Ilx Lightwave Corporation

John T Flower

Christopher Stephen Wood

Jeffrey V Meuli

Shirley Thorkelson

Joseph G Long

An integrating optical system for measuring optical radiation. The system has a first sphere (forming a &ldquo;primary&rdquo; integrating cavity) and a second sphere (forming a &ldquo;secondary&rdquo; integrating cavity). An optical fiber interfaces to an input aperture of the first sphere so that light from the fiber enters the first sphere. A detector interfaces with the second sphere such that light from the first sphere couples to the detector by scattering within the first and second spheres and without a direct line of sight between the detector and the input aperture. The secondary integrating cavity has a smaller volume than the primary integrating cavity. The secondary integrating cavity is made smaller so as to decrease losses incurred by light scattering transmission through the first and second spheres. The detector is preferably configured so that it does not receive &ldquo;specular&rdquo; radiation (i.e., radiation from a single reflection) from the walls of the primary cavity.

Integrating cavity for optical measurements

The invention is directed to an optical fiber holder apparatus for aligning and positioning an optical fiber such that a user can perform various testing and manipulation of the fiber. The apparatus comprises first and second sides coupled together along a common axis, each having a face containing a plurality of fiber engaging protrusions extending along the face. The fiber engaging protrusions of each side have a longitudinal groove formed therein for accepting an optical fiber. To capture and correctly position the fiber, the first and second sides are coupled together such that the fiber engaging protrusions of each side are interleaved with each other to gradually and repeatedly move an optical fiber placed therein towards the longitudinal groove of each side as the sides are rotated together in a mating relationship. The gradual movement of the optical fiber is facilitated by the broad angle presented between the interleaved fiber engaging protrusions of the first and second side and the relatively large dimensions of the protrusions relative to the fiber diameter.

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Longmont, CO, United States of America

John T Flower