Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting a first optical component to a second optical component, particularly for connecting the lamp housing of a spotlight to a lamp adapter. Said inventive device comprises a connecting ring (2) which comprises a first region (22) which rotatably secures the connecting ring (2) to the first optical component (1), and a second region (21) which is axially distanced from the first region (22) and enables the connecting ring (2) to be connected to the second optical component part (3). Said second region (21) comprises coupling means (25), which engage with corresponding coupling means (31, 31a) of the second optical component (3) by rotating the connecting ring (1). The invention enables two optical components to be connected in a fast, simple manner.

Abstract: A backlight unit is disclosed, in which the light is concentrated when the light is incident on a light-guiding plate so as to improve light efficiency and color realization ratio. The backlight unit includes a light source emitting light; and optical fiber surrounding the circumference of the light source so as to concentrate and emit the light emitted from the light source.

Abstract: A coupling method of a coupler includes the following steps: (1) making a pair of optical fibers with different photosensitivity fused and drawn, (2) irradiating specific portions of the pair of optical fibers by intense ultraviolet light at the same time for making refractive index of the pair of optical fibers markedly different, (3) supervising coupling light energy loss spectrum and gradually adjusting the intense ultraviolet light for decreasing maximum coupling ratio and achieving an optical fiber coupler of optimum flat spectrum, thereby improving fabricating process and reducing deficient products.

Abstract: A three-dimensional optical switch using three-dimensional rewritable waveguides in a photosensitive substrate. At least two light beams are used to illuminate the substrate in the region where the waveguide is to be written. The refractive index of the substrate changes at the points where the beams intersect. Therefore, the light beams can be directed to create a three-dimensional waveguide in the photosensitive substrate. A plurality of inlet ports in one surface of the substrate are thereby connected to a plurality of outlet ports on another surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the inlet ports and the outlet ports may be on the same surface of the substrate. The invention also provides methods of creating waveguides in photosensitive media using the device described herein.

Abstract: A (bio)chemo-functional waveguide grating structure consisting of at least one (bio)chemo-functional waveguide grating structure unit or at least one (bio)chemo-functional sensor location with beam guidance permitting light beam separation, as well as detection methods for parallel analysis that are marking-free or based on marking.

Abstract: A method of forming a single crystalline structure having a substantially linear response at least over the wave lengths of 1,200 to 1,700 nanometers, the resulting structure and its use as an optical media or a barrier coating. Thus, maximum obtainable optical transmission with zero attenuation is provided. There is no intrinsic material absorption.

Abstract: A device and method for selectively hydrogen loading one or more portions of an optical fiber is described. The device includes a housing that defines a first optical fiber port, a second optical fiber port, a chamber within the housing extending from the first optical fiber port to the second optical fiber port to receive the portion of the at least one optical fiber, a hydrogen input port, and a hydrogen channel extending from the hydrogen input port to a portion of the chamber. A portion of an optical fiber is disposed in the chamber. Hydrogen is introduced into the chamber through a hydrogen channel defined by the housing. The hydrogen is then loaded into the portion of the optical fiber within the chamber.

Abstract: A luminescent material, such as phosphor, is radiated by energy propagated from the side of an optical fiber, causing the luminescent material to emit visible light. The luminescent material can be of: a coincidentally-excited type, requiring the absorption of two wavelengths of radiation to emit visible light; memory-type, requiring absorption of one wavelength of charging radiation and absorption of another wavelength of controlling radiation to emit visible light; and quenchable type, requiring absorption of one wavelength of radiation to emit visible light and absorption of another wavelength of radiation to stop, i.e. quench, the emission of visible light. Two side-emitting optical fibers can be used, with each optical fiber providing one of the needed radiation wavelengths. One embodiment of the invention involves a matrix of optical fibers forming an optical display panel made using coincidentally-excited phosphors.

Abstract: A fiber array module fabrication method. The method includes the steps of: (a) preparing a optical fiber ribbon, a solder/binder coated fiber array substrate, and two holder bases, one holder base having longitudinally extended locating grooves; (b) putting the fiber array substrate in between the holder bases and keeping the longitudinally extended grooves of the fiber array substrate in alignment with the longitudinally extended aligning grooves of the holder base and then loading the optical fiber ribbon in the holder bases and keeping the optical fibers of the fiber ribbon in the locating grooves of the holder base and the fixing grooves of the fiber array substrate; (c) heating the solder or radiating the binder to fixedly secure the optical fibers to the fiber array substrate and the fiber array cover plate, and (d) cutting off the optical fibers and removing the finished fiber array module from the holder bases.

Abstract: An optical waveguide type microplate includes a substrate, a well formed on one surface of the substrate to receive a solution to be tested, an optical waveguide layer formed on a portion or the whole of a surface of the well contacted with the solution, a light incident member formed on the surface near one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide layer, and a light exist member formed on the surface near other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide layer.

Abstract: A wiring substrate; a wiring head which guides optical fibers to the lead end thereof and forms an optical fiber path; an optical fiber feed mechanism which feeds the optical fiber into the optical fiber path; an optical fiber contact mechanism which brings the optical fiber, which has been guided to the lead end of the wiring head, and the wiring substrate into contact; an XY movement mechanism, which moves the wiring substrate and the wiring head relative to one anther in the X and Y directions; and an optical fiber affixing mechanism which successively affixes, to the wiring substrate, the optical fiber which has been brought into contact with the wiring substrate during movement by the XY movement mechanism; are provided.

Abstract: In the present invention, an optical device having a waveguide structure includes a photonic band structure region, the photonic band structure region comprising a first region having a first refractive index and an array of sub-regions having a second refractive index, the array of subregions being arranged in a Fibonacci spiral pattern. The present invention can also be applied to optical fibers. The Fibonacci spiral pattern and can be found in nature in the arrangement of the seeds of a sunflower and in pine kernels. The Fibonacci pattern is an optimal packing system for the sub-regions surrounding a central cavity region.

Abstract: In a mounting structure of an optical module, an optical semiconductor device such as a light emitting device or a photo sensing device and an optical fiber are mounted. The optical fiber is directly mounted in a mounting groove formed on a top face of the substrate. The optical semiconductor device is mounted on a front face of a carrier corresponding to {110} surface or {100} surface equivalent to (110) surface or (100) surface of a single crystalline silicon. The carrier has a slanted first positioning face corresponding to {111} surface equivalent to (111) surface of the single crystalline silicon. The substrate has a slanted second positioning face corresponding to {111} surface equivalent to (111) surface of the single crystalline silicon with respect to the top face corresponding to {110} surface or {100} surface of the single crystalline silicon. Thus, the front face of the carrier becomes perpendicular to the top face of the substrate.

Abstract: Materials, both glass and glass-ceramic, that exhibit UV-induced changes in light transmission and electrical conductivity behavior. The materials consist essentially, in mole %, of 20-40% SiO2, 10-20% AlO1.5, 35-55% SiO2+AlO1.5, at least 30% CdF2, 0-20% PbF2, and/or ZnF2, 0-15% rare earth metal fluoride, and 45-65% total metal fluorides.

Abstract: An internal unit is incorporated in a body of a submarine apparatus. The internal unit comprises a plurality of system units placed in a predetermined arrangement, and coupling bars fixed to coupling-bar fixing surfaces of the system units by screws so as to couple the system units in the predetermined arrangement. The system units include at least one electronic-circuit printed board having a part to be adjusted. The coupling-bar fixing surfaces are located at positions shifted from the electronic-circuit-printed board.

Abstract: A method of optimising the componentry of an optical data transmission link, the link comprising a series of optical components interconnected by a fiber network, the method comprising the steps of: (a) calculating an equivalent fiber representation for the link; (b) utilising an optimisation algorithm to eliminate redundant optical components from the link; (c) utilising an optimisation algorithm to determine the input channel power of the link.

Abstract: A photocatalyst apparatus includes a plurality of photocatalytic optical fibers, each having a photocatalytic clad on a solid or hollow core and a solid or hollow substrate having a surface for attaching the fibers thereto/thereon, preferably by an adhesive, wherein the fibers project from the surface, preferably in perpendicular direction and/or substantially parallel to one another. The substrate may have light-redirecting means preferably with a gradation pattern or may have opening/openings to pass therethrough. The photocatalytic optical fibers may receive light at fixed ends and/or at free ends thereof. The fibers may have light collectors on free ends thereof. A manufacture of the photocatalyst apparatus may be preferably accomplished by an electrostatic process. A photocatalyst reactor may include a light source to communicate with the photocatalytic optical fibers and/or may include a housing to enclose the photocatalyst apparatus/apparatuses.

Abstract: A method of placing a fiber on a substrate includes holding at least one fiber under tension, aligning the held fiber with a groove formed into a substrate, moving the substrate towards the fiber to place the fiber in the groove, fixing the position of the fiber under tension in the groove, and releasing the fiber.

Abstract: An optical connector cleaning device for cleaning a ferrule end surface of an optical or fiberoptic connector is described. The device includes a cleaning rod, a drive mechanism, and a cleaning media, such as a swab, a brush, a pad, or a foam, connected to an end of the cleaning rod and having a thickness past the end of the cleaning rod of at least about 0.125 inches. A mating connector housing the cleaning rod may be provided for connecting with the optical connector. The drive mechanism may be housed in a handheld body or may be mounted on a dummy card connector physically compatible with a slot in a card-cage. The dummy card connector may include an adjustable frame which can be adjusted to modify card size in order for the same dummy card connector to be physically compatible with more than one physical slot configuration.

Abstract: An optical memory device is specifically so designed that, when an reference beam is applied thereto, the entire information area of its core layer can receive the reference beam all at a time to surely reconstruct a correct image. The optical memory device includes a core layer and a cladding layer laminated on both surfaces of the core layer.

Abstract: A process for automatically forming optical shuffles, which included providing a plurality of spools are provided, which are each formed from at least one fiber. The free ends of the fibers are led up to a winding device and fixed to the latter in such a way that the fibers can be wound onto it in one and the same winding direction and lying approximately parallel to one another. The sections of the fibers coming from the spool are combined with one another in groups to form ribbons. A first length section of each ribbon is unwound from the associated spool and wound onto the winding device (input side of the shuffle). After the length section has been unwound, the spools or fiber-guiding devices connected downstream of the spools are reorganized, so that, in a direction running transversely with respect to the unwinding direction, the outgoing fibers assume different positions relative to one another than before.

Abstract: The invention provides, according to its various embodiments, a method for secure communication that involves encoding and transmitting an optical communications signal that is encoded based on a multi-dimensional encoding technique. The multi-dimensional encoding technique includes multiple security layers and varies multiple physical characteristics of a communications signal. The multi-dimensional encoding technique may include at least one or more of encoding a phase of an optical communications signal, encoding a polarization of an optical communications signal, and encoding a frequency of an optical communications signal, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber loading station that is used to load and align a fiber optic cable into a fiber chuck assembly. The fiber chuck assembly and aligned fiber are mounted to a pallet that can be loaded into a package assembly station such as a laser welder. The laser welder can solder the fiber to a package of a fiber module. The fiber is pre-aligned within the loading station so that the operator of the package assembly station does not have to waste time aligning the fiber with the package in the laser welder. One fiber may be loaded at the loading station while another fiber is being soldered to a package in the laser welder. Having a separate fiber loading station allows a production facility to both align fiber and solder fiber to a package in a parallel overlapping process. This reduces the assembly time, increases throughput and decreases assembly cost to manufacture a photonic package.

Abstract: A manufacturing method and apparatus for manufacturing a coated optical fiber which has a superior surface smoothness of a resin coating and which can be coated with a colored ink with high coating performance. In the method including the steps of making a coated optical fiber by forming an outer coating layer around a bare optical fiber; and winding the coated optical fiber via pulleys by a take-up, the surface roughness of each solid body which the outer layer of the running coated optical fiber contacts is 0.8 &mgr;m or less. When the temperature of the outer coating layer is a room temperature or the Young's modulus of the outer coating layer is higher than 500 MPa, the surface roughness of each solid body, which the outer layer of the coated optical fiber contacts during drawing or rewinding, is 1.2 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: Turf comprising artificial or natural turf fibers and fiber optic filaments extending between the turf fibers. The present invention also provides a method of marking a surface comprising the steps of providing a light source, providing a surface to be marked, providing an optical material capable of illumination by the light source, configuring and arranging the optical material, the surface, and the light source such that illumination of the optical material is visible on the surface, and illuminating the optical material. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing turf comprising the steps of providing a turf surface, providing optical material capable of illumination by a light source, and threading the turf surface with the optical material whereby illumination of the optical material is visible on the surface.

Abstract: An ultrathin optical panel, and a method of producing an ultrathin optical panel, are disclosed, including stacking a plurality of glass sheets which sheets may be coated with a transparent cladding substance or may be uncoated, fastening together the plurality of stacked coated glass sheets using an epoxy or ultraviolet adhesive, applying uniform pressure to the stack, curing the stack, sawing the stack to form an inlet face on a side of the stack and an outlet face on an opposed side of the stack, bonding a coupler to the inlet face of the stack, and fastening the stack, having the coupler bonded thereto, within a rectangular housing having an open front which is aligned with the outlet face, the rectangular housing having therein a light generator which is optically aligned with the coupler. The light generator is preferably placed parallel to and proximate with the inlet face, thereby allowing for a reduction in the depth of the housing.

Abstract: A portal-based system for ultraviolet disinfection (UV) of containers and appliances, the system including a container with a housing having at least one portal for receiving UV light input for transmission into the container. The portal is designed such that a fiber optic transmission line is removably connectable to it. This system may include at least one portal optical component positioned between the portal and the interior of the appliance, thereby producing an enhanced sterilization of microorganisms within the container and/or appliance.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for use in the measurement of the heat generated in a chemical or biochemical reaction, by detecting and measuring a change in the conformation of a polymer transducer responsive to a heat change, the transducer being bound to the surface of the waveguides of an interferometer. The conformational change is detected by optical means and is compared with a control. The polymer transducer may be selected from an organic polymer or a biological macromolecule.

Abstract: A fiber scope and cleaning tool including a hand-held housing having a magnification and viewing system. A fiber inlet through the housing is used to insert a fiber into the viewing system. A fiber cleaning mechanism, including a strip of cleaning fabric spooled between rollers, is associated with the housing for cleaning the fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispersion controlled optical waveguide fiber, and telecommunication systems using such a waveguide fiber, in which the end to end total dispersion and total dispersion slope is controlled by varying the refractive index profile along the fiber length. The waveguide fiber includes length portions each of which is characterized by total dispersion having a magnitude and sign and total dispersion slope having a magnitude and sign. The magnitudes and signs of total dispersion and total dispersion slope of respective length portions are chosen to provide for the optical waveguide fiber a desired end to end total dispersion and total dispersion slope. An advantage is achieved in the present invention by designing the refractive index profiles of the length portions to have total dispersion and total dispersion slope of opposite sign.

Abstract: The invention provides an assembly apparatus and method about manufacturing pigtail. The pigtail assembly apparatus includes a fiber-feeding module, peeling module, gluing module, insertion module and heating module, all controlled by a control module. The fiber-feeding module provides a predetermined length of optical fiber. The peeling module peels the cladding layer at one end of the optical fiber, exposing the core portion. The insertion module inserts the core portion of the optical fiber into a through hole of a glass capillary with adhesive added. The heating module solidifies the adhesive and finally forms a pigtail fiber.

Abstract: An optical waveguide fiber having a relatively large effective area which exhibits low attenuation, low PMD and low microbending sensitivity. A step-index refractive index profile is advantageously used.

Abstract: An input device includes: magnets that are arranged in a flat state; coils that are arranged so as to face the magnets, and are moved in relation to the magnets; a mobile member that is connected to the coils; a first guide member that slidably guides the mobile member; a second guide member that slidably guides the first guide member in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the mobile member; and a switch that is operated by an operator to carry out an input operation. In this input device, the switch is formed on the mobile member.

Abstract: A housing for optoelectronic devices provides EMI shielding and axial strain suppression for optical fibers coupled to optoelectronic devices retained within the housing. The housing includes an internal septum for EMI shielding and a grounding scheme including relief features of the conductive housing coupled to internal grounding strips. The housing provides a first exemplary engaging/locking feature including an orthogonal tongue and a groove that receives the tongue, and a second exemplary engaging/locking feature that includes a groove having an intermittently varying cross-sectional area and that retains a gasket of constant cross-sectional area. Arms extend from tho housing and retain an optical fiber that is secured to the arm by an adhesive such that axial strain is not exerted at the point of optical coupling and a high optical coupling efficiency is maintained.

Abstract: An electrochemically-activated optical switch is provided, comprising a molecular system configured between a pair of electrodes. The molecular system includes a moiety that is oxidizable or reducible in the presence of an electric current.

Abstract: A method of making and an etchable wafer substrate for use in making optical fiber array plates includes forming a progressively increasing series of metrology holes when the plate holes are formed. The variation between designed plate hole diameter and actual plate hole diameter is determined by sequentially inserting a probe of known designed diameter into the metrology holes to determine the two size-adjacent metrology holes variation. The plate hole diameter can be determined by comparing one of the size-adjacent metrology hole diameter with the respective art work metrology hole diameter. Plate hole diameters can then be corrected for variation with further processing.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an optical waveguide device having a polished polymer end facet for low loss optical coupling is made by the steps of providing a polymer optical waveguide workpiece comprising a substrate and an overlying waveguiding structure formed of one or more layers of polymer softer than the material of the substrate. A cover layer of a material harder than the polymer is then secured overlying the polymer layers, and one or more polymer end facets are polished. The cover layer and the substrate guide the polishing so that the resulting facets have a flat, smooth surface.

Abstract: A Christmas tree has a base, a trunk formed of two or more interconnected segments, a first of which is supported by the base, a number of branches extending from each segment, two or more light source modules, at least one of which is associated with each segment, and fibre optics extending from each light source to positions upon the branches of the respective segments. The light source modules are mutually interconnected by electric cables Each light source comprises one or more LEDs. The LED(s) of each module is/are mounted upon a PCB that is located within a housing. The fibre optics have ends secured within a socket, which socket is plugged into the respective housing.

Abstract: A discrete pattern, formed by dots discretely arranged in two dimensions, is provided wherein the dots included in a rectangular area having a longitudinal length of Lx and a transverse length of Ly satisfy expression (1), D≦0.13N−1 15  (1) (in expression (1), N denotes the number of dots included in a predetermined area, and D is obtained by expression (2), wherein A(x,y) defines the number of dots, of a total of N dots, included in a rectangular area for which a line segment extended from reference coordinates (0,0) to an arbitrary coordinate point (x,y) is a diagonal line), [Ex.

Abstract: An optical system of a display including a light conducting plate introduced with light and a panel portion provided to oppose to one plate surface of the light conducting plate. The panel portion includes a driving part arranged with actuator parts each corresponding to a plurality of pixels so as to control displacement motions of the actuator parts in the contacting and separating directions to and from the light conducting plate correspondingly to attributions of input image signals, thereby controlling leaked light-beams in predetermined regions of the light conducting plate, to thereby cause the light conducting plate to display an image corresponding to the input image.

Abstract: A composite electrical insulator comprises a support rod generally of a composite material, two metal end-fittings each forming a socket in which a corresponding end of the support rod is inserted, at least one optical fiber placed on the outer periphery of the support rod, and an insulating outer coating surrounding the support rod and covering the optical fiber which has at least one end guided to the outside of the insulator through an end-fitting via a groove formed in the inside surface of the socket of the end-fitting, said groove opening to the outer periphery of the support rod, and via a duct extending said groove and opening to the outside of the end-fitting.

Abstract: A light-signal delaying device according to the present invention includes a linear guide rail and a pair of stages mounted on the linear guide rail. The device further includes a V-groove holder mounted on one of the stages, a pair of optical fiber collimators secured to the V-groove holder, a pair of reflecting mirrors mounted on the other stage such that reflecting surfaces thereof meet each other at 90°, and an actuator engaging section for moving the stage along the linear guide rail.

Abstract: A sleeve insert for guiding optical waveguide elements and for accommodating a splicing device, comprising a profiled body being adapted to the dimension of the respective sleeve. The sleeve insert provides for clear and secure arrangement of the optical waveguide elements, that is to say of the multifiber buffers and ribbon fibers and for the accommodation of splicing devices in one sleeve.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes an optical fiber ribbon stack having a plurality of optical fibers, and at least one cushion member disposed on outer side surfaces of the optical fiber ribbon stack. The cushion member functions as a spacer and strain energy absorbing member for protecting corner fibers of the optical fiber ribbon stack from bending and contact stresses due to contact with a buffer tube or other surrounding elements. The cushion member may have material characteristics, such as contact hardness and Young's modulus, which are similar to those of the ribbon stack, or which gradually change from a soft inner layer at the side of the cushion member which contacts the ribbon stack to a stiff outer layer at the side of the cushion member which may contact a buffer tube or other surrounding elements.

Abstract: A system for organizing elongated objects (such as wires, cables, pipes, hoses, ducts, tubing, and other similar items) into bundles to create a more uniform, neat and functional arrangement is disclosed. The system includes a fastener adapted to extend along the length of an elongated object. The fastener provides a continuous attachment to another elongated object or to another object for a distance along the length of the elongated object. The fastener is preferably integrated with the structure of the elongated object, or alternatively, it may be applied as a wrap around the elongated object.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device, such as a solar cell, light-emitting device, or photodetector, comprises a substrate, a number of fibers supported by the substrate so that an end of each fiber is in electrical communication with the substrate surface; an optional first layer, covering the substrate, though which the fibers protrude, and a second layer overlaid on at least part of the first layer and exposed fiber surfaces. The second layer may be electrically conducting, and electrically isolated from the substrate surface by the first layer. The second layer can be in electrical communication with each fiber, and an electrically conducting path can exists between the second layer and the substrate surface through each fiber. The substrate, in whole or in part (such as the substrate surface) can be electrically conducting.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling light from a light source into an optical waveguide having an entrance aperture for receiving light to be transmitted by the waveguide. The entrance aperture has a numerical aperture that may vary over the aperture. The apparatus includes an optical element that conditions the light from the light source and a diffractive optical element. The diffractive optical element generates a plurality of light spots from the light source. The light from each light spot enters the entrance aperture of the waveguide at a different point on the entrance aperture. Each of the light spots has a numerical aperture that is less than the numerical aperture of the entrance aperture at the point on the entrance aperture at which the light from that light spots enters the entrance aperture.

Abstract: A detachable lamp assembly device comprises a lamp seat and a lamp rod. A U shape reduce portion is formed at two lateral sides and an upper surface of the lamp rod. A U shape embedding block covers upon the reduced portion. The U shape embedding block has a through hole at a position corresponding to the positioning hole. A top center of the embedding block has an elastomer. When the lamp rod inserts into the lamp seat, the elastomer will eject the embedding block upwards. Thereby, the embedding block will be buckled to the embedding hole; and thus the lamp seat is conductive to the lamp rod. A user can assemble the lamp rod by insetting it into the lamp seat easily; and thus, the lamp is detachable for storage and transfer with a smaller volume.

Abstract: An improved pressure vessel comprises a tubular casing having an internal cavity and a first and second opening at each end. The internal cavity is divided into a first and second cylindrical plug region extending inward from the first and second opening and a hollow interior region. An optical component in the hollow interior has at least a plurality of optical fiber pigtails extending therefrom. A first and second cylindrical plug is force fit into the plug regions. At least one plug has a through-hole for receiving optical fiber pigtails. At least one plug has a ceramic adhesive plug formed by inserting adhesive into the through-hole and preferably filing the void space therein. The adhesive encapsulates the optical fibers passing through the through-hole. The plug has a channel machined into its outer circumference to receive an O-ring. A cap covers over and beyond the outer surface of the plug.

Abstract: Featured is a high power, broadband superfluorescent source with very low relative intensity noise (RIN) including a seed source, a modulator operably coupled to the seed source and a polarization maintaining (PM) amplifier operably coupled to the modulator. The output of the seed source is processed in the modulator so the modulator outputs a polarized optical output to the PM amplifier. The PM amplifier amplifies the modulated, polarized optical output so as to provide an amplified polarized optical output therefrom. Also featured is a feedback circuit operably coupled to the PM amplifier to control the transmission of the modulator so as to minimize the amplitude fluctuations in the output signal. Such a source is advantageous in high precision fiber optical rotation sensors and multiplexed strain sensing arrays.