Lockheed Martin Corporation

Management Graphics, Inc.

Teem Photonics, Inc.

Gregory J Whaley

Rick C Stevens

Brian L Uhlhorn

Roger J Karnopp

Gregory M Drexler

Scott Thomas Mazar

John A Krawczak

Mark P Bendett

James Michael Krause

Bing C Li

Brian Scott Leininger

Ryan L Nelson

Aaron M Cordes

Norman August Lehtomaki

Kenneth West Hutt

Apparatus and method for clamping optical fibers to a photonic chip. Some embodiments include a transparent second plate; a grooved first plate; and a plurality of optical fibers held between the first plate and the second plate, wherein each optical fiber has a core, a cladding layer, and an end facet that reflects light from the core through a first region of the cladding layer and out of the respective optical fiber and through the transparent second plate. The first region has a higher index of refraction than the first cladding layer surrounding the first region. Some embodiments include a method for making the apparatus. Some embodiments include a method for using the apparatus.

Method and apparatus for low-profile fiber-coupling to photonic chips

An illumination assembly includes a laser for producing a laser beam of light and an optical fiber disposed adjacent the laser and extending between a beam receiving end for receiving the laser beam of light from the laser and a beam emitting end for emitting the laser beam of light therefrom. A beam splitter splits the laser beam into a target beam and a feedback beam and directs the target beam toward the targeted object. A feedback sensor receives the feedback beam and generates a feedback signal to identify a targeted image portion correlated to the targeted object. A motor is operatively connected to the vehicle with the beam emitting end fixedly secured thereto. A controller receives the feedback signal generated by the feedback sensor and generates a control signal transmittable to the motor to position the beam emitting end of the optical fiber such that the target beam continues to be directed toward the targeted object.

Image-aided illumination assembly and method

A flexible circuit assembly that includes a flexible circuit substrate. A spacer is attached to a first side surface of the substrate, and a die carrier is attached to the opposite side surface of the substrate. The die carrier includes one or more photonic die mounted thereon that face an opening formed through the substrate so that the photonic die transmits and/or receives optical signals through the opening. Wire bonds electrically connect the photonic die to an electrical pad on the first side surface of the substrate. The spacer helps to space the wire bonds from an optical connector that connects to the flexible circuit assembly, so that the wire bonds do not interfere with the mechanical connection between the flexible circuit assembly and the optical connector.

Flexible circuit assembly with wire bonding

Free space optical communication systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided. A system embodiment includes a photodetector for receiving a beacon signal transmitted from a ground communication apparatus, a light source for emitting a light beam toward a source of the beacon signal, where the light beam includes a signal to be transmitted, and a high speed tracking actuator coupled to the light source for moving the light source to maintain the light beam in a direction toward the source of the beacon signal transmitted from the ground communication apparatus.

Free space optical communication

An optical network system, including multiple nodes, an optical switch, and a switch controller, is configured to achieve communication in the optical domain. Each node is configured to receive both high frequency and low frequency inputs, generally utilized for handling data and addressing information, respectively. The two types of information are combined to create an amplitude modulated optical signal. Subsequently, the two types of information are separated by examining the optical power average of the signal being transmitted. Using one portion of the signal for addressing information, the switch controller can perform necessary routing and arbitration functions. Appropriate communications can then be sent back to the nodes and the optical switch to achieve the necessary configuration. The protocol utilized allows for subsequent arbitration and data transmission cycles, allowing the system and switch controller to configure transmission paths and arbitrate any communication issues. All optical data transmission is then commenced.

Data communication network using optical power averaged multiplexing

A fiber optic transceiver incorporating a lens array with an integrated mirror and method of creating the same is disclosed. The transceiver includes the lens array and transceiver housing used to convert optical signals to electrical signals. The lens array includes a fiber side that can be connected to a fiber optic connector. The lens array also has a device side that can be connected to a photodetector. The lens array also includes a mirror that is positioned to transmit an optical signal received from the fiber side to the device side. Both the fiber side and the device include lenses used to provide focused transmission of optical signals. Accordingly, optical signals can be transmitted from a fiber optic connector to a photodetector in a compact and efficient manner at high bandwidths.

Lens array with integrated folding mirror

In one example embodiment, an optical connector arrangement includes a coupler with a first part and a second part each having a first end to receive an optical fiber core and a second end that releasably couples the first part and the second part. An insert block having a connector face and an assembly face is included in each of the first part and the second part. The connector face has a lens assembly to optically couple the optical fiber core of the first part and the second part, and the assembly face has an axial passageway that terminates in the assembly face and aligns with the first end to receive an end portion of the optical fiber core.

Optical connector

The present disclosure is directed to an optical apparatus suitable for coupling to an optical network. The optical apparatus is adapted to transmit multiplexed optical signals on the optical network and/or de-multiplex optical transmissions from the network. The optical apparatus includes an optical waveguide and an optoelectronic device. The optical waveguide has a set of diffractive elements in the form of a scribed volume hologram, which provides an optical transfer function. The optical waveguide also includes a first optical port and a second optical port. The second optical port is adapted to be optically coupled to the optical network. The optoelectronic device includes a plurality of optical portions. The optoelectronic device is adapted to convert optical signals at the optical portions into electric signals and/or convert electric signals into optical signals at the optical portions.

Integrated volume holographic optical circuit apparatus

An integrated photonic apparatus that includes a glass substrate having a major surface, a first waveguide segment and a second waveguide segment, and a folded evanescent coupler connecting the first waveguide segment to the second. The folded evanescent coupler is formed by a first length of the first waveguide segment and an equivalent length portion of the second waveguide running parallel and adjacent to the first waveguide segment. The first length is substantially equal to one half of an evanescent-coupler length needed to transfer a first wavelength in a non-folded evanescent coupler. A reflector (e.g., dielectric mirror that is highly reflective to light of the first wavelength and also highly transmissive to light of a second wavelength) is located at an end of the folded evanescent coupler. The first length is selected to transfer substantially all light of a first wavelength.

Compact apparatus and method for integrated photonic devices having folded directional couplers

A focused laser beam is provided using a multimode laser of a type that generates a diverging beam with an asymmetric cross section. A collimation lens receives and substantially collimates the diverging asymmetric beam. An anamorphic beam expander enlarges a width of the substantially collimated beam in a first, multimode axis without substantially affecting the width of the beam in a second, single mode axis orthogonal to the first axis. Demagnification optics are arranged to receive and demagnify the enlarged width beam to produce a focused spot. The demagnification optics can include a cylindrical lens ('rod lens') having a longitudinal axis and arranged to receive the enlarged width beam in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis. The demagnification optics are merged with scanning optics to produce a scanned spot imaging system. The apparatus is particularly useful for exposing images, e.g., in a dye sublimation printer.

Growing community of inventors

Woodbury, MN, United States of America

Gregory J Whaley