Abstract: The present invention relates to optical confinements, methods of preparing and methods of using them for analyzing molecules and/or monitoring chemical reactions. The apparatus and methods embodied in the present invention are particularly useful for high-throughput and low-cost single-molecular analysis.

Abstract: According to one example of the invention an optical fiber comprises: (i) silica based, rare earth doped core having a first index of refraction n1; (ii) at least one silica based cladding surrounding the core and having a second index of refraction n2, such that n1>n2; wherein at least one of the core or cladding is doped with Al2O3, such that the ratio of max wt % to min wt % of Al2O3 concentration is less than 2:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical confinements, methods of preparing and methods of using them for analyzing molecules and/or monitoring chemical reactions. The apparatus and methods embodied in the present invention are particularly useful for high-throughout and low-cost single-molecular analysis.

Abstract: A single pulse laser beam of linear polarization is irradiated to a glass region such that the condensing point is located inside of the glass region, thereby to form, at the condensing point, a periodic structure region in which high refractive-index zones and low refractive-index zones are repeatedly being generated at pitches of 1 ?m or less. Planes in which the high refractive-index zones or the low refractive-index zones are being joined to one another, are formed in parallel to the polarized magnetic field direction of the pulse laser. It is therefore possible to prepare an optical structural body having a submicron-order fine periodic structure which can readily be produced.

Abstract: An optical amplifier is disclosed having a substantially uniform spectral gain. In an exemplary embodiment, the optical amplifier comprises a planar waveguide including a substrate, which includes a region doped with rare earth element. The optical amplifier also comprises an optical fiber including a core doped with the rare earth element. The optical fiber is optically coupled to the planar waveguide.

Abstract: A Electronic/Photonic Bandgap Device (NC#98614). The apparatus includes a substrate; an electronics layer operatively coupled to the substrate; and an optical bus layer operatively coupled to the electronics layer. The optical bus layer comprises at least one 3D photonic bandgap structure having at least one period operatively coupled to the electronics layer and comprising a plurality of honeycomb-like structures having a plurality of high index regions and a plurality of low index regions, wherein the plurality of honeycomb-like structures comprises at least four honeycomb-like structures layered over each other, wherein a second honeycomb-like structure is offset from a first honeycomb-like structure, wherein a third honeycomb-like structure is offset from a second honeycomb-like structure, and wherein a fourth honeycomb-like structure is not offset from the first honeycomb-like structure. The 3D photonic bandgap structure and the electronics layer are monolithically integrated over the substrate.

Abstract: An optical phase modulator comprising a plurality of non-polarizing waveguides having a layered stack including a core between at least one layer of cladding material, wherein the core is constructed of electro-optic material(s), wherein the layers of cladding materials having lower indices of refraction than the core for guided mode, wherein the layer of cladding material having higher indices of refraction than the core for non-guided mode, a substrate dimensioned and configured to integrate a plurality of optical components, wherein the optical components include a plurality of non-polarizing waveguide(s), a waveguide having a non-polarizing non-modulating region and a non-polarizing modulating region, coupler/splitter(s), electrode(s), a waveguide configuration including a first non-polarizing waveguide, a second polarizing waveguide and a third waveguide, and at least two optical fiber pigtails where one is coupled to a second and third waveguide.

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: An optical apparatus of the invention has a fusion splice portion where respective ends of two optical fibers each having a core, a cladding, and a UV coat portion provided on the outside of the cladding are fusion spliced, and a re-coat portion which re-coats a portion where the UV coat portion is removed in the vicinity of the fusion splice portion is formed using a material capable of absorbing light radiated from the fusion splice portion. As a result light which is radiated from the fusion splice portion can be reliably prevented from coupling into another optical fiber adjacent to an outside of the re-coat portion.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a curable resin composition that is desirably used for manufacturing an optical part, in particular, an optical waveguide, that is superior in heat-resistant properties such as a heat-resistant decomposing property and a coloring-resistant property, and has its refractive index precisely controlled. The present invention provides a curable resin composition, comprising: (A) a monomer that contains a polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon skeleton and two or more terminal radical polymerizable groups, (B) a monomer that contains a perfluoroalkylene skeleton and two or more terminal radical polymerizable groups, and (C) a photopolymerization initiator and/or a thermal polymerization initiator. The present also provides an optical part, in particular, an optical waveguide, formed by photo-and/or thermo-curing the above curable resin composition.

Abstract: A photonic band gap fiber and method of making thereof is provided. The fiber is made of a non-silica-based glass and has a longitudinal central opening, a microstructured region having a plurality of longitudinal surrounding openings, and a jacket. The air fill fraction of the microstructured region is at least about 40%. The fiber may be made by drawing a preform into a fiber, while applying gas pressure to the microstructured region. The air fill fraction of the microstructured region is changed during the drawing.

Abstract: A hole-assisted holey fiber is provided. The holey fiber includes a core region; a cladding region around the core region, and a plurality of holes in the cladding region around the core region. The core region has a higher refractive index than that of the cladding region. The holes form an inner hole layer and an outer hole layer, and the inner hole layer has the same number of holes as the number of the holes in the outer hole layer. The outer layer holes are provided in locations in which inner holes are absent when viewed from the center of the core region, and holes defining the same layer have the same diameter. A distance ?1 from a center of the core region to a center of an inner hole and a distance ?2 from the center of the core region to a center of an outer hole satisfy the relationship ?1<?2, and a diameter d1 of an inner hole and a diameter d2 of an outer hole satisfy the relationship d1?d2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a silica optical waveguide having a clad layer and a core formed from a silica material and a method of fabricating the same and provides a silica optical waveguide in which the position of a core can be easily recognized and a method of manufacturing the same. The waveguide has a lower clad layer formed from silicate glass on a silica substrate, a core formed from silicate glass on the lower clad layer, and an upper clad layer formed of silicate glass on the lower clad layer so as to embed the core. A difference of height is provided on a top surface of the upper clad layer such that a difference between reflections from the position of the core and from other positions can be recognized on the top surface of the upper clad layer.

Abstract: In an optical element aimed at readily and accurately controlling a refractive index of an electrooptic effect film, and at making the device adaptive to further downsizing, a voltage control unit controls the refractive index of light in an optical waveguide between two values of a first voltage and a second voltage bounded at a predetermined voltage which corresponds to an anti-ferroelectric phase transition point, based on a fact that the refractive index of a core layer of the optical waveguide largely varies in a digital manner at the predetermined voltage, but is kept almost constant thereunder and thereabove.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber which has a structure for further increasing an FOM (=|dispersion|/loss) and which can be applied to a dispersion compensation module. The optical fiber is mainly composed of silica glass and has a core region including a center of an optical axis, a depressed region surrounding the core region, a ring region surrounding the depressed region, and a cladding region surrounding the ring region and doped with F. As compared with the refractive index of pure silica glass, a relative refractive index difference of the core region is 3% or more but 4% or less, a relative refractive index difference of the depressed region is ?1% or more but ?0.5% or less, a relative refractive index difference of the ring region is 0.01% or more but 0.24% or less, and a relative refractive index difference of the cladding region is ?0.3% or more but ?0.1% or less. The FOM at the wavelength of 1550 nm is 250 ps/nm/dB or more.

Abstract: A large mode area optical fiber includes a large diameter core (d1 up to 60 ?m), and a first cladding (diameter d2) wherein the difference between refractive index (n1) in the core and the first cladding (n2) is very small (?n<0.002), thus providing a very low numerical aperture core (NA1 between 0.02 and 0.06). The preferred ratio of d2/d1<2. The fiber further has a second cladding, preferably a layer of air holes, having a very low refractive index n3 as compared to the core and first cladding such that the first cladding has a relatively high numerical aperture (NA2>0.4) (n3 is preferably less than 1.3). The small change in refractive index between the core and inner cladding combined with a large change in refractive index between the first cladding and second cladding provides a significantly improved single mode holding waveguide.

Abstract: An optical waveguide comprising a substrate, a lower clad layer on the substrate, a core layer and an upper clad layer, at least one of the lower clad layer, the core layer and the upper clad layer is formed of a cured product of a photo-curable organopolysiloxane composition comprising (A) a (meth)acryloyloxy group-containing organopolysiloxane of the following average compositional formula (1): (CH2?CR1COO(CH2)n)a(Ph)bR2c(R3O)dSiO(4-a-b-c-d)/2??(1) wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl, R2 is an C1–C8 alkyl or C2–C8 alkenyl group, Ph is phenyl, R3 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted or alkoxy-substituted C1–C4 alkyl group, subscripts a, b, c and d are numbers satisfying: 0.05?a?0.9, 0.1?b?0.9, 0?c?0.2, 0<d?0.5, and 0.8?a+b+c+d?1.5, and n is an integer of 2 to 5, and having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 100,000 as measured by GPC using a polystyrene standard, and (B) a photosensitizer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a glass fiber, a Raman device and a method. The fiber is a hollow core photonic bandgap chalcogenide glass fiber that includes a hollow core for passing light therethrough, a Raman active gas disposed in said core, a microstructured region disposed around said core, and a solid region disposed around said microstructured region for providing structural integrity to said microstructured region. The device includes a coupler for introducing at least one light signal into a hollow core of a chalcogenide photonic bandgap fiber; a hollow core chalcogenide photonic bandgap glass fiber; a microstructured fiber region disposed around said core; a solid fiber region disposed around said microstructured region for providing structural integrity to said microstructured region; and a Raman active gas disposed in the hollow core.

Abstract: An optical fiber bundle that has better ultraviolet resistance characteristics at a wavelength range of 150 to 250 nm and that can be readily and cheaply manufactured with no risk of, for example, explosion during manufacturing and its manufacturing method are provided. In the optical fiber bundle, optical fibers including a core mainly containing silica glass and a cladding containing silica glass and fluorine are bundled and accommodated in a container. This container has optically transparent ends, accommodates hydrogen or deuterium as well as the optical fibers, and is sealed. The capacity of the container is 10 times or less as large as the volume of glass of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A lighting device for medical instruments, particularly otoscopes, in which light is transmitted from a light source through a light conductor to a light exit, wherein the light conductor is of acrylic. The light conductor may be manufactured from PMMA granulate.

Abstract: An optical waveguide has a core layer made by a film containing a cross-linked polyamide based on a repeating unit of general formula (I) and a method for the production thereof.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon having a plurality of optical fibers held together by a matrix material is disclosed. The matrix material has a first end with a first shape and a second end with a second shape, where the first shape is different than the second shape. In one embodiment, the first end has a concave end portion and the second end has a convex end portion. The fiber optic ribbon is advantageous as a subunit of a larger ribbon since the first end of a first subunit can interlock with a second end of a second subunit, thereby providing a robust structure. Moreover, the distance between optical fibers of adjacent subunits is reduced so the fiber optic ribbon may allow mass fusion splicing of same using standard splice chucks.

Abstract: The present innovation discloses the design, configuration and process of a kind of MEMS-based tunable optical devices. The devices can be classed as dual-cavity of Fabry-Perot resonators, which consist of a first outer membrane, a middle membrane and a second outer membrane. And these membranes are separated by cavities. The membranes will deflect under electrostatic force and the thicknesses of cavities will change. The numbers of the layers of membranes should satisfy an equation. These devices can be adopted for optical switches, VOA or tunable filters.

Abstract: A 3D Photonic Bandgap Device in SOI (NC#98374). The structure includes a substrate having a semiconductor layer over an insulator layer and a 3D photonic bandgap structure having at least one period operatively coupled to the substrate. The apparatus has a funnel waveguide configuration.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a glass fiber having a glass core and a cladding that contains voids that are spaced apart from the core, in contact with the core, or form a substantial portion of the core. The voids act as trapping sites for ingressing molecules from the surrounding environment, thereby reducing the effect of such molecules on the fiber's light-transmission properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photostructurable body, in particular glass or glass-ceramic, in which the glass is a multicomponent glass and/or the glass-ceramic is a multicomponent glass-ceramic, in each case having a positive change in refractive index ?n as a result of the action of light.

Abstract: A higher order mode dispersion compensating fiber includes an optical fiber and a first loss layer which is provided within the fiber and which attenuates a lower order mode propagating through the optical fiber while not attenuating a higher order mode which is higher than the lower order mode. A dispersion compensating fiber mode converter for a higher order fiber includes a single mode fiber; a higher order mode dispersion compensating fiber; and a fused and extended portion which has been formed by fusing and extending the single mode fiber and the higher order mode fiber. The fused and extended portion converts between the LP01 mode of the single mode fiber and the LP02 mode of the higher order mode dispersion compensating fiber.

Abstract: Provided are an optoelectric printed circuit board (PCB) including an optoelectric transmission metal track and a dielectric layer, an optoelectric transmission method using the optoelectric PCB, and a method of manufacturing the optoelectric PCB. The optoelectric transmission method includes injecting light and electricity to the optoelectric PCB including at least one optoelectric transmission metal track and a dielectric layer contacting the optoelectric transmission metal track. The injected light and electricity are transmitted through the optoelectric PCB. The transmitted light and electricity are emitted from the optoelectric PCB.

Abstract: A tape-shaped optical fiber cable has: a tape member formed of a fiber material and a cured resin formed around the fiber material; and an optical fiber embedded in the tape member. The optical fiber is covered by a covering material, the fiber material comprises a bidirectional fiber material. The optical fiber is embedded in the tape member such that one fiber array direction of the bidirectional fiber material is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber and the other fiber array direction of the bidirectional fiber material is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention describes a fluorescent dye doped polymer based optical wave-guide structure. The described polymers can be used to fabricate a range of display elements and illumination systems which work without the use of external electrical power. This is due to the process of the fluorescent dyes absorbing ambient light and then subsequently emitting light which is conducted by the polymer host material to a point where it is emitted. The emitted light can be of a range of colours depending upon the type of dye that polymers are doped with. There is a constant contrast between the light power flux emitted for the wave-guide structure and the light power flux of the ambient light. There is also provided a method in which a dielectric stack mirror layer fabricated on the surface of the polymer which can be used to improve the efficiency and the contrast of those optical elements.

Abstract: A method for reducing the hydrogen sensitivity of an optical fiber is disclosed. The method includes a deuterium treatment step of exposing an optical fiber to a gas mixture including a deuterium, so that the optical fiber makes a contact with the deuterium, and a degassing step of degassing the optical fiber treated with the deuterium under a negative pressure condition.

Abstract: A large mode area (LMA) fiber with improved resistance to bend-induced distortions utilizes highly oscillatory modes such that the effective index of the propagating modes remains less than the bent-fiber “equivalent” refractive index over a greater portion of the core. By providing a signal mode with a reduced effective index, the “forbidden” (evanescent) region of the core is reduced, and bend-induced distortion of the propagating mode is largely avoided.

Abstract: Labels, methods of making labels and methods of using labels are disclosed. The labels can be manufactured using fiber drawing techniques or by shutter masking. The labels can be used for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample and for detecting interactions of biomolecules.

Abstract: An optical phase modulator comprising a plurality of polarizing waveguides having a layered stack including a core between at least one layer of cladding material, wherein the core is constructed of electro-optic material(s), wherein the layers of cladding materials having lower indices of refraction than the core for guided mode, wherein the layers of cladding materials having higher indices of refraction than the core for non-guided mode, at least one electrode coupled to at least one waveguide including a modulating polarizing region, at least one waveguide having a non-modulating region and a modulating region, a substrate dimensioned and configured to integrate a plurality of optical components, wherein the optical components include a plurality of polarizing waveguide(s), a waveguide having a non-modulating region and a modulating region, coupler/splitter(s), electrode(s), and a waveguide configuration including a first polarizing waveguide, a second polarizing waveguide and a third polarizing waveguide

Abstract: A 3D Photonic Bandgap Device in SOI Method (NC#97881). The method includes providing a substrate comprising a semiconductor layer over an insulator layer and fabricating a 3D photonic bandgap structure having at least one period over the substrate.

Abstract: An all optical fiber bit stream reader system for examining the data contents of an optical fiber involving the conversion of a temporal timing signal into a spatially located signal is provided. The invention generally comprises generating and detecting a signal indicating the presence of data, in a manner which is minimally destructive to the data. One embodiment comprises providing a piece of optical fiber that exhibits a nonlinear response through a two photon absorption process and subsequent emission of a photon corresponding to the two photon absorption process. Such a fiber could comprise a conventional doped silica fiber into which an additional dopant has been introduced. Another embodiment involves modifying the index of refraction of the cladding of the optical fiber line. This causes a fraction of the electric field or light pulse guided through the fiber (if present) to be coupled out of the fiber. Thereafter, the pulse can be detected.

Abstract: A chemical sensing device comprises a fiber core and a fiber cladding. The fiber core comprises an index-modulated grating region having an apodized profile configured for increasing shedding of light into the fiber cladding, and the fiber cladding of the chemical sensing device is configured for reflecting at least some of the deflected light back towards the fiber core. The sensing device is applicable in methods and systems for sensing chemicals.

Abstract: A polymer phase modulator having a plurality of polarizing waveguides having a layered stack including a core between at least one layer of cladding material, wherein the core is constructed of electro-optic material(s), wherein the layers of cladding materials having lower indices of refraction than the core for guided mode, wherein the layer of cladding material having higher indices of refraction than the core for non-guided mode, at least one waveguide having a non-modulating polarizing region, a substrate dimensioned and configured to integrate a plurality of optical components, wherein the optical components include a plurality of polarizing waveguide(s) and non-polarizing waveguide(s), a waveguide having a polarizing non-modulating region and a non-polarizing modulating region, coupler/splitter(s), electrode(s), and a waveguide configuration including a first polarizing waveguide, a coupler/splitter including a plurality of splitter ports, a second polarizing waveguide and a third polarizing waveguide.

Abstract: An optical waveguide circuit comprising a plurality of first cores (203) arranged at intervals widening as they are away from the branch point or the joining point of optical signal, a clad (205) filling at least these first cores, and second cores (204) provided between the first cores and the clad and formed in the gap between the first cores in the vicinity of the branch point or the joining point while covering the first cores at least partially. Refractive index of the second core is larger than that of the clad, the boundary between the second core and the clad is smooth and the film thickness of the second core formed in the gap between the first cores is decreased as the interval of the plurality of first cores widens.

Abstract: An optical transceiver comprising an optical bench including of a waveguide on a substrate, a light source, a system of transceiver module waveguides, a waveguide coupler, a fiber, and a detector.

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: Photosensitive optical materials are used for establishing more versatile approaches for optical device formation. In some embodiments, unpatterned light is used to shift the index-of-refraction of planar optical structures to shift the index-of-refraction of the photosensitive material to a desired value. This approach can be effective to produce cladding material with a selected index-of-refraction. In additional embodiments gradients in index-of-refraction are formed using, photosensitive materials. In further embodiments, the photosensitive materials are patterned within the planar optical structure. Irradiation of the photosensitive material can selectively shift the index-of-refraction of the patterned photosensitive material. By patterning the light used to irradiate the patterned photosensitive material, different optical devices can be selectively activated within the optical structure.

Abstract: An optical switch for routing signals includes a latch receiver connected to a waveguide that routes the signals and an actuator that includes an upper plate, a lower plate and a latch connected to the lower plate, the lower plate of the actuator moving vertically when power is applied to the lower plate, causing the latch to move vertically and engage the latch receiver. A latching system includes a switch that includes a latch formed to include an extension on one end of the latch, the latch being driven by power, a latch receiver that is formed to receive the latch and a controller that controls the extension of the latch to engage the latch receiver when the power is applied to the latch, and controls the extension of the latch to lock in place against the latch receiver when the power is removed from the latch.

Abstract: A fiber optic conduit for use in a hostile environment includes a hydrogen barrier shell that is disposed outwardly from an inner axial tube. The hydrogen barrier shell comprises a material that is capable of reducing hydrogen permeation through the fiber optic conduit and a thickness of at least approximately one-thousandth of an inch. The inner axial tube is operable to receive one or more optical fibers. The conduit further includes an outer axial tube that is disposed outwardly from the hydrogen barrier shell and is operable to form a hydrostatic pressure boundary for the fiber optic conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light emitting device consisting of one or more light sources coupled to a light guide containing diffuser particles having a refractive index close to the refractive index of the core of the light guide. The diffuser particles cause a scattering of the light emitted from the light sources so that light emitted from the light emitting device has colour variation imperceptible to the human eye and small and gradual variations in intensity.

Abstract: A fluidic waveguide comprising a container and a fluid that fills said container, wherein said fluid has a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the wall of said container and wherein said fluid can act as a waveguide for electromagnetic radiation when contacted therewith is disclosed. A corresponding fluidic lightguide along with devices that function as composite waveguides and lightguides are described. Assays utilizing this waveguide for biochemical, chemical, and other kinds of analyzes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Included among the many structures described herein are photonic bandgap fibers designed to provide a desired dispersion spectrum. Additionally, designs for achieving wide transmission bands and lower transmission loss are also discussed. For example, in some fiber designs, smaller dimensions of high index material in the cladding and large core size provide small flat dispersion over a wide spectral range. In other examples, the thickness of the high index ring-shaped region closest to the core has sufficiently large dimensions to provide negative dispersion or zero dispersion at a desired wavelength. Additionally, low index cladding features distributed along concentric rings or circles may be used for achieving wide bandgaps.

Abstract: An optical fiber tape having low polarization mode dispersion characteristics and applied to a dense wavelength multiplex (DWDM) transmission system of a transmission rate from several Gb/s to several tens of Gb/S. We have found out that the polarization mode dispersion of an optical fiber tape relates to the loss tangent (tan ?) determined when the dynamic viscoelasticity is measured, and that particularly, if the loss tangent of when a dispersion shift fiber is used is made 0.080 or more and the loss tangent of when a single mode optical fiber is used is made 0.042 or more, the polarization mode coefficient of dispersion (PMD) is reduced to 0.3 ps/?km preferable to realize a DWDM transmission system.

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: In various embodiments, chromophores are described that include novel electron acceptors, novel electron donors, and/or novel conjugated bridges that are useful in nonlinear optical applications. In some embodiments, the present invention provides chromophore architectures wherein a chromophore contains more than one electron acceptor in electronic communication with a single electron donor, and/or more than one electron donor in electronic communication with a single electron acceptor. Also described is processes for providing materials comprising the novel chromophores and polymer matrices containing the novel chromophores. Electro-optic devices described herein contain one or more of the described electron acceptors, electron donors, conjugated bridges, or chromophores.