Abstract: A passively aligned optical interconnect is described for use as a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) and demultiplexer. The device makes use of silicon waferboard for a low cost interconnect. Computer generated holograms are used to effect the multiplexing/demultiplexing as well as focusing of the beams. In an alternative embodiment, the device is used as a beam splitter for monochromatic light. In yet another embodiment, the device is used to spatially separate the polarization states of light.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an optical switch that enables size reduction of the switch, facilitation of positioning of an optical fiber, simplification of the structure of an actuator, improvements in assembly operability and reliability of the apparatus, facilitation of an application to a multi-core structure, facilitation of alignment of a plurality of optical fibers, and the like. A displacement stage 5 for mounting a single optical fiber 2 thereon, an elevating stage 20 for mounting a plurality of second optical fibers 3 thereon in a lateral line, and a linear encoder 14 for controlling a coil motor 9 are disposed in a case 1. The displacement stage 5 is displaced by the coil motor in the horizontally lateral direction. Simultaneously, the elevating stage 20 is moved upward by the actuator 19, and the first optical fiber 2 is caused to abut against an arbitrary second optical fiber to selectively couple them, thereby switching the optical path of an optical fiber.

Abstract: An improved optical switch having a first optical fiber and a plurality of N optical fibers. The first optical fiber forms an optical path with any one of the N optical fibers by an alignment of a longitudinal axis of an end of the first optical fiber with a longitudinal axis of an end of the one of N optical fibers. A switch in optical path is performed by a relative movement of the first optical fiber with respect to the N optical fibers for a realignment of the longitudinal axis of the end of the first optical fiber with a longitudinal axis of an end of another one of the N optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical hybrid switch is indicated, which guides a voltage-controlled light flux supplied by an incoming passive optical waveguide (1), to at least one of two outgoing passive optical waveguides (1, 1a). The hybrid switch according to the invention preferably uses a NLO-polymer as the electro-optically active elements. The increased attenuation linked to the use of NLO-polymer is kept low by extending the incoming optical waveguide (1) without interruption as one of the outgoing optical waveguides. To steer the light flux to the other outgoing optical waveguide (1a), the light is coupled out from an electro-optically active waveguide structure (5) by an adjustable coupler (6), and coupled to the other outgoing passive waveguide (1a) through another fixed adjustment coupler (8).

Abstract: A rotary fiber optic switch switches a first optical fiber among a plurality of second optical fibers. The switch is calibrated with a control mechanism such that movement of the rotated fiber to a prescribed position achieves a maximum power transmission between the first fibers and an opposing one of said plurality.

Abstract: In a digital optical switch an input waveguide and two divergent output waveguides constitute a guide structure. A median gap between the two output waveguides constitutes a guide gap. Electrodes control the refractive indices of the two output waveguides to couple the input waveguide and one or both output waveguides depending on the value of a control signal. The width of the guide gap is increased in input and output transition areas to render the variation of this width more progressive therein. This is achieved by means of a median aperture at the end of the input waveguide and a progressive variation in the inclination of the facing edges of the output waveguides.

Abstract: A ganged optical switch is provided for switching a first optical fiber into and out of axial alignment with a second optical fiber. The fibers are secured to first and second carriages respectively. By relatively moving the carriages, the optical fibers can be moved into and out of axial alignment. Two test optical fibers ganged to the first and second optical fibers provide test path for transmitting an optical signal along. The fibers forming the test path are positioned at particular locations on the carriages such that when the test optical fibers are axially aligned, the first and second fibers are guaranteed to be axially aligned. An optical detector is positioned at an end of one of the test fibers and an LED is provided at an end of the other of the test fiber. An indication of alignment is provided when light from the LED is detected by the optical detector.

Abstract: A servo-feedback method with elements for dynamically aligning a pair of mating ends of optical fibers supported in a pluggable connector. At least one of the mating ends in the pair receives light from the other mating end. The light-receiving end is mechanically vibrated (dithered) by a piezo-electric driving element relative to the other mating end in the pair to dither modulate the light passing to the receiving end. The dither modulation on the dither modulated light is electrically detected and processed relative to a dither reference wave using an analog-to-digital converter and a processor method. The detected dither modulation presents a unique waveform, in which a frequency doubling effect occurs in both half cycles of the dither reference waveform whenever the mating ends dither about their steady-state aligned position, and no dynamic error signal is then generated.

Abstract: Optical device to optically connect an outside optical fiber with an optical waveguide through the connecting medium of an optical fiber with ferrule located within the hole of the optical receptacle that is fixed at the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide and the outside optical connectors are optically connected with high accuracy and small optical loss. Because no damage is caused to the optical waveguide by attachment or removal of the optical connectors, the optical performance of the optical device is not reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical switch comprising a fiber arranging member having a substrate 1 with a plurality of fiber fixing grooves formed in an upper surface thereof, first optical fibers 2 fixed in the fiber fixing grooves, and a convey mechanism 5 for conveying a second optical fiber 6 to be connected to a corresponding first optical fiber 2 to a corresponding fiber fixing groove, wherein fiber introduction grooves 1h for guiding the end portion of the second optical fiber 6 are formed at the end portions of the fiber fixing grooves that fix the end portions of the first optical fibers 2.

Abstract: A micromachined device for selectively switching an optical fiber between a first and a second position includes a working leg that undergoes a greater degree of thermal expansion than a second leg with the conduction of an electrical current through the two legs. In a preferred embodiment, the working leg has a cross-sectional area that is less than that of the second leg, thereby presenting a greater electrical resistance to the current flow. The legs are each fixed to a substrate at first ends and are interconnected at second ends that are free to move relative to the substrate. The difference in electrical resistance provides a differential in thermal expansion, as the working leg lengthens to a greater degree than the second leg. The working leg deforms the second leg and the optical fiber is pressed into a second position until current flow is terminated.

Abstract: A first pair of optical fibers are held and fixed to a supporting member in a cantilever form, and oppositely connected to a second pair of the optical fibers that are fixed to a square hole of the alignment material. A magnetic body is adhered to each of the first pair of optical fibers. Around the magnetic bodies, there are aligned hollow solenoid coils, and one pair or two pairs of permanent magnets respectively are oppositely aligned so as to have opposite polarities to each other.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes one or more central light sources, a plurality of optical loads including headlight lenses, an optical fiber network that extends from the light sources to illuminate the headlight lenses and other optical loads, and optical switches and oscillators that include respective input fibers illuminated from the light source and output fibers to respective optical loads, and operate by enabling and disabling optical connections between their input and output fibers. The headlight assemblies switch between high and low beams by moving their fibers vertically, and control beam diffusion by moving the fibers parallel to the lens axes, including an automatic diffusion adjustment for a headlight reflection from a vehicle in front.

Abstract: A Fabry-Perot etalon 10 is located in the light path 30 between a light sourcesinks 40 and 44. The etalon is polarization insensitive, and its optical path length and transmission wavelength(s) is controlled by a bias source 60. When light at the desired wavelength is propagating from source 40, the bias is set to establish transmission through the etalon at that wavelength, whereupon the light propagates to the sink 44, and the switch is transmissive. By contrast, if the switch is to be nontransmissive, the bias sets the transmission wavelengths of the etalon on either side of the wavelength produced by source 40, whereupon the light from source 40 is reflected by the etalon, and does not reach sink 44. In a second embodiment, a third sourcesink 48 is coupled in a second light path 330a, for being coupled to the first sourcesink 40 when the etalon is set for reflection, to thereby form a single-pole, double-throw switch.

Abstract: In an optical demultiplexing system comprising a plurality of optical demultiplexers for separating the component optical signals respectively having predetermined wavelengths of an input wavelength-multiplexed optical signal, a first optical amplifier is connected to the input of the optical demultiplexer disposed at the input end of the optical demultiplexing system, and a plurality of optical amplifiers are disposed to amplify the output optical signal of the first optical amplifier before the S/N ratio of the optical signal is caused to fall by optical losses caused within the optical demultiplexing system below a predetermined S/N ratio guaranteeing a predetermined bit error rate.

Abstract: An optical coupling device for coupling light into a selected output fiber. The input fiber is optically aligned with one of a plurality of output fibers via a reflector. By rotating a reflector about an axis, the input light beam can be reflected to a selected output fiber. The input fiber and all the output fibers are in fixed position relative to each other.

Abstract: The optical element provides for the displacement of two end sections having slanted end faces. The slanted end faces have such an angle to the optical axis of the fiber, that the limit angle for total reflection is exceeded. The displacement remains substantially below the diameter of the fiber.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a multiferrule for optical fibers, the method consisting in fiber drawing a preform of silica that includes a plurality of mutually parallel channels, the method being characterized by the fact that said preform is made from a rod (1) of silica having a plurality of longitudinal grooves (3) uniformly distributed about an axis (2) and closed by at least one piece of silica (4) for defining said plurality of channels.

Abstract: An improved optical switch having a first optical fiber and a plurality of N optical fibers. The first optical fiber forms an optical path with any one of the N optical fibers by an alignment of a longitudinal axis of an end of the first optical fiber with a longitudinal axis of an end of the one of N optical fibers. A switch in optical path is performed by a relative movement of the first optical fiber with respect to the N optical fibers for a realignment of the longitudinal axis of the end of the first optical fiber with a longitudinal axis of an end of another one of the N optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical matrix switch includes a first guide mechanism having plural guide portions arranged in parallel, a first slider for holding an optical fiber, the first slider being freely slidably mounted along a guide portion of the first guide mechanism, a first partition member for isolating a surplus-length portion of the optical fiber along the guide portion of the first guide mechanism the optical fiber being connected to the first slider, and first drive means for moving the first slider along the guide portion of the first guide mechanism.

Abstract: The end portions of a number of optical cables each having one or more optical fibers are fixed onto the conical surface of a supporting frame. The end portion of a movable cable with one or more optical fibers is rotated about the axis of the conical surface so that its end portion is aligned with one of the fixed cables and so that the fibers in the movable cable are optically aligned with the fibers in such fixed cable. The movable cable is rotated by a stepping motor to accomplish the switching action.

Abstract: A tunable optical filter includes an array of optical fibre located within a capillary tube and mounted on a solenoid movable support and positioned in front of a lens and diffration grating. The filter provides simultaneous tuning filtering between fibres. By coupling fibres to a ring laser and fibre to an optical receiver simultaneous tuning of a laser and receiver is possible. The filter finds particular application in passive optical networks.

Abstract: A switching system for selectively distributing a laser beam from a laser source to one of a plurality of welding stations for laser welding thereat. The system includes a first optical fiber directing the laser beam therethrough, and a pair of second optical fibers leading to the welding stations, respectively. A switching device connects the first optical fiber selectively to one of the second optical fibers so as to pass the laser beam to the corresponding welding station for enabling the laser welding thereat. The switching device comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and holding input ends of the second optical fibers in parallel relation with the longitudinal axis, a carrier supporting an output end of the first optical fiber and linearly movable together therewith within the housing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that the output end of the first optical fiber comes into and out of closely end-to-end facing relation to the input ends of the second optical fibers.

Abstract: A 1-input/2-output or 2-input/2-output directional coupler type optical device comprising a junction including two optical waveguides arranged parallel to each other and each fitted with an electrode for controlling a propagation constant, the incidence end or ends of one or both of the optical waveguides being connected to curved or straight optical waveguides, thus forming an incidence-side lead section, and the respective emergence ends of the two optical waveguides being optically connected to curved or straight optical waveguides, thus forming an emergence-side lead section. An electrode for suppressing the mode coupling is mounted on each optical waveguide of the emergence- or incidence-side lead section. A high extinction ratio of 30 dB or more can be obtained in either of cross and through modes by activating a required one of the mode coupling suppressing electrodes while applying an electrical signal to each propagation constant control electrode.

Abstract: An electrostatic microactuator for moving an optical fiber is described and includes an actuator plate with opposed major surfaces and interspersed conductive and nonconductive portions. The actuator plate is physically engaged with the optical fiber so that the fiber moves with the actuator. First and second segmented, conductive, torque stators are disposed adjacent the opposed major surfaces of the actuator plate. Multiphase circuitry is connected to segments of the torque stators for applying phased signals thereto to induce a linear actuating force in the actuator plate. The phased signals applied to the first and second torque stators are balanced so as to positionally balance the actuator plate during its travels.

Abstract: An optical switch biasing flow of light between a main optical waveguide and one or the other of a pair of secondary waveguides extending from one axial end of the main waveguide to define a Y structure with the secondary waveguides symmetrically positioned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main waveguide is provided. A resonant conductor having a pair of legs each of which is operatively associated with the main waveguide and its respective adjacent one of the secondary waveguides generates a resonant voltage that directs the flow of light between the main waveguide and the secondary waveguide associated with the leg having an appropriate voltage.

Abstract: A molded polymeric resin-filled coupler comprising two low-refractive index plastic molded subassemblies. One subassembly has an optically finished mixing region, with a channel that has a V shaped lower portion. The mixing region subassembly is covered with a lid subassembly of the same material as the mixing region subassembly. During assembly, optical fibers are inserted into the mixing region subassembly which is then filled with a high index material to form a high-refractive index waveguide core region in the channel. The molded low-refractive index subassemblies provide a waveguide cladding around the high-refractive index waveguide core. Low cost is attained by utilizing optically finished metal molds to produce the subassemblies resulting in an optically finished mixing region and lid subassemblies without the need to polish each subassembly.

Abstract: An optical switch includes at least one input optical semi-conductor waveguide. Two output optical semiconductor waveguides are connected at a branch point to the input optical waveguide, and diverge from the branch point with a preset angle .theta. (degree) between them. A refractive index controlling portion is located on at least one of the output optical waveguides and away from the branch point. The refractive index controlling portion effects a light mode cut-off by electromagnetically causing a reduction of the refractive index of the associated output optical waveguide.

Abstract: A fiber optical Y-junction device includes a l.times.N optical fiber coupler connected to N fiber optic amplifier module structures constructed from a doped optical fiber. When the optical Y-junction structure contains a fiber optic amplifier, the fiber optical Y-junction device is operable as either a modulator or lossless power divider. A nonblocking optical switch is constructed by coupling M.times.l optical fiber couplers to the outputs of the fiber optic amplifier module structures utilizing the fiber optical Y-junction.

Abstract: A flat panel display system is provided in which the pixels thereof are illuminated by optical fibers. Economy and compactness are achieved by using micromechanical light modulators to demultiplex light from a limited number of LED's to a large number of pixels. By using micromechanical light modulators incorporated in an integrated circuit, the flat panel display system is relatively economical, has low power consumption, and produces a display of very high resolution. The display also may be provided in full color.

Abstract: An electrically controlled optical switch uses an electro-optic crystal of the type having at least one set of fast and slow optical axes. The crystal exhibits electric field induced birefringence such that a plane of polarization oriented along a first direction of a light beam passing through the crystal may be switched to a plane of polarization oriented along a second direction. A beam splitting polarizer means is disposed at one end of the crystal and directs a light beam passing through the crystal whose plane of polarization is oriented along the first direction differently from a light beam having a plane of polarization oriented along the second direction. The electro-optic crystal may be chosen from the crystal classes 43m, 42m, and 23. In a preferred embodiment, the electro-optic crystal is a bismuth germanium oxide crystal or a bismuth silicon oxide crystal.

Abstract: A fibre optic switch for controlling the electrical power to a load or for logical applications is disclosed in which the switch has a secondary guided light beam to provide status indicator light. The moulded plastic components of the switch are used to provide the means for light transmission and control.