Abstract: A photonic crystal is configured with wavelength converting material to act as a concentrator for electromagnetic energy. The concentrator may also be configured with energy conversion devices to convert the electromagnetic energy into another form of energy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an optical device, such as a connector or mode enlarger, and a method of fabricating the device. The disclosed device includes an optical medium having a first face for, e.g., permanent attachment to a waveguide, a second face for, e.g., a non-permanent connection, and a region between the first and second faces. A non-fiber, connector waveguide is disposed in the region to propagate the single-mode signal from the first face to the second face. The connector waveguide is optically matched to the waveguide at the first face to receive the single-mode signal carried by the waveguide. The connector waveguide includes a taper section such that the connector waveguide is enlarged at the second face to support an expanded beam of the single-mode signal for propagation through the non-permanent connection.

Abstract: An optical connector (10) comprises at least one optical guide (12) for carrying optical radiations; a total internal reflection surface (11) upon which, in use, said radiations impinge, so that the radiation in the optical guide is reflected by said surface towards an optical element (14) of the connector and means enabling the connector (10) to interlock with any other optical connector which is appropriately matingly configured.

Abstract: An optical device is made up of a glass substrate, an optical fiber array fixed to an upper portion of the glass substrate, a slit that extends from an upper surface of the optical fiber array into the glass substrate, a filter member inserted into the slit, and a resin filled in an interval between the slit and the filter member. An upper end of a light-incident surface of the filter member is positioned substantially in alignment with upper surfaces of the optical fibers, and an upper end of a light-exiting surface of the filter member is disposed at a position below the upper surfaces of the optical fibers.

Abstract: In order to enable coupling two multi-mode optical fibers with relatively high efficiencies while increasing the distance between lenses to be interposed as compared with the prior arts, with a device according to the present invention, a first condenser lens and a second condenser lens are arranged such that they are spaced apart from each other by four times the focal length and their optical center axes are coincident with each other. A first (second) multi-mode optical fiber is arranged such that it is spaced apart from the first (second) condenser lens by a distance larger than the focal length and the center axis of light emitted from the first (second) multi-mode optical fiber is substantially coincident with the optical center axis of the first (second) condenser lens.

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

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

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

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

Abstract: An optical performance monitor for measuring the performance of optical networks has an echelle grating for demultiplexing an input beam into a plurality of wavelengths that are focused onto an array of divided output waveguides. Each divided output waveguide is positioned to receive a corresponding demultiplexed wavelength from the echelle grating or other waveguide multiplexer device. The divided output waveguides laterally separate the corresponding demultiplexed wavelength into a first and second portions. A detector array is positioned to receive the respective portions of the demultiplexed wavelengths and by comparing their relative intensity it is possible to detect any drift in the nominal wavelengths of the channels.

Abstract: A mode coupler structure includes a discriminating structure that discriminates between various incoming modes from an input optical fiber structure. A waveguide structure is coupled to the discriminating structure that couples light not discriminated by the discriminating structure to an output optical fiber structure.

Abstract: A photoelectronic device capable of maintaining the degree of freedom in designing for dealing with design changes and responding to producing a variety of kinds in a small amount, and the production method are provided: wherein a light emitting element for emitting a light to be a clock signal, a semiconductor chip provided with light receiving portions for receiving the light, and an optical waveguide sheet formed to be a sheet, wherein an outer circumference of a core is covered with a clad, adhered to said semiconductor chip are provided; and the optical waveguide sheet is configured to be irradiated at a light incident portion of a core with a light from the light emitting element and includes one or more T-shaped branch having a vertical opening portion having a vertical inner wall, which is vertical with respect to the direction within a surface of the optical waveguide sheet and becomes a mirror surface for dividing and reflecting the light, and a sloping opening portion having a sloping inner wall, w

Abstract: An infrared transceiver module for enabling a multiple direction infrared communication includes a transfer element for enlarging the working angles of infrared emission and reception of a transmitter and receiver portion. The transfer element has a surface area larger than the surface area of the transmitter and receiver portion. Infrared signal beam transmitting from the transmitter and receiver portion is repeatedly refracted by said transfer element and transmitted in multiple directions from the transfer element. Exterior signal beams coming to any portion of the transfer element are also repeatedly refracted by said transfer element and received by said transmitter and receiver portion. Therefore, a multiple direction infrared transmission and reception is obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to generally to semiconductor devices, for example lasers and more particularly to single frequency lasers and is directed at overcoming problems associated with the manufacture of these devices. In particular, a laser device is provided formed on a substrate having a plurality of layers (1,2,3,4,5), the laser device comprising at least one waveguide (for example a ridge) established by the selective removal of sections of at least one of the layers. The ridge (100;101) has at least one defect defining region (104), the at least one defect defining region of the ridge defining a defect in the ridge. The width of the ridge is greater in the at least one defect defining region of the ridge than in adjacent sections of the ridge.

Abstract: An optical waveguide such as an optical fiber extends across a semi-rigid substrate or optical back plane and is made of conformal materials having indices of refraction selected to provide substantially total internal reflection of light transmitted within a core. An optical pin is made of substantially rigid optically transmissive materials. A receptacle in the substrate or optical backplane removably receives and holds the optical pin to allow a beveled terminal end of the pin to penetrate the core of the optical fiber to establish a gap-less interface that provides an optical path between the core and the pin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for monitoring each of the propagated light beams that are propagated in each waveguide of an arrayed waveguide device and a method of fabricating the device. In the prior art, problems were encountered in deriving monitor light and photodetecting the derived monitor light within the waveguide substrate. In the present invention, waveguide directional couplers are formed in the spaces between the arrayed waveguides to derive a portion of the propagated light as monitor light. Cavities are provided at the ends of auxiliary waveguides connected to the directional couplers, and monitor light is guideded into these cavities. The monitor light, after being reflected upward or downward of the substrate by optical path conversion elements installed inside the cavities, is photodetected by photodiodes. The optical path conversion elements can be fabricated by inserting metal bumps into the cavities and then forming the bumps with a mold.

Abstract: An optical waveguide to fiber coupler comprises a substrate, a first waveguide and a second waveguide. The first and second waveguides are formed on the substrate and intersect at a right angle. A diffraction grating structure is formed at the intersection of the first and second waveguides, such that, when the coupler is physically abutted with a single mode optical fiber, in operation, a polarization split is obtained that couples orthogonal modes from the single-mode optical fiber into single identical modes in the first and second waveguides. Also, employing the coupler in optical polarization diverse applications provides for implementing a polarization insensitive photonic integrated circuit using such diffraction grating structures, such as, for example, photonic crystals.

Abstract: The dual wavelength semiconductor laser source for an optical pickup includes: two semiconductor laser elements outputting laser beams having oscillating wavelengths different from each other; and a multiplexing waveguide, formed inside of a photonic crystal having a photonic band gap, having one output end outputting laser light at one end surface and two input ends at the other end surfaces. Output beams of the two semiconductor laser elements are coupled to the respective two input ends of the multiplexing waveguide and the two beams are outputted from the one output end of the multiplexing waveguide.

Abstract: A waveguide device has an input waveguide, a plurality of output waveguides, a channel waveguide array, an input slab waveguide, and an output slab waveguide. The output slab waveguide connects an output end of the channel waveguide array to the output waveguide, and has optical input/output characteristics set to given ratios for the output waveguides with respect to the input waveguides. The waveguide device is capable of adjusting signal levels output from the respective waveguides without the need for circuit parts for compensating for loss differences and also the need for a process of highly accurately attaching parts.

Abstract: A re-connectable optical interface system and method for optically interconnecting and disconnecting optical devices utilizes an optical insert with a reflective element and an optical structure with a displaceable optically bridging element, which can be positioned between two waveguides of the optical structure, to optically connect the optical devices. The optical insert is a part of a first optical device, while the optical structure is a part of a second optical device. The optical insert and the optical structure can be interconnected to establish an optical connection between the optical insert of the first optical device and at least one of the waveguides of the second optical device. When the optical insert and the optical structure are not interconnected, the optically bridging element is positioned between the waveguides to provide an optical connection between the waveguides.

Abstract: An optical data throughput protection switch is provided which provides access to a data-carrying first optical path in a manner which protects the data from interference from equipment utilizing said access, and eliminates optical connectors along the first optical path. The protection switch includes a controlling means and a controllable switch which is optically coupled to the first optical path the termination of a second optical path. The controllable switch is controlled by the controlling means and functions to enable and disable optical coupling between the termination, of the second optical path and the first optical path. This may be effected in a manner that allows access to the first optical path when there is no data traffic thereon, and denies access thereto when data is present, resulting in data throughput on the first optical path being protected from signals of the second optical path.

Abstract: A photonic crystal drop filter apparatus and a method for tuning a photonic crystal drop filter. The photonic crystal drop filter has a photonic crystal having first waveguide for transmitting light having a frequency within a bandgap of the photonic crystal, and a second waveguide. The second waveguide is connected to the first waveguide by a resonant cavity for extracting at least one wavelength of the light transmitted by the first waveguide and redirecting the extracted light to the second waveguide. A tuning device is included in the apparatus to tune the wavelength of the extracted light over a full range of wavelengths. The apparatus is particularly suitable as an extraction device for optical communications systems such as a WDM communications system wherein it is necessary to extract one or more carrier signals from a plurality of carrier signals.

Abstract: A polarisation beam splitter (1) comprises a substrate (2) and a branched waveguide (3) formed on top of the substrate (2) and having a main portion (4) and two branch portions (5) and (6) with gradual splitting angles relative to the main portion (4) for conducting respective polarisation components along respective axes. One of the branch portions (5) is formed with a dielectric coating (7) in the region in which the branch portion (5) splits off from the main portion (4). The dielectric coating (7) serves to stress or de-stress the branch portion (5) in the region of the branching junction relative to the branch portion (6), such that different polarisation components in the main portion (4) are split apart along respective branch portions (5) and (6) by the resulting differential birefringence. Such an arrangement, which may also be applied to a combiner, is advantageous since it provides efficient splitting of polarisation components and is easily fabricated.

Abstract: An optical switch (100) includes a shell (40) forming an input port (10) and first and second output ports (50, 60) with an optical switching subassembly enclosed therein between the input port and the output ports. The optical switch subassembly includes two light transmitting blocks (21, 22) having surfaces spaced from and opposing each other. Two light transmitting liquid sections having a refractive index substantially identical to that of the blocks are movably retained between the surfaces. The liquid sections are spaced from each other forming an air section therebetween. A piezoelectric element (31) is in physical engagement with the liquid sections.

Abstract: An optical coupling component including at least one double sheath optical fiber for transverse optical coupling with a semiconductor diode, wherein the diode is a multimode semiconductor diode and the optical fiber and the diode are integrated in a hermetic housing to form a hybrid component also including a metal platen supporting the diode.

Abstract: An optical waveguide such as an optical fiber extends across a semi-rigid substrate or optical back plane and is made of conformal materials having indices of refraction selected to provide substantially total internal reflection of light transmitted within a core. An optical pin is made of substantially rigid optically transmissive materials. A receptacle in the substrate or optical backplane removably receives and holds the optical pin to allow a beveled terminal end of the pin to penetrate the core of the optical fiber to establish a gap-less interface that provides an optical path between the core and the pin.

Abstract: A re-connectable optical interface system and method for optically interconnecting and disconnecting optical devices utilizes an optical insert with a reflective element and an optical structure with a displaceable optically bridging element, which can be positioned between two waveguides of the optical structure, to optically connect the optical devices. The optical insert is a part of a first optical device, while the optical structure is a part of a second optical device. The optical insert and the optical structure can be interconnected to establish an optical connection between the optical insert of the first optical device and at least one of the waveguides of the second optical device. When the optical insert and the optical structure are not interconnected, the optically bridging element is positioned between the waveguides to provide an optical connection between the waveguides.

Abstract: An optical repeating device with a monitoring function comprises first optical propagation means for propagating a lightwave signal through an optical transmission line, second optical propagation means butted against the first optical propagation means, for propagating the lightwave signal, optical branching means provided on a butting face between the first optical propagation means, and the second optical propagation means, and photodetection means. All the means described are assembled into a housing, and integrated therewith. Consequently, it is possible to downsize the optical repeating device with the monitoring function. A large portion of the lightwave signal propagated between the first optical propagation means and the second optical propagation means is allowed to pass through the optical branching means, however, a portion of the lightwave signal is reflected in a given direction by the optical branching means.

Abstract: An optical bus for distributing optical signals. In one form, the optical bus comprises an optical fiber comprising an integrated array of thermal switches at predetermined intervals. In another form, the optical bus comprises an optical fiber comprising an integrated array of optical beam splitters at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: The dual wavelength semiconductor laser source for an optical pickup includes: two semiconductor laser elements outputting laser beams having oscillating wavelengths different from each other; and a multiplexing waveguide, formed inside of a photonic crystal having a photonic band gap, having one output end outputting laser light at one end surface and two input ends at the other end surfaces. Output beams of the two semiconductor laser elements are coupled to the respective two input ends of the multiplexing waveguide and the two beams are outputted from the one output end of the multiplexing waveguide.

Abstract: An optical switch includes a casing in which a fixed first crystal element having a first surface and a moveable second crystal element sharing the same refracting index with the first crystal element and having a second surface corresponding to the first surface of the first crystal element are arranged. A driving device selectively drives the second crystal element to move relative to the first crystal element between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the second surface of the second crystal element abuts against the first surface of the first crystal element, to allow a light beam transmitting into the first crystal element to pass through the second crystal element without substantial reflection.

Abstract: A fiber optic right angle transition is formed via anisotropic etching of single crystal silicon. The fiber optic right angle transition includes a substantially planar mirror surface, a first V-groove, and a second V-groove, each formed in a silicon substrate. The first V-groove, along a first longitudinal axis, and the second V-groove, along a second longitudinal axis, are at right angles to one another. The mirror surface is substantially planar and intersects both the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis at an angle of 45 degrees. The first and second V-grooves are each adapted to receive an optical fiber. The optical signal exits one optical fiber, is reflected by the mirror and enters the other optical fiber, thereby effecting a right angle transition.

Abstract: A rib waveguide structure comprising a layer (4) of light conductive material defined between two planar faces with a rib (9) formed on one of the faces and an optical component e.g. a tapered waveguide (6) optically coupled to the other face. An inverted rib waveguide comprising a light conductive layer (11) and a rib (10) that projects from the light conductive layer (11) into a substrate (4,8) is also described as well as other optical devices comprising a light conductive layer separated from a substrate by a non-planar layer (3) of light confining material and optical devices comprising two or more layers (2, 3; 18, 19, 20) of light confining material buried within a rib with a light conducting component (10; 17; 22) at least a part of which is formed between planes defined by the two layers of light confining material. A method of forming such devices is also described.

Abstract: An optical fiber tap for transferring optical energy out of an optical fiber having an optical fiber with a short tapered section for coupling optical energy into cladding modes, and a surrounding glass body fused to the optical fiber with the glass body having a polished surface positioned at an angle so as to reflect, by total internal reflection, cladding mode energy away from the optical fiber. An additional glass encapsulating tube is fused to and hermetically seals the glass body and tapered fiber section. For use in an optical power monitor, the optical fiber tap is integrated into a standard electronic package containing a photodiode to convert the tapped-out optical energy into an electrical signal representing the optical energy carried by the optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical cavity structure for bending optical signals is provided. The optical cavity structure includes an input port for receiving input optical signals from a first waveguide. The optical cavity structure also includes an interconnecting structure that receives said input optical signals and interconnects said first waveguide to a second waveguide, the interconnecting structure further includes at least four straight edges that orthogonal and of a finite width. The optical cavity structure further includes an output port coupled to the interconnecting structure for providing the second waveguide with the input optical signals. Further, the optical cavity structure may be used to create three dimensional splitter devices and resonators.

Abstract: The most common method of testing the various aspects of light traveling in a waveguide includes tapping a portion of the light and directing the tapped portion at an appropriate sensor. Conventionally, the simplest method for tapping light utilized a fused fiber coupler; however, even this method requires additional fiber splicing and management steps that increase manufacturing costs. The present invention uses a beam splitter, positioned inside a centerpiece sleeve in the path of the light, to direct a portion of the beam through the wall of the centerpiece sleeve to a monitoring sensor, preferably a photodiode. The centerpiece sleeve includes a window, which is at least partially transparent to the light, enabling the tapped portion of the light to reach the monitoring sensor. Preferably, the centerpiece sleeve is manufactured entirely out of glass.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is formed in an integrated optics chip that includes a substrate formed of an electrooptically active material. The optical waveguide network has an input facet where optical signals may be input to the optical waveguide network and an output facet where optical signals may be output from the optical waveguide network. A structure is located in an upper layer of the substrate to prevent surface waves that propagate in the substrate from cross coupling into the output facet.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed that provide for simultaneously upconverting electrical signals carrying information at electric frequencies onto optical subcarrier lightwave frequencies that are greater and less than the carrier frequency of the lightwave onto which the electrical frequencies were upconverted. The upconversion of the electrical signals can be performed with or without suppression of the optical carrier frequency.

Abstract: A non-reciprocal optical device mapping a series of optical input/output signal waveguides to a corresponding series of optical input/output signal waveguides, the device comprising: a series of spaced apart input/output waveguides; a reflective imaging system for reflecting and focussing light emitted from the input/output waveguides; a plurality of crystal elements between the input/output waveguides and the reflective imaging means; at least one non-reciprocal polarization rotation element; wherein light emitted from a first input/output waveguide is transmitted to a second input/output waveguide in a polarization independent manner and light emitted from the second input/output waveguide is transmitted away from the first input/output waveguide.

Abstract: A waveguide element is capable of realizing acute waveguide discontinuity, such as a right angle bending, (L-shaped bending) or branching (T-shaped branching). Two single mode waveguides having the identical cross-sectional structure form a waveguide discontinuity where center axes thereof extending in the longitudinal direction intersect with each other at an angle &thgr; (0<&thgr;<90°). A leaky wave propagation region in a form of a quadrilateral shape having a length of one edge of L is located in the vicinity of a point where the center axes extended in the longitudinal directions of respective incident side and side single mode waveguides, with an effective propagation wavelength of a dominant mode there of to be cos(&thgr;/2) times of an effective propagation wavelength &lgr;G. Thus, an energy of the wave launched from an incident end of the single mode waveguide can be efficiently taken out from a end of the single mode waveguide.

Abstract: Through silicon optical modulators (TSOM) formed in a silicon integrated circuit comprise a grating array of MOSFET elements. The TSOM's provide optical phase shifts from different areas which contrast with one another coherently. Phase modulated optical beams reflected from the grating interfere with one another and allow the modulation to be easily detected off-chip. In one embodiment, a two dimensional array has a gate structure which is used to modulate a light beam by forming accumulation layers. In another embodiment, a one dimensional array is formed using parallel gate strips, where alternate gates are used as reference reflectors.

Abstract: An integrated optical waveguide with an end face, the end face being provided on an end portion with a greater width than the waveguide, e.g. in the form of a T-bar provided at the end of the waveguide, whereby the rounding effect produced by the manufacturing process, e.g. etching, used to form the end face does not affect the flatness of the portion of the end face through which light is transmitted. The T-bar is preferably inclined so the normal of the end face is inclined to the optical axis of the waveguide to reduce back reflection therefrom. A plurality of waveguides may terminate in a common T-bar.

Abstract: A non-reciprocal optical device mapping a series of optical input/output signal waveguides to a corresponding series of optical input/output signal waveguides, the device comprising: a series of spaced apart input/output waveguides; a reflective imaging system for reflecting and focussing light emitted from the input/output waveguides; a plurality of crystal elements between the input/output waveguides and the reflective imaging means; at least one non-reciprocal polarization rotation element; wherein light emitted from a first input/output waveguide is transmitted to a second input/output waveguide in a polarization independent manner and light emitted from the second input/output waveguide is transmitted away from the first input/output waveguide.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplex transmission system has an optical fiber trunk (12) with one or more branching units (18) each providing an add/drop channel (22, 20). In the branch, components are provided for pre-dispersing the wavelength of the add channel, prior to route to the trunk (12), with a dispersion characteristic of opposite sign to the dispersion occurring in the trunk, thereby to compensate for dispersion of that wavelength occurring along the trunk.

Abstract: An optical device includes a substrate formed of an electrooptic material, a waveguide formed in the substrate, an electrically conductive film formed over at least a portion of the waveguide and a source of DC voltage electrically connected to the film for thermally inducing a change in the optical refractive index of the substrate of the optical device.

Abstract: In an optic fiber, different first and second optical signals are transmitted through optic fiber in the first direction. The first optical signal may be infrared, whereas the second optical signal may be visible, so as to provide a visible indication that optical energy is propagating through the optic fiber. The optic fiber is connected to an optical system that includes a transceiving GRIN lens, a receiving GRIN lens and a plurality of transmitting GRIN lenses that are smaller than the receiving GRIN lens. The transceiving GRIN lens has opposite first and second ends, collimates optical signals propagating therethrough and emitted via the first end, and focuses optical signals propagating therethrough and emitted via the second end. The receiving GRIN lens has opposite first and second ends, and focuses optical signals propagating therethrough and emitted via the second end thereof.

Abstract: A compact “T” switch for use in a waveguide communication system switch includes a housing, a rotor, and a motor. The housing includes a pair of ends and an interconnecting sidewall enclosing a cylindrical cavity. One of the housing ends including an entry port, and the sidewall includes a plurality circumferentially spaced exit ports. The rotor is rotatably disposed within the housing cylindrical cavity, and includes an input end having an input port aligned with the housing entry port and an outer surface having a plurality of output ports for alignment with the housing exit ports. The rotor includes a primary or first passage connecting the input port to one of the output ports and further includes at least one secondary passages connecting a pair of the output ports.

Abstract: An Integrated Optics Chip with improved performance when exposed to rapidly changing temperature is disclosed. The optic chip or integrated optic chip or MIOC has a top surface, a +Z face and -Z face. The chip is formed from a crystal having a high electro-optic coefficient such as Lithium Niobate. For the purpose of orienting the components to the optic chip to be described, the +Z crystal axis extends outward from the +Z face. An input waveguide formed in the top surface of the chip and orthogonal to the +Z axis receives an optical signal from an input port, passes the signal via a waveguide network, to an output waveguide coupling the waveguide network to an output port. Metalization is applied to the top face of the optic chip to form at least a first and a second rail. The first and second rails are positioned to very closely straddle a portion of the input waveguide.

Abstract: One or more continuous optical wave guides are disposed on a substrate. A partial light transfer is effected by a reflective face which deflects the light out of the continuous optical wave guide and into a branching optical wave guide disposed at an angle to it, or vice versa. To that end, a protrusion is formed on the substrate, which at least partially penetrates into the jacket face of the optical wave guide and which defines the reflective face within the cross section of the optical wave guide core.

Abstract: An optical waveguide of an optical deflector comprising a planar optical waveguide or an optical fiber type optical waveguide is cut while perpendicularly pressing a blade having a blade tip with an angle of inclination against the optical waveguide at a desired location thereof to form an oblique end face serviceable as an oblique end face mirror.