Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080226217 | PHOTONIC CRYSTAL STRUCTURE SENSOR - An acoustic sensor and a method of fabricating an acoustic sensor are provided. The acoustic sensor includes at least one photonic crystal structure and an optical fiber having an end optically coupled to the at least one photonic crystal structure. The acoustic sensor further includes a structural portion mechanically coupled to the at least one photonic crystal structure and to the optical fiber. The at least one photonic crystal structure, the optical fiber, and the structural portion substantially bound a region having a volume such that a frequency response of the acoustic sensor is generally flat in a range of acoustic frequencies. | 09-18-2008 |
20090097811 | Photonic Crystal and Method of Fabrication - A method is disclosed for forming a photonic crystal in a homogeneous layer of material. The method enables the fabrication of 1D, 2D, or 3D photonic crystals. Photonic crystals in accordance with embodiments of the present invention exhibit low temperature sensitivity and low device curvature. In some embodiments, photonic crystals in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are integrated with mechanical elements, such as micromechanical, nanomechanical, microelectronic, and microfluidics devices and systems. | 04-16-2009 |
20090169220 | ADAPTIVE OPTICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING WITH MULTIMODE WAVEGUIDES - Optical signals are passed in an optical medium using an approach that facilitates the mitigation of interference. According to an example embodiment, a filtering-type approach is used with an optical signal conveyed in an optical fiber, such as a multimode fiber (MMF) or a multimode waveguide. Adaptive spatial domain signal processing, responsive to a feedback signal indicative of data conveyed in the multimode waveguide, is used to mitigate interference in optical signals conveyed in the multimode waveguide. | 07-02-2009 |
20090208163 | HIGH-SENSITIVITY FIBER-COMPATIBLE OPTICAL ACOUSTIC SENSOR - An acoustic sensor includes at least one photonic crystal structure having at least one optical resonance with a resonance frequency and a resonance lineshape. The acoustic sensor further includes a housing mechanically coupled to the at least one photonic crystal structure. At least one of the resonance frequency and the resonance lineshape is responsive to acoustic waves incident upon the housing. | 08-20-2009 |
20100092125 | Optical structure on an optical fiber and method of fabrication - An optical structure on an optical fiber and a method of fabrication is provided. The optical structure includes an end of an optical fiber and a layer formed on the end of the optical fiber. The layer comprises one or more first portions having a first optical pathlength in a direction perpendicular to the layer and one or more second portions having a second optical pathlength in the direction perpendicular to the layer, the second optical pathlength different from the first optical pathlength. | 04-15-2010 |
20100120023 | Detection of macromolecular complexes with harmonic cantilevers - Method and apparatus which uses harmonic cantilevers, such as used in atomic force microscopy, to detect variations in the attractive and repulsive forces on a solid surface as a result of macromolecular binding, for example, hybridization of a single stranded DNA molecule attached to the surface with another DNA molecule. The complexed macromolecule is less flexible than an uncomplexed molecule. It will typically have more negative charge due to amino acids or DNA monomers. Both stiffness of the surface and the attractive capillary forces will change after binding and may be detected. By scanning the harmonic cantilever across a surface with macromolecules attached in tapping-mode and by recording the signals at the high frequency vibrations provided by harmonic cantilever, complexed molecules on a surface may be identified and quantified. | 05-13-2010 |
20100218288 | ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY DEVICES, ARRANGEMENTS AND SYSTEMS - Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to microscopy cantilevers. Consistent with an example embodiment, aspects of the invention are directed to a cantilever having a body and a force sensor arrangement extending from an end of the body and including a tip near a free end of the force sensor arrangement. The force sensor arrangement exhibits a high temporal response to the tip's interaction with a sample, relative to the response of the cantilever. The force sensor arrangement's response is detected and used to characterize the sample. | 08-26-2010 |
20100286674 | SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR IMAGING AND SURGERY - Provided herein are devices, systems and methods for imaging of biological tissue. Also provided are devices, systems and methods for surgical manipulation of biological tissue. Further provided are devices, systems and methods for combined imaging and surgical manipulation of biological tissue. | 11-11-2010 |
20100309474 | GYROSCOPE UTILIZING MEMS AND OPTICAL SENSING - A gyroscope and a method of detecting rotation are provided. The gyroscope includes a structure configured to be driven to move about a drive axis. The structure is further configured to move about a sense axis in response to a Coriolis force generated by rotation of the structure about a rotational axis while moving about the drive axis. The gyroscope further includes an optical sensor system configured to optically measure movement of the structure about the sense axis. In certain embodiments, the gyroscope is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscope. | 12-09-2010 |
20110041616 | ACOUSTIC SENSOR WITH AT LEAST ONE PHOTONIC CRYSTAL SLAB - An acoustic sensor includes at least one structure including at least one photonic crystal slab and an optical fiber optically coupled to the at least one photonic crystal slab, and having at least one optical resonance with a resonance frequency and a resonance lineshape. The acoustic sensor further includes a housing mechanically coupled to the at least one structure. At least one of the resonance frequency and the resonance lineshape is responsive to acoustic waves incident upon the housing. | 02-24-2011 |
20110088470 | METHOD USING ASYMMETRIC OPTICAL RESONANCES - A method utilizes an optical resonator that includes a reflective element and a spatial mode filter positioned relative to the reflective element such that light emitted from the spatial mode filter is reflected by the reflective element. The optical resonator has an optical resonance with a resonance lineshape that is asymmetric as a function of wavelength. | 04-21-2011 |
20110160744 | Optically-implemented microsurgery system and approach - According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a vibration-actuated microsurgical system includes an optical force detection arrangement having an optical encoding device configured to modulate an intensity of light in response to a displacement of a portion of the microsurgical system. Light sensing circuitry is configured to detect a force applied to the microsurgical system (e.g., and thereby to a sample) based on the intensity of light sensed from the optical encoding device. This detected force is used in controlling the application of the microsurgical system. | 06-30-2011 |
20110268384 | OPTICAL-FIBER-COMPATIBLE ACOUSTIC SENSOR - An acoustic sensor includes a diaphragm having a reflective element. The sensor has an optical fiber positioned relative to the reflective element such that light emitted from the optical fiber is reflected by the reflective element. A first end of the optical fiber and the reflective element form an optical cavity therebetween. The acoustic sensor further includes a structural element mechanically coupled to the diaphragm and the optical fiber. The structural element includes a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially similar to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the optical fiber. For example, the material can be silica. | 11-03-2011 |
20120002913 | PHOTONIC CRYSTAL SENSOR - This invention relates to an optical sensor element comprising a photonic crystal constituted by a membrane of a chosen transparent material, the membrane being provided with a number of defined openings in a chosen pattern, the pattern being adapted to provide resonance at a chosen wavelength or range of wavelengths, wherein said openings are provided with a reactive material acting as a receptor for a chosen type of molecules, e.g. proteins, the presence of which alters the resonance and/or scattering conditions in the sensor element thus altering the amount of light propagating out of the membrane plane. | 01-05-2012 |
20120045165 | Magnetically Actuated Photonic Crystal Sensor - A magnetically actuated photonic crystal sensor is disclosed. An optical fiber comprises at least one photonic crystal means coupled to a first end thereof, and a magnetic material coupled to the at least one photonic crystal means. | 02-23-2012 |
20120113637 | Longitudinally graded index lens - Such optical elements can provide optical concentration in excess of the free-space brightness theorem limit, because of the increased refractive index at the output of the concentrator compared to the input. Optical contact (i.e., no intervening low index material) between the AGILE and the absorbing element (or an optical source) can be employed to ensure no loss of brightness at the interface between the AGILE and the absorbing element (or source). Although solar cell concentration is a significant application of this technology, there are various other applications, such as increasing the efficiency of optical emission, and providing transmissive optical windows that include optically cloaked regions. | 05-10-2012 |
20120182557 | METHOD OF DETECTING A TOPOLOGY OF A REFLECTIVE SURFACE - A method detects a topology of a reflective surface. The method includes providing an optical fiber positioned such that light emitted from the optical fiber is reflected by at least a portion of the reflective surface. The optical fiber and the portion of the reflective surface form an optical resonator having an optical resonance with a resonance lineshape. The method further includes emitting light from the optical fiber while the optical fiber is at a plurality of positions along the reflective surface. The light emitted from the optical fiber irradiates a corresponding plurality of portions of the reflective surface. The method further includes measuring a change of the resonance lineshape due to the irradiation of the plurality of portions of the reflective surface. | 07-19-2012 |
20120186353 | ACOUSTIC SENSOR WITH AT LEAST ONE PHOTONIC CRYSTAL STRUCTURE - An acoustic sensor includes at least one photonic crystal structure and an optical fiber in optical communication with the at least one photonic crystal structure. The at least one photonic crystal structure has at least one optical resonance with a resonance frequency and a resonance lineshape, wherein at least one of the resonance frequency and the resonance lineshape is responsive to acoustic waves incident upon the acoustic sensor. The acoustic sensor further includes an optical fiber in optical communication with the at least one photonic crystal structure. The optical fiber is configured to transmit light which impinges the at least one photonic crystal structure and to receive at least a portion of the light which impinges the at least one photonic crystal structure. | 07-26-2012 |
20120300214 | GYROSCOPE UTILIZING TORSIONAL SPRINGS AND OPTICAL SENSING - A gyroscope and a method of detecting rotation are provided. The gyroscope includes a structure configured to be driven to move about a drive axis. The structure is further configured to move about a sense axis in response to a Coriolis force generated by rotation of the structure about a rotational axis while moving about the drive axis. The structure further includes at least one first torsional spring extending generally along the drive axis and at least one second torsional spring extending generally along the sense axis. The gyroscope further includes an optical sensor system configured to optically measure movement of the structure about the sense axis. | 11-29-2012 |
20120330157 | CONFOCAL MICROSCOPE, SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFOR - Aspects of the present invention are directed to apparatuses, arrangements, systems and methods for collecting information using one or more modalities. As consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes first and second scanning mirror arrangements having different scanning axes and respectively facing different directions. The first scanning mirror arrangement directs source light and image light in two paths, and the second scanning mirror arrangement directs image light from a target to the first scanning mirror arrangement. The first and second scanning mirror arrangements cooperatively scan source light from the first scanning mirror and via the second scanning mirror to target locations with at least two degrees of freedom, and direct image light from the target locations. | 12-27-2012 |
20130022307 | OPTICAL SYSTEM HAVING A PHOTONIC CRYSTAL STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FABRICATION - An optical structure includes an optical waveguide and at least one photonic crystal structure. The optical structure also includes a structural portion mechanically coupled to the optical waveguide and the at least one photonic crystal structure such that a region substantially bounded by the structural portion, the optical waveguide, and the at least one photonic crystal structure has a specified volume. | 01-24-2013 |
20130141729 | METHOD OF DETECTING AN ACCELERATION - A method detects an acceleration. The method includes providing a spatial mode filter positioned such that light emitted from the spatial mode filter is reflected by at least a portion of a reflective surface. The spatial mode filter and the portion of the reflective surface form an optical resonator having an optical resonance with a resonance lineshape. The method further includes emitting light from the spatial mode filter and irradiating the portion of the reflective surface. The portion of the reflective surface is responsive to acceleration of the optical resonator by changing curvature. The method further includes measuring a change of the resonance lineshape due to the acceleration of the optical resonator. | 06-06-2013 |
20130292555 | APPARATUS AND METHODS UTILIZING OPTICAL SENSORS OPERATING IN THE REFLECTION MODE - Optical apparatus and methods utilizing sensors operating in the reflection mode are provided. The apparatus includes at least one optical bus. The at least one optical bus is configured to be optically coupled to at least one source of input optical signals, to at least one optical detector, and to a plurality of reflective sensing elements. The at least one optical bus transmits an input optical signal from the at least one source to the plurality of reflective sensing elements. At least one reflective sensing element of the plurality of reflective sensing elements receives a portion of the input optical signal and reflects at least a portion of the received portion. The at least one optical bus transmits the reflected portion to the at least one optical detector. | 11-07-2013 |
20130340232 | METHOD OF FABRICATING AN OPTICAL-FIBER-COMPATIBLE SENSOR - A method for fabricating a sensor is provided, with the sensor including a reflective element and an optical fiber positioned relative to the reflective element such that light emitted from the optical fiber is reflected by the reflective element and propagates in an optical cavity between the optical fiber and the reflective element. The method includes positioning an element within the optical cavity. The element has a coefficient of thermal expansion and a thickness that compensate a refractive index change with temperature of a medium within the optical cavity. | 12-26-2013 |
20140064654 | MULTIMODE FIBER FOR SPATIAL SCANNING - A method for imaging a scan region by controlling at least one of the relative phase and relative amplitude of multiple optical modes propagating through a multimode optical fiber to control the position of an output beam emitted from the output facet of the optical fiber is disclosed. | 03-06-2014 |
20140070732 | Dielectric laser electron accelerators - A laser-driven dielectric electron accelerator is composed of a dielectric photonic crystal accelerator structure having an electron beam channel and buried grating whose elements are arranged linearly parallel to the electron beam channel. The accelerator structure preferably has a thin film material coating. The grating may have an asymmetric structure. The accelerator and undulator structures may be integrated with on-chip optical and electronic devices such as waveguide devices and control circuits so that multiple devices can be fabricated on the same chip. | 03-13-2014 |
20140130213 | INTERFEROMETRIC ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY DEVICE AND METHOD - A high-bandwidth AFM probe having a diffraction grating characterized by a diffraction characteristic that monotonically changes along the length of the diffraction grating is disclosed. AFM probes in accordance with the present invention are capable of high-sensitivity performance over a broad range of operating conditions, such as operating wavelength and measurement media. A method for estimating at least one physical property of a surface based on high-frequency signal components in the output signal from a high-bandwidth AFM probe is also disclosed. The method enables determination of tip-surface interaction forces based on the relationship between a first motion of the base of the AFM probe and a second motion of the tip of the AFM probe. | 05-08-2014 |
20140130214 | MONOLITHIC INTERFEROMETRIC ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY DEVICE - A fiber-facet AFM probe enabling high-resolution, high sensitivity measurement of a sample surface is presented. AFM probes in accordance with the present invention include an optically resonant cavity that is defined by two mirrors, at least one of which is a photonic-crystal mirror. One of the mirrors is movable and is mechanically coupled with an AFM tip such that a force imparted on the tip by an interaction with the sample surface induces a change in the cavity length of the optically resonant cavity and, therefore, its reflectivity. | 05-08-2014 |
20140130597 | GYROSCOPE UTILIZING TORSIONAL SPRINGS AND OPTICAL SENSING - A gyroscope and a method of detecting rotation are provided. The gyroscope includes a structure configured to be driven to move about a drive axis. The structure is further configured to move about a sense axis in response to a Coriolis force generated by rotation of the structure about a rotational axis while moving about the drive axis. The structure further includes at least one first torsional spring extending generally along the drive axis and at least one second torsional spring extending generally along the sense axis. The gyroscope further includes an optical sensor system configured to optically measure movement of the structure about the sense axis. | 05-15-2014 |
20140268318 | ARRAYED DUAL AXIS CONFOCAL MICROSCOPES - Various aspects as described herein are directed to apparatuses, methods, and systems including a sandwiched arrangement having a light-access port, a scanning mirror, an optics region, and a spacer. The spacer provides a light-directing optical region that separates the scanning mirror and the optics region, and includes a mirrored surface that reflects light between the light-access port and the optics region. Additionally, the optics region includes a curved-shaped window that provides a field of view by communicating beams of light between a target region. The optics region also includes a curved-shaped mirror having a surface that reflects light between the scanning mirror and the mirrored surface. Light beams, as conveyed between the light-access port and the curved-shaped window, are folded by being reflected off the scanning mirror, the curved-shaped mirror and the mirrored surface. | 09-18-2014 |