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.

Athermal glasses and athermal systems for infrared optical components and systems are disclosed.

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.

Methods, apparatus, and systems for modulation of a laser beam. An optical modulator may comprise an optical input to receive an optical beam, and one or more lengths of fiber between the optical input and an optical output. At least one of the lengths of fiber comprises a confinement region that is optically coupled to the output. The optical modulator may further comprise a perturbation device to modulate, through action upon the one or more lengths of fiber, a transmittance of the beam through the confinement region from a first transmittance level at a first time instance to a second transmittance level at a second time instance. The optical modulator may further comprise a controller input coupled to the perturbation device, wherein the perturbation device is to act upon the one or more lengths of fiber in response to a control signal received through the controller input.

Methods, apparatus, and systems for active saturable absorbance of an optical beam. An active saturable absorber may comprise an optical input to receive an optical beam, and one or more lengths of fiber between the optical input and an optical output. At least one of the lengths of fiber comprises a confinement region that is optically coupled to the output. The active saturable absorber may further comprise an optical detector to sense a characteristic of the optical beam, such as power. The active saturable absorber may further comprise a perturbation device to modulate, through action upon the one or more lengths of fiber, a transmittance of the beam through a fiber confinement region from a lower transmittance level to a higher transmittance level based on an indication of the characteristic sensed while the transmittance level is low.

Provided is a cladded single crystal sapphire optical device (e.g., a s sapphire optical fiber or wafer). In one embodiment, the innovation provides a method for forming a cladding in a single crystal sapphire optical device by reactor irradiation. The reactor irradiation creates ions external to the optical device that enter the optical device, displace atoms in the optical device, and are implanted in the optical device, thus modifying the index of refraction of the optical device near the surface of the optical device and creating a cladding in the sapphire optical device.

Provided is a cladded single crystal sapphire optical fiber. In one embodiment, the innovation provides a method for forming a cladding in a single crystal sapphire optical fiber by reactor irradiation. The reactor irradiation creates ions external to the fiber that enter the fiber, displace atoms in the fiber, and are implanted in the fiber, thus modifying the index of refraction of the fiber near the surface of the fiber and creating a cladding in the sapphire fiber.

Athermal glasses and athermal systems for infrared optical components and systems are disclosed.

Athermal glasses and athermal systems for infrared optical components and systems are disclosed.

Provided is a cladded single crystal sapphire optical fiber. In one embodiment, the innovation provides a method for forming a cladding in a single crystal sapphire optical fiber by reactor irradiation. The reactor irradiation creates ions external to the fiber that enter the fiber, displace atoms in the fiber, and are implanted in the fiber, thus modifying the index of refraction of the fiber near the surface of the fiber and creating a cladding in the sapphire fiber.