1297 results about "Fiber array" patented technology

Implants with hydrogel layers reinforced by three-dimensional fiber arrays can replace hyaline cartilage. Such implants should replace an entire cartilage segment, rather than creating a crevice around a plug, so these implants must be thin and flat, they must cover large areas, the tips of any tufts or stitches must not reach the hydrogel surface, and they must be flexible, for arthroscopic insertion. The use of computerized stitching machines to create such arrays enables a redesigned and modified test sample to be made with no delays, and no overhead or startup costs. This provides researchers with improved tools for making and testing implants that will need to go through extensive in vitro, animal, and human testing before they can be approved for sale and use. Fiber-reinforced hydrogels also can be secured to strong shape-memory rims, for securing anchoring to bones.

A technique for monitoring optical power in a fiber array unit having a plurality of optical transmission waveguides terminating at an edge thereof for carrying optical signals to and / or from a PLC. A tapping filter is placed within a slit formed in the substrate and interrupting the transmission channels, thereby tapping at least some of the optical power from the channels and directing the tapped optical power toward respective photodetector channels for detection, while allowing other optical power to continue transmission in the at least one channel of the fiber array unit.

The invention describes radiation cameras consisting of interlaced scintillation fiber arrays and a fiber readout method using pixellated photo-detector cameras. Several fabrication methods of the fiber arrays are described. The use of such Radiation Cameras in Medical Imaging systems is also described.

A directional neutron detector consisting of very thin plastic scintillation fibers and optically coupled to a photo-sensor array, where the directionality of Neutrons is estimated from the sequence of fibers traversed by the scattered protons and energy deposited in each one of them . Several fabrication methods of the large thin fiber arrays are described.

An optical system for remotely optical communications at a high data rate between a base station and a remote station under atmospheric turbulence conditions is disclosed. The remote station includes an entirely different type of retroreflector that does not use the conventional type of retroreflection, but instead consists of two sets of lenslets coupled with single-mode fiber array, called fiber “retro”. Amplified retromodulation is achieved requiring only one single optical amplifier and one single modulator. A transmitter located at the base station sends an interrogating optical beam to the fiber “retro” which modulates the optical beam according to the input signal / data, and redirects the modulated optical beam to the base station for detection by a receiver. The present invention includes the capabilities of providing Identification of Friend-or-Foe (IFF), secure communication, and a means of achieving a wide field-of-view (FOV) with a fiber-coupled lenselet array.

A hybrid beam combining system or method combines a plurality of coherent and incoherent light beams into a composite high power diffraction limited beam. N oscillators each transmit light at one of N different wavelengths and each wavelength is split into M constituent beams. M beams in each of N groups are phase locked by a phase modulator using phase correction signals. The phase locked beams are amplified and coupled into an M×N fiber array. Beams emerging from the array are collimated and incident on a diffractive optical element operating as a beam combiner combining the M outputs at each N wavelength into a single beam. The N single beams are incident and spectrally combined on a grating which outputs a composite beam at a nominal 100% fill factor. A low power sample beam, taken from the N beams emerging from the diffractive optical element, is measured for phase deviations from which the phase correction signals are derived and fed back to the phase modulators. The diffractive optical element may include a weak periodic grating for diffracting the low power sample. The diffractive optical element may also be combined with the spectral combining grating into a single optical element.

An apparatus and a method for combining an optical waveguide and optical fibers are provided. The apparatus includes an apparatus for combining optical fibers with an optical waveguide device, including a guide rail portion for alignment including guide rails for alignment spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, on a flat substrate, an optical fiber array portion put on the guide rail portion for alignment when the optical fibers are combined with the optical waveguide device, including an array of grooves for arranging the optical fibers spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in an array pattern, and including guide grooves for alignment having a concavo-convex relationship with the guide rail portion for alignment, and an optical waveguide device chip put on the guide rail portion when the optical fibers are combined with the optical waveguide, including the optical waveguide connected to the optical fibers of the optical fiber array portion, and including guide grooves for alignment spaced apart from each other by the same distance as that by which the rails of the guide rail portion are spaced apart from each other and having a concavo-convex relationship with the guide rail portion for alignment, to the outside of an optical waveguide area in which the cores of the optical fibers of the optical fiber array portion respectively coincide with those of the optical waveguide. According to the present invention, a light source and a photodetector (required for active alignment) are not necessary. A complicated alignment process of performing an alignment with respect to an alignment axis having six degrees of freedom with submicron precision is not necessary. Also, it is possible to save time and money when attaching the optical fibers to the optical waveguide device chip.

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.

Provided is a light source device having optical fiber arrays arranged so that different sets of RGB laser lights are focused at different depth positions, while enhancing the efficiency of light utilization. The light source device includes a plurality of optical devices each of which generate red, green, or blue laser light, a plurality of first, second, and third optical fibers through each of which the red, green, or blue laser light from a corresponding one of the plurality of optical devices is guided, and a fiber bundle combiner which forms a fiber bundle by fixedly holding together end portions of the plurality of first, second, and third optical fibers in such a manner that a plurality of optical fiber sets, each comprising three optical fibers one from the first optical fibers, one from the second optical fibers, and one from the third optical fibers, are stacked in layers.

An optoelectric module adapted to cooperate with a multi-fiber array by displacing a plurality of OEDs from the fiber array at least along the z,y-axes or a combination thereof while maintaining their alignment along either the x-axis of the fiber array, the module comprising: (a) a connector interface adapted to interconnect with a multi-fiber assembly having an x,y array of fibers; (b) a plurality of OEDs for converting between optical and electrical signals; and (c) optical paths wherein each optical path has a first end adapted for optically coupling with a corresponding fiber in an x,y array of fibers and a second end for optically coupling with a corresponding OED, wherein the distance between the second ends of at least two optical paths is greater than the distance between their corresponding first ends and wherein the distance across the second ends along the x-axis is no greater than the distance across the first ends along the x-axis.

Method and apparatus for forming an optical-fiber-array assembly, which include providing a plurality of optical fibers including a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, providing a fiber-array plate that includes a first surface and a second surface, connecting the plurality of optical fibers to the first surface of the fiber-array plate, transmitting a plurality of optical signals through the optical fibers into the fiber-array plate at the first surface of the fiber-array plate, and emitting from the second surface of the fiber-array plate a composite output beam having light from the plurality of optical signals. Optionally, the first surface of the fiber-array plate includes indicia configured to assist in the alignment of the plurality of optical fibers on the first surface of the fiber-array plate. In some embodiments, the second surface of the fiber-array plate includes a plurality of beam-shaping optics configured to shape the composite output beam.

In a connection between an optical fiber or optical fiber array and an integrated optical waveguide or integrated optical waveguide array mounted or fabricated on a grooved substrate, an end face of an optical fiber array has a first facet and a second facet. The first facet has an inclination angle substantially equal to the inclination angle of an end wall of the substrate groove; the second facet has an inclination angle substantially equal to the inclination angle of the end face of the integrated optical waveguide. When the optical fiber array is mounted on the grooved substrate, each of the fibers rests in one of the substrate grooves. The first facet of each optical fiber end face is aligned with the end wall of the groove in which it rests, and the second facet is aligned with the end face of the integrated optical waveguide.

An expanded beam fiber optic array connector includes a ferrule holding ends of optical fibers in a first ordered array. A plurality of lenses packaged into a unitary structure, formed of an optical grade material, different than a material used to form the ferrule, is attached to the ferrule. The lenses are arranged into a second ordered array matching the first ordered array of the ends of the optical fibers. The lenses of the expanded beam connector associated with transmit channels can be constructed with a prescription geared specifically for transmitting light, whereas the lenses of the expanded beam connector associated with receive channels can be constructed with a prescription geared specifically for receiving light.

Planar lightwave circuit (PLC) connects optical fibers to the top of an optical or optoelectronic device or optical or optoelectronic integrated circuit. Light propagating through optical fibers is directed to optical waveguides disposed on optical devices. The optical fibers can be in the form of individual fibers, a fiber ribbon or a fiber array. Fiber optic cables can be plugged into a ferrule attached to the PLC. The PLC can also include optical components integrated into the optical path between the optical fibers and the optical device.

The invention discloses a solid-state laser radar system, which comprises a laser, a detector, an emitting optical system, a receiving optical system and a control processing unit. The emitting optical system comprises a first optical switch, a first fiber array, a collimating lens and an emission laser galvanometer. The receiving optical system comprises a second optical switch, a second fiber array, a convergence lens and a receiving laser galvanometer. By utilizing functions of optical path selection and time division multiplexing of the optical switches, multi-line measurement can be realized through one laser and one detector; through cooperation of the first fiber array and the collimating lens as well as cooperation of the second fiber array and the convergence lens, scanning of a first dimension of a space is realized; and through deflection functions of the emission laser galvanometer and the receiving laser galvanometer on the laser, scanning of a second dimension vertical to the first dimension of the space is realized. The system is low in cost and small in size; and the laser radar system can be driven to rotate without a mechanical scanning mechanism.

There is provided a method and a system for identifying or verifying the fiber arrangement and / or the cable type of multi-fiber array cables (such as MPO cables) which employs an OTDR acquisition device at the near end of the MPO cable, a loopback device at the far end and an array of signatures detectable by the OTDR, either at the far or the near end. The loopback device allows performing bidirectional OTDR measurements with a single OTDR acquisition device (without moving it from one end to the other) and the signature array provides fiber arrangement / cable type identification or verification.

A high-speed high-isolation fiber-optic matrix switch using only one acousto-optic device with phased array transducers is disclosed. Previously disclosed fiber-optic switches either required spatially separated more than one acousto-optic devices making them complex, hard to align and expensive or could not achieve high-isolation and low-insertion loss performance. A simple structure of 2×2 fiber-optic matrix switch with one phased array transducer as disclosed here is expected to make acousto-optic based fiber-optic switches more attractive than similar MEMs based switches. Use of shared lens instead of individual lenses at the input and output fiber array is expected to further reduce complexity and cost of the acousto-optic based fiber-optic switches.

A full color fiber plasma display device includes two glass plates sandwiched around a top fiber array and a bottom fiber array. The top and bottom fiber arrays are substantially orthogonal and define a structure of the display, with the top fiber array disposed on a side facing towards a viewer. The top fiber array includes identical top fibers, each top fiber including two sustain electrodes located near a surface of the top fiber on a side facing away from the viewer. A thin dielectric layer separates the sustain electrodes from the plasma channel formed by a bottom fiber array. The bottom fiber array includes three alternating bottom fibers, each bottom fiber including a pair of barrier ribs that define the plasma channel, an address electrode located near a surface of the plasma channel, and a phosphor layer coating on the surface of the plasma channel, wherein a luminescent color of the phosphor coating in each of the three alternating bottom fibers represents a subpixel color of the plasma display. Each subpixel is formed by a crossing of one top fiber and one corresponding bottom fiber. The plasma display is hermetically sealed with a glass frit. The sustain and address electrodes are brought out through the glass frit for direct connection to a drive control system.

The disclosure relates to a portable and / or handheld bioagent detector and methodology described herein that is based in part on advanced Raman Chemical Imaging (“RCI”) technology. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection system may include a fiber array spectral translator (“FAST”) and may also include a probe which may include a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera. The probe alleviates the need to place the main instrument close to an unconfined release of a potentially hazardous material and facilitates analysis of a sample that is situated in a hard-to-reach location while minimizing contamination of the detector and operator.

Optical modules and methods for making optical modules are described. In one embodiment, an optical module includes a substrate assembly including a photonic chip mounting region, and a groove extending towards the photonic chip mounting region. A waveguide is disposed within the groove. A plurality of spacers is on the chip mounting region, each spacer having a predetermined height. A photonic chip is placed on the plurality of spacers and above the chip mounting region, and an optical coupler is between the photonic chip and the waveguide.

A hybrid beam combining system or method combines a plurality of coherent and incoherent light beams into a composite high power diffraction limited beam. N oscillators each transmit light at one of N different wavelengths and each wavelength is split into M constituent beams. M beams in each of N groups are phase locked by a phase modulator using phase correction signals. The phase locked beams are amplified and coupled into an M×N fiber array. Beams emerging from the array are collimated and incident on a diffractive optical element operating as a beam combiner combining the M outputs at each N wavelength into a single beam. The N single beams are incident and spectrally combined on a grating which outputs a composite beam at a nominal 100% fill factor. A low power sample beam, taken from the N beams emerging from the diffractive optical element, is measured for phase deviations from which the phase correction signals are derived and fed back to the phase modulators. The diffractive optical element may include a weak periodic grating for diffracting the low power sample. The diffractive optical element may also be combined with the spectral combining grating into a single optical element.

A method of making A fiber optic connector adapted to receive a fiber bearing unit involves coupling at least one high precision piece, having holes configured to accept an array of optical fibers, to a low precision piece to form a unit, inserting optical fibers into the unit and housing the unit within a fiber optic connector housing. A commercial fiber optic connector of a style constructed to accept a ferrule-like unit therein has a connector housing, at least 36 optical fibers, a low precision piece, and at least one high precision slice having at least 36 fiber holes each adapted to accept one of the optical fibers, the low precision piece and the at least one high precision slice being contained substantially within the connector housing and forming the ferrule like unit.

An optoelectronic assembly for an electronic system includes a transparent substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the transparent substrate being thermally conductive and being metallized on the surface. A support electronic chip set is configured for at least one of providing multiplexing, demultiplexing, coding, decoding and optoelectronic transducer driving and receive functions and is bonded to the second surface of the transparent substrate. A first substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, is in communication with the transparent substrate via the metallized second surface and support chip set therebetween. A second substrate is in communication with the second surface of the first substrate and is configured for mounting at least one of data processing, data switching and data storage chips. An optoelectronic transducer is in signal communication with the support electronic chip set; and an optical signaling medium defined with one end having an optical fiber array aligned with the optoelectronic transducer is substantially normal to the first surface of the transparent substrate, wherein an electrical signal from the support electronic chip set is communicated to the optoelectronic transducer via the metallized second surface of the transparent substrate, and wherein the support electronic chip set and the optoelectronic transducer share a common thermal path for cooling.

An optical fiber module of the invention is an optical fiber module easily fabricated and excellent in the characteristics of enduring high intensity light, for example. The connection end face of an optical fiber array as an optical component is faced to the connection end face of a planar lightwave circuit component. An optical fiber array is also disposed on the connection end face of the planar lightwave circuit component opposite to the optical fiber array. The corresponding connection end faces are connected to each other with an adhesive. A no adhesive filled part where the adhesive is not applied in the light transmitting area is disposed in at least one of bonding parts thereof.

This disclosure concerns a cleaning and inspection system for fiber optics that is rapid, reliable and useful for various types of fiber optics. In an embodiment, the system includes a wide field of view (FOV) camera to image the ferrule and rapidly locate the fiber ends and a narrow FOV camera to provide detailed inspection of fiber ends. A cleaning module with a cleaning tip and a cleaning media that is drawn through the tip is used to clean the fiber ends. Images captured by the dual cameras are automatically enhanced and analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the cleaning process and to identify the types and quantity of defects present. In another embodiment, a single higher resolution camera is provided with a lens that can image an entire fiber array and yet enable defects to be detected by analysis of sub-images of each fiber in the fiber array.

The structure comprises the array of the wave-guide grating as well as the input and output optical fiber array, which is aimed at and coupled to the array of the input and output wave-guide in the array of the wave-guide grating. The array of the wave-guide grating and the input and output optical fiber array are integrated on the same silicon substrate. The self-alignment method is adopted in the invention to carry out the end surface coupling between the input and output wave-guide in the array of the wave-guide grating and the optical fiber array. The optical fiber array is prepared by using the adhesive agent to bond the array of the V or U shaped groove on the substrate, the upper cover piece and the monomode fiber with multiple cores.

An evanescent optically coupled electronic device including: a backplane wave guide or mother board including a set of parallel carriers that define a first plurality of parallel channels and include a first array of optical fibers having exposed cores in the first plurality of parallel channels; at least one electronic card or daughter board including a high speed optical waveguide bus; a flexible fiber ribbon or film including waveguides made up of individual optical fibers of locally increased refractive index joined by a web of suitable material forming the high speed optical waveguide bus and optically connecting the backplane waveguide and the at least one electronic card with no 90° angle turns; and a mechanism for retaining the first array of optical fibers having exposed cores in abutting and facing evanescent optical contact with the individual optical fibers in the flexible fiber or ribbon.

A major surface (11) of a large substrate (31), e.g., a sheet of transparent LCD glass, is inspected for defects with high resolution and height sensitivity using an array (13) of optical fibers (15). For each fiber (15), a reference beam of coherent light, which has reflected from the fiber's cleaved end (19), interferes with a measurement beam of coherent light, which has exited the cleaved end (19), reflected from the surface (11), and reentered the fiber (15). The intensity of the interference signal serves as a measure of the distance between the cleaved end (19) and the region (27) of the surface (11) with which the fiber (15) is associated. Insight into the polarization properties of the defect, as an aid to accurate classification, can be obtained by independently monitoring the polarization states of two orthogonal measurement beams.

An optical fiber splitter has a higher density fiber optic array that allows for smaller packaging. The optical fibers that extend from the optical fiber splitter have one end connectorized and their spacin at the other end reduced, thereby eliminating components that were heretofore required. A method of making the fiber optic array includes interleaving the optical fibers to reduce the overall dimensions of the fiber optic array and the fiber optic splitter. A tool is used to reduce the spacing of the optical fibers in the fiber optic array.