Abstract:
An optical coupler for coupling optical-pump power into a multimode fiber configured to transport an optical space-division-multiplexed (SDM) signal, the coupling being performed in a manner that enables amplification of the SDM signal in the multimode fiber via a stimulated-emission process or a stimulated Raman- scattering process. The optical coupler can be a part of an optical transmitter configured for co-directional pumping, an optical receiver configured for contra- directional pumping, or a relay station disposed within an optical communication link and configured for either type of pumping. The optical coupler can advantageously be used, e.g., to offset the different degrees of attenuation to which the SDM-signal components corresponding to different guided modes of the multimode fiber are subjected to therein.
Abstract:
A beam scanner comprising at least one array (20) of a plurality micromirrors (30) and a method of scanning beams. The array is installed on a substrate (21). At least some of the plurality of micromirrors in the array are configured to be moved away and rotated with respect to the substrate.
Abstract:
A representative optical receiver of the invention receives an optical transverse-mode-multiplexed (TMM) signal through a multimode fiber that supports a plurality of transverse modes. The optical receiver has a plurality of optical detectors operatively coupled to a digital signal processor configured to process the TMM signal to determine its modal composition. Based on the determined modal composition, the optical receiver demodulates each of the independently modulated components of the TMM signal to recover the data encoded onto the TMM signal at the remote transmitter.
Abstract:
According to one embodiment, an image projector has a spatial light modulator (SLM) adapted to modulate illumination from a laser with a spatial pattern such that the modulated illumination projects an image on a viewing screen. The image projector further has an optical diffuser located on an optical path between the laser and the SLM. The laser is adapted to illuminate the SLM through the optical diffuser to create an illuminated area at the SLM. The optical diffuser is adapted to introduce an angular spread into the light transmitted therethrough. The image projector is adapted to move the illuminated area with respect to the SLM to mitigate speckle in the projected image.
Abstract:
An optical coupler for coupling optical-pump power into a multimode fiber configured to transport an optical space-division-multiplexed (SDM) signal, the coupling being performed in a manner that enables amplification of the SDM signal in the multimode fiber via a stimulated-emission process or a stimulated Raman- scattering process. The optical coupler can be a part of an optical transmitter configured for co-directional pumping, an optical receiver configured for contra- directional pumping, or a relay station disposed within an optical communication link and configured for either type of pumping. The optical coupler can advantageously be used, e.g., to offset the different degrees of attenuation to which the SDM-signal components corresponding to different guided modes of the multimode fiber are subjected to therein.
Abstract:
As discussed herein, there is presented a visual communication system, a method of conducting two-way visual communication and an apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: (1) a lens substrate having a first array of micro lenses on one side thereof, (2) an optical output substrate having a second array of display pixels and (3) an optical input substrate having a third array of image sensors laterally inter-dispersed with respect to display pixels of the first array and positioned to receive light from the micro lenses of the first array.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a DC-to-DC voltage converter. The DC-to-DC voltage converter has a plurality of pairs of outputs and is configured to apply voltages across the pairs of outputs in a time division multiplexed manner.
Abstract:
A representative embodiment of the invention provides a compact image projector having a light source coupled to a spatial light modulator (SLM). The light source has a substantially planar structure. The overall size of the SLM is dominated by its length and/or width. The projector has an optical arrangement that enables the SLM to be oriented so that the SLM' s dominant dimensions are parallel to the plane of the light source. Due to this relative orientation of the SLM and light source, one of the dimensions of the image projector can be smaller than 12 mm, which advantageously enables incorporation of the projector into a hand-held electronic device, such as a cell phone, PDA, or media player.
Abstract:
A laser projector having a configurable spatial light modulator (SLM) adapted to display various spatial modulation patterns and redirect illumination from a laser to form an image on the viewing screen. The laser projector drives the SLM to change spatial modulation patterns at a rate that causes the corresponding sequence of projected images to fuse to mitigate appearance of speckle in the resulting fused image. The SLM can be designed to redirect the illumination using either diffraction or specular reflection of light from the displayed spatial modulation pattern. In one embodiment, the SLM is a MEMS device having an array of individually addressable mirrors supported over a substrate and adapted to move (e.g., translate and/or rotate) with respect to the substrate.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a first optical mode coupler having a spatial light modulator with a two-dimensional array of separately controllable optical phase modulators. The optical mode coupler is configurable to cause the spatial light modulator to couple a light source or light detector to an end-face of a multi-mode optical fiber via a plurality of light beams. Each of the light beams couples to a different one of optical modes in the multi- mode optical fiber.