A second transceiver (22) includes a guide light source (22c), a photorefractive crystal (22a), and a frequency control unit (22e). The guide light source (22c) emits guide light (Y3). A double phase conjugate mirror (22m) is formed in a crystal (22a) by scattering of reference signal light (Y1), which has a frequency different from that of the guide light and is incident on the crystal via space (15) after being transmitted from a first transceiver (21) which is a transceiver on the other side, and the guide light that is incident on the crystal in a reverse direction to that of the reference signal light. A frequency control unit (22e) couples the reference signal light emitted from the crystal (22a), which is phase-conjugate light of the guide light generated by the mirror (22m), to an optical fiber (13b).

Materials containing picocrystalline quantum dots that form artificial atoms are disclosed. The picocrystalline quantum dots (in the form of born icosahedra with a nearly-symmetrical nuclear configuration) can replace corner silicon atoms in a structure that demonstrates both short range and long-range order as determined by x-ray diffraction of actual samples. A novel class of boron-rich compositions that self-assemble from boron, silicon, hydrogen and, optionally, oxygen is also disclosed. The preferred stoichiometric range for the compositions is (B.sub.12H.sub.w).sub.xSi.sub.yO.sub.z with 3≤w≤5, 2≤x≤4, 2≤y≤5 and 0≤z≤3. By varying oxygen content and the presence or absence of a significant impurity such as gold, unique electrical devices can be constructed that improve upon and are compatible with current semiconductor technology.

An apparatus includes an optical splitter configured to receive an optical signal and to split the input optical signal to provide a first and a second optical signal. The apparatus further includes an interferometer comprising a first arm and a second arm, with the first arm being configured to receive the first optical signal, and the second arm being configured to receive the second optical signal. Notably a portion of the first arm is exposed to a reference gas that attenuates light of a characteristic wavelength. The apparatus further includes an optical coupler configured to receive an output optical signal from the first arm, and an output optical signal from the second arm and to provide a third optical signal; and a photodetector configured to receive the third optical signal, and to provide a photocurrent. The photocurrent increases when the difference between the characteristic wavelength and the wavelength of the optical signals increases. The apparatus also comprises a feedback control circuit configured to change the properties of the laser to be locked until an error signal indicative of the difference between the characteristic wavelength and the wavelength of the laser is substantially zero.

An apparatus includes an optical splitter configured to receive an optical signal and to split the input optical signal to provide a first and a second optical signal. The apparatus further includes an interferometer comprising a first arm and a second arm, with the first arm being configured to receive the first optical signal, and the second arm being configured to receive the second optical signal. Notably a portion of the first arm is exposed to a reference gas that attenuates light of a characteristic wavelength. The apparatus further includes an optical coupler configured to receive an output optical signal from the first arm, and an output optical signal from the second arm and to provide a third optical signal; and a photodetector configured to receive the third optical signal, and to provide a photocurrent. The photocurrent increases when the difference between the characteristic wavelength and the wavelength of the optical signals increases. The apparatus also comprises a feedback control circuit configured to change the properties of the laser to be locked until an error signal indicative of the difference between the characteristic wavelength and the wavelength of the laser is substantially zero.

In order to measure the signal quality of each of optical signals transmitted/received via a plurality of transmission lines, an optical communication system 1 is provided with a dummy light source 10 for outputting dummy light, a switching means 20 for outputting the dummy light to a first transmission line 40a, and a light-receiving means 30 for acquiring first signal quality from the dummy light received via the first transmission line 40a, the switching means 20 switching the output destination of the dummy light from the first transmission line 40a to a second transmission line 40b, and the light-receiving means 30 acquiring second signal quality from the dummy light received via the second transmission line 40b.

According to an example, a transmitter transmits a plurality of optical signals of multiple wavelengths via an optical link to a receiver. An optical link tuner coupled to the optical link groups the plurality of optical signals into a first group of optical signals and a second group of optical signals, where the first group of optical signals has a first wavelength range and the second group of optical signals has a second wavelength range. The optical link tuner adjusts link tuning parameters associated with the first group of optical signals during a first phase, such that the second group of optical signals is propagated to the receiver without modifications to link tuning parameters associated with the second group, where during the first phase the receiver is to detect unplugging of the optical link based on the second group of optical signals.

According to an example, a transmitter transmits a plurality of optical signals of multiple wavelengths via an optical link to a receiver. An optical link tuner coupled to the optical link groups the plurality of optical signals into a first group of optical signals and a second group of optical signals, where the first group of optical signals has a first wavelength range and the second group of optical signals has a second wavelength range. The optical link tuner adjusts link tuning parameters associated with the first group of optical signals during a first phase, such that the second group of optical signals is propagated to the receiver without modifications to link tuning parameters associated with the second group, where during the first phase the receiver is to detect unplugging of the optical link based on the second group of optical signals.

A system for communication is provided. The system includes an emitter transmitting a first code of a first wavelength. The system includes a filter or variable waveplate receiving the first code. The system includes a receiver sensor receiving the filtered first code. The system includes the emitter transmitting a second code of a second wavelength. The system includes the variable waveplate or other filter receiving the second signal. The system includes the receiver sensor receiving the filtered second code. The first and second codes may be used for communication, synchronizing the emitter, and other purposes.

A system for communication is provided. The system includes an emitter transmitting a first code of a first wavelength. The system includes a filter or variable waveplate receiving the first code. The system includes a receiver sensor receiving the filtered first code. The system includes the emitter transmitting a second code of a second wavelength. The system includes the variable waveplate or other filter receiving the second signal. The system includes the receiver sensor receiving the filtered second code. The first and second codes may be used for communication, synchronizing the emitter, and other purposes.

A device configured to perform a task. The device includes an optical sensor configured to obtain light sequences from a camera flashlight (or other source) and convert the light sequences to electronic signals; a processor configured to receive the electronic signals from the optical sensor, detect electronic signals indicative of a predefined light sequence, and output control signals in response to detection of a predefined light sequence; and a controllable feature that is activated in response to the control signals from the processor.