Pluggable optical transceiver latch
Granted: December 25, 2003
Application Number:
20030236019
The invention relates to a latch device for a pluggable opto-electronic module, such as an optical transceiver, for locking the module in a rail or cage system of a host machine. The latest generation of optical transceivers include all metal housings, instead of all plastic or partial plastic, to ensure adequate heat dissipation. The relatively heavier housings necessitate the use of more robust latch devices. The latch device according to the present invention includes a sliding…
Integration of electronic data storage into a telecommunications component
Granted: December 25, 2003
Application Number:
20030234353
A storage information system is disclosed for keeping archival information on the individual active optoelectronic components that are used in telecommunication equipment. The system involves enclosing a nonvolatile memory chip inside the hermetic package of the active optoelectronic component. A memory chip is used to keep the relevant information about the active optoelectronic component such as serial number, part number and specifications. Sensors can also be included inside the…
Tunable micro-optic architecture for combining light beam outputs of dual capillary polarization-maintaining optical fibers
Granted: December 11, 2003
Application Number:
20030228082
A tunable PM fiber combiner is configured to be accurately alignable with and operative to combine into a single composite beam a pair of non-collimated, orthogonally polarized light beams transported over polarization maintaining (PM) optical fibers, whose mutual spatial separation may vary. The combiner includes birefringent elements, that are linearly or rotationally displaced to realize the composite beam. The resulting composite light beam may then be readily coupled (e.g. via a…
Optical receiver with high dynamic range
Granted: December 4, 2003
Application Number:
20030223727
An optical coupling assembly having an optical receiver that exhibits extended dynamic range, and, more particularly, an optical receiver that is integrated with a Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA) to extend the dynamic range of the receiver.
All-dielectric optical diffractive pigments
Granted: December 4, 2003
Application Number:
20030224164
All-dielectric diffractive pigment flakes can be applied to an object to impart a diffractive effect to the object without substantially changing the background color of the object. In one case, such diffractive pigment flakes can be applied to a white object to impart a white diffractive effect. The thickness of the dielectric layers in the diffractive pigment flakes can be chosen to provide thin-film interference, as well as diffraction from the interfaces between layers patterned with…
Flip chip packaging process using laser-induced metal bonding technology, system utilizing the method, and device created by the method
Granted: December 4, 2003
Application Number:
20030224581
Method for bonding a chip to a chip carrier including arranging the chip in alignment with the chip carrier to form a chip stack. First bond area situated on the chip at an interface between the chip and the chip carrier in contact with second bond area situated on the chip carrier at the interface. Projecting a laser beam through the chip and/or the chip carrier, the laser beam impinging on the first bond area and/or the second bond area melting the first bond area and/or the second…
Localized hermetic seal for planar lightwave circuits
Granted: November 27, 2003
Application Number:
20030219192
Planar lightwave circuits (PLCs) are typically provided with a passivation coating layer to prevent damaging effects of environmental factors. In certain cases, deep trenching or a similar procedure after passivation removes the protective passivation coating, exposing the underlying layers. Without the passivation coating, the exposed core and cladding layers may absorb moisture resulting in an unacceptable shift in their refractive index. A supplemental hermetic sealing technique…
Photodiode optical power monitor
Granted: October 30, 2003
Application Number:
20030201381
The invention relates to an optical power monitoring device for a photodiode assembly, which converts the DC component of a photodiode's bias current into a common mode voltage indicative of the average optical power of the incident light. The photodiode assembly, which is mountable in a conventional four-lead TO can package, includes a photodiode, a pre-amplifier, and a common mode voltage controller. The common mode voltage is added to the differential voltage, and the combined signal…
Chromatic dispersion compensation in waveguide arrays
Granted: October 16, 2003
Application Number:
20030194183
A flat-top arrayed waveguide grating with a Hyper-Gaussian distribution function and a modified sinc design exhibits a very low chromatic dispersion, low loss and requires a relatively small number of waveguides. Controlled loss is introduced into certain waveguides of the array by creating gaps (unguided regions) between the waveguides to produce a desired predetermined amplitude distribution. The gaps are preferably arranged in the middle of the array.
Micro-optic delay element for use in a time-division multiplexed system
Granted: October 16, 2003
Application Number:
20030194237
A micro-optical delay element for a time-division multiplexing scheme is disclosed wherein two light beams are provided to a beam splitter/combiner (BS/C) in the absence of optical fibre. At least one beam exiting a modulator is collimated and reaches the (BS/C) unguided as a substantially collimated beam. This obviates a requirement for polarization controllers and polarization maintaining optical fiber
Back illuminated photodiodes
Granted: September 25, 2003
Application Number:
20030178636
A highly reflecting back illuminated diode structure allows light that has not been absorbed by a semiconductor absorbing region to be back reflected for at least a second pass into the absorbing region. The diode structure in a preferred embodiment provides a highly reflecting layer of gold to be supported in part by a conducting alloyed electrode ring contact and in part by a passivation layer of SixNy. Conveniently this structure provides a window within the contact which allows light…
Method for estimation of chromatic dispersion in multichannel optical network spans and chromatic dispersion monitor therefore
Granted: September 18, 2003
Application Number:
20030174311
The invention relates to a method for the estimation of chromatic dispersion in multichannel optical network spans during active operation. The invention further discloses a chromatic dispersion monitor for real time monitoring of accumulated dispersion in individual channels. The method effectively estimates accumulated chromatic dispersion by obtaining a contour map of the eye diagram correlating more than three points for measuring at least two parameters to known dispersion. This can…
Modular heat sinks
Granted: September 11, 2003
Application Number:
20030169983
The invention relates. to modular heat-dissipating housing covers for opto-electronic modules, e.g. transceivers. The housing covers according to the present invention are constructed out of various different parts, which provide different levels of heat dissipation depending on the desired implementation, while maintaining a seal against EMI leakage. Extra heat sinking portions are provided to dissipate heat generated from specific heat generating sources. The extra heat sinking…
Optical transceiver latch
Granted: September 11, 2003
Application Number:
20030171022
The present invention relates to a latching system for an optical transceiver module that eliminates the use of compound latching mechanisms by providing a single latching lever for unplugging the module from its mounting cage. The latching lever includes a pair of arms with a bail handle on one end to facilitate actuation of the latching lever and manipulation of the module. The other end of the latching lever applies a force to the cage to separate first and second mating latching…
Three-dimensional optical amplifier structure
Granted: August 28, 2003
Application Number:
20030161035
A multi-pass three-dimensional amplifier structure in which a beam to be amplified traverses an amplifier medium multiple times through distinct multiple paths. The distribution of the multiple paths being such that the volume occupied by said multiple paths inside the amplifier medium substantially overlaps with the volume of the amplifier medium being optically pumped by an optical pump beam. Also, the distribution of said optical paths being such that no more than two of the multiple…
Laser package
Granted: August 28, 2003
Application Number:
20030161379
The invention provides a laser package having a single-mode laser diode for emitting light; a single-mode optical fiber comprising an uncoated microlens formed on an input end of said single-mode optical fiber, the microlens optically coupled to the laser diode for receiving the light, the microlens being constructed so as to reduce a level of back reflection into the laser diode so as not to disturb an operation of the laser diode, wherein a center axis of the single-mode optical fiber…
Optical devices
Granted: August 21, 2003
Application Number:
20030156474
The present invention relates to optical devices and, more particularly, to optical waveguide devices in which characteristics of a light signal are modulated or changed in accordance with an applied electric field. Conventionally, in such devices, such as, for example, a Mach-Zehnder modulator, DC drift problems, as are well known within the art, must be surmounted if the optical device is to meet minimum performance criteria. Suitably the present invention provides a layer of an oxide…
Interference filter for optical telecommunication
Granted: August 14, 2003
Application Number:
20030152319
A micro-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a differential delay of n bit periods, where n is an integer number, and thermal bias control is useful as a spectral filter in front of a differential detection system to accomplish a balanced receiver. The interferometer may also be arranged as a Michelson interferometer or a dual-plate interferometer.
Widely tunable laser
Granted: August 7, 2003
Application Number:
20030147432
A tunable laser having a tunable multi-mode interference (MMI) section is provided. The tunable laser also includes a gain section including an active waveguide, a phase section including a transparent waveguide, and a sampled grating section including a waveguide having a sampled Bragg grating written thereon or below. Each section is controlled via current injection. More specifically, the MMI section provides coarse tuning, the sampled grating section provides medium tuning, and the…
Optical transceiver cage
Granted: July 31, 2003
Application Number:
20030141090
The present invention relates to a cage for holding an optical transceiver module in electrical contact with a host circuit board. The cage includes front, middle and rear sections, and facilitates the insertion of the optical transceiver into the cage, as well as providing electromagnetic shielding and facilitating thermal dissipation. Typically, the cage is for use with an optical transceiver module including an integral heat sink cover or with an optical transceiver module including…
