A system or method for a magnetic self-aligning coupling device for a fiber optic cable. The device includes a first end coupling comprising a first magnet and a second magnet. Both magnets include a mating surface and an annular ring defining an axial aperture. The aperture receives a distal end of a segment of fiber optic cable in a tight fit. The fiber optic cable has an exterior sleeve and a fiber core. The fiber core of the first segment and the second segment of the fiber optic cable are axially aligned by magnetic force in the first and second apertures to create a continuous fiber optic path. A method for detecting a security breach of a door using the self-aligning couplings is also described.

A system or method for a magnetic self-aligning coupling device for a fiber optic cable. The device includes a first end coupling comprising a first magnet and a second magnet. Both magnets include a mating surface and an annular ring defining an axial aperture. The aperture receives a distal end of a segment of fiber optic cable in a tight fit. The fiber optic cable has an exterior sleeve and a fiber core. The fiber core of the first segment and the second segment of the fiber optic cable are axially aligned by magnetic force in the first and second apertures to create a continuous fiber optic path. A method for detecting a security breach of a door using the self-aligning couplings is also described.

The present application discloses a deflector including a substrate portion, a movable portion, a reflective portion, a support portion, and a moving mechanism. The movable portion is supported by a first end of the support portion. A second end of the support portion is supported by the substrate portion. An end of the movable portion is capable of coming into contact with the substrate portion. The reflective portion is formed on the movable portion. The moving mechanism is capable of driving the movable portion so as to bring the movable portion into at least any one of a first state, a second state, a third state, and a fourth state.

An apparatus includes a plurality of connector track elements, each extending substantially perpendicularly from a coupling plane, wherein a particular connector track element of the plurality of connector track elements includes a distribution of at least two magnets adjacent unattached end thereof, a polarity of the magnets on the particular connector track element being selected to provide magnetic repulsion as to at least one adjacent connector track element.

A robotic fiber switching system switching between two sets of patch cords is disclosed. The connectors for inner patch cords are placed on multiple layers of stackable rotors which moves into the targeted port by utilizing the interaction of magnetically activated coils and nearby magnets. Multiple layers of stackable stator base are placed outside of the stackable rotors, around which the outer patch cords are placed. To establish a connection, a robot sliding on a rail surrounding the stackable stator is configured to move to the targeted port on the rail, using a robotic arm to pull the corresponding outer patch cord connector from a parking stand and latch it into the adaptor of the inner patch cord at the targeted port.

A device comprises first, second and third elements fabricated on a common substrate. The first element comprises an active waveguide structure comprising electrically pumped optical source supporting a first optical mode. The second element comprises a passive waveguide structure supporting a second optical mode in at least part of the second element. The third element, at least partly butt-coupled to the first element, comprises an intermediate waveguide structure supporting intermediate optical modes. At least part of the second element supports at least one optical mode that interacts with rare-earth dopants. A tapered waveguide structure in at least one of the second and the third elements facilitates efficient adiabatic transformation between the second optical mode and at least one of the intermediate optical modes. No adiabatic transformation occurs between any of the intermediate optical modes and the first optical mode. Mutual alignments of the elements are defined using lithographic alignment marks.

An automated fiber optic patch-panel/cross-connect system comprised of a stacked arrangement of multiple replaceable modules, including a first multiplicity of fiber modules, each with a second multiplicity of reconfigurable internal fiber connectors; a common robot module shared among fiber modules, wherein any connector within a fiber module in the system can be moved to any other connector of any other fiber module in the system; a power management module that distributes electrical power to the fiber modules and the robot module; and a server module that generates commands that are placed on communication bus to activate robot and fiber modules. The modules are physically separated and spatially arranged to be serviced replaced without interrupting fiber connections previously established in the system.

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first connector portion and a second connector portion. The first connector portion includes a first magnet, an electrical pin, and a first fiber optic connector. The second connector portion is configured to form a non-rigid connection to the first connector portion. The second connector portion includes a second magnet configured to mate with the first magnet of the first connector portion, an electrical contact configured to mate with the electrical pin of the first connector portion, and a second fiber optic connector configured to mate with the first fiber optic connector of the first connector portion.

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first connector portion and a second connector portion. The first connector portion includes a first magnet, an electrical pin, and a first fiber optic connector. The second connector portion is configured to form a non-rigid connection to the first connector portion. The second connector portion includes a second magnet configured to mate with the first magnet of the first connector portion, an electrical contact configured to mate with the electrical pin of the first connector portion, and a second fiber optic connector configured to mate with the first fiber optic connector of the first connector portion.

The invention relates to a 3D-printed actuatable optical device and a method for fabricating the actuatable optical device. The method comprises the following steps: forming a three-dimensional structure (50) of the optical device (100) with the aid of a 3D printer in such a way that the three-dimensional structure (50) has: at least one optical element, and at least one microfluidic cavity (4) for accommodating a magnetic substance (6); filling the at least one microfluidic cavity (4) with the magnetic substance (6).

The invention further relates to the use of a magnetizable fluid for fabricating a magnetically actuatable optical device.