlinear effect. The design can also be used to detect Terahertz radiation.

Abstract: This invention provides composite materials comprising nanostructures (e.g., nanowires, branched nanowires, nanotetrapods, nanocrystals, and nanoparticles). Methods and compositions for making such nanocomposites are also provided, as are articles comprising such composites. Waveguides and light concentrators comprising nanostructures (not necessarily as part of a nanocomposite) are additional features of the invention.

Abstract: Optical and optoelectronic articles incorporating an amorphous diamond-like film are disclosed. Specifically, the invention includes optical or optoelectronic articles containing an amorphous diamond-like film overlying two or more proximate substrates, and to methods of making optical and optoelectronic articles. In certain implementations, the film comprises at least about 30 atomic percent carbon, from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent silicon, and from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent oxygen on a hydrogen-free basis. Another embodiment includes optical or optoelectronic articles containing an amorphous diamond-like film that is further coated with a metallic or polymeric material for attachment to a device package.

Abstract: An organometallic polymer material is obtained which excels in translucency, shows improved hardness after it is cured and exhibits high reliability at high temperature and high humidity. Characteristically, the organometallic polymer material contains an organometallic polymer having an —M—O—M— bond (M indicates a metal atom), a metal alkoxide having a single hydrolyzable group and/or its hydrolysate and an organic polymer having a urethane bond and a methacryloxy or acryloxy group, and preferably further contains an organic anhydride and/or an organic acid.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a connector for an optical pathway. The connector includes a body formed, at least in part, with a temperature sensitive material having one or more light transmission characteristics that change based upon the temperature of the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric composition of matter. The composition includes at least one polymer matrix and plurality of quantum dots distributed therein. The polymer may be a perfluorocyclobutane polymer having high optical transmission at telecommunications wavelengths. The quantum dots may include cap compounds to increase the solubility of the quantum dots in the composition. Typical cap compounds include aromatic organic molecules. Optical devices including waveguides may be fabricated from the polymeric compositions of the invention.

Abstract: Apparatus including: a substrate layer having a substantially planar top surface; an optically conductive peak located and elongated on, and spanning a first thickness measured in a direction generally away from, the top surface; the optically conductive peak having first and second lateral walls each including distal and proximal lateral wall portions, the proximal lateral wall portions intersecting the top surface; and first and second sidewall layers located on the distal lateral wall portions, the sidewall layers not intersecting the top surface and spanning a second thickness that is less than the first thickness measured in the same direction.