Abstract: An optical distributor includes an optical-signal input port, a light receiving device, a light emitting device, a light splitter, and optical signal output ports. The light receiving device converts an optical light signal input to the optical-signal input port into an electric signal. The light emitting device converts the electric signal into an optical signal. The optical splitter 14 splits the converted optical signal into two optical signals. The optical-signal output ports output the split optical signals. The light receiving device includes a light receiving element, a pre-amplifier, and a limiting amplifier. The light emitting device includes a light-source drive element and a light emitting element.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a band-processing optical fibre filter having a center wavelength &lgr;0′, the method comprises (i) radius-reducing a mismatched multi-core optical fibre having a core phase matching wavelength (before radius reduction) of &lgr;0 and a radius (before radius reduction) of a0, to a reduced radius Ra0, where R=&lgr;0′/&lgr;0; and (ii) providing light input and output connections to a section of the radius-reduced multi-core fibre so that input light is launched into one of the cores of the multi-core fibre section and output light emerges from one of the cores of the multi-core fibre section.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring optical transmitter signals are described. In one aspect, an optical transmitter system includes a feedback block, an optical substrate, a source of input light within an operative wavelength range, and a detector. The feedback block is substantially transparent to light within the operative wavelength range and includes an optical fiber side having a light output and one or more reflectors, and an optical substrate side. The optical substrate is substantially transparent to light within the operative wavelength range. The optical substrate includes a device side having a light input, and a feedback block side that is coupled to the optical substrate side of the feedback block. The feedback block side has a splitter that is operable to split light that is received from the device side light input into an output beam that is directed toward the light output of the feedback block and a light sample that is directed toward a feedback block reflector.

Abstract: A Tapped Optical-Fibers Processor (TOP) for correlation and autocorrelation facilitates the processing if radar and SAR (synthetic aperture radar) signals, allowing fine resolution to be obtained without fast front-end sampling while significantly reducing digital computational burdens. Particularly in conjunction with radar signal processing, the input signal may be composed of the sum of at least two or more signals, in which case the output may include the autocorrelations of both inputs as well as the generation of a cross-correlation of the two autocorrelations.

Abstract: A directional integrated optical power monitor is disclosed. The power monitor includes an unbroken portion of a conventional optical fiber through which optical energy can propagate. The portion of optical fiber included in the power monitor has material removed from the cladding, generally by side polishing, to expose a side surface through which at least some of the optical energy leaks or can be extracted. A bulk material, such as a polymer or glass overlay, is positioned over the polished side surface of the fiber, and the bulk material has an index of refraction higher than the effective mode index of refraction of the fiber optic. A photodetector is positioned at the place of maximum optical signal strength to capture the extracted optical energy. The directional integrated optical power monitor can also be used in an assembly to provide a device that is hermetically sealed.

Abstract: A fiber tap with configurable wavelength and polarization sensitivities and which may include a fiber connector is described. In one embodiment, light reflected from an interface between a pair of fibers is reflected into a photodetector with the option of an intermediate light pipe. In another embodiment, light reflected from an interface between a pair of fiber sections is reflected into an etched opening. The opening is filled with an index matching material and includes a mirrored surface. The reflected light is directed from the mirrored surface to a photodetector. In each embodiment, an assembly technique for tapping arrays of several fibers is supported.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical power splitter that can minimize the chip size with its manufacturing cost. The optical power splitter has one input optical waveguide and N output optical waveguides and splits an optical signal incident from the input optical waveguide into N optical signals. The optical power splitter includes at least two optical splitters having a structure of a planar lightwave circuit element and arranged apart from one another at predetermined intervals in a single chip, and an alignment waveguide for aligning the input and output optical waveguides of the plurality of optical splitters.

Abstract: A fused optical coupler has a PM and a non-PM fiber with equal clad diameters. The fibers are plaited together without applying torsional force on either fiber, fused and stretched to a degree resulting in a tap ratio not more than 10% and PER higher than about 20 dB.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect with integrated optical signal tap is disclosed. In one embodiment, the switch includes two or more optical fiber input ports, lenses to produce collimated beams, one or more optical taps to couple a portion of the optical power from one or more input ports to one or more sample ports, movable mirrors to connect any input port with any output port, two or more optical fiber output ports, and lens to couple collimated beams into the output ports.

Abstract: A micromechanical optical switch structure, that may be integrated to form an array of optical switches, switches light between a main waveguide and a switched waveguide. The switched waveguide has a coupling portion and two flexible portions and is coupled to a movable cantilever arm. The cantilever arm is configured to move at least the coupling portion of the switched waveguide between first and second positions with respect to the main waveguide. In the first position, the switched waveguide is evanescently coupled to the main waveguide and in the second position, the switched waveguide is not evanescently coupled to the main waveguide. The movable cantilever arm may be formed with bimaterial arms that move the switched waveguide in response to heat or a piezoelectric potential being applied to the arm or they may be formed with an electrostatic plate that moves the arms in response to an electrostatic potential.

Abstract: The invention involves providing a microstructured fiber having a core region, a cladding region, and one or more axially oriented elements (e.g., capillary air holes) in the cladding region. A portion of the microstructured fiber is then treated, e.g., by heating and stretching the fiber, such that at least one feature of the fiber microstructure is modified along the propagation direction, e.g., the outer diameter of the fiber gets smaller, the axially oriented elements get smaller, or the axially oriented elements collapse. The treatment is selected to provide a resultant fiber length that exhibits particular properties, e.g., mode contraction leading to soliton generation, or mode expansion. Advantageously, the overall fiber length is designed to readily couple to a standard transmission fiber, i.e., the core sizes at the ends of the length are similar to a standard fiber, which allows efficient coupling of light into the microstructured fiber length.

Abstract: The invention involves providing a microstructured fiber having a core region, a cladding region, and one or more axially oriented elements (e.g., capillary air holes) in the cladding region. A portion of the microstructured fiber is then treated, e.g., by heating and stretching the fiber, such that at least one feature of the fiber microstructure is modified along the propagation direction, e.g., the outer diameter of the fiber gets smaller, the axially oriented elements get smaller, or the axially oriented elements collapse. The treatment is selected to provide a resultant fiber length that exhibits particular properties, e.g., mode contraction leading to soliton generation, or mode expansion. Advantageously, the overall fiber length is designed to readily couple to a standard transmission fiber, i.e., the core sizes at the ends of the length are similar to a standard fiber, which allows efficient coupling of light into the microstructured fiber length.

Abstract: Techniques for optically sampling the output of a Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulator without interfering the output optical signal.

Abstract: Optical systems are provided. A representative optical system includes an optical transceiver with an optical source and an optical receiver. The system also includes an optical bus. At least one of the optical source and the optical receiver is optically coupled to an intermediate portion of the optical bus. The optical source provides optical signals for propagation by the optical bus, and the optical receiver detects optical signals differentially. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: The optical fiber tap establishes optical communication between a branch optical fiber and a main optical fiber and includes a housing, a serpentine main channel and a branch channel. The main channel is defined in the housing and is shaped to accommodate part of the main optical fiber. The main channel includes a coupling curve portion shaped to define a main coupling curve in the main optical fiber. The branch channel is also defined in the housing and is shaped to accommodate part of the branch optical fiber. The branch channel communicates with the main channel at the coupling curve portion of the main channel. Optical signals couple laterally between the main optical fiber located in the main channel and the branch optical fiber located in the branch channel. Optical communication between the optical fibers is therefore established.

Abstract: A device for generating an electrical signal that is a function of the optical power in an optical fiber. The device is comprised of a support substrate, a fused, bi-conically-tapered splitter-coupler, and a glass bead securing an optical fiber extending from the splitter-coupler to the substrate. An opening in the glass bead forms a gap in the optical fiber. A light-sensitive device is disposed in the opening to receive light traveling through the optical fiber from the splitter-coupler.

Abstract: A power monitor for a light emitter uses an absorptive material placed in the path of the application beam. The absorptive has a measurable characteristics thereof altered by an intensity of the light beam, the absorptive material being thin enough to allow a portion of the light beam sufficient for a desired application to be passed to the desired application. Preferably, an anti-reflective coating is placed between the absorptive material and the light emitting device. The absorptive material may be formed directly on the light emitting device or may be formed on or integrated with a spacer.

Abstract: A power and communications assembly including a housing removably mountable to a worksurface, at least one electrical power receptacle at least partially contained in the housing and an optical splitting device configured to split one optical bi-directional signal into a plurality of additional optical bi-directional signals, the optical splitting device substantially within the housing.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an optical monitoring and access module comprises an optical circuit including: (i) at least two optical ports, (ii) a first optical tap, (iii) at least one optical sensor optically coupled to said first optical tap; and (iv) at least one position for at least one additional optical component, which when placed in said position, would be connected to said first optical tap.

Abstract: An integrated photonic apparatus that includes a glass substrate having a major surface, a first waveguide segment and a second waveguide segment, and a optical tap or port that extracts a portion of the light from the first waveguide segment into the second waveguide segment, and emits that light from a surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, a wavelength-selective evanescent coupler and/or a wavelength-selective optical diffraction grating perform a selection of one or more wavelengths to exit from the port.

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: Optical devices and methods for attenuating, shuttering, or switching optical signals as found in telecommunications. A platform carrying a portion of a waveguide and residing in a plane of a substrate is tipped, tilted, twisted, or otherwise moved out of the plane of the substrate to divert the path of an optical signal or to change coupling between adjacent waveguides. The platform can be formed by etching a substrate while leaving one or more connection points between the platform and the substrate to hold the platform to the substrate.

Abstract: To provide an optical device and method for manufacturing the same that allow a reduction in size and the easy fabrication of an optical splitter or an optical coupler with which the branching ratio or the coupling ratio can be dynamically changed after device production. An optical device is provided with a photonic crystal having a periodic refractive index distribution due to a periodic arrangement of a plurality of materials of different refractive indices, an input-side optical waveguide for making light incident on the photonic crystal, and an output-side optical waveguide for emitting light from the photonic crystal, and further includes an external drive portion for changing a relative position of the photonic crystal and at least one of the input-side optical waveguide and the output-side optical waveguide, thereby allowing a small, high-performance optical device to be achieved.

Abstract: An optical fiber tap for transferring optical energy out of an optical fiber comprising an optical fiber having an annealed microbend for coupling optical energy into cladding modes, a reflecting surface formed in cladding of the fiber and positioned at an angle for reflecting by total internal reflection, cladding mode energy away from the optical fiber. For use in an optical power monitor, the optical fiber tap is integrated into a standard electronic package containing a photodiode which converts tapped-out optical energy into an electrical signal representing the optical energy carried by the optical fiber.

Abstract: A waveguide to waveguide monitor includes an optics block between the two waveguides. The optics block couples light between the two waveguides and includes at least two parallel surfaces. The monitor also has an optical tap which creates a monitor beam. The optics block may be flush with the endfaces of the waveguides, even if the endfaces are angled. At least two optical elements needed to couple the light between the two optical waveguides and direct the monitor beam on a detector are on the at least two parallel surfaces of the optics block and any surfaces secured thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor optical tap comprising: a multimode interferometer (MMI) (6); an input waveguide (1) coupled to the MMI; a first output waveguide (2) coupled to the MMI; and a second output waveguide (3) coupled to the MMI. The first and second output waveguides (2,3) overlap (d) such that unequal portions of light are coupled from the MMI into the first and second output waveguides (2,3). The input waveguide (1) and the first and second output waveguides (2,3) may have a rib structure. They may also be adiabatically tapered waveguides. The first and second output waveguides (2,3) may have different starting widths.

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: A signal analyzer is being developed that is based on a periodically tapped optical fiber. The spatial distribution of taps produces a waveform that is weighted by a spatial light modulator (SLM), optically Fourier transformed, and then detected with a video camera to continually display the power spectrum of the signal propagating in the fiber. Alternatively, a digital holographic technique can be implemented that avoids using a SLM. The analyzer resolution and bandwidth is dependent on the distribution and number of taps. Taps have been formed in the core of fibers using UV light. Both single step beamsplitter and localized phase grating taps have been generated. Bragg grating taps tilted at 45 degrees with respect to the fiber axis were generated in order to diffract light directly out of the side of the fiber.

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: An optical power monitor comprises a fiber and ferrule assembly telescopically embedded in a first glass tube enclosure and a collimating lens telescopically embedded in a second glass tube enclosure. The two glass tube enclosures are bonded together at their respective facing axial ends. The collimating lens is at a first end substantially adjacent the fiber and ferrule assembly. A second end of the lens is coated with a partially transmissive mirror surface for passing a portion of incident light to a photon detector which is bonded to the second glass tube enclosure.

Abstract: An integrated parallel transmitter includes an array of light sources, a corresponding array of diffractive elements splitting off a portion of the beam to be monitored, a corresponding array of power monitors for respectively monitoring each light source, and an array of couplers that couples light into a corresponding waveguide. The coupler is preferably a phase-matched coupler. All of the passive optical elements are integrated onto a single substrate or a plurality of substrates that have been bonded together on a wafer level.

Abstract: An optical modulator modulates light propagating in a three-dimensional optical waveguide 5 by applying a voltage on the waveguide. The modulator has a three dimensional optical waveguide 5 having at least a pair of branched portions 5b, 5c and a recombining portion 5f of the branched portions 5c, 5d and radiating light of off-mode, and a slab optical waveguide 4 guiding the light of off-mode. The modulator also has modulating electrodes 7A, 7B, 7C for applying a signal voltage and a direct current bias on the waveguide 5 to modulate light propagating in the waveguide 5. The modulator further has a photo detector 13 for detecting light radiated from the slab optical waveguide 4, and a controlling unit 15 for varying the direct current bias based on an output from the photo detector 13 so as to control the operational point of the modulator. According to the modulator, the operational point may be controlled with improved efficiency and stability.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated waveguide optical tap coupler, which includes an input waveguide, a tapered section, and a pair of output waveguides. The upper edges of the tapered section and one of the output waveguides defines an arc of a circle with a first radius, while the lower edges of the tapered section and the other output waveguide defines an arc of a circle with a second radius. The proximate ends of the two output waveguides are separated by a truncated wedge tip defining a distance S. With this arrangement excess loss is reduced by ensuring the wavefront is continuously tilted and the branching angles are very small.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical switching element causing less loss of light and permitting high response, thinning of an optical system for illumination, and the realization of an image display device exhibiting precise grayscale properties. In the optical switching element, an extraction surface of a light extraction unit mounted to a thin film is brought into contact with the total reflection surface of a light guide serving as a light guide unit comprising a glass plate or the like for transmitting light by total reflection, or near at a distance from the total reflection, surface for allowing extraction of evanescent waves, to extract the incident light transmitted through the light guide and emit the extracted light to the outside through an emission member.

Abstract: A monitor for a light beam creates a monitor beam by deflecting a portion of the application beam and further manipulating the monitor beam and/or the application beam to allow more efficient use thereof. For example, the monitor beam may be collimated to allow an increase in spacing between the device outputting the light beam and a detector for sensing the monitor beam. Alternatively or additionally, the monitor beam may be focused to allow use of a smaller detector and of a smaller percentage of the application beam. The diffractive element deflecting the beam may be either transmissive or reflective. The additionally manipulation of the monitor beam and/or the application beam may be provided by the same diffractive element which deflects the beam, which is particularly useful when the diffractive element is reflective, and/or by additional optical elements.

Abstract: A combined spectrometer/polarimeter device capable of being placed in-line in a WDM optical transmission system is provided. The combined device contains an optical waveguide, wavelength manipulating optics that include one or more wavelength dispersive elements formed in the waveguide, and polarization manipulating optics. The wavelength dispersive elements tap at least a portion of the propagating light from the waveguide, such that the tapped light is directed to or through at least a portion of the polarization manipulating optics. The presence of the wavelength dispersive element(s) allow monitoring of one or more channels present in the propagating light. Thus, the device is able to act as a spectrometer to determine the presence/intensity of channels in the WDM system. In addition, by inclusion of the polarization-manipulating optics, it is further possible to use the same in-line device to monitor polarization characteristics of each such channel (e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical power splitter that maximizes uniformity of the power split ratio, while minimizing the output differences between channels. The optical power splitter includes a semiconductor substrate; a core layered on the semiconductor substrate, functioning as a transmission medium for optical signals composed of multi-channels according to a wavelength, wherein the core comprises an input waveguide for receiving the optical signals and a plurality of output waveguides for outputting respective portions of the optical signals whose powers are split; a clad for encompassing the core; and a rectilinear assistant waveguide coupled between the input waveguide and a plurality of output waveguides, having a designated width and length to uniformize mode profiles of the multi-channels that are manifested on the output side edge of the rectilinear assistant waveguide.

Abstract: A tap-off capable of easily extending a hybrid fiber coaxial network without complicated cable handling and signal disruptions. The tap-off comprises a primary distributor connected to a directional coupler. Additional distributors are divergently connected to the primary distributor and include terminal distributors. Bridges are divergently connected to the terminal distributors, and an intermediate distributor is connected between the directional coupler and the primary distributor. The tap-off also has at least one extension port and at least one intermediate cable connecting the extension port with the intermediate distributor. Each bridge is connected to a drop cable for providing a signal to a subscriber. The intermediate distributor distributes the signal to the primary distributor and to the extension port. The tap-off further comprises an additional extension tap-off, which includes an input port connected to the extension port, distributors, and bridges.

Abstract: Since the bandwidth-intensive applications such as Internet access, electronic commerce, multimedia applications, and distributed computing are rapidly increasing the volume of telecommunication traffics, optical networks become an essential backbone of telecommunication networks. The optical networks have shown a superior performance/cost ratio for both long-haul and short-haul routes and the emerging dense wavelength division multiplexing and all-optical network technologies have promised a potential to improve speed, capacity and connectivity of telecommunication networks. The present invention provides a multifunctional intelligent optical module (IOM) by integrating a multitude of photonic, electronic, and micro mechanical elements into a single module.

Abstract: A MEMS-based adjustable mirror module allows faster, lower cost, and easier alignment of optical fibers in substrates. Movable mirrors formed on the substrate allow adjustment of the light path after the optical fiber is attached, after which the mirrors are affixed in place to prevent misalignment.

Abstract: A tap monitor including provisions to accommodate misalignment is disclosed. The tap monitor includes an optical coupler tuned to a desired optical splitting ratio. The light output of one of the output fibers or legs is directed to a sensor. The sensor resides in a hole in the substrate and is configured to absorb substantially all of the optical energy regardless of the precise alignment between the sensor and the fiber. Also disclosed are multiple tap monitors disposed in an array.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for the channel-dependent attenuation of the levels of a plurality of optical data channels which each transmit signals of a specific wavelength. The invention provides filter means (1), which split an input signal of the plurality of data channels between at least two optical paths (3, 4) in a wavelength-dependent manner, and attenuating means (2) on at least one of the optical paths (4), which attenuate the signal component of the corresponding path, the paths (3, 4) and signal components being recombined downstream of the attenuating means (2). The invention enables spectral-dependent attenuation of an input signal composed of a plurality of optical signals of different wavelength.

Abstract: An optical power combining system. The system may comprise: a means for splitting an optical source into multiple channels; amplifiers in the multiple channels; and waveguide couplers for coherently combining the multiple channels into a single output.

Abstract: The present invention is an optical signal device having transceiver elements and interference filters held in a transparent mounting structure. The interference filters are deposited onto prisms, and may be individually held in the mounting structure, or assembled together as a subassembly. The present invention is especially useful as a transceiver for local area network and fiber to the home applications.

Abstract: In general, an optical cross-connect switching system comprising a switch subsystem, an input/output (I/O) subsystem including a plurality of removable, I/O port modules, and a switch control subsystem featuring servo modules. These units collectively operate to provide optical data paths for routing of light signals without conversion from optical to electrical domains and back to optical. Also, the optical cross-connect switching system is scalable because the I/O port modules, servo modules and even features of the switch subsystem may be removed without disruption in system operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image sharpening in confocal microscopy or endoscopy observation, the method comprising: collecting true confocal return light from an observational field of an object; focussing the true confocal return light into a core of a fiber wave-guide; collecting near confocal return light from a volume partially overlapping the observational field; focussing the near confocal return light so as to be transmitted principally in a cladding of the fiber wave-guide; separately detecting the true confocal return light and the near confocal return light to produce a true confocal output signal and a near confocal output signal; and adjusting the true confocal output signal on the basis of the near confocal output signal to substantially eliminate from the true confocal output signal a component due to the near confocal output signal; whereby the effective volume of the observational field is reduced and the resolution is effectively increased.

Abstract: A tap coupler device for an optical array is formed either in a waveguide structure or in a V block in which a fiber array may be mounted. The tap coupler device may include a substrate with main and tap waveguides formed therein, and waveguide tap couplers formed in the substrate for diverting a portion of the optical signal from the main waveguides to corresponding tap waveguides. Another variation includes a substrate including waveguides, with the surface of the substrate where the waveguides end inclined to reflect a portion of the signals in the waveguides toward the top surface of the substrate. Yet another variation includes an input V block having input fibers. The surface of the V block where the input fibers terminate is inclined to reflect a portion of light signals from the input fibers toward the top surface of the V block.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microbend fiber optic coupler and a method of forming same. The microbend fiber optic coupler includes two pairs of pigtail ends oriented one beside the other and having a bent fused biconically tapered coupling region interposed therebetween.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic tap monitor has characteristics that are flatter over the wavelength range of interest. The polarization dependence of the characteristics of the tap monitor is reduced, and the package for the tap monitor is smaller. The tap monitor reduces the amount of light reflected back to the source. The tap monitor is also assembled in a manner to improve temperature stability, so that its characteristics over a range of temperatures are more nearly constant.

Abstract: An all optical fiber bit stream reader system for examining the data contents of an optical fiber involving the conversion of a temporal timing signal into a spatially located signal is provided. The invention generally comprises generating and detecting a signal indicating the presence of data, in a manner which is minimally destructive to the data.