In an example, an optical system includes a fiber, a detector, and a gradient-index (GRIN) lens assembly. The GRIN lens assembly is positioned between the fiber and the detector and couples light from an exit aperture of the fiber onto the detector. The spot size of light exiting the fiber is larger than a spot size of light exiting the GRIN lens assembly. Additionally, the spot area of light exiting the GRIN lens assembly may be smaller than a sensing area of the detector. Among other advantages, the GRIN lens assembly increases the amount of light coupled onto the detector from the fiber. Additionally, the GRIN lens assembly may make the optical system more robust against vibrations (and other factors) that change the energy distribution of light exiting the fiber.

A photonic antenna array includes: a plurality of tapered fiber ends; and a support plate. Each tapered fiber end of the plurality of tapered fiber ends corresponds to a respective fiber of a plurality of fibers. A portion of each of the plurality of fibers is run through the support plate. A fiber core diameter at a tapered end point of a respective tapered fiber end of the plurality of tapered fiber ends has a first diameter. A fiber core diameter at a non-tapered portion of the respective fiber corresponding to the respective tapered fiber end has a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The respective tapered fiber end is configured to provide a mode field diameter larger than a diameter of the non-tapered portion of the respective fiber corresponding to the respective tapered fiber end.

A system includes a housing including a front panel, a rear panel, an upper panel, and a lower panel. The system includes a first circuit board or substrate, at least one data processor coupled to the first circuit board or substrate and configured to process data, and at least one optical module coupled to the first circuit board or substrate. Each optical module is configured to perform at least one of (i) convert input optical signals to electrical signals that are provided to the at least one data processor, or (ii) convert electrical signals received from the at least one data processor to output optical signals. The system includes at least one inlet fan mounted near the front panel and configured to increase an air flow across a surface of at least one of (i) the at least one data processor, (ii) a heat dissipating device thermally coupled to the at least one data processor, (iii) the at least one optical module, or (iv) a heat dissipating device thermally coupled to the at least one optical module. The system includes at least one laser module configured to provide optical power to the at least one optical module.

A LIDAR system includes a light source configured to output a source signal. The LIDAR chip is also configured to output a LIDAR output signal that exits from the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR system also includes an isolator adapter that includes an optical isolator configured to receive an adapter signal. The adapter signal includes light that is from the source signal and that has exited from the LIDAR chip before being received by the optical isolator. The isolator is configured to output light from the adapter signal in an isolator output signal. Additionally, the LIDAR output signal includes light from the isolator output signal.

There is provided a method for making an optical element having a textured surface. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a plurality of primary optical fiber segments, each primary fiber segment comprising one or more cores; b) bundling the primary fiber segments into an assembly with the cores of said primary fiber segments extending parallely; c) transforming the assembly into a secondary structure comprising the parallely extending cores; and d) etching a surface of the secondary structure according to an etch profile of said secondary structure, the etch profile being defined by the parallely extending cores, thereby forming the textured surface of the optical element. An optical element having a textured surface is also provided.

Photonic integrated circuits including controllable cantilevers are described. Such photonic integrated circuits may be used in connection with other optical devices, in which light is transferred between the photonic integrated circuit and one of these optical device. The photonic integrated circuit may comprise an optical waveguide having an end disposed proximate to a facet of the cantilever. The orientation of the cantilever may be actively controlled in one or two dimensions, thus adjusting the orientation of the optical waveguide. Actuation of the cantilever may be performed, for example, thermally and/or electrostatically. Orientation of the cantilever may be performed in such a way to align the optical waveguide with an optical device.

Disclosed herein is an optical fiber assembly comprising a launching fiber having a receiving end and a transmitting end; an illuminating fiber having a receiving end and a transmitting end; where the receiving end of the launching fiber is operative to receive light from a light source and the transmitting end of the launching fiber is operative to transmit light to the receiving end of the illuminating fiber; where the launching fiber contacts the illuminating fiber in a manner so as to be offset from a center of a cross-sectional area of the illuminating fiber; and where the launching fiber has a diameter that is ⅛ to ½ of a diameter of the illuminating fiber; and a lens that is operative to contact the transmitting end of the illuminating fiber.

A light interference system is provided. The light interference system includes a light source configured to generate a measurement light; a fiber configured to propagate therethrough the measurement light; and a measurement device. The fiber includes a single-mode fiber, a multimode fiber and a connector connecting the single-mode fiber and the multimode fiber. A tip end of the fiber is formed of the multimode fiber, and an end surface of the tip end of the fiber is configured to emit the measurement light to a measurement target object and receive a reflection light from the measurement target object. The measurement device is configured to measure physical property of the measurement target object based on the reflection light.

An intraoral scanner comprises a light source for generating light, an optics system for focusing the light, and a light-guiding part having an entrance and an exit. The light source, the optics system and the light-guiding part are arranged such that the light passes through the optics system, enters the light-guiding part via the entrance, and exits the light-guiding part via the exit. The optics system is configured such that, upon entering the light-guiding part, an outermost chief ray of the light with respect to an optical axis of the optics system is divergent to the optical axis and an outermost marginal ray of the light with respect to the optical axis is parallel or divergent to the optical axis.

A laser processing head for a laser beam uses actuators engaged with a delivery fiber end to deflect the fiber end relative to an optical axis. The laser beam from the fiber end is collimated by a collimator and is then focused by a focusing component disposed in the head beyond the collimator to a focal point. The focal point of the laser beam is deflected from the optical axis in relation to the deflection of the fiber end. The fiber end and the actuators are housed in a sealed module. Deflection of the laser beam can be sensed by reflecting portion of the laser beam to a sensing element so a control system can monitor and control the fiber end's movement. A mode-stripper in the sealed module removes light from cladding of the delivery fiber, and an actively cooled absorber in the module around the fiber absorbs the energy.