An optical source switching apparatus including first optical sources, an optical cross-connect device, second optical sources, and a first coupler. The optical cross-connect device is connected to the first optical sources and the first coupler, and the first coupler is connected to the second optical source; both the first optical source and the second optical source are configured to output continuous optical energy, and the optical cross-connect device is configured to enable optical energy output by at least one of the first optical sources to enter the first coupler when at least one of the second optical sources fails; and the first coupler is configured to implement beam splitting of the optical energy output by the first optical source or the second optical source.

In various embodiments, the beam parameter product and/or beam shape of a laser beam is adjusted by directing the laser beam across a path along the input end of a cellular-core optical fiber. The beam emitted at the output end of the cellular-core optical fiber may be utilized to process a workpiece.

An image projection system includes a cascaded waveguide system including a first waveguide and a second waveguide arranged downstream along a transmission path from the first waveguide. The first waveguide includes a first output structure and is configured to receive a light beam having a first beam width and output a first expanded light beam at the first output structure, wherein the first expanded light beam has a second beam width greater than the first beam width. The second waveguide includes a second output structure and is configured to receive the first expanded light beam from the first waveguide and output the first expanded light beam multiple times from the second output structure as a plurality of output light beams. Each of the plurality of output light beams is output from a different area of the second output structure along a propagation direction of the second waveguide.

Systems for measuring a concentration of a target species include a first and second tunable diode laser generating laser light at a respective first and second wavelength each corresponding to respective absorption lines of the target species. A first optical fiber is optically coupled to the first tunable diode laser, and does not support a fundamental mode at the second wavelength. A second optical fiber is coupled to the second tunable diode laser and does not support a fundamental mode at the first wavelength. A fiber bundle includes respective distal ends of the first and second optical fibers, which are stripped of their respective coatings and arranged with their claddings adjacent to each other. A pitch head is configured to project respective optical beams from the fiber bundle through a measurement zone. A catch head located across the measurement zone receives the projected beams and directs them to a sensor.

An undersea fiber optic cable routing architecture including a branching unit coupled to three trunk cables capable of switching individual fibers in each fiber pair within a cable to either of the other two cables. The branching unit comprises a plurality of optical switches and a controller for receiving remote command signals and configuring the optical switches in accordance with the remote command signals.

Measuring a concentration of at least one target species is described. A first and second tunable diode laser are configured to generate laser light at a respective wavelength different from one another. A pitch head comprising a transmitting optic is optically coupled to the first and second tunable diode lasers via distal ends of the first and second optical fibers, and is oriented to project respective beams from each of the first and second distal ends through a measurement zone. A photodetector is configured to detect an optical power of light in the first and second wavelengths. A catch head located across the measurement zone from the pitch head is in optical communication with the pitch head to receive the respective beams from the first and second distal ends and direct the respective beams to the photodetector.

An undersea fiber optic cable routing architecture including a branching unit coupled to three trunk cables capable of switching individual fibers in each fiber pair within a cable to either of the other two cables. The branching unit comprises a plurality of optical switches and a controller for receiving remote command signals and configuring the optical switches in accordance with the remote command signals.

A module handles beams having multiple channels in an optical network. The module has a dispersion element, a liquid crystal (LC) based switching assembly, and photodetectors. The dispersion element is arranged in optical communication with the beams from inputs and is configured to disperse the beams into the channels across a dispersion direction. The switching assembly is arranged in optical communication with the channels from the dispersion element and is configured to selectively reflect the channels using electrically switchable cells of one or more LC-based switching engines. The photodetectors are arranged in optical communication with the dispersion element, and each are configured to receive selectively reflected channels for optical channel monitoring. Outputs can be arranged in optical communication with the dispersion element and can be configured to receive selectively reflected channels for wavelength selective switching.

An optical assembly includes a light source for providing a beam of light, a lens system configured to expand and collimate the beam of light, and a configurable beam injector, wherein the beam injector contains a first grid plate and a second grid plate to block individual beams of light. The first grid plate and the second grid plate may be configured such that each grid plate respectively corresponds to particular MEMS mirrors. The grid plates can be configured to have pathways that allow for beams of light to be passed through and other pathways which are blocked to prevent the passage of light. The first grid plate and second grid plate may thus block or allow for transmission of beams of lights to those particular MEMS mirrors. The second grid plate can be configured to be easily swappable during or removable to allow for a different set of beams of light, corresponding to a different set of MEMS mirrors, to be blocked. The second grid plate can be configured to be rotated or slid linearly within a housing.

The laser-induced dispensing system includes a cartridge assembly having a supply reel for supplying a foil having a light transmissive layer wound around the supply reel, and a take-up reel for taking up the foil. There is provided a coating device for coating the foil by a donor material during a motion of the foil. The laser-induced dispensing system also includes an irradiation head having optics configured for focusing a laser beam. Additionally, a controller, for controlling the cartridge assembly to establish motion of the foil, and the optics to focus the laser beam onto the foil at a location downstream of the outlet of the coating device so as to release droplets of the donor material from the foil is provided.