Abstract:
An optical modulator includes a bi-moded fiber for supporting first and second different optical transmission modes, coupled between input and output single mode fibers. The two modes in the bi-moded fiber interfere and the intensity of the radiation that passes to the single mode output fiber is a function of the relative phases of the first and second modes. The bi-moded fiber is electrically poled and is provided with modulating electrodes. When a modulating voltage from a modulating source is applied to the electrodes, the refractive index of the waveguide for the first transmission mode is altered relative to the refractive index of the waveguide for the second mode such as to change the phase difference between the modes at the entrance to the output fiber so as to control the intensity of optical radiation that passes through the output fiber.
Abstract:
A resonant laser device including first and second reflectors defining an optical cavity with given optical resonance characteristics. The laser device including a laser active material in a first optical fiber disposed between the reflectors in the cavity and a second photosensitive optical fiber coupled to the cavity. One of the reflector being a refractive index grating formed in the second fiber such that the laser operates with a selected predetermined wavelength and the laser being tuned to a different wavelength by exposing the second fiber to a second spatially periodic pattern of optical radiation such that the second pattern becomes recorded in the second optical fiber.
Abstract:
A laser having two feedback elements at least one which is wavelength selective, is provided with a demountable optical connector located between the gain medium of the laser and the wavelength selective feedback element. An optical waveguide is utilized to direct optical radiation between the demountable optical connector and the wavelength selective feedback element. The demountable optical connector, for example, a mechanical fibre connector allows the wavelength selective feedback element, for example, a fibre grating, to be exchanged cheaply, simply and quickly, and thus allows the wavelength of operation of the laser to be altered.
Abstract:
A filter has a preselected attenuation/wavelength characteristic, in which spatially separated parts of the filter attenuate different wavelengths. The spatially-separated parts have different attenuation characteristics to attenuate different wavelengths in a predetermined manner to provide a selected attenuation/wavelength characteristic. In one arrangement an interference type filter includes a grating, the pitch of which varies spatially. In one instance, the structure to determine the proportion of radiation subject to interference includes a grating of spatially-varying effectiveness, but alternatively it may include an attenuation filter, the attenuation effect of the attenuation layer varying spatially. In another arrangement, the filter may include structure to separate received radiation into a spatially-disposed spectrum, and to attenuate different parts of the spatially-disposed spectrum in such a manner as to provide the selected attenuation/wavelength characteristic.
Abstract:
A polarization insensitive optical freqency mixer comprising an optical fiber coupler block (2), a silica fibre (6) with a region whose cladding (4) has been polished off close to the core (8) on which is rotatably mounted interdigitated electrodes (12) spaced from the coupler block (2) by a polymer film spacer (12). The electrodes (12) induce a spatially periodic electric field within the core (4) which reverses every half period which provides frequency doubling of light passing through the fibre (6) over the whole grating length. The electrodes are dimensioned to provide polarization insensitized frequency mixing by providing that the electric field components within the optical waveguide are substantially equal in two mutually orthogonal directions transverse the waveguide.