Abstract: An optical isolator includes a first collimator, a second collimator and an isolation assembly arranged between the collimators. The first collimator includes a first capillary retaining an input fiber and a first GRIN lens received and retained in a first glass sleeve. The isolation assembly includes two birefringent crystal wedges with an optical rotator interposed between the birefringent crystal wedges. A magnetic ring receives and retains the birefringent crystal wedges and the optical rotator together. The second collimator includes a second capillary retaining an output fiber and a second GRIN lens which are received and retained in a second glass sleeve. A first stainless steel sleeve receives and retains the first glass sleeve and the isolation assembly together while a second stainless sleeve is fit over the second collimator. Apertures are defined in the first stainless steel sleeve.

Abstract: Two sub-assemblies in a fiber optic device are fitted to respective end faces of a central section, along a longitudinal axis. The end faces of the central section are non-parallel. Butting the sub-assemblies to respective ends of the central section permits relative adjustment of the two sub-assemblies in substantially decoupled degrees of freedom. This results in a simpler adjustment procedure for aligning the two sub-assemblies. Furthermore, the mounting of the sub-assemblies using angled faces permits the use of relatively thin layers of adhesive that reduce misalignment problems arising from mismatched thermal expansion when the temperature changes.

Abstract: An optical waveguide element has plural spherical bodies arranged in straight or curve with diameters of not more than 100 &mgr;m made of transparent uniform glass. The optical waveguide element may have plural spherical bodies arranged in straight or curve as are viewed from their ends with diameters of not more than 100 &mgr;m made of transparent uniform glass.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for converting modes in an optical network. Briefly described, the system comprises an optical pathway extending from an exit face of a single-mode waveguide to an entrance face of a multimode waveguide. A first ball lens and second ball lens are located in the optical pathway, with an optical link gap located the first and second ball lenses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical switching is described wherein a first optical input/output port and plurality of second optical input/output ports are coupled using an optical guiding assembly. An optical signal may thereby be movably directed between the first input/output port and a selected one of the second optical input/output ports. The optical guiding assembly includes a optical micro-element assembly and an actuator assembly which moveably directs the microlens assembly to a predetermined position corresponding to the selected one of the input/output ports. The actuator assembly includes a comb drive and the optical micro-element assembly includes an etched lens, a ball lens, a mirror, or the like.

Abstract: A method of making a microlensed fiber by splicing a doped silica rod to an optical fiber and shaping the end of the doped silica rod into a plano-convex refracting lens. The doped silica rod has a lower melting point and annealing point than undoped silica, and therefor less power is required to manufacture the microlensed fiber. This decreases wear to the heating elements of the manufacturing equipment and therefor increases the number of microlensed fibers that can be manufactured between cycles. A further aspect of the present invention is a microlensed fiber made by the above process.

Abstract: A novel array of optically and electrically interacting optical MEMS dies physically and electrically integrally attached upon an optically transmissive preferably (transparent) printed circuit substrate that is monolithically formed with one or more optical components, such as lenses, for providing fixed optical path alignment and interaction therebetween, and with provision for the integration also of active optical components such as lasers and photodiodes and the like.

Abstract: Optical fiber for optically coupling a light radiation source to a multimode optical waveguide, and method for manufacturing it. Optical fiber for optically coupling a light radiation source (6) to a multimode optical waveguide (7) having an optical fiber core (2) for transmitting light waves, optical fiber cladding (3) enclosing the optical fiber core (2), an injection end face (4) of the optical fiber core (2) for injecting light emitted by the light radiation source (6) into the optical fiber core (2), an extraction end face (5) of the optical fiber core (2) for extracting light from the optical fiber core (2) into the multimode optical waveguide (7), the injection end face (4) of the optical fiber core being curved spherically inward in order to widen the radiation angle of the injected light.

Abstract: A spherical lens is used to focus and direct light into an optical fiber for transmitting the focused light to an energy converter, a lighting or heating system, or a lighting or heating apparatus. The collected light may be converted to electricity by powering a steam turbine generator, thermal photo-voltaic cells, or the like. The collect light may also be supplied as a centralized light source to reflective lighting fixtures connected by fiber optics.

Abstract: An optical fiber collimator (100) in an optical system, includes a pair of optical fibers (108) having emitting cleaved planes (112) to provide a substantially uniform angled side surface for forming a prescribed angle (101) relative to the optical axis (105) of the optical system. The pair of optical fibers (108) are disposed coplanarly in the object plane of the optical system for sharing the optical axis and separated from each other and from the optical axis on the same object plane. Optically coupled to the pair of fibers, a microlens (106) has a sloped rear surface (114) opposite a rotationally symmetric microlens surface (116) which bound a volume having a homogeneous index of refraction. The pair of fibers (108) are positioned near the focal plane containing the optical axis (105) of the microlens for the generation or reception of collimated beams at the prescribed angle (101) relative to the optical axis (105) of the microlens (106).

Abstract: A microsphere-based analytic chemistry system and method for making the same is disclosed in which microspheres or particles carrying bioactive agents may be combined randomly or in ordered fashion and dispersed on a substrate to form an array while maintaining the ability to identify the location of bioactive agents and particles within the array using an optically interrogatable, optical signature encoding scheme. A wide variety of modified substrates may be employed which provide either discrete or non-discrete sites for accommodating the microspheres in either random or patterned distributions. The substrates may be constructed from a variety of materials to form either two-dimensional or three-dimensional configurations. In a preferred embodiment, a modified fiber optic bundle or array is employed as a substrate to produce a high density array. The disclosed system and method have utility for detecting target analytes and screening large libraries of bioactive agents.

Abstract: An optical resonator system includes a substrate, and a SPARROW optical waveguide disposed on the substrate for evanescently coupling light into an optical microcavity. The SPARROW waveguide includes a multi-layer dielectric stack formed of alternating high and low refractive index dielectric layers, and a waveguide core disposed on the dielectric stack. The waveguide core has an input end and an output end, and is adapted for transmitting optical radiation incident on the input end to the output end. The optical microcavity is disposed at a distance from the optical waveguide that is sufficiently small so as to allow evanescent coupling of light from the optical waveguide into the optical microcavity. The dielectric stack in the SPARROW waveguide isolates the waveguide core and the microcavity from the substrate, so that an optical coupling efficiency approaching 100% can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical fiber and a fiber termination which provide an output of laser light propagating through the fiber in a required direction while focusing it into a small spot. In one embodiment of the invention the termination includes a tapered fiber rod with an angled ball formed at the end of the rod. A corresponding method of manufacturing of the termination is provided. In another embodiment the termination includes a fiber rod having an angled end and a GRIN lens disposed so as to receive light reflected from the angled end, the lens being an integral part of the termination. In other embodiments the lens is replaced with a cylindrical or tapered multimode stub which provide similar function.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabrication process for making an integrated micro spherical lens for an optical switch. Through a semiconductor micro imaging process and a wet-etching process of micro electromechanical working, a plurality of V-shape grooves and mesas are formed on the surface of a base. A further micro imaging process, an etching process and a heat tempering process are used to form a micro spherical lens on the mesa, so that an integrated micro spherical lens and fiber array can be precisely arranged.

Abstract: Provided is a light emitting module that capable of adjusting the wavelength of light generated under operating conditions. The light emitting module is provided with a semiconductor light emitting device 16, first and second photodetectors 20, and an etalon 18. The semiconductor light emitting device 16 has a first end face 16b and a second end face 16a, and an active layer between the first end face 16b and the second end face 16a. Each of the photodetectors 20a, 20b is located so as to receive transmitted light from the first end face 16b of the semiconductor light emitting device. The etalon 18 has a portion of a first thickness d1 located between the first end face 16b and the photodetector 20a, and a portion of a second thickness d2 located between the first end face 16b and the photodetector 20b. The first thickness d1 of the etalon 18 is different from the second thickness d2.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an optical fiber array, a spacer to receive a light beam from the optical fiber array, and a lens array having an input to receive the light beam from the spacer and an output to output the light beam is disclosed. The spacer has a first refraction index and the lens has a second refraction index.

Abstract: An optical interface between circuit cards, more particularly between optical paths on a circuit card and a mainboard, is manufactured using bulk silicon micromachining technology. Silicon components of the interface are chemically etched and mass produced at a reduced cost for a higher degree of accuracy and precision than is available for mechanically produced interfaces. By use of micromachining technology to manufacture mating components of an interface, dimensional tolerances are possible which cannot be produced with conventional machining techniques. The resulting interface includes a pair of micromachined silicon substrates for mounting on a pair of circuit cards, each of the substrates having fiducial features, detents or cavities for aligning with the other substrate and thereby for aligning the two circuit cards. The optical path on a first circuit card may include an optical fiber mounted thereon.

Abstract: A lens system including a collection lens and a microlens spaced from the collection lens adjacent the region to be observed. The diameter of the observablel region depends substantially on the radius of the microlens.

Abstract: The multiple fiber-lens coupling system of the invention comprises a plurality of individual optical fibers assembled into a bundle where each fiber is guided through at least one pair of plates with a plurality of aligned openings arranged in a pattern identical to the pattern of microlenses formed into a matrix or an array. The ends of the optical fibers are aligned so that they are arranged in a common plane, and the aforementioned at least one pair of plates is located close to the fiber ends so that the ends of the fibers do not sag. The plates are moveable with respect to each other in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the fibers, so that when one of the plates or both plates are moved with respect to each other, the openings are slightly overlapped, and the ends of the fibers are squeezed between the edges of the openings. Microadjustment of the movement of the plates will cause shifting of the fiber ends with respect to the lenses.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an optical fiber system comprising a laser source an optical fiber including a reflective input end for receiving light from the source is provided with a polarization quarter-wave plate between the laser and the reflective end for minimizing power fluctuations from back reflection. The quarter-wave plate does not prevent back reflection but rather rotates the polarization of the back reflected light so that it does not interfere with the polarized light within the cavity. In an advantageous embodiment the quarter-wave plate is disposed within a receptacle laser package.

Abstract: An optical system for injecting laser radiation emitted from a semiconductor laser into an optical conductor, in which a convergent lens is configured between the semiconductor laser and the optical conductor. A diaphragm for masking out a portion of the laser radiation emitted from the semiconductor laser is applied to the convergent lens.

Abstract: The optical device comprises an emitter optic for projecting a light beam onto an object, and a receptor optic for projecting the reflected light onto a detector. The emitter optic and the receptor optic each comprise a dome disposed in such a manner that the light beam passes through the dome in a plane which is parallel to the plane surface of the dome. This allows a very compact design which is particularly suitable for reflection detectors of small dimensions.

Abstract: An optical waveguide and a shutter are used to guide light from multiple illuminated pixels on a document being scanned onto a single photosensor element. Various methods are disclosed for selecting one pixel at a time for projection onto a single sensor element. Multiple scans are required to capture all the image pixels. The data from multiple scans are then combined to form a single scanned image that has a higher optical sampling rate than the native optical sampling rate of the sensor array. Superresolution image analysis techniques developed for reconstruction of one image from a set of lower resolution images may be applied to provide a diffraction-limited high-resolution image. The waveguide as described also provides an ability to reduce scanning time for lower resolution images. In a first example embodiment, a rotating rod lens with a pattern of black and white areas is used to block/unblock optical waveguide array elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical fiber and a fiber termination which provide an output of laser light propagating through the fiber in a required direction while focusing it into a small spot. In one embodiment of the invention the termination includes a tapered fiber rod with an angled ball formed at the end of the rod. A corresponding method of manufacturing of the termination is provided. In another embodiment the termination includes a fiber rod having an angled end and a GRIN lens disposed so as to receive light reflected from the angled end, the lens being an integral part of the termination. In other embodiments the lens is replaced with a cylindrical or tapered multimode stub which provide similar function.

Abstract: A fiber array subassembly for use with a two-dimension MEMS mirror array comprises a plurality of separate substrate elements (for example, silicon substrates) stacked one upon the other and formed to include via holes that, upon stacking, form the fiber array apertures. By controlling the via location on each substrate element, precise registration between the location of each optical device in the array (such as mirror elements in a MEMS arrangement) and the communication fibers can be achieved. The stack of substrates may also be formed to including a “mechanical stop” for each fiber, ensuring a precise separation between each fiber endface and its associated lensing elements.

Abstract: An alignment procedure aligns the components of an arrayed optical fiber collimator and reduces losses associated with the collimator. Initially, an optical fiber array block including a plurality of individual optical fibers is received and retained. Next, a microlens array substrate including a plurality of microlenses integrated along a microlens surface and a substrate surface opposite the microlens surface is received and retained. Then, at least a portion of a first light receiver that is positioned to receive a light beam from at least one of the integrated microlenses is received and retained. Next, at least one light beam is provided from the light source to at least one of the plurality of individual optical fibers. Then, the position of at least one of the microlens array substrate and the optical fiber array block is adjusted in relation to each other to maximize the optical power of the light beam received by the first light receiver.

Abstract: An optical device module including an optical fiber for transmitting light, an optical device for receiving light transmitted through the optical fiber, and a lens member installed between the optical fiber and the optical device, for focusing the light emitted from the optical fiber to the optical device, the lens member having a flat plane facing the optical device and a semi-spherical convex plane facing an end of the optical fiber, and the lens member including a concave portion having a predetermined curvature, for transmitting incident light, formed in the center of the convex plane, a light transmitting region corresponding to the concave portion provided in the center of the flat plane, a first reflecting portion formed on the portion of the convex plane excluding the concave portion, and a second reflecting portion formed on the portion of the flat plane excluding the light transmitting region.

Abstract: A lens assembly is provided to adjust the path of an optical beam. The lens assembly includes a lens positioned along the path of the optical beam. The lens is also positioned for movement in directions parallel to a plane traversing the path of the optical beam. The lens is configured to adjust the path of the optical beam upon movement of the lens in a direction parallel to the plane.

Abstract: In a device for optical coupling of a solid-state laser to an optical fiber, an anamorphic lens system is arranged between the output face of the solid-state laser and the input face of the optical fiber, the lens system converting differing apertures in the main sections of the solid-state laser into essentially identical apertures at the input face of the optical fiber. The lens system is composed of one anamorphic lens applied on the output face and a further lens applied on the input face.

Abstract: The present invention is relates to an optical fiber assembly which may be used in an optical detection system. The optical fiber assembly may comprise a trifurcated cable and a ball lens in optical communication with the trifurcated cable. The trifurcated cable may comprise an excitation bundle, a first emission bundle for receiving light and a second emission bundle for receiving light.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filter includes the steps of positioning a collimator assembly including a GRIN lens mounted thereto in a movable fixture, placing a UV or thermally curable adhesive on the periphery of the GRIN lens, moving the GRIN lens into engagement with a filter holder having a filter mounted therein, micro-tilting the filter holder while monitoring the input and output signals of the fibers coupled to the GRIN lens for insertion loss less than about 0.1 dB, and applying UV radiation through the filter end of the filter holder to initially cure the aligned subassembly. In a preferred embodiment, the resultant subassembly is subsequently stress relieved and thoroughly cured. In another embodiment, UV radiation is applied to the filter holder GRIN lens interface through one or more apertures formed in the side of the filter holder.

Abstract: In a device for the optical coupling of a solid-state laser to an optical fiber, an anamorphic lens system being arranged between the output face of the solid-state laser and the input face of the optical fiber and converting differing apertures in the main sections of the solid-state laser into essentially identical apertures at the input face of the optical fiber, the lens system is composed of one anamorphic lens applied on the output face and a further lens applied on the input face. The invention also includes a method for producing the device.

Abstract: A spherical lens formed by fusing a generally homogenous glass lens blank to the distal end of an optical fiber, heating and tensioning the lens blank to separate it in two segments with the segment attached to the optical fiber defining a tapered end, and heating the lens blank above its softening point so that the spherical lens forms. The lens blank is fabricated from a 4 mole percent borosilicate glass having a softening point less than that of the core of the optical fiber. The lens member defines a throat region adjacent the optical fiber whose cross-sectional dimension is substantially greater than the diameter of the optical fiber, but substantially less than the diameter of the spherical lens.

Abstract: The optical fiber connector of the invention includes two optical fibers facing to each other, in which one optical fiber of the two has a spherical end face, when the core diameter of the optical fiber having the spherical face is given by E1, the numerical aperture thereof by NA1, the refractive index by n1, the radius of curvature of the spherical face by r, the core diameter of the other optical fiber by E2, the distance between the two optical fibers by L, the focal length f of the optical fiber is expressed by f=r/(n1−1). Further, when the beam diameter on the end face of the optical fiber is given by Es, the beam diameter Es=2·L·tan(sin−1·NA1) is deduced, and the connection efficiency &eegr; of the two optical fibers satisfies the following inequality: E2/(E1+Es)<&eegr;<(E2/(Es+(L/f−1)·E1))2≦1.0, in the focal length f≦L; or E2/(E1+Es)<&eegr;<(E2/(Es+(1−L/f)·E1))2≦1.

Abstract: A method and assembly for optically connecting a first grouping of optical fibers with a second grouping of optical fibers. To form the optical connection, the optical fibers in the first grouping and the second grouping are set into two separate arrays. A plurality of collimating elements are positioned proximate both arrays. The collimating elements correspond in both number and orientation to the optical fibers. As a result, any light signal emanating from either the first array or the second array will pass through a collimating element and will become substantially collimated. The first array and the second array are oriented with respect to one another so that each collimated element is at least partially aligned with a collimating element from the opposing array. Accordingly, light emitted from one fiber element in one array will be focused on an optical element in the opposing array without the optical fibers being precisely aligned.

Abstract: A plastic optical fiber with a lens of the present invention includes a plastic optical fiber including a core and a cladding, and a lens having a function of controlling light rays. The lens is formed of a material with a thermally-softening temperature higher than a thermally-softening temperature of the core of the plastic optical fiber, and the lens is integrated with the plastic optical fiber by heating and pressing the lens against an end face of the plastic optical fiber.

Abstract: The optical fiber connector of the invention comprises a first optical fiber, a first convex lens that converges light emitted from the first optical fiber, a second convex lens that converges light emitted from the first convex lens, and a second optical fiber that receives a convergent light beam from the second convex lens, wherein, when a core diameter of the first optical fiber is given by E1, a numerical aperture thereof by NA1, a core diameter of the second optical fiber by E2, a numerical aperture thereof by NA2, a focal length of the first convex lens by f1, a focal length of the second convex lens by f2, and (E1/E2)/(f1/f2)=x is introduced, a connection efficiency &eegr; of the first and the second optical fibers satisfies the following inequality (E1/E2)2<&eegr;≦(1/x)2·NA2/sin(tan−1 E1/E2·NA1/x), in 1<x<E1/E2·NA1/sin(tan−1 NA2).

Abstract: An optical multiplexing and demultiplexing device including a fiber mounting assembly for aligning optical fibers, a set of collimating and focusing optics, a transmission grating element, and a mirror element. The fiber mounting assembly alignment element aligns a series substantially close-spaced optical fibers with their ends flush and assembled in a substantially straight line. The optical fibers are either multi-mode or single mode communication fibers capable of transmitting optical wavelengths with substantially high transmittance. The set of collimating and focusing optics, preferably a lens (or mirror) system that contains two (2) or more elements, may be made from optical glasses with uniform refractive indices, optical glasses with gradient indices, plastic optical elements, or diffractive lenses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical communication connector. A connector optically couples between a pair of plastic fibers and a pair of silica fibers, and a connector optically couples between the other ends of the silica fibers and a pair of plastic fibers. In such a construction, signal light is bidirectionally transmitted using these fibers. The connector is provided with one condenser lens within a casing. On the side of the transmission of signal light from the silica fiber to the plastic fiber, end surfaces of both cores P and Q are brought into intimate contact with each other. On the side of the transmission of signal light from the plastic fiber to the silica fiber, end surfaces of both cores P and Q are opposed to each other with the condenser lens interposed therebetween. The other connector is also constructed in a manner similar to the above connector.

Abstract: A positive-powered lens for directing and organizing the light output from a single light to a plurality of optical fibers has an anterior surface, which is convex, and a posterior surface, upon which are disposed light-converging tessellates, which are arranged in an ordered geometrical (e.g. a square, rectangular, circular, or oval) pattern. The tessellates can have a common surface equation or can have different surface equations but equivalent focal lengths. The tessellates are associated with a plurality of optical fibers, each having a proximal face, which is coplanar with the focal planes of the tessellates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber wavelength multiplexer-demultiplexer or router comprising a dispersing system (6) and a reflecting system (9) having a focus, whereas the extremities of the input (2) and output (3) fibers are located in the vicinity of the said focus, It comprises an optical doublet (10-12) correcting the geometrical and chromatic aberrations of the assembly.

Abstract: An optical coupler device is provided with gradient index first and second lenses, with each lens having an outer endface with one or more ports at a predetermined location defined by a waveguide such as an optical fiber. A narrow bandpass optical filter is disposed between inner endfaces of the first and second lenses. In one embodiment, the second lens is in coaxial mechanical alignment with the first lens so as to have a common optical axis. An input waveguide and an optional reflection waveguide are disposed on the outer endface of the first lens on opposite sides of the optical axis. A transmission waveguide is disposed on one side of the outer endface of the second lens and is positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the optical axis in order to compensate for a previously unrecognized lateral beam displacement caused by the optical filter.

Abstract: An optical combination of a photoreceptor and an optical fiber, in which a tip surface of the optical fiber and a photoreceiving surface of the photoreceptor is contacted to a surface of the spherical lens so that a light outgoing from the tip surface of the optical fiber into the spherical lens may be totally reflected repeatedly within the spherical lens so as to be incident on the photoreceiving surface of the photoreceptor, resulting in largely simplifying the optical positioning between the photoreceptor and the optical fiber without polishing the tip of the core of the optical fiber into a spherical or semispherical shape in an inexpensive manner.

Abstract: An optoelectronic transmitter module is provided for transmitting optical data signals from a host device. The module is housed within a grounded chassis of the host device and provides a reduced effective aperture therethrough. The module components include electronic circuitry mounted within the module configured to convert electrical data signals to an optical output signal. A conductive housing encloses the electronic circuitry. The module housing includes a first connector end adapted to receive a fiber optic connector. When the module is installed within the host device chassis, the connector end engages the host chassis to form a conductive barrier around the first end of the housing. A conductive transmitting optical subassembly (TOSA) is disposed within the connector end of the housing, forming a continuous conductive barrier therewith. The TOSA includes first and second ends with a narrow passage extending therebetween.

Abstract: An optical device incorporating an incident-side optical waveguide portion having an incident terminal port and an outgoing terminal port which are connected with a fiber array, and an outgoing-side optical waveguide portion having another outgoing terminal port. Between the incident-side and outgoing-side optical waveguide portions, there is disposed a wavelength division multiplexer for sending back an incident beam from the incident-side optical waveguide portion to the incident-side optical waveguide portion and permitting a part of the incident beam to pass therethrough. Between the wavelength division multiplexer and the outgoing-side optical waveguide portion, a polarization-independent type optical isolator is disposed. Between the wavelength division multiplexer and the incident-side optical waveguide portion, a first lens is disposed, and between the wavelength division multiplexer and the polarization-independent type optical isolator, a second lens is disposed.

Abstract: We have determined that unlike the most multimode silica fiber, multimode polymer fiber often exhibits a delay characteristic that has a broad low dispersion region where propagation delay of spatially restricted optical pulses remains relatively constant. This low dispersion region is centered around the center axis of the fiber core as a function of launch position. By directing a transmitted optical pulse to this region, we have determined that optical pulse dispersion can be significantly reduced without the need for using the prior art technique of using a single mode fiber spliced in series with the multimode fiber to reduce dispersion. A polymer fiber based optical transmission system using this arrangement exhibits relaxed alignment tolerances between the optical source and polymer fiber, while reducing dispersion and increasing bandwidth-length product.

Abstract: The optical module has a semiconductor light emitting device, a lens, a holder for the device and the lens, and a receptacle core onto which a ferule of a counter optical plug is to be fitted. When the optical plug is connected, the semiconductor light emitting device is optically coupled with an optical fiber in the ferule by the lens. A step portion which forms a circular opening with setting the optical axis as the center axis and which eliminates coupling undesired light is disposed at a position which is on an emission side of the lens with respect to a contacting position of the-holder and the lens. Preferably, the optical module satisfies the following expressions:0.9<.phi./(NA.times.L.sub.1)<1.3 and L.sub.2 <L.sub.1 /2where .phi. is a diameter of the circular opening, NA is a numerical aperture of the optical fiber, L.sub.1 is a distance between an opening end on the side of the lens and the optical fiber, and L.sub.

Abstract: A compact WDM optical device can demultiplex an optical laser signal containing several different wavelengths corresponding to particular channels, and, in reverse operation operate as a multiplexer to interleave several different wavelengths into a multiplexed multi-channel optical laser signal with improved insertion loss characteristics. The optical device includes a linear array of passive resonant optical cavities, in the form of Fabry-Perot filters, extending in a lateral direction and an integral array of associated microlenses extending in the lateral direction. Each microlens has a center which is offset from the central longitudinal axis of an associated Fabry-Perot filter to reflect laser radiation through the device. Each optical cavity is tuned by adjusting the longitudinal dimension thereof to a particular wavelength contained in the multi-channel optical signal. A stepped-wavelength steered laser radiation source for the optical device uses a VCSEL array with offset microlenses.

Abstract: A crystalline structure, comprising an optical waveguiding region, a crystalline fluorescent temperature sensing region, and a crystalline junction between the optical waveguiding region and the crystalline fluorescent temperature sensing region. An embodiment of the present invention is a novel fiber-optic temperature sensor functional under high-temperature conditions. The fiber-optic temperature sensor comprises a continuous crystalline fiber optic high temperature sensor probe having a crystalline optical waveguiding region with first and second ends, and a crystalline fluorescent temperature sensing tip at one end thereof. The crystalline optical waveguiding region and the crystalline fluorescent temperature sensing tip are preferably crystallographically and thermomechanically compatible with each other. The fluorescent temperature sensing tip contains fluorescent ions that can be excited to fluoresce and produce a fluorescence emission.

Abstract: The configuration couples light into an end of a multimode optical waveguide through a pin stub of a single mode optical waveguide. In order to enable relatively wide-band signal transmission via the multimode optical waveguide, the pin stub has a light extraction region in which its cladding is surrounded by an outer coating of a material having a higher index of refraction than the index of refraction of the cladding material.