Physical Optics Corporation

Physical Optics Corportion

Richard C Kim

Tomasz P Jannson

Behzad M Moslehi

Kevin W Shirk

An optical multi-channel data communication link transmits data from a transmitter to a remote receiver. The link includes a multimode laser diode source connected to the transmitter, a device for modulating the source with each channel of data to generate a modulated light wave, and a wavelength division multiplexing device at the transmitter. The wavelength division multiplexing device has paraxial optics for multiplexing the light waves to produce a multiplexed signal. Multimode fiber optic means are connected to the multiplexer and pass the multiplexed signal to the remote receiver. A wavelength division multiplexer has paraxial optics for demultiplexing the multiplexed signals at the receiver to produce demultiplexed light waves. Each of the demultiplexed light waves are converted for use by the receiver. Preferably, each of the wavelength division multiplexer and demultiplexer has a littrow reflecting grating and a lens which are paraxially aligned with the multimode fiber optic means to provide channel separation of less than 50 nm.

Multiwavelength data communication fiber link

A multiwavelength sensor for sensing light scattered from a scattering medium includes a light source, a uniform broadband reflection grating at the Littrow position, a fiber, and a detector. Light from the source is incident on the grating, which diffracts the light. The fiber has a first end into which the light diffracted from the grating is received and has a second end from which the light exits, the fiber being positioned so that the light is incident upon and scattered from the scattering medium. At least some of the light scattered from the medium is scattered back into the second end and out of the first end and incident upon the diffraction grating. Light out of the first end and diffracted from the grating is incident on the detector. The system is fully transparent so that light traveling toward the second end and light traveling back toward the first end are optically isolated and cross-talk is substantially nonexistent.

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Yorba Linda, CA, United States of America

Richard C Kim