Abstract: A switching device which uses a pivotable switching element carrying a first magnet and a movable component carrying a second magnet mounted adjacent thereto, the north and south poles of the magnets being arranged so that, when the movable component is moved to a first location, the magnets attract and the pivotable element is in a first switch position and, when the movable component is moved to a second location, the magnets repel and the pivotable element is in a second switch position.

Abstract: A planar waveguide-type optical switch comprising: a first base including a substrate, a plurality of planar waveguide pairs having different optical connection functions and arranged at predetermined pair spaces on the substrate, and a set of butting end faces, the respective end faces of waveguides constituting the plurality of waveguide pairs being exposed on the butting end faces at predetermined pitches; and second and third bases each having a joint end face butted to each corresponding butting end face of the first base, and provided with at least a set of optical fiber pairs optically connected to optical transmission routes and arranged at the same pitch as the waveguides, the respective end faces of optical fibers constituting the set of optical fiber pairs being exposed on the joint end faces.

Abstract: An optical fiber switch in which the switching force is applied directly to the fiber. A biasing force, generated by a bending of the fiber, is exerted on the fiber in a direction tending to urge the same toward the bottom of a first groove. The switching force is applied transversely to the direction of the biasing force, and moves the fiber out of the first groove and into a second, adjacent groove. When in the second groove, the biasing force on the fiber urges the same toward the bottom of the second groove.

Abstract: A beam distributor apparatus employing an eccentrically mounted retroreflector prism is driven to revolve about a central axis by a motor/encoder to direct an input beam to a plurality of optical fibers in sequence. The retroreflector prism possesses the property of reflecting a beam in a directional parallel to the incident beam but displaced laterally therefrom. In one arrangement, a synchronously triggered laser is used as the light source. In a second embodiment, a non-laser light source is employed with a shutter coupled to be triggered in synchronism with the position of the rotating prism relative to the output optical fibers.

Abstract: A wavelength selective optical waveguide coupler (1) comprises a first undulatory optical D-fiber (2) and a second optical D-fiber (4) embedded in respective substrates (4,8). The fibers (2,6) are located adjacent one another, the undulations of the fiber (2) defining a set of regularly spaced optical coupling regions. This provides a readily formed coupler able to be accurately set to selectively couple a pre-selected wavelength by relatively coarse macroscopic adjustment.

Abstract: A fiber optic rotary joint device is described which includes a rotor conted to either an input or output fiber optic array and a stator connected to the other of the input or output fiber optic array. A prism is mounted within the rotor for derotating an image of the input array to allow coupling to the output array. A prism rotor and a gear system are provided for rotating the prism at half the speed of the rotor. Optical means are provided for two adjustment tiers (small angular adjustment and fine adjustment) of alignment of the light propagation path for each channel of the array. Mechanical structural features provide maintanance of accurate alignment of optical elements under rotation of the joint. Further mechanical structural features provide resiliency of the gear system to isolate its operation from maintenance of mechanical alignment of optical elements.

Abstract: A positioning technique for grinding a conical tip on a fiber optic element includes rotatably mounting an end of the fiber optic element to be conically ground; detecting orbital motion of the optical axis of the fiber optic element about the mechanical axis of rotation; and adjusting the optical axis relative to the axis of rotation to minimize the orbital motion of the optical axis.

Abstract: A multiple port electromechanical optical fiber switch provides for the exchange redirection of one common optical path with one of several other optical paths through the switch. It is particularly useful when one standby laser transmitter must be quickly substituted for any single failed transmitter among a group of several actively operating transmitters. A single prism for exchanging the optical paths of two initially parallel beams by means of four refractions at their entry and exit points and at least two internal reflections per beam within the prism is set forth in modified rhombic form with two additional parallel facets that transmit undeflected in the deactivated position one of two beams so as to minimize required shift distance to the prism activated position where it exchanges the optical paths of both parallel beams.

Abstract: A flexible termination between a submersible repeater housing and a submarine cable comprises a double ball link bar (20) and a cooperating socket (12) coupled to the repeater housing (1) and a similar socket (11) coupled to the cable. This enables a compact lightweight flexible termination having a large angle of flexure. In an alternative embodiment a double gimbal arrangement is used.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling an optical fibre (13) comprises a casing (1) defining a substantially light-proof enclosure surrounding an optical fibre operating position, and mechanical means (4 to 8) for picking up an optical fibre and transporting that optical fibre to the operating position. The operating position is defined by a secondary waveguide (2) which defines a curved optical waveguiding path. The mechanical means (4 to 8) is such as to position the optical fibre (13) in a curved position which at least substantially conforms to the inner side of the curved optical waveguiding, path whereby optical energy passing along the optical fibre is tapped into the curved waveguiding path.

Abstract: A fiberoptic-coupled free-space variable delay line is provided wherein the phase adjustment of the signal can be accurately set. A microscope-objective lens collimates a signal beam which is received by a focusing lens. The focusing lens is provided on an adjustable carrier to allow one to accurately adjust the distance travelled by the collimated signal base and thereby accurately adjust the off-set. A plurality of these variable delay lines can be arranged to form a multiplexer. If the threads on each drive rod moving a carrier are different, the carrier can be adjusted to accommodate changes in frequency of the signal.

Abstract: The invention is a rotary joint for singlemode optical fibers, having a fixed and a rotating part to permit the transmission of optical signals across a rotational interface (such as a winch or turret) with minimal insertion loss and, in particular, low reflections (good return loss). There is no need of conversion to electrical signals; the device is passive. It may be use an oil of refractive index matched to that of the glass fibers and to that of fiber tapers or lenses used to expand the beam emitted from one fiber and contract it for transmission into the other fiber. The device is bidirectional. By use foil, through precision techniques for building and mounting the optical and mechanical components, and by use of advanced bearings, both the insertion loss and unwanted reflections (return loss) can be minimized, thereby making it suitable for use with singlemode fiber.