Abstract: An optical fiber switch which may include first and second angled optical fibers having respective first and second end faces. Each of the first and second angled optical fibers may include a core having a core index of refraction, and a cladding surrounding the core and having a cladding index of refraction different than the core index of refraction. The optical fiber switch may further include a first index matching elastomeric solid layer having a proximal face coupled to the first end face and a distal face opposite the proximal face to be repeatably optically coupled to the second end face. The first index matching elastomeric solid layer may have an index of refraction profile matching an index of refraction of the core and the cladding. The optical fiber switch may also include at least one actuator for relatively moving the first and second angled optical fibers between a coupled position and an uncoupled position.

Abstract: An approach is provided for an automated patch panel. A command is received to change a connection state of an optic patch cord. A robotic arm is controlled to change the connection state of the optic patch cord with respect to a particular port of a plurality of ports disposed about a disk-shaped face of a docking panel.

Abstract: An all-optical device for data processing is presented. The device comprises at least one optical waveguide unit (10) made of linear media and configured to provide multiple total internal reflections of light passing therethrough, the waveguide unit (10) comprising a waveguide portion (11) for interaction between reflected light components of input light; an input aperture arrangement (14) formed by at least one input aperture at an input facet of the waveguide portion (11); and an output aperture arrangement form by at least one output aperture at an output facet of the waveguide portion.

Abstract: A method of implementing optical deflection switching includes directing a tuning operation at a specific region of coupled optical resonators coupled to an input port, a first output port and a second output port, the coupled optical resonator including a plurality of cascaded unit cells; wherein the tuning operation interrupts a resonant coupling between one or more of the unit cells of the coupled resonators so as to cause an input optical signal from the input port to be directed from the first output port to the second output port.

Abstract: Optical guided mode fast 1×2 and 2×2 spatial switches are provided that can be used in multimedia communication networks. These switches require a relative refractive index change of only 0.0001˜0.0002 and can be realized using Lithium Niobate, Polymers, semiconductors, etc. Extinction ratios of these switches are made to be better than 45 dB, by introductions of a rear edge adjusted broken electrode and a blocker electrode into their architecture. Optical losses are less than 3 dB, and excellent switching characteristics are achieved by suppressing cross talk to ˜50 dB. The two output ports of the 1×2 (2×2) switch are made to be spatially perpendicular (in opposition) by introduction of air grooves, allowing for two-dimensional integration of unit switches into matrices. System applications of the switch are made flexible due to a discrete drive requirement for each optical input to the 2×2 switch.

Abstract: An optical system comprising two or more optical switches co-packaged together comprising discrete sets of input fiber ports (N per set) and an output fiber port (1 per set), and wherein ?n from said set of multiple input fiber ports (N) is focused on ?n mirror via the use of shared free space optics, wherein at least a first array of MEMS mirrors is utilized to select and switch selected wavelengths from the first set of input fiber ports (N) to an output fiber port of the same set, and wherein at least a second array of MEMS mirrors using and sharing the same free space optics is utilized to select individual wavelengths or spectral components from its input fiber ports to send to its output fiber port for optical power or other monitoring purposes, thus, enabling an N×1, or alternatively a 1×N switch capable of internal feedback monitoring.

Abstract: A detection means (52) detects optimum driving voltages of a mirror device. A correction means (53) corrects driving voltage values in a table (54b) based on the optimum driving voltages. This makes it possible to drive the mirror to an optimum pivot angle even when the optimum pivot angle of the mirror changes due to, e.g., mirror drift or a change in the environment such as temperature.

Abstract: An optical device has the structure to perform switching and attenuation of an optical beam with reduced polarization dependent loss (PDL). The optical device includes a birefringent displacer and two liquid crystal (LC) structures. The first LC structure is used to condition s-polarized components of the optical beam and the second LC structure is used to condition p-polarized components of the optical beam. Each LC structure has a separate control electrode so that the s-polarized components of the optical beam and the p-polarized components of the optical beam can be conditioned differently and in such a manner that reduces PDL. The optical device may be configured for processing multiple input light beams, such as the multiple wavelength channels de-multiplexed from a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical signal.

Abstract: An optical communication device provided with digital optical switching includes a substrate; and at least one optical switch including a first optical switch composed of a main core disposed on the substrate and extending along a first direction, the main core including an optical input part and a transmission output part sequentially arranged along the first direction; a heater extending along a second direction to cross the main core; and a reflection output part extending along a third direction from a central point of the main core. The first direction and the second direction define a first angle there between, the second direction and the third direction define a second angle there between, and the first angle is equal to the second angle. An optical signal is outputted through the reflection output part or the transmission output part in response to heat from operation of the heater.

Abstract: Terminals of upstream and downstream sides of an in-service line and a detour line are connected by optical couplers. An optical oscilloscope is connected to one optical coupler, and a chirped pulse light source is connected to the other optical coupler to thereby form dualized lines. The detour line includes an optical line length adjuster for compensating for the phase difference of optical transmission signals that occurs because of the optical line length difference with the in-service line. Pulse light in which an optical frequency is chirped is transmitted from the chirped pulse light source. The pulse light is branched by the second optical coupler, passes through the in-service line and the detour line, is multiplexed again by the first optical coupler, and is measured by the optical oscilloscope.

Abstract: An optical module controls its output characteristics electrically and an optical switch constitutes the optical module. An optical waveguide circuit (PLC) and an electronic circuit (IC) for driving the PLC are mounted on the same substrate. The IC is composed of a bare chip to be molded afterward. Wiring of the IC is grouped and integrated on the PLC substrate to achieve higher density and miniaturization of the optical module.

Abstract: An optical fiber switch which may include first and second angled optical fibers having respective first and second end faces. Each of the first and second angled optical fibers may include a core having a core index of refraction, and a cladding surrounding the core and having a cladding index of refraction less than the core index of refraction. The optical fiber switch may further include a first index matching elastomeric solid layer having a proximal face coupled to the first end face, and a distal face opposite the proximal face to be repeatably optically coupled to the second end face. The first index matching elastomeric solid layer may have an index of refraction matching at least the index of refraction of the core. The optical fiber switch may also include at least one actuator for relatively moving the first and second angled optical fibers between a coupled position and an uncoupled position.

Abstract: An optical fiber switch which may include first and second angled optical fibers having respective first and second end faces. Each of the first and second angled optical fibers may include a core having a core index of refraction, and a cladding surrounding the core and having a cladding index of refraction different than the core index of refraction. The optical fiber switch may further include a first index matching elastomeric solid layer having a proximal face coupled to the first end face and a distal face opposite the proximal face to be repeatably optically coupled to the second end face. The first index matching elastomeric solid layer may have an index of refraction profile matching an index of refraction of the core and the cladding. The optical fiber switch may also include at least one actuator for relatively moving the first and second angled optical fibers between a coupled position and an uncoupled position.

Abstract: An optical switching device includes an array of liquid crystal macropixels, wherein each macropixel includes at least two liquid crystal subpixels. The subpixels may be controlled together to act as a single polarizing pixel, or independently to act as multiple polarizing pixels. When the switching device processes a WDM having a wide channel spacing, the subpixels are controlled together, and when the switching device processes a WDM having a narrow channel spacing, each subpixel is controlled independently.

Abstract: A fiber-optical, wavelength selective switch, especially for channel routing with equalization and blocking applications. The input signals are converted to light beams having predefined polarizations (41). The beams are then laterally expanded (43), and then undergo spatial dispersion in the beam expansion plane. The different wavelength components are directed through a polarization rotation device, pixilated along the wavelength dispersion direction such that each pixel operates on a separate wavelength. Each beam is passed into a pixilated beam steering array (48), for directing each wavelength to a desired output port. The beam steering devices can be MEMS-based or Liquid crystal-based, or an LCOS array. When the appropriate voltage is applied to a pixel and its associated beam steering element, the polarization of the light passing through the pixel is rotated and the beam steered to couple to the selected output port.

Abstract: A device may include a component, a first switch, a repeater, and a second switch. The component may configure optical paths between ports. The component may comprise a first pair of optical ports connected to a first pair of optical fibers, and a second pair of optical ports connected to a second pair of optical fibers. The first switch may be configured to output one of two optical signals received by the first pair of optical ports from the first pair of optical fibers. The repeater may reshape or amplify the outputted optical signal. The second switch may be configured to direct the reshaped or amplified signal to one of the second pair of optical ports.

Abstract: A system and method of asymmetrical fiber or waveguide spacing comprising, in general, an asymmetrical fiber concentrator array (FCA), wherein an offset in the front face spacing of the output waveguides relative to the input waveguides functions to reduce or eliminate the introduction of static back reflection, and static in-to-in crosstalk into a fiber by an optical switch, but does not impose the cost, complexity, and insertion loss penalties brought about by additional components.

Abstract: An optical coupling device including: at least a first input port for delivering an optical input signal beam that includes a plurality of wavelength channels; at least a first optical output port for receiving an optical output signal beam; a wavelength dispersion element for spatially separating the plurality of wavelength channels in the optical input signal beam to form a plurality of spatially separated wavelength channel beams; an optical coupling device for independently modifying the phase of each of the spatially separated wavelength channel beams such that, for at least one wavelength channel beam, a selected fraction of the light is coupled to the first output port and a fraction of the light is coupled away from the first output port.

Abstract: A multi-port RF MEMS switch, a switch matrix having several multi-port RF MEMS switches and an interconnect network have a monolithic structure with clamped-clamped beams, cantilever beams or thermally operated actuators. A method of fabricating a monolithic switch has clamped-clamped beams or cantilever beams.

Abstract: A high port count instantiated wavelength selective switch comprising two or more discrete sets, or instances, of m fiber ports totaling N fiber ports co-packaged together, one or more shared optical elements and dispersive elements, and one or more steering elements in each instance. The steering elements steer ?(k) from each instance of m input fiber ports to a ?(k) mirror dedicated to that fiber port instance, and wherein ?(k) mirror of the instance of m fiber ports is utilized to select and switch one ?(k) from the instance of m fiber ports to a fixed mirror which in turn reflects ?(k) to the ?(k) output mirror. The ?(k) output mirror selects and switches one ?(k) from one of the one or more instances of m fiber ports of the N×1 optical switch to the 1 output fiber port for each wavelength, and vice-versa for the 1×N optical switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a switch assembly for use with a single-port OPM to realize a multi-port OPM having improved reliability. In one embodiment, an N×1 optical switch assembly, wherein N is an integer greater than one, is provided. The optical switch assembly includes N optical input ports, N micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) variable optical attenuators (VOAs), where each MEMS VOA is optically coupled to a respective optical input port and is operable between an on position and an off position, and an N×1 optical combiner optically coupled to the N MEMS VOAs. Each MEMS VOA is configured to transmit an optical signal from a respective one of the optical input ports to the N×1 optical combiner in the on position and to not transmit the optical signal in the off position.

Abstract: Liquid crystal waveguides for dynamically controlling the refraction of light. Generally, liquid crystal materials may be disposed within a waveguide in a cladding proximate or adjacent to a core layer of the waveguide. In one example, portions of the liquid crystal material can be induced to form refractive or lens shapes in the cladding that interact with a portion (e.g. evanescent) of light in the waveguide so as to permit electronic control of the refraction/bending, focusing, or defocusing of light as it travels through the waveguide. In one example, a waveguide may be formed using one or more patterned or shaped electrodes that induce formation of such refractive or lens shapes of liquid crystal material, or alternatively, an alignment layer may have one or more regions that define such refractive or lens shapes to induce formation of refractive or lens shapes of the liquid crystal material.

Abstract: MEMS switches are formed with membranes or layers that are deformable upon the application of a voltage. In some embodiments, the application of a voltage opens switch contacts.

Abstract: A fiber optic switch utilizing a segmented prism element, comprising a fiber optic switch used in multi-channel optical communications networks and having one or more arrays of micro electromechanical system (MEMS) mirrors, wherein at least a first array of MEMS mirrors is utilized to select & switch wavelengths from a number of input fiber ports (N) to an output fiber port, wherein at least a second array of MEMS mirrors using and sharing the same free space optics as the first MEMS array is utilized to produce yet another fiber optic switch, wherein the second switch is utilized to select individual wavelengths or spectral components from its input fiber ports to send to its output fiber port for optical power or other monitoring purposes, thus, enabling a cost effective, high level of integration N×1 or alternatively a 1×N switch capable of internal feedback monitoring.

Abstract: A planar optical device useful as a low order wavelength router is realized by using a waveguide grating comprising two curved arrays of opposite curvatures. The diffraction order is determined by the angles of rotation of the two curved arrays, and any nonzero order less than about 30 can be realized. This arrangement is smaller, and performs better than a previous grating using a combination of three curved arrays.

Abstract: Subterranean oilfield sensor systems and methods are provided. The subterranean oilfield sensor systems and methods facilitate downhole monitoring and high data transmission rates with power provided to at least one downhole device by a light source at the surface. In one embodiment, a system includes uphole light source, a downhole sensor, a photonic power converter at the downhole sensor, an optical fiber extending between the uphole light source and the photonic power converter, and downhole sensor electronics powered by the photonic power converter. The photonic power converter is contained in a high temperature resistant package. For example, the high temperature resistant package and photonic power converter may operate at temperatures of greater than approximately 100° C.

Abstract: An approach is provided for an automated patch panel. A command is received to change a connection state of an optic patch cord. A robotic arm is controlled to change the connection state of the optic patch cord with respect to a particular port of a plurality of ports disposed about a disk-shaped face of a docking panel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide structures for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) that can be sensed, activated, controlled or otherwise addressed or made to respond by the application of forcing functions. In particular, an optical shutter structure suitable for use in an optical switch arrangement is disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical shutter or switch can be scaled and/or arranged to form arbitrary switch, multiplexer and/or demultiplexer configurations. In another embodiment of the present invention, an optical switch can include: a shutter; and a flexure coupled to the shutter, whereupon a vibration transmitted to the flexure when in the presence of a resonant frequency causes the shutter to move across an opening for the passage of an optical signal.

Abstract: An optical switch including an alignment head, a first fiber, a second fiber, a third fiber, a wedge, and a displacing means is provided. The alignment head has a base and a cover. The base has a first V-groove, a second V-groove, and a trench linked to the first and the second V-grooves. An end of the first fiber and that of the second fiber are mounted in the first and the second V-grooves, respectively. The cover is mounted on the base to secure the ends of the first and the second fibers. An end of the third fiber located in the trench is aligned to that of the first fiber. The wedge located beside the base has an incline. The displacing means set under the wedge is capable of aligning the end of the third fiber to that of the second fiber by moving the wedge.

Abstract: An optical module is configured with a combination of a single-mode oscillating light source and an optical filter. In this optical module, the single-mode oscillating light source outputs a single-mode, frequency-modulated signal. Further, the optical filter converts the frequency modulation to an amplitude modulation. And, the single-mode oscillating light source and the optical filter are packaged without active alignment on the same substrate. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an optical module in a simple and low-cost configuration by packaging the single-mode oscillating light source and the optical filter by passive alignment, without active alignment, on the same substrate, and by using a simple optical filter such as a waveguide ring resonator, which converts a frequency modulation to an amplitude modulation.

Abstract: Optical switches are described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary optical switch includes, but is not limited to, a first waveguide, a second waveguide across with the first waveguide in an angle to form an intersection, and a pair of electrodes placed within a proximity of the intersection to switch a light traveling from the first waveguide to the second waveguide, where the intersection includes a geometry that supports single and multimode propagation. The intersection includes a geometry having a ridge width ranging approximately from 2.6 ?m to 19.2 ?m and a ridge height ranging approximately from 4 ?m to 16 ?m. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for use thereof. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a 1×2 coupler in communication with a waveguide. The 1×2 coupler, in this embodiment, is configured to separate an input finite bandwidth optical signal provided from the optical waveguide into two similar optical signals. Input ends of first and second waveguide arms, in one embodiment, are in communication with the 1×2 coupler and configured to receive ones of the input optical signals. An inherent birefringence of each of the first and second waveguide arms may be substantially similar. Moreover, the first and second waveguide arms have different physical path lengths that differ by an amount (?L). Additionally, a 2×2 coupler may be in optical communication with an output end of the first and second waveguide arms and configured to provide an output TE polarization and an output TM polarization.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a multimode interference waveguide type optical switch that has a wide tolerance and that digitally performs switching with respect to a change in an applied voltage or injected current. The multimode interference waveguide type optical switch of the present invention includes an input single-mode waveguide (102) into which input light is entered, a multimode rectangular slab waveguide (103) into which light emitted from the input single-mode waveguide is entered, two electrodes (105a, 105b) that are arranged in parallel in a waveguide direction on the slab waveguide and that decrease the refractive index of the slab waveguide (103) disposed thereunder by injecting current or applying voltage, and a plurality of output single-mode waveguides (104a, 104b) into which light emitted from the slab waveguide (103) is entered and from which output light is emitted.

Abstract: An optical switching device includes an array of liquid crystal macropixels, wherein each macropixel includes at least two liquid crystal subpixels. The subpixels may be controlled together to act as a single polarizing pixel, or independently to act as multiple polarizing pixels. When the switching device processes a WDM having a wide channel spacing, the subpixels are controlled together, and when the switching device processes a WDM having a narrow channel spacing, each subpixel is controlled independently.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical switch is disclosed. The optical switch is implemented with one or more cantilevered optical channels, which are formed in a flexible waveguide structure, and an actuator which is connected to the cantilevered optical channels, to position the cantilevered optical channels to direct an optical signal along one of a number of optical pathways.

Abstract: A thin film interleaver device is disclosed. The thin film interleaver includes thin film optics. The thin film(s) are formed such that they reflect one group of wavelengths while allowing a second group of wavelengths to pass through the thin film(s). The thin film(s) exhibit a flat top frequency response across the channel bandwidths of the multiplexed signal for which the thin film filter is designed such that the thin film interleaver is less sensitive to wavelength drift and temperature variations.

Abstract: The invention relates to multiport routing devices for routing optical signals which also provide beam attenuation by imparting a controllable offset between an optical beam and a selected optical port. A multiport optical routing device of the present invention has a plurality of non-equally spaced optical ports disposed in a row to enable beam offset for attenuation without substantially increasing optical crosstalk between adjacent ports in a compact port arrangement.

Abstract: An optical gate array device which permits the use of an optical gate array with a pitch smaller than the diameter of optical fibers. The optical gate array has an array of optical gates, and an optical fiber array has an array of optical fibers. A lens is arranged between the optical gate array and the optical fiber array, for collectively achieving optical coupling between all of the optical gates of the optical gate array and all of the optical fibers of the optical fiber array.

Abstract: A variety of structures, methods, systems, and configurations can support plasmons for routing.

Abstract: A photonic crystal may be configured to support a surface state for logic.

Abstract: An optical switch comprises one or more input ports for directing an optical beam into the switch; dispersive means configured to receive said optical beam and which spatially separate the optical beam into individual wavelength components which are routed to an actuator; wherein the actuator is in the form of an array of elongate movable fingers for selectively interfering with individual wavelength components and means are provided to direct optical beams to selected one or more output ports.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing optical radiation (10) comprising a pump array (8) for providing pump radiation (7), a first pump combiner (1), and a waveguide (3), wherein the pump radiation (7) from the pump array (8) is coupled into the waveguide (3) via the first pump combiner (1), and wherein the waveguide (3) comprises a pump guide (4) for guiding the pump radiation (7), and a gain medium (5) which emits the optical radiation (10) when it is pumped by the pump radiation (7).

Abstract: An optical switch includes an optical waveguide to route an input optical beam. At least one polarization switch receives the input optical beam from the optical waveguide. At least one birefringent wedge is associated with the at least one polarization switch. The at least one polarization switch and at least one birefringent wedge operate to direct the input optical beam to two or more output locations through control of the polarization switch.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-beam light source including a light guide array by which the yield can be improved. An array pitch P2 of entrance surfaces of light guide pattern is 1/N as wide as an array pitch P1 of exit surfaces of optical fiber arrays. The number of the light guide patterns is N or more times as large as the number of optical fibers. The exit surfaces of a plurality of the optical fibers are coupled with the entrance surfaces of a plurality of the light guide patterns opposed thereto.

Abstract: An optical switch for switching signal light by allowing the signal light to obliquely enter a non-linear optical thin film 1 containing nano-crystal of metal oxide from a light path disposed in an optical material, and irradiating visible excitation light to the non-linear optical thin film to induce a total reflection phenomenon, thereby controlling the reflection and transmission behavior of the signal light, wherein a difference between a temperature coefficient factor of an optical index of the non-linear optical thin film and that of an optical index of the optical material which is in contact with the non-linear optical thin film is determined to be 15×10?6/° C. or below. Preferably, it is determined to be zero or substantially zero. Thus, an influence due to the temperature increase is cancelled, and a malfunction of switching can be avoided.

Abstract: Optical switches are described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary optical switch includes, but is not limited to, a first waveguide, a second waveguide across with the first waveguide in an angle to form an intersection, and a pair of electrodes placed within a proximity of the intersection to switch a light traveling from the first waveguide to the second waveguide, where the intersection includes a geometry that supports single and multimode propagation. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: An m×n fan out device for receiving at least m=2 laser beams of different wavelengths and dividing the power of each laser beam into at least two other laser beams directed to at least one of n exit ports of the fan out device is disclosed.

Abstract: An optical channel shifting device includes a containing unit having a first inner space and a second inner space adjacent to the first inner space, an input optical fiber held in the first inner space, an output unit having a first output optical fiber and a second output optical fiber and a driving assembly held in the second inner space. The containing unit includes a first side, a second side opposite to the first side and two guiding channels located between the first side and the second side and held in the first inner space. The first output optical fiber and the second output optical fiber are respectively fixed in the guiding channels. The driving assembly includes a switching lever shifted in either a first position or a second position and a performing edge connected with the switching lever and attached with the input optical fiber in the form of the point-contact.

Abstract: An optical switch including an alignment head, a first fiber, a second fiber, a third fiber, a wedge, and a displacing means is provided. The alignment head has a base and a cover. The base has a first V-groove, a second V-groove, and a trench linked to the first and the second V-grooves. An end of the first fiber and that of the second fiber are mounted in the first and the second V-grooves, respectively. The cover is mounted on the base to secure the ends of the first and the second V-grooves. An end of the third fiber located in the trench is aligned to that of the first fiber. The wedge located beside the base has an incline. The displacing means set under the wedge is capable of aligning the end of the third fiber to that of the second fiber by moving the wedge.

Abstract: An optical switch is implemented with one or more cantilevered optical channels, which are formed in a flexible waveguide structure, and an actuator which is connected to the cantilevered optical channels, to position the cantilevered optical channels to direct an optical signal along one of a number of optical pathways.