Abstract: The invention is a method and resulting device which provides a strong bond between a silicon substrate and an oxide component mounted within a cavity in the substrate. A layer of titanium, for example, is deposited on the walls of the cavity, followed by deposition of a layer of aluminum. The structure is preferably annealed to form titanium silicide and titanium-aluminum interface layers. The component is then bonded to the aluminum layer.

Abstract: An optical module includes a resin housing having an optical axis, a semiconductor device held in the resin housing in alignment with the optical axis, and a lens held in the resin housing in alignment with the optical axis. The resin housing includes a lens holder disposed in facing relation to the semiconductor device. The lens holder has a lens grip member disposed around the optical axis and projecting toward the semiconductor device. The lens grip member has a distal end projecting radially inwardly. The lens holder also has a lens seat at a proximal end of the lens grip member. The lens grip member and the lens seat are integrally molded with the resin housing. The lens is held by the lens seat and gripped by the lens grip member after the lens is forced past the lens grip member toward the lens seat. The lens grip member comprises three lens grip fingers circumferentially spaced at equal angular intervals.

Abstract: This invention proposes the fabrication of a polarization-independent air-path isolator based on a beam aperture method. The isolator includes a micro Grin lens (MGL) and three small Grin lenses (SGLs). These lenses focus and collimate the forward and backward beams from the input and output ends of the isolator. In addition, one of the small Grin lenses (SGLs) also acts as a beam expander for the backward beam. Due to the significant difference in widths between the forward and backward collimated beams, the optical power of the forward beam is almost completely collected by the output small Grin lens (SGL) at the output end, while only a very small percentage of the optical power of the backward beam is collected by the small Grin lens (SGL) at the input end. Since a laser beam, in general, has a Gaussian beam-intensity distribution, positioning the micro Grin lens (MGL) at an off axis position will significantly enhance the isolation characteristic of the isolator.

Abstract: An improved connector is provided. The connector comprises: an optoelectronic transducer having a transducer axis through a center of the optoelectronic transducer, and a first alignment means integrated with the optoelectronic transducer; an optical fiber having a fiber axis being different than the transducer axis; a first lens comprising a ball lens disposed between the optoelectronic transducer and the optical fiber, a center of the first lens aligned to the optoelectronic transducer axis by the first alignment means; and a second lens between the optical fiber and the first lens, a center of the second lens aligned to the fiber axis by a second alignment means; wherein the first and second lenses form an optical relay which relays light between the center of the optoelectronic transducer and the center of the optical fiber, forming an efficient optical coupling between the optoelectronic transducer and the optical fiber, even though the transducer axis and the fiber axis do not coincide.

Abstract: An micro-photonics module includes an optical component and a photonics device mounted on a single substrate. The substrate defines a rectilinear cavity with flat bottom and flat side. The photonics device mounted on the substrate at a predefined distance from the cavity defines an optical path aligned to cross the rectilinear cavity. The optical component with portion abutting the flat bottom, flat side, and locator surface, is aligned with the optical path by the flat bottom and flat side of rectilinear cavity. The substrate may also define pyramidal cavity formed into the substrate from a major surface of the substrate, a notch formed in the substrate from the major surface and the flat side of the rectilinear cavity, and a locator surface within the rectilinear cavity. A ball lens may be seated in contact with the substrate within the pyramidal cavity to have a predefined relationship with the photonics device. The notch allows light to pass unobstructed between the ball lens and the optical component.

Abstract: An optical assembly, particularly for use as an optical circulator or optical isolator, includes utilizing an array of parallel thermally expanded core (TEC) fibers for transmitting light signals into and receiving light signals from an array of optical elements that is both polarization-dependent and non-reciprocal with respect to displacement of light propagating in opposite directions. In the preferred embodiment, the TEC fibers are precisely aligned using silicon V-groove techniques. Also in the preferred embodiment, focusing is used to improve the performance of the optical assembly. A microlens array reconverges the light energy of a polarization component that is propagating through the optical assembly separately from its associated polarization component. The array of microlenses may be formed into the glass substrate by diffusing ions through a photolithographic mask.

Abstract: A confocal imaging system using optical fibers is provided which has a flexible near confocal optical transmission means having a light collection end adjacent to a light collection of the confocal optical transmission means and adapted to transmit only near confocal light emerging from points in the object located within a range of distances above and below the focal plane, in such a manner that a selected portion of the near confocal light emerging from greater than any selected distance within the range is substantially separable from the remainder. The system also has variable selection means to exclude from detection the selected portion.

Abstract: Monolithic microlens frames enable the fabrication of monolithic laser diode arrays and are manufactured inexpensively with high registration, and with inherent focal length compensation for any lens diameter variation. A monolithic substrate is used to fabricate a low-cost microlens array. The substrate is wet-etched or sawed with a series of v-grooves. The v-grooves can be created by wet-etching, by exploiting the large etch-rate selectivity of different crystal planes. The v-grooves provide a support frame for either cylindrical or custom-shaped microlenses. Because the microlens frames are formed by photolithographic semiconductor batch-processing techniques, they can be formed inexpensively over large areas with precise lateral and vertical registration. The v-groove has an important advantage for preserving the correct focus for lenses of varying diameter.

Abstract: A subassembly for coupling a laser to an optical fiber comprises a substrate having an asymmetrical, pyramidal cavity, a spherical lens located in the cavity, and a semiconductor laser positioned on the substrate. The output face of the laser is located along an edge of the cavity (without overhanging the edge), and its active region is aligned with the center of the lens along the optic axis of the subassembly.

Abstract: An aimable fiber-optic spotlight has a fiber-optic light guide with a first end receiving light from a remote light source and a second end emitting light at the focus of a beam-forming lens held in a fixed tubular housing having a lens on a central optical axis. The light-emitting end of the light guide is held in a tubular light guide retainer within the housing, and which is transversely adjustable off the central axis of the housing and lens. Light emitted from the light guide is off the central axis of the housing and lens, and is thus projected through the lens as an off-axis beam adjustable in elevation angle. Rotation of housing in azimuth can then aim the light beam anywhere within a cone inscribed by rotation of the off-axis beam angle, thus providing adjustment in both elevation and azimuth. In a preferred embodiment the light-emitting end of the light guide is axially adjustable with respect to the lens, whereby the angular diameter of the projected light beam is also adjustable.

Abstract: A connector system that includes a pair of connectors (12, 14, FIG. 4) with optical fiber termini (32, 42), is of relatively low cost while assuring sufficiently precise alignment of corresponding termini to transmit a high proportion of light signals between them. A first of the connectors (12) includes an insert (30) with passages that hold termini comprising ball lenses (74) lying in front of optical fiber tips lying in ferrules (82). The plurality of termini are fixed in position and orientation in the insert, but the insert is moveable forwardly and rearwardly (F1, R1) and is biased forwardly by a spring device (160, 162). As a result, the mating faces (70, 72) of the inserts of the two connectors are resiliently pressed against one another in a connector wherein each termini is fixed in position in its insert.

Abstract: The inventive system, which is used in transmitting illumination from a central source to a variety of remote locations, efficiently couples the light originating from a lamp, or similar source, into a multiplicity of flexible macroscopic fibers. The combination of the several elements of the inventive system results in a very efficient transfer of the energy of the light source to the fibers. Light from the lamp is fed to a spherical configuration of ports, with each port having one or more flexible macroscopic fibers connected thereto.

Abstract: In order to improve a laser system comprising several laser radiation sources, each of which generates laser radiation which is coupled into a first end of a respective optical single-mode fiber, wherein all optical single-mode fibers form a fiber bundle and have second ends lying at a fiber bundle end, the laser radiation exiting from the second ends and thereby forming a total laser radiation field, and further comprising an optical transformation means which transforms the total laser radiation field onto an object, such that a focal point with a highest possible power per area and per solid angle can be generated therewith, it is proposed that the optical transformation means comprise a collimating element which collimates the laser radiation exiting divergently from each individual second end of the single-mode fibers and forms a collimated radiation bundle therefrom, and that the optical transformation means comprise a focusing element which images the collimated radiation bundle as a whole onto a focal

Abstract: A photonics apparatus is described. The photonics apparatus includes a plurality of components and a mounting member for mounting the components. The mounting member and the components are structured such that all of the components of the photonics module are precisely mounted and aligned on the mounting member without requiring active alignment and additional mounting member. The components mounted on the mounting member include at least a laser, a photo detector, and two spherical lenses. The components may also include an optical filter and a mirror. The mounting member is made of silicon such that a photo-lithographic masking and etching process can be used to precisely process the mounting member to mount these components. The photo detector includes an integrated mirror. The optical filter and the mirror may be integrated together to form an integrated device that is attached to the mounting member. A method of making the photonics apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing low-cost, nearly circular cross section waveguides comprises starting with a substrate material that a molten waveguide material can not wet or coat. A thin layer is deposited of an opposite material that the molten waveguide material will wet and is patterned to describe the desired surface-contact path pedestals for a waveguide. A waveguide material, e.g., polymer or doped silica, is deposited. A resist material is deposited and unwanted excess is removed to form pattern masks. The waveguide material is etched away to form waveguide precursors and the masks are removed. Heat is applied to reflow the waveguide precursors into near-circular cross-section waveguides that sit atop the pedestals. The waveguide material naturally forms nearly circular cross sections due to the surface tension effects. After cooling, the waveguides will maintain the round shape. If the width and length are the same, then spherical ball lenses are formed.

Abstract: An integrated laser-based light source that generates an output light beam having a controlled intensity. The light source comprises a light sensor, a laser, a convex beam-splitting surface, and a package that includes a header. The light sensor generates an electrical signal representing an intensity of light energy falling on it, and is mounted on the header. The laser has one and only one light-emitting face from which a light beam is radiated as a radiated light beam. The laser is mounted in the package adjacent the light sensor with the light-emitting face substantially parallel to the light-receiving face of the light sensor. The convex beam-splitting surface reflects a fraction of the radiated light beam towards the light sensor as a reflected light beam, and transmits the remainder of the radiated light beam as the output light beam. The convex beam-splitting surface is supported in the radiated light beam by the package.

Abstract: An optical isolator unit is aligned, assembled, and subsequently diced into smaller isolator chips for placement in a micro-optical bench, along with input and an output fiber coupling ball lenses. Polarizers (for polarization-dependent isolators) or birefringence walkoff crystals (for polarization-independent isolators) are aligned and then glued together with 45.degree. Faraday rotators using an optical-grade adhesive. The surfaces of the components are AR-coated to match the index of the optical-grade adhesive. An optical isolator unit formed in this manner is then diced into a plurality of optical isolator chips with a high-speed wafer saw. The optical isolator unit is preferably mounted on any one of its sides in such a way that only a smallest possible cutting depth is required for dicing, i.e., it is mounted such that a thinnest dimension of the isolator is presented for cutting, such that material loss due to cutting is reduced and delamination of the optical isolator chips is prevented.

Abstract: A low reflection termination device comprised of a tubular glass housing having an interior cavity, an optical fiber having an end with a portion of the end being formed by the application of heat into a glass bead and extends into the glass housing with the glass bead positioned within the interior cavity, a clear cured epoxy disposed within the cavity of the housing surrounding the glass bead, and a light absorbing material which coats the tubular glass housing.

Abstract: The illuminator of the invention takes relatively coherent light exiting from a fiber optic cable and spreads it in an even manner over a wide viewing area of an eye retina, and by securing a transparent ball to face the light output of the fiber optic cable with an air gap in-between, thus allowing a large light index differential between the fiber material and the light refracting material while having the second surface of the ball immersed in vitreous eye fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved simplified waveguide-optical fiber connection structure for connecting a waveguide and an optical fiber. The waveguide-optical fiber connection structure comprises an optical fiber, a waveguide substrate having a waveguide integrally formed thereon and having a first guide groove formed thereon adjacent an end portion of the waveguide for positioning the optical fiber therein, and a fiber substrate provided in an opposing relationship to the first guide groove for cooperating with the first guide groove to hold the optical fiber thereon. The waveguide-optical fiber connection structure can be applied to a waveguide circuit which is employed for optical communication, optical information management and so forth.

Abstract: A device for optical connection of an optical element, for example an end portion of an optical fiber (2), with a spherical lens (4) comprises a connector element (14). The connector element has a surface for defining the position of the spherical lens and a surface for defining the position of the optical element in relation thereto. A surface of the connector element for defining the position of the spherical lens (4) are constituted by a circular edge surface (18) formed with a radius.

Abstract: A lensed-fiber including a single-mode fiber having a core and a cladding, a coreless fiber having a coreless isotropic refractive index and a convex surface at a first end thereof, and a square-law index fiber having a square-law index profile. The square-law index fiber is positioned between the single-mode fiber and the coreless fiber so as to connect an end of the single-mode fiber to a second end of the coreless fiber. The lensed-fiber may be arranged in a optical module facing an optical semiconductor element which emits a light beam to be propagated through the single-mode fiber.

Abstract: An optical submount and a method of making the optical submount are described. A cavity is formed in a substrate. The cavity has sloping side walls. A photonics device is then mounted on the substrate at a predefined distance from the cavity with the optical axis of the photonics device aligned with a diagonal of the cavity. A spherical lens is seated in contact with the side walls of the cavity to have a predefined relationship with the photonics device without light beam obstruction.

Abstract: An optical device includes a common carrier, a first optical component and a second optical component that are supported by the common carrier, the first optical component being placed on the common carrier. This common carrier includes the following on a main surface thereof. The common carrier includes a first guide groove in which the second optical component is placed, a first beam passing groove extending from a vicinity of the first optical component along an optical axis so that a light beam emitted from the first optical component travels in the beam passing groove. The common carrier includes a second groove which is connected to the first guide groove and the first beam passing groove and extends in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the second groove allowing the light beam to travel at a position lower than the main surface of the common carrier without being shaded.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser module comprising a lens system having first and second lenses for coupling a beam emitted from a semiconductor laser with a core expanded fiber having a single-mode fiber end whose core diameter is expanded. The core expanded fiber is set so as to have a core expansion coefficient of 1.3 or more and an absolute value of change rate of mode field diameter smaller than 6.0.times.10.sup.-4 .mu.m.sup.-1.

Abstract: The inventive system, which is used in transmitting illumination from a central source to a variety of remote locations, efficiently couples the light originating from an arc lamp, or similar source, into a multiplicity of flexible macroscopic fibers. The combination of the several elements of the inventive system results in a very efficient transfer of the energy of the light source to the fibers. A first module houses the arc lamp, and a second module generally houses the optics for coupling light to the flexible macroscopic fibers. The second module is thermally insulated from the first module, to thereby prevent high temperatures from leaking from the first module into the second module.

Abstract: Efficient coupling between multimode optical fibers and optical devices, such as optical detectors and light emitting diodes, is realized by means of a coupling arrangement comprising a length of homogeneous glass fiber, terminated by a convex microlens. One end of the glass, whose length is greater than the focal length of the microlens, is fusion-spliced to the multimode fiber. The convex microlens is formed at the other end of the homogeneous glass member.

Abstract: A compact, inexpensive laser diode module having a depolarizer function of converting linearly polarized light into unpolarized light. The laser diode module includes a laser diode; a polarization-maintaining optical fiber arranged so that an axis of polarization of the fiber forms an angle of 45.degree. with respect to a plane of polarization of incident light, the fiber having a length set so that an optical path difference between two polarization modes of transmitted light is greater than a coherence length of the incident light; and an optical coupling element for coupling emitting light from the laser diode to the polarization-maintaining optical fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus minimizes the spherical aberration of a light beam emitted into an optical fiber from a light source such as a laser beam. The laser emits a light beam along a path of travel to an optical fiber used in a telecommunication system. A ball lens is positioned within the light beam path of travel, and has a front focal point. The laser is positioned in front of the front focal point such that the light beam emitted by the laser forms an intermediate paraxial focus point. A corrective lens is positioned adjacent the paraxial focus point so that the laser beam is introduced into an optical fiber with minimal spherical aberration and increased coupling efficiency. The corrective lens is displaced radially off-center to compensate for misalignment aberrations and coma.

Abstract: Alignment between an optical fiber and a laser diode is carried out by the steps of fixing a position sensitive detector and an optical fiber on a common supporting device, arranging a position sensitive detector opposite the laser diode, measuring the converging point of the light beams from the laser, calculating the difference between the converging point and the optical fiber, displacing the optical fiber relative to the laser diode by the calculated difference for harmonizing the converging point with the center of the optical fiber within a tolerance, moving minutely the optical fiber with the laser in the direction for increasing the light power emitted from the other end of the optical fiber and fixing the optical fiber at the point which gives the maximum power to the optical fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus minimizes the spherical aberration of a light beam emitted into an optical fiber from a light source such as a laser beam. The laser emits a light beam along a path of travel to an optical fiber used in a telecommunication system. A ball lens is positioned within the light beam path of travel, and has a front focal point. The laser is positioned in front of the front focal point such that the light beam emitted by the laser forms an intermediate paraxial focus point. A corrective lens is positioned adjacent the paraxial focus point so that the laser beam is introduced into an optical fiber with minimal spherical aberration and increased coupling efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of putting a lens on an optical fiber, the method comprising the steps of depositing a lens of elliptical section and in the form of a hyperboloid of revolution on the cleaved end of a polarization-maintaining fiber.

Abstract: An integrated optical device including: a composite substrate (1, 6) having a support substrate (1) and a laminated upper layer (6) formed on the support substrate, the upper layer having a preselected height and being capable of being selectively etched; a recess formed in the upper layer; a positioning hole (7, 8) formed in a surface portion of the support substrate exposed in the recess; a first optical component disposed on the surface of the upper layer; a second optical component guided by a portion of the recess and mounted on the surface of the support substrate; and a third optical component disposed in the positioning hole. Components having different height can be easily aligned on an optical axis.

Abstract: An optical fiber interface for coupling input light power from a light source to an optical fiber. The optical fiber has an optical axis, an incident end face extending transverse to the optical axis, a core region having a predetermined diameter, and a clad region surrounding the core region. The end face comprises a first surface portion having the shape of an element of a sphere. The sphere has a center on the optical axis and a diameter not greater than the diameter of the core region. The first surface portion of the end face is symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and extends from the optical axis along the core region toward the clad region. The end face also comprises a second surface portion having the shape of an element of a cone extending from the first surface portion of the end face along the clad region, the second surface portion being tangential to the first surface portion of the end face.

Abstract: The arrangement for coupling optoelectronic components and optical waveguides to one another includes a carrier substrate (11); at least one optoelectronic component (9) or one optical waveguide (1) secured on the carrier substrate (11) and at least one lens (8) provided with an essentially planar surface and a spherical surface located opposite the essentially planar surface. The carrier substrate is provided with a depression (5) for a lens (8) having walls and the lens (8) is inserted into the depression (5) so that the lens (8) rests with its spherical surface contacting the walls of the depression (5) at at least 3 points and is rotatable about its spherical curvature center point. An adjustment device for rotatably positioning the lens (8) in the depression and a method of securing the lens in position after an adjustment are described.

Abstract: An optical connector ferrule is provided having an standard single mode optical fiber therein whose mode field diameter is approximately 10 .mu.m along its length. An end portion and the end face of the optical fiber are heated to thermally expanded the mode field diameter to approximately 20 .mu.m or greater for reducing power density at the end face. By providing an expanded mode field diameter at the end face of the fiber, the power density is lessened, thereby lessening the probability that any dirt or debris at the end face will become heated sufficiently to damage the optical fiber.

Abstract: A plane side of a semispherical lens is opposed to an end of optical fibers for guiding a pulse laser beam, and a semispherical lens is disposed in a predetermined spaced relation.

Abstract: The apparatus for forming a hemispherical micro-lens according to the present invention comprises a laser light oscillator 5 for irradiating laser light into one end 3a of an optical fiber 3, a far-field pattern (F.F.P.) detector 6 for detecting the shape of the F.F.P. of laser light emitted from the other end 3b of the optical fiber 3, discharge electrodes 1 for heating the end 3b of the optical fiber 3 and thereby forming a hemispherical microlens, and a discharge controller 2 for controlling the operation of the discharge electrodes 1 according to the shape of the detected F.F.P. With this apparatus, laser light is irradiated into one end surface 3a of an optical fiber 3, the other end surface 3b is heated to form a hemispherical microlens while measuring the F.F.P. of laser light emitted from this end surface 3b, and heating is halted according to the measured value of the F.F.P. It is preferable that the discharge controller 2 halt the heating operation when the diameter of the F.F.P. detected at the F.

Abstract: A novel optical connector of the type useful for interconnecting operational modules comprises a polymer backplane for supporting a plurality of polymer waveguides on a formable substrate. Each said waveguide is provided with a receiving end and a transmitting end. Each end is precisely located juxtaposed a spherical ball lens located in a precision recess formed in the lower cladding layer of said substrate. A housing comprising a transparent window is mounted opposite each ball lens. In one form a plurality of window connectors extends transversely from a backplane substrate to provide a high speed optical data bus.

Abstract: An integrated optical device including: a silicon substrate (1 ); an optical waveguiding core (4 ) formed on the silicon substrate (1); a clad layer formed encircling the optical waveguiding core (4): an optical fiber groove (5) having a V-character shaped cross section for position-aligning an optical fiber so as to optically couple the optical waveguiding core and the optical fiber, the optical fiber groove being formed on the surface of the silicon substrate along an optical axis in one direction from one end plane of the optical waveguiding core; an edge input/output type optical semiconductor device (8) having an active region bonded to the clad layer, the optical semiconductor device being mounted on a line extending from the other end plane of the optical waveguiding core along the optical axis; and an optical axis level changing member (10, 11, 12) for optically coupling the optical waveguiding core and the optical semiconductor device by changing the heights of optical axes relative to the surface of

Abstract: An optical fiber receptacle has a glass rod lens in its one end side and a front end of an optical fiber to be connected to the opposite end side of the receptcle is brought into physical contact with a spherical surface of the glass rod lens to thereby make the optical fiber optically couple with an optical element to be provided on the glass rod lens side, wherein a housing including a sleeve for insertion of the front end of the optical fiber therein is fixed to a lens holder for fixedly holding the glass rod lens by fusion so that the center of the sleeve and the center of the spherical surface of the glass rod lens are aligned.

Abstract: A light image is made irregular at an incident part of a fiber, influence of displacement of the fiber against a couping efficiency is reduced and evaluation of a lens can be carried out as usual. A light source is arranged at the optical surface side 14 of the lens 12 to be used, a focusing is formed at the second optical surface 15, the evaluation of the lens 12 is carried out by checking whether or not the surface aberration at the focusing position is less than the predetermined value. At this time, when the lens 12 is used in the optical device, the light source 1 is arranged with the second optical surface 15 being applied as a short focal point side and then the incident part for the fiber 3 is arranged with the first optical surface 14 being applied as the long focal point side.

Abstract: An optical fibre connector is provided which is of simple, dirt-resistant, and easily cleaned construction. The connector includes an outer body (1, FIG. 1) having a main bore (2), a ferrule (4) lying in precision sliding fit in the main bore, with an optical fibre (9) extending through the ferrule, a spacer (15) lying against the front of the ferrule, and a spherical lens (3) lying against the spacer. The outer member (1) has a larger second bore (10). A termination sleeve (8) lies in the second bore, presses forwardly on the ferrule, extends rearwardly through a stepped bore (11) in a securing member (12), and is biased forwardly by an elastomeric part (14) in the securing member. The spherical lens (3) has an anti-reflection coating and is bonded to the front surface (17) of the spacer.

Abstract: There is presented a fiber-optic rotary joint with first and second bundle ollimator assemblies, the joint comprising a generally cup-shaped main rotor, a first bundle collimator assembly fixed in a central opening in a bottom wall of the main rotor, a generally cup-shaped stator disposed within the main rotor, the stator having a bottom wall opposed to the main rotor bottom wall, and a second bundle collimator assembly disposed in a central opening in the bottom wall of the stator. The joint further includes a prism mounted in a prism rotor in the joint between the first and second collimator assemblies, and gear means for causing rotation of the main rotor at twice the speed of rotation of the prism rotor. Azimuthal adjustment structure is disposed on one of the first and second collimator assemblies for azimuthal alignment of the one collimator assembly with the other of the collimator assemblies.

Abstract: An optical connection for connecting an active optical device (6,52) or a passive optical device (41,63) to an optical fiber (3), having a thick metal coating (2) deposited circumferentially around the fiber. In this optical connection the device (6,52,41,63) is bonded to the polished endface of the fiber (5), with particular use being made of the thick metal surface (7) on the endface of the fiber. In another embodiment, the optical fiber (3) is etched to form various surfaces (31,32,33) for optical coupling. This etching also allows for accurate passive alignment of an etched active device (52) or a passive device (42,63) with the optical fiber.

Abstract: A rotating optical coupler for coupling optical signals from a first set of rotating optical conductors to a second set of stationary optical conductors includes a plurality of annular lenses, each of which is optically associated with one of the optical conductors of the first set. The lenses are nested one inside another to form a lens assembly oriented in a plane perpendicular to optical axes of the lenses. A rotating holder supports each of the conductors of the first set in parallel orientation with respect to an optical axis of a central one of the annular lenses with each conductor being positioned at a different radial distance from the optical axis of the central lens. Ends of the conductors are positioned to direct light rays at a corresponding one of the annular lenses. A second stationary holder supports ends of each of the conductors of the second set at a focal point of a respective one of the annular lenses.

Abstract: A submersible lens fiberoptic assembly for PDT treatment includes an optical fiber, a fiber jacket, a ball lens made of zirconia and a housing. This fiberoptic assembly is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and has a high quality of output light beam. A submersible lens fiberoptic assembly for PDT treatments is also disclosed which uses a hemisphere ball lens for treatment of areas inaccessible to a normal "forward looking" lens.

Abstract: There is presented a fiber-optic bundle and collimator assembly comprising plurality of bodies of cylindrical configuration and of equal diameter arranged side by side in a hexagonal close-packed configuration, a retainer for retaining the bodies in the close-packed configuration, and a potting material for locking the bodies in position. A plurality of the bodies and fiber-optic ferrules have therein a single optical fiber. A remainder of the bodies are non-optical fiber bearing ferrules in alignment width-wise of the assembly to form a collimator assembly face. The fiber-optic ferrules are each recessed from the assembly face to form a pocket. A spacer is disposed in each pocket and abuts a fiber-optic ferrule, and a spherical lens is disposed in each pocket and abuts a spacer. Each of the lenses is of the same diameter as its associated fiber-optic ferrule, and has its axis in alignment with the axis of the associated fiber-optic ferrule optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic corporate power divider/combiner for use in fiber optic systems is provided. When functioning as an optical divider, the invention includes a dielectric lens for converting incoming optical energy from a divergent spherical wave to a plane wave. A micro-lens array in optical alignment with the dielectric lens functions to partition and focus the plane wave to provide a coherent phase optical dot pattern. A fiber bundle is provided to receive and uniformly distribute the coherent phase optical dot pattern. When functioning as an optical combiner, the invention includes the micro-lens array to convert an incoming coherent phase optical dot pattern from a plurality of divergent spherical waves to a plane wave. The dielectric lens optically aligned with the micro-lens array receives and converts the plane wave to a convergent spherical wave and a single optical fiber receives and transforms the convergent spherical wave into parallel rays for transmission.

Abstract: A method of making an opto-electronic component (13) comprises inserting a pre-assembled device carrier (1) into a mould, filling the mould (2) with light and/or thermally curable material, optically aligning the device assembly and, on achieving optical alignment, at least partially curing the material.