Abstract: Optical fiber has a glass portion and at least one coating of crosslinked polymer material surrounding the glass portion, the coating being obtained by crosslinking a composition of (a) at least one radically crosslinkable oligomer containing at least two reactive functional groups and having a number average molecular weight lower than about 1,000, preferably between about 400 and about 900; (b) at least one cationically crosslinkable compound containing at least one reactive functional group; (c) at least one free radical photoinitiator; and (d) at least one cationic photoinitiator. Preferably, the coating is a secondary coating or, in the case of a ribbon of optical fibers, it is a common polymer coating known as a “common coating”.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicon based optical waveguide can include forming a silicon-on-insulator structure including a non-crystalline silicon portion and a single crystalline silicon portion of an active silicon layer in the structure. The non-crystalline silicon portion can be replaced with an amorphous silicon portion and maintaining the single crystalline silicon portion and the amorphous portion can be crystallized using the single crystalline silicon portion as a seed to form a laterally grown single crystalline silicon portion including the amorphous and single crystalline silicon portions.

Abstract: A non-zero dispersion shifted fiber includes a core region, and a clad region located out of the core region. The core region is classified into a plurality of detailed regions in accordance with refractive index contrasts. Among the detailed regions, a region located at a center of the fiber has GeO2 concentration of 3.5 mol % or less.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device includes optical waveguide wiring in which an optical waveguide crosses, and a relay part arranged at a crossing part of the optical waveguide and having a refractive index higher than that of a core of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: Optical interfaces that may be employed between large-core optical fibers and chip-scale optoelectronic devices. Described herein are couplers that improve the tolerance of misalignment when a single mode (SM) fiber is used as waveguide input. This enables the possibility of passive/automatic alignment and therefore reduces the production cost. The coupler also serves as a spot-size converter that reduces the spot size and is suitable for applications where a waveguide mode with small cross-section area is of particular importance. One such example can be a waveguide-based SiGe or III-V semiconductor photodetector in which the vertical size of its waveguide mode should be as small as few microns.

Abstract: The thermo-optic phase shifter (200) according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes: a substrate (201); a sacrificial layer (202) formed above the substrate (201); a first cladding layer (203) formed above the sacrificial layer (202) and having a film density higher than that of the sacrificial layer (202); an optical waveguide core (204) formed above the first cladding layer (203); a second cladding layer (205) provided over the first cladding layer (203) to cover the optical waveguide core (204); a heat-generating heater (206) provided to a region of the second cladding layer (205) directly above the optical waveguide core (204); and a groove (207) formed in a side face region of the optical waveguide core (204) and extending from the surface of the second cladding layer (205) to the surface of the substrate (201).

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, roughly stated, Applicants have discovered that a compensation material within slot elongated in a direction parallel to a segment of waveguide in an arrayed waveguide grating apparatus can compensate for both first and second order change in refractive index of the base waveguide material over temperature. Unlike the transverse slots of conventional linear athermalization techniques, the elongated slot generally parallel to the base material defines a composite waveguide section having a second order effective index of refraction temperature dependency which can be utilized to accurately minimize the temperature dependence of the overall optical path length to both the first and second order. The techniques described herein are also generalizeable to neutralization of the optical path length temperature dependence to any order.

Abstract: There is described an optical waveguide structure exhibiting nonlinear properties, a method of fabricating such, and an optical coupling device made of two of such optical waveguide structures. The optical waveguide structure comprises an optical waveguide portion made of a light transmitting material for supporting a light mode traveling therein. The light transmitting material has an intrinsic nonlinearity parameter suitable for inducing a nonlinearity on the light mode, and the optical waveguide portion having a diameter sized to securely confine the light mode therein and to increase the nonlinearity on the light mode. The optical waveguide structure also has a coating surrounding the optical waveguide portion to mechanically support or to protect the optical waveguide portion from surface damage.

Abstract: A component for an optical interconnect includes a waveguide having at least one surface that is configured at an angle equal to or less than 90° relative to an axis of the waveguide. A tap is operatively connected to the waveguide. The tap has an angled surface that is adhered to the angled surface of the waveguide. An angle of the angled surface of the tap is substantially identical to the angle of the angled surface of the waveguide. An axis of the tap is positioned at an angle that is two times the angle of the angled surface of the tap. An at least partially reflective coating established on at least a portion of the angled surface of the tap.

Abstract: Beam couplers and splitters are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a beam coupler and splitter includes a first waveguide including a bevel and a bend, and a second waveguide including a bevel complementarily shaped to the first waveguide bevel. The first waveguide bevel is configured to totally internally reflect at least some light incident thereon. The second waveguide is coupled to the first waveguide such that i) the second waveguide bevel is adjacent to at least a portion of the first waveguide bevel, and ii) a predetermined coupling ratio is achieved.

Abstract: An optical waveguide for a touch panel which eliminates the need for alignment between the optical waveguide and a lens and which achieves the appropriate emission and reception of light beams, to provide a touch panel using the optical waveguide, and to provide a manufacturing method of the optical waveguide for a touch panel. A total distance (L) which is the sum of a distance from the center of curvature of the first lens portion 30 to the light reflecting surface 60 and a distance from the light reflecting surface 60 to the tip of the second lens portion 50, and the radius (R) of curvature of the second lens portion 50 satisfy the following condition (A): (L/3)?0.5<R<(L/3)+0.5??(A) where L in mm, and R in mm.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques are disclosed relating to dispersion devices that include a slot waveguide coupled with another waveguide such as a strip waveguide. For example, one or more structural parameters can be obtained for a dispersion device, including a slot waveguide coupled to a strip waveguide, to cause the dispersion device to produce dispersion, having a dispersion profile, for an electromagnetic wave propagated through the dispersion device, the one or more structural parameters including one or more of a slot thickness for a slot of the slot waveguide or a spacing thickness between the slot waveguide and the other waveguide; and making the dispersion device, including the slot waveguide and the other waveguide, according to the structural parameters.

Abstract: A biosensor having an optical fiber having at least one curved portion configured to enhance penetration of evanescent waves; and one or more nanoparticles associated with the optical fiber, and configured to enhance localized surface plasmon resonance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a waveguide, comprising a grating in at least a part of the waveguide, which waveguide comprises a coating, the coating comprising a polymer, which polymer comprises an aliphatic chain, which aliphatic chain is provided with hydrophilic side-chains. The invention further relates to a sensor system comprising a waveguide according to any one of the preceding claims, a light source, and a photo-detector.

Abstract: Provided is a film having a low refractive index, which can be formed under normal temperature and pressure while obtaining a lower refractive index, has excellent adhesion with a solid substrate, and does not lose geometric optical properties, such as the diffusibility or light-harvesting capability attributed to the microstructure. Also disclosed is a method for producing the same. The film having a low refractive index is obtained by causing an electrolyte polymer and microparticles to be alternately adsorbed on the surface of a solid substrate and bringing the resulting microparticle-laminated film into contact with a silicon compound solution in order to bond the solid substrate with microparticles and microparticles with microparticles.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical cable for communication includes at least one micromodule, said micromodule being blocked with respect to the propagation of water. The method includes the steps of providing at least one optical fiber; embedding the at least one optical fiber in a pseudoplastic filling compound having a viscosity of 3 Pa·s to 30 Pa·s, preferably 7 Pa·s to 25 Pa·s at a shear rate of 10 s?1 and at a temperature of 100° C., and a cross-over lower than 30 Hz, preferably 5 Hz to 25 Hz, at a temperature of 100° C.; and extruding a retaining element made of a thermoplastic polymeric composition around the at least one optical fiber so embedded in the filling compound to obtain a micromodule.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing optical fiber coatings to reduce microbend losses. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for coating an optical fiber to reduce microbend losses and polarization mode dispersion (PMD). The method includes applying a primary layer to the optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber comprises a core region surrounded by a cladding region. The method includes applying a secondary layer to the primary layer, and curing the primary and secondary layers, wherein the cured primary layer adheres to the cladding region with a minimum pullout adhesion of 6 N/cm, and the cured secondary layer has an in situ modulus of about 700 MPa to about 1200 MPa at room temperature.

Abstract: An optical coupling device for coupling a light beam into a waveguide and a method of manufacturing the device. The device includes a grating portion having a plurality of essentially straight and essentially parallel scattering elements, wherein two or more of the scattering elements have different lengths. The method includes providing a grating layer on a substrate and forming a plurality of essentially straight and essentially parallel scattering elements from the grating layer, wherein two or more of the scattering elements have different lengths.

Abstract: The present invention provides a planar waveguide. In one embodiment, the planar waveguide includes first and third layers formed above a substrate and adjacent each other. The first and third layers are formed of a first material having a first index of refraction. The planar waveguide also includes a second layer formed between the first and third layers of a second material having a second index of refraction that is larger than the first index of refraction. The planar waveguide further includes a plurality of organo-functional siloxane based resin or polymer waveguides formed in the second layer. Each organo-functional siloxane based resin or polymer waveguide has an input on one edge of the second layer and an output on one edge of the second layer so that the input and output are on different line-of-sight paths.

Abstract: An electromagnetic and/or chemical enhancement which greatly enhances the Raman signal response for Surface Enhanced Raman is directed to molecular probe systems. Such molecular probe systems have many properties that make them ideal as probes for Scanning Probe Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, and many other applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biosensor, wherein non-specific adsorption on a surface that does not retain a physiologically active substance (reference unit) is suppressed. The biosensor of the invention includes a substrate having at least two types of surfaces on a single plane, wherein at least one of the surfaces does not retain a physiologically active substance, and wherein at least two types of hydrophilic compounds with different molecular weights are bound to the surface that does not retain a physiologically active substance.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to these exemplary embodiments provide for on-chip optical waveguides, methods of making on-chip optical waveguides, and devices including such on-chip optical waveguides. A dielectric layer formed from, e.g., transparent spacer dielectric material, forms a waveguide core and can be surrounded or substantially surrounded by a metal cladding layer. The metal cladding layer can be formed in the chip using backend metallization techniques, e.g., Damascene processing.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing cables and cables assemblies include providing particulate matter within a tube extruded about optical fiber. The particles may be accelerated so that as they strike the tube they mechanically attach to the tube.

Abstract: An optical splitter device and method are provided. The device can include a waveguide having walls forming a large hollow core. The waveguide can be configured to direct an optical signal through the large hollow core. An optical tap can be formed through at least one wall of the waveguide. In addition, a prism can be located in the large hollow core of the waveguide and aligned with the optical tap. A splitter coating can be provided on the prism to direct a portion of the optical signal outside of the waveguide through the optical tap.

Abstract: The application relates to improved optical containment structures, methods of manufacture and use, and systems for employing same. The optical containment structures generally comprise zero-mode waveguide structures having non-reflective walls. The non-reflective walls allow the preparation of optical containment regions in which the optical containment dimensions can be decoupled from the solution containment dimensions. The application also relates to methods for producing islands of functionality within nanoscale apertures.

Abstract: The present invention embraces an amplifying optical fiber having a central core adapted to convey and amplify an optical signal and a cladding that surrounds the central core to confine the optical signal conveyed in the central core. The central core is formed of a core matrix in which nanoparticles are present. The nanoparticles themselves include a nanoparticle matrix and rare-earth-dopant elements. The core matrix may also include one or more additional dopants (i.e., in addition to nanoparticles). The amplifying optical fiber possesses a small numerical aperture and is suitable for use in high-pump-power applications without a degraded gain shape.

Abstract: An optical fiber that has no bubbles in the ultraviolet ray curable resin filled inside the air holes to seal the end parts thereof, an end part processing method of the optical fiber, and an end part processing apparatus of the optical fiber, are provided. In an end part processing method of an optical fiber that is comprised of a core and a cladding formed around the core, the cladding having a refraction index lower than that of the core and has a plurality of air holes formed therein along the axis of the core, wherein the end part process of the optical fiber is to form sealed portions on the ends of the air holes by sealing them with ultraviolet ray curable resin, the method is characterized in that the sealed portion is formed by heating the end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical waveguide, in which a waveguide structure including a waveguide layer of ZnS—SiO2 is deposited on a first layer, wherein a first refractive index of the first layer is lower than the refractive index of the waveguide layer. A sensor arrangement includes a planar optical waveguide, a light source, a sensor, an application unit for applying an analyte on top of the planar waveguide and a processor connected to the sensor.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a polarizing film having far superior water resistance to conventional polarizing films by contacting a liquid containing cationic polymers with a surface of a polarizing film.

Abstract: Optical sensor unit for infra red evanescence wave spectroscopy (IR-EWS) analysis of chemical and biological substances in an analyte, comprising a waveguide with a sensor surface to be put into contact with the analyte, wherein the sensor surface is provided with an affinity enhancing layer. There is further provided a method of producing an optical sensor unit.

Abstract: Provided is an optical waveguide and a method of forming the same. The optical waveguide comprises inductive thin films and a waveguide thin film. The inductive thin films are disposed to be separated from each other. The waveguide thin film fills a gap which separates the inductive thin films, and covers at least one portion of the inductive thin films. A refractive index of the waveguide thin film is greater than refractive indexes of the inductive thin films.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of producing coated optical fiber in which polarization mode dispersion is sufficiently reduced by providing a sufficient amount of twist thereto. An upstream twisting inhibiting roller (11), a twist non-inhibiting roller (12), a twist provider (13) and a downstream twist inhibiting roller (14) are provided in this order along the path line of a coated optical fiber (1). The twist provider (13) provides the twist to the coated optical fiber (1). The upstream twist inhibiting roller (11) and the downstream twist inhibiting roller (14) respectively inhibit a rotation of the coated optical fiber (1) around the axis of the coated optical fiber (1).

Abstract: An erbium (Er)-doped silicon (Si) nanocrystalline embedded silicon oxide (SiOx) waveguide and associated fabrication method are presented. The method provides a bottom layer, and forms an Er-doped Si nanocrystalline embedded SiOx film waveguide overlying the bottom layer, having a minimum optical attenuation at about 1540 nanometers (nm). Then, a top layer is formed overlying the Er-doped SiOx film. The Er-doped SiOx film is formed by depositing a silicon rich silicon oxide (SRSO) film using a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDPCVD) process and annealing the SRSO film. After implanting Er+ ions, the Er-doped SiOx film is annealed again. The Er-doped Si nanocrystalline SiOx film includes has a first refractive index (n) in the range of 1.46 to 2.30. The top and bottom layers have a second refractive index, less than the first refractive index.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fiber superior in yellowing resistance. An optical fiber according to the present invention has a coating made from a UV curable resin formed on the outer surface of a bare optical glass fiber, and is characterized in that the coated material includes an unreacted photoinitiator in an amount of 2.4×10?3 mole equivalent or less in 1 g of the material. The optical fiber is characterized in that the UV curable resin includes urethane acrylate, a polyisocyanate component in the urethane acrylate is an aromatic polyisocyanate, and tolylene diisocyanate is used as the aromatic polyisocyanate.

Abstract: Polymer-coated transmission media having water-blocking material embedded in the outer surface of the transmission media prevents water penetration into the transmission media and reduces the overall diameter of a cable made from the transmission media by eliminating a water-blocking tape layer in the cable. The outer surface of the transmission media is a polymer whose outer surface is embedded with a water-blocking material. The water-blocking material is applied before the polymer is cured. The transmission media may be any known type of optical media, which guides a light within the optical media. In various embodiments, optical fibers, buffered optical fibers and fiber ribbons are used as the transmission media.

Abstract: A light-guide apparatus comprising a light-guide plate for guiding light rays and a plurality of light extraction features is described. The light extraction features comprise a transparent material applied to the light-guide plate so as to form an uneven surface. The transparent material may comprise a textured ink applied to the surface of the light-guide plate via a printing process. The incorporation of an uneven surface provides mirco-lens like elements on the surface of the extraction feature which have a higher aspect ratio and so lend themselves to the refraction of the light out of the light-guide plate. In this way a device is produced wherein the size, height, location and surface profile of the extraction features can be carefully controlled. As a result the described light-guide apparatus provides for a highly efficient and relatively uniform light output.

Abstract: A back reflector for a lightguide in a turning film backlight includes a prism film layer in direct contact with a reflective layer. The lightguide includes a light guiding region having a refractive index that is substantially spatially uniform. The reflective layer may be specular or diffuse and may include a multilayer polymeric film.

Abstract: An object is to manufacture an optical waveguide having low optical loss, by smoothing the surface of a core. To this end, a method for manufacturing an optical waveguide includes: a core-forming layer formation step of forming a core-forming layer of a photosensitive polymer on a surface of a lower cladding layer formed on a substrate; a smoothing step of smoothing the surface by lowering a surface viscosity thereof through a heat treatment of the core-forming layer; and a photocuring step of forming a core through selective exposure of the smoothed core-forming layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an epoxy applicator including an epoxy dispenser and a thermal pump. The epoxy dispenser includes an epoxy holding cavity that is cooled by the thermal pump via a thermal conduction member. A control system can regulate a temperature of the epoxy applicator and thereby regulate a temperature of uncured epoxy in the epoxy holding cavity. The present disclosure also relates to a syringe chiller for chilling a syringe. The syringe chiller includes a thermal conduction block adapted to thermally couple to and hold an exterior of the syringe. The syringe chiller also includes a Peltier effect device with a hot side and a cold side. The cold side of the Peltier effect device is thermally coupled to the thermal conduction block. The syringe chiller can include a control system to regulate a temperature of the syringe.

Abstract: Provided is an optical device that includes a ring-shaped optical waveguide and an input/output optical waveguide, and that changes a resonant wavelength of the ring-shaped optical waveguide, in which the ring-shaped optical waveguide includes in part a refractive index control section for controlling a refractive index at a guided wavelength, and the refractive index control section is formed of an optical material having a thermo-optic effect with its sign different from that of an optical material that forms a section of the ring-shaped optical waveguide other than the refractive index control section.

Abstract: A spectral filter comprises a planar optical waveguide having at least one set of diffractive elements. The waveguide confines in one transverse dimension an optical signal propagating in two other dimensions therein. The waveguide supports multiple transverse modes. Each diffractive element set routes, between input and output ports, a diffracted portion of the optical signal propagating in the planar waveguide and diffracted by the diffractive elements. The diffracted portion of the optical signal reaches the output port as a superposition of multiple transverse modes. A multimode optical source may launch the optical signal into the planar waveguide, through the corresponding input optical port, as a superposition of multiple transverse modes. A multimode output waveguide may receive, through the output port, the diffracted portion of the optical signal. Multiple diffractive element sets may route corresponding diffracted portions of optical signal between one or more corresponding input and output ports.

Abstract: Planar waveguides having quantum dots and methods of manufacture of the planar waveguide are described.

Abstract: An optical finger navigation device. Embodiments of the optical finger navigation device include a light guide film (LGF) including a finger interface surface, a light source in optical communication with the LGF to provide light from the light source to the finger interface surface, a sensor, and a navigation engine. At least a portion of the LGF exhibits total internal reflection (TIR). The sensor detects light from the LGF in response to contact between a finger and the finger interface surface which modifies reflection of light out of the LGF to the sensor. The light detected by the sensor is changed over at least a portion of the sensor in response to the contact between the finger and the finger interface surface. The navigation engine is configured to generate lateral movement information indicative of lateral movement of the finger relative to the sensor, in response to the detected light.

Abstract: An optical device for integrated photonic applications includes a substrate, a dielectric waveguide and a surface plasmon waveguide. The dielectric waveguide includes a dielectric waveguide core disposed relative to a dielectric waveguide cladding and a common cladding. The surface plasmon waveguide includes a surface plasmon waveguide core disposed relative to the common cladding and a surface plasmon waveguide cladding. The common cladding couples the dielectric waveguide and the surface plasmon waveguide.

Abstract: The optical waveguide-type wavelength dispersion compensation device of the present invention has an optical waveguide as a reflection-type wavelength dispersion compensation device. The equivalent refractive index of a core changes unevenly along a light propagation direction by changing physical dimensions of the core that is embedded in a cladding.

Abstract: A production method for an optical transmission element, wherein a cylindrical transparent resin is used as a core wire, a monomer becoming a polymer different in refractive index from the core wire after polymerized or a mixture of a monomer and a polymer is bonded to the outer periphery of the core wire and the monomer is diffused from the outer periphery of the core wire to thereby form the monomer inside the core wire at a proper concentration distribution, and then the monomer is further polymerized to the core wire to provide a distribution layer having different refractive indexes from the center toward the outer periphery, whereby it is possible to provide a graded index type optical transmission element at low costs with a simple facility.

Abstract: An optical fiber including a surface including a non-covalent multilayer including a light-absorbing material can be used to develop fluorescence microscopy with a lateral resolution of about 5 nm and possibly lower. The non-covalent multilayer can be a highly absorptive thin film, for example a film based on J-aggregates, which can be used with conventional Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy.

Abstract: A process for producing an optical glass fiber from crystal-glass phase material. In one embodiment, the process includes the step of providing a molten crystal-glass phase material in a container, wherein the temperature of the molten crystal-glass phase material is at or above the melting temperature of the molten crystal-glass phase material, Tm, to allow the molten crystal-glass phase material is in liquid phase. The process further includes the step of cooling the molten crystal-glass phase material such that the temperature of the molten crystal-glass phase material, T1, is reduced to below Tm to cause the molten crystal-glass phase material to be changed from the liquid phase to a viscous melt.

Abstract: A method of producing a planar substrate having waveguide channels, which method comprises: (i) providing a tube (6) of a substrate material; (ii) depositing silica layers (110) on the inside of the tube (6), the silica layers (110) being doped with a photosensitive material; (iii) drawing the tube (6) so that the cross-sectional size of the tube (109) is reduced; (iv) before or after the reducing of the cross-sectional size of the tube (6), causing the tube (6) to collapse into a flat shape by applying a low pressure to the tube, whereby the deposited silica layers together form a photosensitive silica layer (111); (v) cutting to required lengths the tube (6) which has been collapsed and reduced in cross-sectional size; and (vi) using laser writing to define waveguide channels in the cut lengths of the tube (6) and thereby to produce the planar substrate having the waveguide channels.

Abstract: An optical fiber feedthrough assembly includes a glass plug disposed in a recess of a feedthrough housing. The glass plug may define a large-diameter, cane-based, waveguide sealed within the recess in the housing and providing optical communication through the housing. Sealing occurs with respect to the housing at or around the glass plug of an optical waveguide element passing through the housing by braze sealing to the glass plug and/or embedding the glass plug in a polymer bonded with the plug to form a molded body that is sealed in the housing by, for example, compression mounting of the molded body or providing a sealing element around the molded body.