Abstract: An optical assembly includes a waveguide assembly and an optical coupling element. The waveguide assembly includes a core, a cladding portion, and, preferably, at least two waveguide core fiducials, the at least two waveguide core fiducials and the core being lithographically formed substantially simultaneously in a substantially coplanar layer. The core and the at least two waveguide core fiducials are formed in a predetermined relationship with the cladding portion. The optical coupling element (for example, a lens array or mechanical transfer (MT) ferrule), includes an optical element and, preferably, at least two alignment features associated with the optical element, the at least two alignment features being mated with the at least two waveguide core fiducials to accurately position the optical element with respect to the core in an X-Y plane. A method of alignment is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus use a photonic-crystal fiber having a very large core while maintaining a single transverse mode. In some embodiments, the method and apparatus includes a photonic-crystal fiber or rod (PCF or PCR) optical device having a beam-expanding endcap formed, e.g., by collapsing or otherwise sealing holes of the PCF or PCR. In some fiber lasers and amplifiers having large cores problems exist related to energy being generated at multiple-modes (i.e., polygamy), and of mode hopping (i.e., promiscuity) due to limited control of energy levels and fluctuations. The problems of multiple-modes and mode hopping result from the use of large-diameter waveguides, and are addressed by the invention. This is especially true in lasers using large amounts of energy (i.e., lasers in the one-megawatt or more range).

Abstract: A composite body is joined together of at least two bodies (13, 16), wherein the first body (16) is a component—or monolithically comprises a component—with very stringent requirements on the precision of its surface (typically an optical component) and wherein the second body (13) can have the broadest diversity of functions, for example carrying parts of a position-measuring arrangement or optical surfaces. Each of the two bodies (13, 16) has at least one connecting surface area (21), and the at least two respective connecting surface areas (21) lie opposite each other. Within the at least one connecting surface area (21) of one of the two bodies (13, 16) or in the proximity of said connecting surface area (21), at least one constructive means is arranged for isolating the first body (16) and/or the second body (13) from deformation.

Abstract: A filter device is provided, including a first and second conductor tube and an outside tube. The first light conductor tube includes a first end for light input, a second end including a first slanted assembled end surface coated with a filter, a first tube, and a first light conductor inserted into the first capillary. The second light conductor tube includes a third end for light output, a fourth end including a second slanted assembled end surface, a second capillary, and a second light conductor inserted into the second capillary. The second assembled end of the fourth end is disposed next to and parallel to the first slanted assembled end surface of the second end of the first light conductor tube to coaxially couple to the first light conductor tube. The outside tube is jacketed outside of the first and second light conductor tubes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus use a photonic-crystal fiber having a very large core while maintaining a single transverse mode. In some fiber lasers and amplifiers having large cores problems exist related to energy being generated at multiple-modes (i.e., polygamy), and of mode hopping (i.e., promiscuity) due to limited control of energy levels and fluctuations. The problems of multiple-modes and mode hopping result from the use of large-diameter waveguides, and are addressed by the invention. This is especially true in lasers using large amounts of energy (i.e., lasers in the one-megawatt or more range). By using multiple small waveguides in parallel, large amounts of energy can be passed through a laser, but with better control such that the aforementioned problems can be reduced. An additional advantage is that the polarization of the light can be maintained better than by using a single fiber core.

Abstract: A fiber-optic coupler packaging including an internal encapsulation for encapsulating a fiber-optic coupler, the refraction index of the internal encapsulation is smaller than the refraction index of the fiber-optic coupler, and an external encapsulation, for encapsulating the internal encapsulation, the refraction index of the external encapsulation is greater than the refraction index of the internal encapsulation, the internal encapsulation and the external encapsulation are substantially transparent to the range of wavelengths of the light traveling inside the fiber-optic coupler.

Abstract: An optical fiber holder 7 which directs an angulated groove 6 in which an optical fiber 4 is disposed to a substrate 2 and overlays the angulated groove 6 on the substrate 2 may be formed first. Next, a guide 8 which guides the optical fiber holder 7 to the position where the optical fiber 4 and the optical device 3 are to be optically coupled to each other is formed on the substrate 2. Next, a 45-degree mirror is formed by dicing the optical fiber holder 7 and the optical fiber 4 together in a state in which the optical fiber 4 is disposed in the angulated groove 6. Finally, the optical fiber holder 7 is overlaid on the substrate 2, and the optical fiber holder 7 is guided by the guide 8.

Abstract: A method and apparatus use a photonic-crystal fiber having a very large core while maintaining a single transverse mode. In some fiber lasers and amplifiers having large cores problems exist related to energy being generated at multiple-modes (i.e., polygamy), and of mode hopping (i.e., promiscuity) due to limited control of energy levels and fluctuations. The problems of multiple-modes and mode hopping result from the use of large-diameter waveguides, and are addressed by the invention. This is especially true in lasers using large amounts of energy (i.e., lasers in the one-megawatt or more range). By using multiple small waveguides in parallel, large amounts of energy can be passed through a laser, but with better control such that the aforementioned problems can be reduced. An additional advantage is that the polarization of the light can be maintained better than by using a single fiber core.

Abstract: In a state in which a front end of a single-core fiber is passed through an end surface portion of a reinforcing pipe, an inner surface of the reinforcing pipe and an outer peripheral surface of the single-core fiber are glued together by means of adhesive. By using the same adhesive, an adhesive portion is formed by curing it so as to protrude and taper from the end surface portion of the reinforcing pipe toward the front end of the single-core fiber. Thereafter, a coated optical fiber formed with the adhesive portion is inserted in a ferrule until an end surface portion of the coating of the single-core fiber abuts against the first tapered hole and until the end surface portion of the reinforcing pipe abuts against the second tapered hole. Then, the optical fiber is glued in the ferrule by means of adhesive.

Abstract: Optical fiber interconnection devices, which can take the form of a module, are disclosed that include an array of optical fibers and multi-fiber optical-fiber connectors, for example, a twenty-four-port connector or multiples thereof, and three eight-port connectors or multiples thereof. The array of optical fibers is color-coded and is configured to optically interconnect the ports of the twenty-four-port connector to the three eight-port connectors in a manner that preserves transmit and receive polarization. In one embodiment, the interconnection devices provide optical interconnections between twenty-four-fiber optical connector configurations to eight-fiber optical connector configurations, such as from twenty-four-fiber line cards to eight-fiber line cards, without having to make structural changes to cabling infrastructure. In one aspect, the optical fiber interconnection devices provide a migration path from duplex optics to parallel optics.

Abstract: Optical fiber interconnection devices, which can take the form of a module, are disclosed that include an array of optical fibers and multi-fiber optical-fiber connectors, for example, two twelve-port connectors or multiples thereof, and three eight-port connectors or multiples thereof. The array of optical fibers is color-coded and is configured to optically interconnect the ports of the two twelve-port connectors to the three eight-port connectors in a manner that preserves transmit and receive polarization. In one embodiment, the interconnection devices provide optical interconnections between twelve-fiber optical connector configurations to eight-fiber optical connector configurations, such as from twelve-fiber line cards to eight-fiber line cards, without having to make structural changes to cabling infrastructure. In one aspect, the optical fiber interconnection devices provide a migration path from duplex optics to parallel optics.

Abstract: Optical components are flip chip mounted onto a substrate for improved alignment. Each device is fabricated using “build-up” layers above a substrate. Each has an optical confinement region in which optical radiation travels in use, and a bonding surface. The overall depth of the layers above the optical confinement region is closely controlled during fabrication, for instance by the use a “spacer” layer, so that when the devices are subsequently flip chip mounted adjacent one another on a shared substrate by means of their bonding surfaces, they can be passively positioned so that their optical confinement regions abut and optical radiation can be coupled from one to the next in use.

Abstract: An optical module is configured with a combination of a single-mode oscillating light source and an optical filter. In this optical module, the single-mode oscillating light source outputs a single-mode, frequency-modulated signal. Further, the optical filter converts the frequency modulation to an amplitude modulation. And, the single-mode oscillating light source and the optical filter are packaged without active alignment on the same substrate. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an optical module in a simple and low-cost configuration by packaging the single-mode oscillating light source and the optical filter by passive alignment, without active alignment, on the same substrate, and by using a simple optical filter such as a waveguide ring resonator, which converts a frequency modulation to an amplitude modulation.

Abstract: A hybrid, wide angle imaging system combines high sensitivity superposition arrays with a high resolution apposition array to generate distortion free images with an infinite depth of field. A conformal, superposition array of Keplerian telescope objectives focuses multiple apertures of light through the tubes of a louver baffle. The baffle tubes are terminated by field stops that separate the focused light into inverted, intermediate sub-images. A superposition array of field lenses, positioned immediately after the field stops, reverses the angles of the light beams. An apposition array of erector lenses, linked optically to the superposition arrays and field stops, refocuses and adjoins the beams into a single, upright image. The upright image is formed on the convex surface of a fiber optic imaging taper, which transfers the image to the flat bottom of the taper where it can be viewed through an eyepiece or digitized by a detector array.

Abstract: An optical splitter has an optical chip, in which a conductor track is arranged on a carrier substrate, wherein a conductor track section of the conductor track running from a first side of the chip branches into different conductor track sections which run to a second side of the chip via a plurality of branching nodes. An optical waveguide section of an optical waveguide is bonded at the first side of the chip by means of an adhesive material. Correspondingly, optical waveguide sections are bonded on the second side of the chip by means of an adhesive material. In order to reinforce the fixing, glass plates are arranged over and under the optical waveguides, said glass plates being bonded to the optical chip at the respective lateral surfaces.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a waveguide assembly and an optical coupling element. The waveguide assembly includes a core, a cladding portion, and, preferably, at least two waveguide core fiducials, the at least two waveguide core fiducials and the core being lithographically formed substantially simultaneously in a substantially coplanar layer. The core and the at least two waveguide core fiducials are formed in a predetermined relationship with the cladding portion. The optical coupling element (for example, a lens array or mechanical transfer (MT) ferrule), includes an optical element and, preferably, at least two alignment features associated with the optical element, the at least two alignment features being mated with the at least two waveguide core fiducials to accurately position the optical element with respect to the core in an X-Y plane A method of alignment is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided an optical module for coupling with a fiber optic cable through an optical connector, including a module body connectable with a plug of the optical connector by a dedicated guide pin, with a side surface of the module body being opposed to a mating surface of the connector plug at which an end face of the fiber optic cable is exposed, and an optical element mounted to the module body and having an optical axis brought into alignment with an optical axis of the fiber optic cable upon fitting of the guide pin into the module body and the connector plug.

Abstract: A connector includes a connector portion and one or more pads embedded in the connector portion and coupled to circuit paths, wherein the pads adjoin the surface of the connector portion and are exposed, and the connector portion is joined to a part by a joining mechanism. The circuit paths may comprise either, copper, brass, gold, aluminum, fiber optic material or any other material that is electrically or optically conductive. The connector portion is adjoined to the part via an joining mechanism such as, for example, nailing, soldering, pinning, welding, clamping, mating or gluing. One or more embedded pads may be embedded in a composite connector so that the embedded pads are present on one or more surfaces of the composite connector, and are connected to circuit paths inside the composite connector, allowing the composite connector to be connected to, for example, a power source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical waveguide substrate, realized by means of a simple configuration and processes, having a structure in which an optical component can be embedded within an optical waveguide layer composed of resin, and a structure in which the surface of the optical waveguide layer can be made flat, as well as a method of fabricating the same. The optical waveguide substrate comprises a substrate, first and second core portions, extending in directions which intersect on the substrate; and an optical component having a reflecting surface which reflects light propagating through one of the first and second core portions toward the other. The optical waveguide layer has first and second supporting portions which hold the optical component while sandwiching it.

Abstract: Microresonators, such as a microsphere resonators and planar microresonators, are optically coupled to waveguides for input and output of light. It is important that the relative positions of the microresonator and the waveguide are maintained stable, while still maintaining high cavity Q and ease of launching and extracting the optical beams. Structures are provided on a substrate that are useful for maintaining the position of the microresonator relative to the waveguide. The structures provide for vertical or horizontal coupling between the waveguide and the microresonator.

Abstract: A WDM coupler includes a first collimator including a single fiber pigtail, a first GRIN lens and a first glass holding tube; a second collimator including a dual fiber pigtail, a second GRIN lens and a second glass holding tube; an optical filter arranged on an end surface of the second GRIN lens of the second collimator; an outer glass sleeve bridging the first and second collimators; and UV-curing epoxy between the outer glass sleeve and the glass holding tubes of the first and second collimators for securing the first and second collimators to the outer glass sleeve. The expansion coefficient of the UV-curing epoxy is matched to that of the glass materials of the outer glass sleeve and the first and second holding tubes, so that the first and second collimators can directly be fixed in the outer glass sleeve using the UV-curing epoxy.

Abstract: Methods of attaching optical fibers to actuator tubes in the manufacture of scanning fiber devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a method may include applying a bead to an optical fiber of a scanning fiber device near a proximal end of a free end portion of the optical fiber. Then, the bead may be adhered at least partially within an actuator tube of the scanning fiber device by applying and curing an adhesive. Scanning fiber devices manufactured by such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aspect according to the invention provides a method of producing an optical transmission component in which peel-off and a bubble are not generated within a keeping temperature range in a bonding agent with which a space between an optical function portion and an end face of an optical transmission line is filled while a holder portion for holding the optical transmission line such as an optical fiber and the optical function portion such as a lens array are integrally molded. An optical function array is disposed across the space from a fiber holder, and the optical function array including lenses and a lower-side holder portion are integrally molded by a transparent resin. Fiber cores are placed in V-shape grooves of the lower-side holder portion, and an upper-side holder portion is put on the fiber cores. End faces of the fiber cores face the space, and the space is filled with the bonding agent.

Abstract: A device and a method for the rotary coupling of optical fibers is disclosed. The coupling device includes a first housing element and a second housing element. The coupling device has a rotation axis around which the first and second housing element can rotate relative to each other. The device also includes a first fiber positioning element for the positioning of a section of a first optical fiber relative to the first housing element, a second fiber positioning element for the positioning of a section of a second optical fiber relative to the second housing element, and a fiber guiding body in which a fiber guiding capillary is constructed. The fiber guiding capillary extends continuously along the rotation axis from a first fiber insertion opening for the reception of an end section of the first optical fiber, to a second fiber insertion opening for the reception of an end section of the second optical fiber.

Abstract: Optical arrangement comprising two parallel plates each with a through-hole forming an optical input/output with a given optical axis and one at least partly optical component placed between the plates, the component and the first plate comprising first fastening studs placed transversely in opposite relationship of the plate and connected by first bumps made of a meltable material that when molten is able to selectively wet these first fastening studs in order to optically align the component and the input/output on the first plate, and the two plates comprising second fastening studs placed transversely in opposite relationship of the plate and connected by second bumps made of a meltable material that when molten is able to selectively wet the second fastening studs in order to optically align the inputs/outputs of the two plates.

Abstract: An optical element may include a first diffractive structure having a radially symmetric amplitude function and a second diffractive structure having a phase function. The second diffractive structure may serve as a vortex lens. A system employing the optical element may include a light source and/or a detector.

Abstract: A 1×2 splitter design having low loss is described. The splitter has a non-adiabatic tapered waveguide (22) connected between a substantially single-mode input waveguide (20) and two output waveguides (24, 26). The non-adiabatic tapered waveguide widens in width towards the output waveguide, and merges substantially continuously with the input waveguide in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the input waveguide. This keeps radiation mode generation to a minimum which, in turn, keeps insertion loss low. In the described embodiment, the non-adiabatic taper shape is based on a perturbed cosine function. The 1×2 splitter can be cascaded with other such splitters in order to build a 1×2N splitter design.

Abstract: An optical low pass filter and a camera that are capable of preventing Moire effects over continuous wavelength ranges without depending on the wavelength of the light are provided. A first wave plate and a second wave plate are provided between a first birefringent plate and a second birefringent plate. The optical axis of the first wave plate and the optical axis of the second wave plate are orthogonal within a plane orthogonal to a traveling direction of an optical path. A thickness difference ?d between the first wave plate and the second wave plate in a direction of the optical path satisfies the equation ?d??/(4*?n), where a difference between a refractive index of ordinary ray and a refractive index of extraordinary ray of the first wave plate and the second wave plate is ?n and a central wavelength of a wavelength range of use is ?.

Abstract: A glass optical filter is described that optically connects two optical fibers and may filter a single or group of channels from a WDM signal that is being communicated between the optical fibers. The glass optical filter may be comprised of two pigtail tubes having smaller interior diameters than a center piece tube that couples the two pigtail tubes together. In one embodiment of the invention, D-lenses are positioned within the glass optical filter and function as focusing lenses. The characteristics of the glass housing and D-lens provide a preferred environment for aligning optical fiber pigtails to the focusing lenses.

Abstract: An optical unit includes a closed hollow body defining an enclosed chamber therein, and having an optical part that confines a portion of the chamber and that is deformable so as to be changeable in thickness and shape in response to changes in an inner pressure in the chamber. An image capturing device includes: a light-proof image-capturing housing that has a lens-mounting port; an image processing unit mounted in the image-capturing housing; and a focus-adjustable lens unit coupled to the lens-mounting port and including a closed hollow body defining an enclosed chamber therein, and having an optical part that confines a portion of the chamber, that is aligned with the lens-mounting port along an optical path, and that is deformable so as to be changeable in thickness and shape in response to changes in an inner pressure in the chamber. A reflective device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical module is provided in which recesses are formed in a sol-gel layer applied to a surface of a lens array substrate, each of the recesses having a capability to fit an optical fiber therein. The optical module comprises a planar microlens array substrate having a plurality of microlenses formed in one surface thereof; and an alignment recess array including a plurality of alignment recesses which are formed in a material applied to the other surface of the microlens array substrate by means of a mold with the center of each alignment recess being aligned to the center of a corresponding one of the microlens. The optical module may comprise a plurality of optical fibers each end thereof is adhered to the alignment recesses.

Abstract: Polymer-inorganic particle blends are incorporated into structures generally involving interfaces with additional materials that can be used advantageously for forming desirable devices. In some embodiments, the structures are optical structures, and the interfaces are optical interfaces. The different materials at the interface can have differences in index-of-refraction to yield desired optical properties at the interface. In some embodiments, structures are formed with periodic variations in index-of-refraction. In particular, photonic crystals can be formed. Suitable methods can be used to form the desired structures.

Abstract: A fiber optic module is provided that effectively reduces a returned light and is manufactured by a low time and cost consuming process and electronic equipment. The fiber optic transceiver module includes a block that includes an optical waveguide and a guide that is provided to one end of the optical waveguide and is a concave portion into which an optical fiber is inserted, and a micro tile-like element that includes a light emitting element or a light receiving element is attached to the block. A light emitting part of the light emitting element or a light receiving part of the light receiving element is disposed so as to face the other end of the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide includes a branch having a blind end.

Abstract: A new method to form a VLSI-photonic heterogeneous system device is achieved. The method comprises providing an optical substrate comprising at least one passive optical component formed therein. An electronic substrate is provided comprising at least one active electronic component formed therein. A plurality of metal pillars are formed through the optical substrate and protruding out a first surface of the optical substrate. A plurality of metal pads are formed on a first surface of the electronic substrate. The optical substrate and the electronic substrate are bonding together by a method further comprising aligning the first surfaces of the optical and electronic substrates such that the protruding metal pillars contact the metal pads. The optical and electronic substrates are then thermally treated such that the metal pillars bond to the metal pads.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for a fiber optic housing and aligning device. In one embodiment, a fiber optic housing and aligning device is provided. The device includes a housing having an opening in a wall thereof, the wall having a curved surface; a tubular casing comprising a ring therearound, the ring having a curved surface which mates with the curved surface of the housing so that the casing is directionally adjustable relative to the housing; and a collimator disposed within the casing, wherein the ring and the wall are configured to be permanently fixed to one another.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of connecting an integrated optical waveguide circuit component to an optical fiber array. The invention includes the steps of: providing an integrated optical waveguide circuit component having an array of N wave guide ports for optical processing that contain a subset of u-waveguides (one or more) structures for optimizing optical alignment; providing an optical fiber array having an array of at least N optical fibers, and positioning the optical fiber array adjacent to the circuit component so that photons emitted from the optical fiber array ports are coupled into the respective individual corresponding u-waveguide port(s) and then back into the corresponding optical fiber coupling ends of the optical fiber array.

Abstract: A solid light pipe arrangement with reduced Fresnel-reflection losses includes a light pipe with a solid core comprising a polymer. An optically clear substrate has first and second sides with an anti-reflective coating on at least one side. The substrate is adhered to an end-face of the core of the light pipe by adhesive material so as to create an optically clear interface between the substrate and the end-face that passes more than about 96 percent of transmitted light. A preferred method of applying an anti-reflective coating to an end-face of a core of a solid, polymeric light pipe comprises diverting uncrosslinked polymer used for forming a light pipe core, and using the diverted polymer as adhesive material between a substrate with at least one antireflective coating and the end-face of a light pipe having the same polymeric components, in the same proportions, as the diverted polymer.

Abstract: A method for providing an encapsulated optoelectronic chip is provided. The optoelectronic chip is secured on a substrate. A translucent coating substance is then applied on said optoelectronic chip and the translucent coating substance is then polished away to enable an optical coupling.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a first substrate in which V-grooves are made, four optical fibers, for example, having a reflective function and fixed in the V-grooves of the first substrate, an optical element bonded, through an adhesive layer, onto the optical path of a reflected light at least generated by the reflective function on the outside of the clad of each optical fiber, and a second substrate for mounting the optical element, wherein the second substrate is disposed such that the mounting surface of the optical element faces the first substrate.

Abstract: An optical coupler (1) comprises two optical fibers (2, 3). Each of the optical fibers connects a sender unit (4) to a first end (9, 10). Then each of these fibers is connected independently to two independent receivers (6, 8). At the sender unit (4), the fibers are bared to be inserted into the same sleeve (15) which may be presented before the optical beam sent out by the sender unit. The bared intermediate zone between the sleeve and the non-bared cable portion is protected by a first sheath inside which the bared optical fibers are floating, and by a second protective sheath.

Abstract: The invention provides a connection structure between an optical element and an optical fiber, which makes it possible to inexpensively secure optical transmission between the optical element and the optical fiber. A connection structure of an optical element and an optical fiber of the present invention including an optical element including an optical surface, an optical fiber, and a connecting part coupled to an end surface of the optical fiber and the optical surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical bridge for interconnecting optical networking components and methods of making optical bridges that include a waveguide that are compatible with semiconductor processing steps. The optical bridge of the present invention has less optical losses and is less affected by misalignment that prior art interconnections. The waveguide is formed of a curable optical material that spans optically active areas of two components. In one embodiment of the present invention, one optical component is an optical circuit board and the connected optical component is an electro-optical integrated circuit package containing light emitting or light receiving elements. The method provides a curable optical liquid to the components, bringing the components together to form a continuous optical liquid between the components, and curing the optical liquid.

Abstract: A filtering method and optical filter structure are presented. The structure comprises an input waveguide, an output waveguide, and a filter stage formed by at least one closed loop resonator optically coupled to the input and output waveguides. A level of the coupling from each of the waveguides to the resonator is at least 5 times greater than a loss-per-revolution of the resonator. The filter structure thus provides for reducing a bandwidth and insertion loss while filtering at least one optical channel from a multi-channel light signal.

Abstract: The invention concerns monomode or multimode optical fibers provided with a lens with an end taper, obtained by selective photopolymerization of a formulation, and with improved performances through the use of novel parameters and technical processes enabling production of polymer tapers with optimized characteristic required for a wide range of applications. The monomode or multimode optical fibers can, for certain specific applications, be equipped with a metallized polymer taper except for a nanometric opening for sensing or emitting light or a polymer taper whereof the formulation contains fluorescent particles. The novel fibers are essential components in various fields such as telecommunications (high performance connectors) or instrumentation (optical radiation comparator probes for scanning optical microscopy and near-field optical microscopy).

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for transmission of optical signals between a rotating part and a stationary part of a machine, particularly a computer tomograph, in which an optical transmitter is arranged on a first of the two parts and an optical receiver with an optical detector is arranged on a second of the two parts, via which optical signals emitted by the optical transmitter are received, whereby the optical receiver comprises an optical concentrator with an at least approximately horn-shaped geometry that concentrates incident optical radiation via internal reflection on side surfaces of the concentrator onto a detection area of the detector. The optical concentrator is formed from a material filling the entire inner volume of the concentrator and optically transparent for at least one wavelength with which the transmitter transmits. A signal-to-noise ratio improved relative to that of known apparatuses for data transmission can be achieved with the present apparatus.

Abstract: Optical isolator comprises a ferrule having a through-hole in which an optical fiber is inserted and a groove formed in the ferrule with the optical fiber inserted in the through-hole; and a composite assembly consisting of an optical isolator element composed of a Faraday rotator and a pair of polarizers fixed on opposite surfaces of the Faraday rotator in such manner that the angle between the directions of polarization of the polarizers is at about 45° and a structure reinforcing member having a thickness of filling the groove and surrounding the optical element, said composite assembly being inserted in the groove as a unit. The reinforcing member may be made of the same material as the outer support or formed by a magnet for applying a magnetic field to the Faraday rotator.

Abstract: An endovascular laser treatment device preferably includes a catheter having a hub at its proximal end, an optical fiber for insertion into the catheter, a fiber connector attached to the optical fiber at a selected distance from the distal end of the optical fiber, and a temporary stop removably mounted around the optical fiber. The treatment device has two positions: a protective position and an operating position. As the fiber is inserted through the catheter, the temporary stop rests against the hub and places the fiber tip in the protective position where the distal end of the optical fiber is positioned near the distal end of the catheter, but is still disposed inside the catheter. When the temporary stop is removed and the fiber connector is coupled with the catheter hub, the fiber tip is in the operating position where the distal end of the optical fiber extends past the distal end of the catheter by a predetermined distance to expose the fiber tip.

Abstract: A trapezoidal shaped single-crystal silicon prism is formed and permanently attached to an SOI wafer, or any structure including a silicon optical waveguide. In order to provide efficient optical coupling, the dopant species and concentration within the silicon waveguide is chosen such that the refractive index of the silicon waveguide is slightly less than that of the prism coupler (refractive index of silicon?3.5). An intermediate evanescent coupling layer, disposed between the waveguide and the prism coupler, comprises a refractive index less than both the prism and the waveguide. In one embodiment, the evanescent coupling layer comprises a constant thickness. In an alternative embodiment, the evanescent coupling layer may be tapered to improve coupling efficiency between the prism and the waveguide. Methods of making the coupling arrangement are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect includes multiple input ports that each receive an optical input signal and multiple output ports that each output an optical output signal. The optical cross-connect also includes a distributing amplifier associated with each input port that generates multiple copies of the input signal received at the associated input port. Furthermore, the optical cross-connect includes multiple filter units that receive a copy of one or more of the input signals from one or more of the distributing amplifiers and forward traffic in selected channels of one or more of the received copies. In addition, the optical cross-connect includes a combining amplifier associated with each output port. Each combining amplifier receives the traffic in one or more of the channels forwarded by one or more of the filter units and combines the received traffic into an output signal to be output from the associated output port.

Abstract: A practical realization for achieving and maintaining high-efficiency transfer of light from input and output free-space optics to a high-index waveguide of sub-micron thickness is described. The required optical elements and methods of fabricating, aligning, and assembling these elements are discussed. Maintaining high coupling efficiency reliably over realistic ranges of device operating parameters is discussed in the context of the preferred embodiments.