Provided is an optical communication connector that includes a control unit (42). The control unit (42) controls alignment of a ferrule (170) and a lens (162). The ferrule (170) is to fix a fiber (23). The control unit (42) varies a shape of a shape variation member (21) on the basis of a communication quality of light entering the fiber (23) via the lens (162) to control the alignment.

An optical system includes a laser source that provides a beam of light, a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) with an input aperture, and an alignment fixture that has at least one actuator. The alignment fixture may be mounted on the PIC. The optical system is aligned such that the beam of light travels from the laser source to the alignment fixture and from the alignment fixture to the input aperture of the PIC. The alignment fixture can move in at least one direction upon actuation of the at least one actuator to adjust coupling between the laser source and the PIC. The at least one actuator may be a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) structure actuated by an electrical signal.

An optical system includes a laser source that provides a beam of light, a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) with an input aperture, and an alignment fixture that has at least one actuator. The alignment fixture may be mounted on the PIC. The optical system is aligned such that the beam of light travels from the laser source to the alignment fixture and from the alignment fixture to the input aperture of the PIC. The alignment fixture can move in at least one direction upon actuation of the at least one actuator to adjust coupling between the laser source and the PIC. The at least one actuator may be a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) structure actuated by an electrical signal.

Systems and methods described herein relate to the manufacture of optical elements and optical systems. An example method includes providing a first substrate that has a plurality of light-emitter devices disposed on a first surface. The method includes providing a second substrate that has a mounting surface defining a reference plane. The method includes forming a structure and an optical spacer on the mounting surface of the second substrate. The method additionally includes coupling the first and second substrates together such that the first surface of the first substrate faces the mounting surface of the second substrate at an angle with respect to the reference plane.

A lithography system comprises an illumination system configured to produce abeam of radiation, a support configured to support a patterning device configured to impart a pattern on the beam, a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a substrate, and an alignment system comprising an illuminator. The illuminator comprises an optical fiber, an optical fiber protector (714), an optical fiber support (700) comprising a first support arm assembly configured to support the optical fiber protector, an optical system, and an optical system support comprising a second support arm assembly configured to support the optical system.

Provided are an apparatus and method for adjusting an optical axis. In the apparatus, an iris diaphragm and a quadrant photodiode (QPD) are used to align optical axes of an optical system of the apparatus so that optical transmission efficiency between an optical transmitter and an optical receiver can be increased. Since a hole of the iris diaphragm can be adjusted to be small, a beam larger than a light-receiving area of the QPD can be included in the light-receiving area, and optical axis alignment is facilitated accordingly. When the QPD and the iris diaphragm are applied to the apparatus, it is possible to simultaneously perform data transmission, tracking, and optical axis alignment. An optical fiber end surface and optical axes of lenses arranged in parallel are aligned in the apparatus so that alignment between two terminals can be easy and reception efficiency can be increased.

A laser alignment system is used to align an output fiber with a fiber laser, for example, when coupling a feeding fiber to a process fiber using a beam coupler or switch. The alignment system includes a laser alignment apparatus that is coupled at a first end to the output fiber and at a second end to a beam dump/power meter. The alignment apparatus defines a light passage and a light capture chamber along the light passage. When light is not aligned into the core of the output fiber, at least a portion of the light passing out of the output fiber will be captured by the light capture chamber and detected by a photodetector in optical communication with the light capture chamber. By monitoring the readings of the photodetector, the output fiber may be properly aligned with the laser light from the fiber laser.

An optical head includes a first module that concentrates pump light and Stokes light on a first point; a second module that collects CARS light from the first point; and a third module that supports the first module and the second module. The first module includes: a high rigidity first frame; and a first optical system including a plurality of optical elements fixed to the first frame. The second module includes: a high rigidity second frame; and a second optical system including a plurality of optical elements fixed to the second frame. The third module includes a high rigidity third frame that fixes the first frame and the second frame.

A projective MEMS device, including: a fixed supporting structure made at least in part of semiconductor material; and a number of projective modules. Each projective module includes an optical source, fixed to the fixed supporting structure, and a microelectromechanical actuator, which includes a mobile structure and varies the position of the mobile structure with respect to the fixed supporting structure. Each projective module further includes an initial optical fiber, which is mechanically coupled to the mobile structure and optically couples to the optical source according to the position of the mobile structure.

An optical module includes: a first lens and a second lens provided between a light emitter and a light receiver; and a base member on which the light emitter and the light receiver are placed, and each of the first lens and the second lens is fixed via an adhesive resin. A first bonding direction in which a first bonding surface of the first lens is bonded and fixed via an adhesive resin, and a second bonding direction in which a second bonding surface of the second lens is bonded and fixed via an adhesive resin are respectively perpendicular to an optical axis direction of light, and an orientation of the first bonding surface and an orientation of the second bonding surface make are different from each other.