A detector configuration for use in a free space optical (FSO) node for transmitting and/or receiving optical signals has a plurality of sensors for detecting received optical signals. The system may be configured to modify or alter the light at the plurality of sensor to optimize different system functions.

A silicon waveguide coupling alignment apparatus includes a fine adjustment bracket, a stress releasing clamp and a silicon photonic integrated chip force sensor. A silicon photonic integrated chip is fixed on the silicon photonic integrated chip force sensor, at least a part of an optical fiber to be coupled is fixed on one end of the stress releasing clamp, the stress releasing clamp is arranged on the fine adjustment bracket, an end surface of the optical fiber to be coupled is aligned with an end surface of the silicon photonic integrated chip by adjusting a position of the fine adjustment bracket, and a cushioning mechanism is arranged within the stress releasing clamp to cushion a collision force in a direction perpendicular to the end surface of the optical fiber to be coupled. The contact force imposed by the optical fiber on the end surface of the chip can be released by the clamp.

An optical module includes: a photonic device emitting or receiving a light wave; an optical waveguide for transmitting the light wave; a lens focusing the light wave; a mirror for changing a traveling direction of the light wave to optically couple the photonic device with the optical waveguide; a manipulation lever for manipulating an orientation of the mirror; a support spring for supporting the mirror; and a substrate integrated with the mirror, the manipulation lever, and the support spring. The support spring couples the mirror with the substrate so as to allow the mirror to change the orientation thereof with movement or rotation along at least two axes. The manipulation lever extends from the mirror in a direction in which the manipulation lever avoids approaching the optical waveguide.

Encircled flux compliant test apparatus are provided. A test apparatus includes an optical connector, and a light source, the light source operable to emit encircled flux compliant light. The test apparatus further includes a first collimator, and a beam splitter optically aligned with the first collimator. The test apparatus further includes a first optical fiber pigtail connected to the light source, and a second optical fiber pigtail connected between the optical connector and the first collimator. A first portion of the light emitted by the light source is transmitted from the first optical fiber pigtail by the beam splitter and first collimator to the second optical fiber pigtail, and from the second optical fiber pigtail to the optical connector.

A dynamic concentrator system having a concentrator lens, a tracker platform and a receiver. In an embodiment, the concentrator lens is configured to receive an incoming light at an entrance angle ? and concentrate the light beam on a focus spot. The tracker platform has a detector optical aperture and one or more actuators. The detector optical aperture can be configured to receive the concentrated light beam. The actuators can move the detector optical aperture in a spatial plane to a location of the focus spot. The receiver has a detector optically coupled to the detector optical aperture to receive the concentrated light beam from the detector optical aperture.

An optical module includes: a photonic device emitting or receiving a light wave; an optical waveguide for transmitting the light wave; a lens focusing the light wave; a mirror for changing a traveling direction of the light wave to optically couple the photonic device with the optical waveguide; a manipulation lever for manipulating an orientation of the mirror; a support spring for supporting the mirror; and a substrate integrated with the mirror, the manipulation lever, and the support spring. The support spring couples the mirror with the substrate so as to allow the mirror to change the orientation thereof with movement or rotation along at least two axes. The manipulation lever extends from the mirror in a direction in which the manipulation lever avoids approaching the optical waveguide.

A method and apparatus for automatic determination of a fiber type of at least one optical fiber span used in a link of an optical network, the method comprising the steps of measuring a length of said optical fiber span; measuring a chromatic dispersion of said optical fiber span; determining a fiber dispersion profile of said optical fiber span on the basis of the measured length and the measured fiber chromatic dispersion; and determining a fiber category and/or a specific fiber type of said optical fiber span depending on the determined fiber dispersion profile.

An alignment optical measurement element includes a grating coupler, and a reflector coupled to the grating coupler. The alignment optical measurement element is arranged so that: the grating coupler diffracts an incident light in a first direction into a first diffracted light to propagate the first diffracted light as a first propagating light in a second direction, the reflector reflects the first propagating light into a second propagating light in a third direction opposite to the second direction; and the grating coupler diffracts the second propagating light into a second diffracted light to emit the second diffracted light as an emitted light in a fourth direction opposite to the first direction.

Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for improved optical waveguide transmission and alignment in an analytical system. Waveguides in optical analytical systems can exhibit variable and increasing back reflection of single-wavelength illumination over time, thus limiting their effectiveness and reliability. The systems are also subject to optical interference under conditions that have been used to overcome the back reflection. Novel systems and approaches using broadband illumination light with multiple longitudinal modes have been developed to improve optical transmission and analysis in these systems. Novel systems and approaches for the alignment of a target waveguide device and an optical source are also disclosed.

An optical waveguide alignment method includes a step of covering an end portion of an optical fiber, an end portion of a PLC, and a microlens with an adhesive before curing in a state in which at least one microlens is disposed between incidence and emission end faces of end portions of the optical fiber and the PLC, a step of causing light for alignment to be incident on at least one of the optical fiber or the PLC so that light enters a portion covered with the adhesive between the optical fiber and the PLC, and a step of curing the adhesive after the microlens moves onto an optical path between the optical fiber and the PLC due to radiation pressure of light. The optical fiber and the PLC are optically connected via the adhesive and the microlens, and the optical fiber, the PLC, and the microlens are mechanically connected by the adhesive.