In various embodiments, wavelength beam combining laser systems incorporate optical cross-coupling mitigation systems and/or engineered partially reflective output couplers in order to reduce or substantially eliminate unwanted back-reflection of stray light.

A device may be provided comprising at least one optoelectronic component and at least one optical waveguide, which are configured to transfer light between the optoelectronic component and the optical waveguide, wherein the optical waveguide contains at least one first longitudinal portion in which at least one Bragg grating is introduced, which has a grating constant which is variable along the longitudinal extent of said Bragg grating, and the optoelectronic component is arranged at a lateral distance from the optical waveguide. Alternatively or in addition, a method may be provided for transferring light between at least one optoelectronic component and at least one optical waveguide.

An optical system includes optical fibers, a decoupling surface, an intersecting surface and a connecting portion. The optical fibers are arranged in at least one row. Each of the optical fibers includes a coupling surface onto which light from a light source is received. Light is directed through the optical fibers along an optical main axis. Light emitted from the optical fibers is directed onto a decoupling surface. The connecting portion is planar and is disposed between the decoupling surface and the optical fibers. The intersecting surface bounds the decoupling surface and is parallel to the optical main axis. Each of the optical fibers has an intersecting face oriented parallel to the optical main axis and parallel to the intersecting surface. The intersecting surface and the intersecting faces of the optical fibers generate a sharp outer edge of a light pattern formed by light emitted from the optical system.

In various embodiments, wavelength beam combining laser systems incorporate optical cross-coupling mitigation systems and/or engineered partially reflective output couplers in order to reduce or substantially eliminate unwanted back-reflection of stray light.

An embodiment of the indention includes a passive, fiber optic, thermal insulator. The thermal insulator includes an inner sleeve defining a central access port. The thermal insulator includes an outer sleeve concentric to the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are joined sufficient to define an annular void. The thermal insulator includes a first insulator located in the annular void. Optionally, the apparatus includes at least one optical fiber secured in the central access port.

A high-precision fiber Bragg grating dislocation sensor, including a fiber Bragg grating, a loose tube, a tension spring, a sliding rod, a positioning piece, a sheath, a stainless steel tube, a transmission rod and a fastener. The sliding rod, the tension spring, the positioning piece, the fiber Bragg grating and the sheath are connected in series, and are provided in the precision stainless steel tube successively. The mechanism of the dislocation sensor is that an elastic force, converted from the local uneven settlement of the settlement joint, is applied on the bare fiber Bragg grating, so that the bare fiber Bragg grating suffers an axial stress and a strain is generated by itself, and the central wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating is further changed, allowing for the monitoring of settlement.

A method of making an optical fiber sensor device for distributed sensing includes generating a laser beam comprising a plurality of ultrafast pulses, and focusing the laser beam into a core of an optical fiber to form a nanograting structure within the core, wherein the nanograting structure includes a plurality of spaced nanograting elements each extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of optical fiber. Also, an optical fiber sensor device for distributed sensing includes an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis, a core, and a nanograting structure within the core, wherein the nanograting structure includes a plurality of spaced nanograting elements each extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. Also, a distributed sensing method and system and an energy production system that employs such an optical fiber sensor device.

A method of making an optical fiber sensor device for distributed sensing includes generating a laser beam comprising a plurality of ultrafast pulses, and focusing the laser beam into a core of an optical fiber to form a nanograting structure within the core, wherein the nanograting structure includes a plurality of spaced nanograting elements each extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of optical fiber. Also, an optical fiber sensor device for distributed sensing includes an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis, a core, and a nanograting structure within the core, wherein the nanograting structure includes a plurality of spaced nanograting elements each extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. Also, a distributed sensing method and system and an energy production system that employs such an optical fiber sensor device.

An optical system includes optical fibers, a decoupling surface, an intersecting surface and a connecting portion. The optical fibers are arranged in at least one row. Each of the optical fibers includes a coupling surface onto which light from a light source is received. Light is directed through the optical fibers along an optical main axis. Light emitted from the optical fibers is directed onto a decoupling surface. The connecting portion is planar and is disposed between the decoupling surface and the optical fibers. The intersecting surface bounds the decoupling surface and is parallel to the optical main axis. Each of the optical fibers has an intersecting face oriented parallel to the optical main axis and parallel to the intersecting surface. The intersecting surface and the intersecting faces of the optical fibers generate a sharp outer edge of a light pattern formed by light emitted from the optical system.

Methods and apparatus for furcating fiber optic cables are provided. In some embodiments, a molded array of furcation tubes is generated by compressing rearward portions of a plurality of furcation tubes together and heating at least a portion of the rearward portions to form a molded portion of the molded array. Reinforcing filaments can be bonded into and/or throughout the molded portion. The molded portion can have a plurality of internal chambers, each in communication with a separate furcation tube of the molded array, in which optic fibers can be slidably retained. The molded portion can be fixedly coupled to a housing, which in turn, can be coupled to a cable trunkline. Optic fibers can slide longitudinally within the trunkline, housing, and molded portion.