Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080225268 | Electric-field-enhancement structures including dielectric particles, apparatus including same, and methods of use - In one aspect of the present invention, an electric-field-enhancement structure is disclosed. The electric-field-enhancement structure includes a substrate and an ordered arrangement of dielectric particles having at least two adjacent dielectric particles spaced from each other a controlled distance. The controlled distance is selected so that when a resonance mode is excited in each of the at least two adjacent dielectric particles responsive to excitation electromagnetic radiation, each of the resonance modes interacts with each other to result in an enhanced electric field between the at least two adjacent dielectric particles. Other aspects of the present invention are electric-field-enhancement apparatuses that utilize the described electric-field-enhancement structures, and methods of enhancing an electric field between adjacent dielectric particles. | 09-18-2008 |
20080267236 | Laser diode with a grating layer - A laser diode is provided comprising a multiple quantum well structure, a current concentrating layer having an oxide-confined aperture, a grating layer having an index of refraction, and a transparent electrode, wherein the transparent electrode has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the grating layer. | 10-30-2008 |
20090002701 | Electric-field-enhancement structure and detection apparatus using same - Various aspects of the present invention are directed to electric-field-enhancement structures and detection apparatuses that employ such electric-field-enhancement structures. In one aspect of the present invention, an electric-field-enhancement structure includes a substrate having a surface. The substrate is capable of supporting a planar mode having a planar-mode frequency. A plurality of nanofeatures is associated with the surface, and each of nanofeatures exhibits a localized-surface-plasmon mode having a localized-surface-plasmon frequency approximately equal to the planar-mode frequency. | 01-01-2009 |
20090027658 | Free space WDM signal detector - A system can include a transmitter that produces an optical signal having a plurality of carrier frequencies and a receiver separated from the transmitter by free space through which the optical signal propagates. The receiver includes an array of detectors of multiple types, with the types being capable of detecting light respectively having the carrier frequencies. A location of an incident area where the optical signal is incident on the detector array generally depends on a misalignment of the receiver relative to the transmitter, but the detectors in the detector array are arranged so that at least one detector of each of the types detects light from the optical signal regardless of where the incident area is on the detector array. | 01-29-2009 |
20090028487 | Micro-ring optical detector/modulator - A micro-ring configured to selectively detect or modulate optical energy includes at least one annular optical cavity; at least two electrodes disposed about the optical cavity configured to generate an electrical field in the at least one optical cavity; and an optically active layer optically coupled to the at least one optical cavity. A method of manipulating optical energy within a waveguide includes optically coupling at least one annular optical cavity with the waveguide; and selectively controlling an electrical field in the at least one annular optical cavity to modulate optical energy from the waveguide. | 01-29-2009 |
20090028492 | OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE RING RESONATOR WITH AN INTRACAVITY ACTIVE ELEMENT - An optical resonator, a photonic system and a method of optical resonance employ optical waveguide segments connected together with total internal reflection (TIR) mirrors to form a closed loop. The optical resonator includes the optical waveguide segments, an intracavity active element coupled to a designated one of the optical waveguide segments, the TIR mirrors and a photo-tunneling input/output (I/O) port. The photo-tunneling I/O port includes one of the TIR mirrors. The method includes propagating and reflecting the optical signal, or a portion thereof, in the optical resonator, transmitting a portion of the optical signal through the I/O port, and influencing the optical signal. The photonic system includes the optical resonator with optical gain and a source of an optical signal. | 01-29-2009 |
20090028493 | Plasmon-enhanced electromagnetic-radiation-emitting devices and methods for fabricating the same - Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to surface-plasmon-enhanced electromagnetic-radiation-emitting devices and to methods of fabricating these devices. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electromagnetic-radiation-emitting device comprises a multilayer core, a metallic device layer, and a substrate. The multilayer core has an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the outer layer is configured to surround at least a portion of the inner layer. The metallic device layer is configured to surround at least a portion of the outer layer. The substrate has a bottom conducting layer in electrical communication with the inner layer and a top conducting layer in electrical communication with the metallic device layer such that the exposed portion emits surface-plasmon-enhanced electromagnetic radiation when an appropriate voltage is applied between the bottom conducting layer and the top conducting layer. | 01-29-2009 |
20090028504 | OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE RING RESONATOR WITH PHOTO-TUNNELING INPUT/OUTPUT PORT - An optical resonator, a photonic system and a method of optical resonance employ optical waveguide segments connected together with total internal reflection (TIR) mirrors to form a closed loop. The optical resonator includes the optical waveguide segments, the TIR mirrors and a photo-tunneling input/output (I/O) port. The photo-tunneling I/O port includes one of the TIR mirrors. The method includes propagating and reflecting an optical signal, or a portion thereof, in the optical resonator, and transmitting a portion of the optical signal through the photo-tunneling I/O port. The photonic system includes the optical resonator and a source of an optical signal. | 01-29-2009 |
20090032798 | LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) - A light-emitting diode (LED) includes a p-type layer, an n-type layer, and an active layer arranged between the p-type layer and the n-type layer. The active layer includes at least one quantum well adjacent to at least one modulation-doped layer. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, at least one surface of the n-type layer or the p-type layer is texturized to form a textured surface facing the active layer. | 02-05-2009 |
20090032805 | Microresonator systems and methods of fabricating the same - Various embodiments of the present invention are related to microresonator systems that can be used as a laser, a modulator, and a photodetector and to methods for fabricating the microresonator systems. In one embodiment, a microresonator system comprises a substrate having a top surface layer, at least one waveguide embedded within the substrate, and a microdisk having a top layer, an intermediate layer, a bottom layer, current isolation region, and a peripheral annular region. The bottom layer of the microdisk is in electrical communication with the top surface layer of the substrate and is positioned so that at least a portion of the peripheral annular region is located above the at least one waveguide. The current isolation region is configured to occupy at least a portion of a central region of the microdisk and has a relatively lower refractive index and relatively larger bandgap than the peripheral annular region. | 02-05-2009 |
20090034905 | Microresonantor systems and methods of fabricating the same - Various embodiments of the present invention are related to microresonator systems and to methods of fabricating the microresonator systems. In one embodiment, a microresonator system comprises a substrate having a top surface layer and at least one waveguide embedded in the substrate and positioned adjacent to the top surface layer of the substrate. The microresonator system also includes a microresonator having a top layer, an intermediate layer, a bottom layer, a peripheral region, and a peripheral coating. The bottom layer of the microresonator is attached to and in electrical communication with the top surface layer of the substrate. The microresonator is positioned so that at least a portion of the peripheral region is located above the at least one waveguide. The peripheral coating covers at least a portion of the peripheral surface and has a relatively lower index of refraction than the top, intermediate, and bottom layers of the microresonator. | 02-05-2009 |
20090074355 | Photonically-coupled nanoparticle quantum systems and methods for fabricating the same - Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to photonically-coupled quantum dot systems. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photonic device comprises a top layer, a bottom layer, and a transmission layer positioned between the top layer and the bottom layer and configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation. The photonic devices may also include at least one quantum system embedded within the transmission layer. The at least one quantum system can be positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation that propagates within the transmission layer. | 03-19-2009 |
20090103095 | Sensor using plasmon resonance - A sensing system can include one or more particles having one or more plasmon resonances. The particles can be positioned adjacent to the active region of a sensor to enhance the sensitivity of the sensor to electromagnetic radiation having frequencies corresponding to the plasmon resonances. An array of sensors such as used for color imaging can employ different types of particles adjacent to different sensors, so that different sensors sense different colors. During fabrication of such sensors, the particles can be applied mechanically or using a process such as inkjet printing. | 04-23-2009 |
20090239323 | Microresonator Systems And Methods Of Fabricating The Same - Various embodiments of the present invention are related to microresonator systems and to methods for fabricating the microresonator systems. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a microresonator system comprises: forming a multilayer system having a bottom layer, a top layer, and an intermediate layer having one or more quantum wells and sandwiched between the bottom layer and the top layer; embedding at least one waveguide in a substrate having a top surface, the at least one waveguide positioned adjacent to the top surface of the substrate; wafer bonding the top layer of the multilayer system to the top surface of the substrate; forming a microresonator in the multilayer system, wherein at least a portion of a peripheral annular region of the microresonator is portioned above the at least one waveguide; and forming a current isolation region in at least a portion of a central region of the microresonator. | 09-24-2009 |
20090256136 | MICRORESONATOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF FABRICATING THE SAME - Various embodiments of the present invention are related to microresonator systems that can be used as a laser, a modulator, and a photodetector and to methods for fabricating the microresonator systems. In one embodiment, a microdisk comprises: a top layer; a bottom layer; an intermediate layer having at least one quantum well, the intermediate layer sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer; a peripheral annular region including at least a portion of the top, intermediate, and bottom layers; and a current isolation region configured to occupy at least a portion of a central region of the microdisk including at least a portion of the top, intermediate, and bottom layers and having relatively lower index of refraction than the peripheral annular region. | 10-15-2009 |
20100094842 | Quantum-based oblivious transfer and private data sampling protocols and systems for performing the same - Various embodiments of the present invention relate to oblivious transfer protocols and to system for performing oblivious transfer. Embodiments of the present invention include a private data sampling protocol that is designed to balance the competing privacy interest of a database user and a database owner. Protocol embodiments enable the database user to obtain a fixed size random sample of the available data held by the database owner without the database owner learning which bits of data were accessed. | 04-15-2010 |
20100110417 | CRITICALLY COUPLED MICRORING RESONATOR AND METHOD - A microring resonator and methods critically couple a microring waveguide to an adjacent bus waveguide. A method of determining parameters of a critically coupled microring resonator includes modeling a coupled portion of the microring resonator as a U-shaped waveguide spaced apart from a straight waveguide by a gap and selecting a straight waveguide width and a gap size to optimize an output coupling ratio between the U-shaped waveguide and the straight waveguide. A method of producing the microring resonator includes using the determined parameters to produce, and a critically coupled microring resonator includes, a ring-shaped or microring waveguide spaced from the bus waveguide by a gap. | 05-06-2010 |
20100301307 | PLASMON ENHANCED LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to light-emitting diodes. In one embodiment of the present invention, a light-emitting diode comprises at least one quantum well sandwiched between a first intrinsic semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer. An n-type heterostructure is disposed on a surface of the first intrinsic semiconductor layer, and a p-type heterostructure is disposed on a surface of the second intrinsic semiconductor layer opposite the n-type semiconductor heterostructure. The diode also includes a metal structure disposed on a surface of the light-emitting diode. Surface plasmon polaritons formed along the interface between the metal-structure and the light-emitting diode surface extend into the at least one quantum well increasing the spontaneous emission rate of the transverse magnetic field component of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the at least one quantum well. In certain embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation can be modulated at a rate of about 10 Gb/s or faster. | 12-02-2010 |
20100309459 | ANGLE SENSOR, SYSTEM AND METHOD EMPLOYING GUIDED-MODE RESONANCE - An angle sensor, system and method employ a guided-mode resonance. The angle sensor includes a guided-mode resonance (GMR) grating and a resonance processor. The resonance processor determines an angle of incidence of a signal incident on the GMR grating. The resonance processor uses a guided-mode resonance response of the GMR grating to the signal to determine the angle of incidence. The angle sensing system includes the GMR grating, the resonance processor and further includes an optical source that produces the signal. The method includes providing a GMR grating, detecting a guided-mode resonance produced in the GMR grating when subjected to an incident signal, and determining an angle of incidence of the incident signal from one or both of a number of and a spectral distance between guided-mode resonances present in a response of the GMR grating to the incident signal. | 12-09-2010 |
20110075966 | Optical Interconnect - An optical interconnect has first and second substantially perpendicular optical waveguides and an optical grating disposed between and evanescently coupled to the waveguides. The optical grating includes a plurality perforated rows that are oriented at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the first and second optical waveguides. | 03-31-2011 |
20110083739 | ENERGY COLLECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An energy collection system is provided. The system can include an energy collection device and an energy concentration device disposed proximate at least a portion of the energy collection device. The energy concentration device includes a non-periodic, sub-wavelength, dielectric grating. | 04-14-2011 |
20110169815 | SPATIAL LIGHT MODULATOR - A spatial light modulator includes an array of pixels, with each of the pixels having a dimension smaller than a wavelength of light to be modulated. Each of the pixels further has a permittivity that can he controlled using an electronic signal applied to the pixel. | 07-14-2011 |
20110180782 | Light-Emitting Devices - Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to semiconductor light-emitting devices that provide energy efficient, high-speed modulation rates in excess of 10 Gbits/sec. These devices include a light-emitting layer embedded between two relatively thicker semiconductor layers. The energy efficient, high-speed modulation rates result from the layers adjacent to the light-emitting layer being composed of semiconductor materials with electronic states that facilitate injection of carriers into the light-emitting layer for light emission when an appropriate light-emitting voltage is applied and facilitate the removal of carriers when an appropriate light-quenching voltage is applied. | 07-28-2011 |
20110186715 | Dynamic Impedance Receiver Circuit For Ultrafast Low-power Photodetector - A photodetector receiver circuit, including: a photodetector for receiving an optical signal and converting the optical signal into a current; and a dynamic impedance circuit connected to the photodetector; wherein the dynamic impedance circuit is configured to have a first impedance during a charging phase and a second impedance during a discharging phase, the first impedance comprising a slower decay time than the second impedance. | 08-04-2011 |
20110188805 | OPTICAL FIBER COUPLING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING THE SAME - Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to optical fiber coupling systems and to methods for fabricating optical fiber coupling systems. In one aspect, an optical fiber coupling system includes a first resonant cavity abutting the end of an optical fiber. The optical fiber coupling system includes a second resonant cavity located adjacent to the first cavity. The first and second resonant cavities are separated by a sub-wavelength grating layer configured with a non-periodic sub-wavelength grating. The optical fiber coupling system selectively couples light into and/or out of the optical fiber core. | 08-04-2011 |
20110188806 | OPTICAL MULTIPLEXER/DEMULTIPLEXER SYSTEMS CONFIGURED WITH NON-PERIODIC GRATINGS - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to multiplexer/demultiplexer systems. In one aspect, a multiplexer/demultiplexer system includes an input/output waveguide, two or more output/input waveguides, and a planar, non-periodic, sub-wavelength grating. The grating is configured so that when the system is operated as a multiplexer, each wavelength of light output from one of the two or more output/input waveguides is reflected by the grating toward the input/output waveguide. When the system is operated as a demultiplexer, each wavelength of light output from the input/output waveguide is reflected toward one of the two or more output/input waveguides. | 08-04-2011 |
20110188807 | Hybrid Guided-Mode Resonance Filter And Method Employing Distributed Bragg Reflection - A hybrid guided-mode resonance (GMR) grating, an optical filter and a method of optical filtering employ distributed Bragg reflection. The hybrid GMR grating includes a waveguide layer that supports a GMR having a GMR resonant frequency. The hybrid GMR grating further includes a diffraction grating that couples a portion of a signal incident on the hybrid GMR grating into the waveguide layer; and a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) that reflects another portion of the incident signal. The coupled portion of the incident signal has a frequency corresponding to the GMR resonant frequency. The reflected portion has a frequency away from the GMR resonant frequency. The optical filter includes the hybrid GMR grating and a coupler. The method includes coupling an optical signal into the hybrid GMR grating and further coupling a reflected signal out of the hybrid GMR grating. | 08-04-2011 |
20110194815 | DIELECTRIC WAVEGUIDE INTERSECTION WITH REDUCED LOSSES - A waveguide intersection includes an input waveguide and an output waveguide; a crossing waveguide intersecting the input waveguide and the output waveguide to form an intersection; and a block that is optically joined to the intersection such that a guided mode is produced within the intersection. A method of reducing optical losses within a waveguide intersection includes increasing a cross-sectional height of an intersection such that optical energy passing through the intersection is laterally confined. | 08-11-2011 |
20110215231 | PHOTODIODE MODULE AND APPARATUS INCLUDING MULTIPLE PHOTODIODE MODULES - Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a photodiode module including a structure configured to selectively couple light to a dielectric-surface mode of a photonic crystal of the photodiode module. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photodiode module includes a semiconductor structure having a p-region and an n-region. The photodiode module further includes a photonic crystal having a surface positioned adjacent to the semiconductor structure. A diffraction grating of the photodiode module may be positioned and configured to selectively couple light incident on the diffraction grating to a dielectric-surface mode associated with the surface of the photonic crystal. In another embodiment of the present invention, a photodiode apparatus includes multiple, stacked photodiode modules, each of which is configured to selectively absorb light at a selected wavelength or range of wavelengths. | 09-08-2011 |
20110261856 | VERTICAL-CAVITY SURFACE-EMITTING LASER - A VCSEL includes a grating layer configured with a non-periodic, sub-wavelength grating, in which the non-periodic, sub-wavelength grating includes at least one first section configured to have a relatively low reflection coefficient and at least one second section configured to have a relatively high reflection coefficient to cause light to be reflected in a predetermined, non-Gaussian, spatial mode across the sub-wavelength grating. The VCSEL also includes a reflective layer and a light emitting layer disposed between the grating layer and the reflector, in which the sub-wavelength grating and the reflector form a resonant cavity. | 10-27-2011 |
20110267611 | SCATTERING SPECTROSCOPY APPARATUS AND METHOD EMPLOYING A GUIDED MODE RESONANCE (GMR) GRATING - A scattering spectroscopy apparatus, system and method employ guided mode resonance (GMR) and a GMR grating. The apparatus includes a GMR grating having a subwavelength grating, and an optical detector configured to receive a portion of a scattered signal produced by an interaction between an excitation signal and an analyte associated with a surface of the GMR grating. A propagation direction of the received portion of the scattered signal is substantially different from a propagation direction of a GMR-coupled portion of the excitation signal within the GMR grating. The system includes the apparatus and an optical source. The method includes exciting a GMR in a GMR grating, interacting a GMR-coupled portion of the excitation signal with an analyte to produce a scattered signal and detecting a portion of the scattered signal. | 11-03-2011 |
20110272669 | PLASMONIC LIGHT EMITTING DIODE - A light emitting diode ( | 11-10-2011 |
20110299856 | DYNAMIC IMPEDANCE PHOTODETECTOR RECEIVER CIRCUIT - A photodetector receiver circuit for an optical communication system includes an optical photodetector which receives optical signals and converts them into an electrical current. In one illustrative embodiment, a dynamic impedance module which switches the receiver circuit between a high impedance state and a low impedance state and a buffer stage which receives the electrical current and converts the electrical current into a voltage signal compatible with a digital circuit. A method for receiving an optical signal includes, receiving the optical signal and converting it into an electrical pulse train, switching a dynamic impedance module between a high impedance state and a low impedance state, transforming the electrical pulse train into an output voltage signal using a buffer stage, and receiving the output voltage signal by a digital circuit. | 12-08-2011 |
20110317469 | NON-VOLATILE SAMPLER - A non-volatile sampler including a row line for receiving an input signal to be sampled, the row line intersecting a number of column lines, non-volatile storage elements being disposed at intersections between the row line and the column lines; a bias voltage source connected to the column lines, the bias voltage source for selectively applying a bias voltage to at least one of the non-volatile storage elements to cause the at least one of the storage elements to store a sample of the input signal at the instance the bias voltage is applied. | 12-29-2011 |
20120013903 | NANOWIRE LIGHT CONCENTRATORS FOR PERFORMING RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems for performing surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. In one embodiment, a system ( | 01-19-2012 |
20120027339 | OPTICAL BUS FOR OPTICAL SIGNAL BROADCASTING - An optical bus is described for optical signal broadcasting. The optical bus can include a substrate and input optical waveguides formed on the substrate. First and second sets of output optical waveguides can also be formed on the substrate. Optical power splitters on the substrate can have an input and multiple outputs. The optical power splitters can be optically coupled to an input optical waveguide and can split an input optical beam into multiple output optical beams. The optical bus can include a waveguide shuffle network formed on the substrate. The waveguide shuffle network can include intersecting optical waveguides and can optically couple outputs from each of the optical power splitters to the first set of output optical waveguides and optically couple different outputs from each of the optical power splitters to the second set of output optical waveguides. | 02-02-2012 |
20120027347 | GRATING COUPLED CONVERTER - A chip includes a grating coupler and an optoelectronic converter. The grating coupler is patterned to extract a first fraction of incident light and to transmit a second fraction of the incident light as an output optical signal from the chip. The optoelectronic converter receives the first fraction of the incident light from the grating coupler and produces an electrical signal from light received. | 02-02-2012 |
20120027348 | Optical Apparatus for Forming a Tunable Cavity - An optical apparatus includes an optical fiber formed of a core surrounded by cladding, in which the optical fiber includes an end portion. In addition, an optical layer composed of a material having a relatively high refractive index is positioned on the end portion, in which the optical layer includes a non-periodic sub-wavelength grating positioned in optical communication with the core. | 02-02-2012 |
20120027349 | LENS - A lens is described which includes a substrate having a first side and an opposite second side. A first guided mode resonance grating is supported by the first side of the substrate and a second guided mode resonance grating is supported by the second side of the substrate. The second guided mode resonance grating can be offset from the first guided mode resonance grating. The second guided mode resonance grating can shape and reflect a wave front of an incident optical beam within the substrate towards the first guided mode resonance grating. The first guided mode resonance grating can redirect the reflected incident optical beam out of the second side of the substrate. | 02-02-2012 |
20120032140 | LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE INCLUDING A METAL-DIELECTRIC-METAL STRUCTURE - A light-emitting diode (LED) ( | 02-09-2012 |
20120033294 | OPTICAL APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD EMPLOYING AN ENDOHEDRAL METALLOFULLERENE - An optical apparatus ( | 02-09-2012 |
20120039617 | PHOTONIC QUANTUM SYSTEM ALIGNMENT USING MULTIPLE BEAMS - A handheld device ( | 02-16-2012 |
20120091552 | OPTICAL DEVICES BASED ON NON-PERIODIC SUB-WAVELENGTH GRATINGS - Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to optical devices comprising planar lenses. In one aspect, an optical device includes two or more planar lenses ( | 04-19-2012 |
20120093189 | MULTIMODE VERTICAL-CAVITY SURFACE-EMITTING LASER ARRAYS - Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to monolithic VCSEL arrays where each VCSEL can be configured to lase at a different wavelength. In one embodiment, a monolithic surface-emitting laser array includes a reflective layer, a light-emitting layer ( | 04-19-2012 |
20120105962 | NON-PERIODIC GRATING REFLECTORS WITH FOCUSING POWER AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING THE SAME - Aspects of the present invention are directed to flat sub-wavelength dielectric gratings that can be configured to operate as mirrors and other optical devices. In one aspect, a grating layer ( | 05-03-2012 |
20120113418 | LIGHT AMPLIFYING DEVICES FOR SURFACE ENHANCED RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY - A light amplifying device for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy is disclosed herein. The device includes a dielectric layer having two opposed surfaces. A refractive index of the dielectric layer is higher than a refractive index of a material or environment directly adjacent thereto. At least one opening is formed in one of the two opposed surfaces of the dielectric layer, and at least one nano-antenna is established on the one of the two opposed surfaces of the dielectric layer. A gain region is positioned in the dielectric layer or adjacent to another of the two opposed surfaces of the dielectric layer. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113419 | NANOWIRE-BASED SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to nanowire-based systems for performing surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. In one embodiment, a system comprises a substrate ( | 05-10-2012 |
20120120390 | BEAM DIRECTION SENSOR - A direction sensor ( | 05-17-2012 |
20120120977 | VERTICAL-CAVITY SURFACE-EMITTING LASERS WITH NON-PERIODIC GRATINGS - Various embodiments of the present, invention are directed to surface-emitting lasers with the cavity including at least one single-layer, non-periodic, sub-wavelength grating. In one embodiment, a surface-emitting laser comprises a grating layer ( | 05-17-2012 |
20120189024 | Q-SWITCHED GRATING VERTICAL-CAVITY SURFACE-EMITTING LASER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING THE SAME - A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) system and method of fabrication are included. The VCSEL system includes a gain region to amplify an optical signal in response to a data signal and a first mirror arranged as a partially-reflective high-contrast grating (HCG) mirror at an optical output of the VCSEL system. The VCSEL system also includes a second mirror. The first and second mirrors can be arranged as a laser cavity to resonate the optical signal. The VCSEL system further includes a doped semiconductor region to generate a current through the first mirror in response to a voltage signal to substantially alter the reflectivity of the first mirror to provide Q-switching capability of the VCSEL system. | 07-26-2012 |
20120194911 | OPTICAL DEVICES BASED ON DIFFRACTION GRATINGS - Embodiments of the present invention relate to planar optical devices composed of one or more sub-wavelength diffraction grating layers. In one embodiment, an optical device includes a first substantially planar reflective structure ( | 08-02-2012 |
20120194912 | OPTICAL SYSTEMS IMPLIMENTED WITH THERMALLY CONTROLLED SUB-WAVELENGTH GRATINGS - This disclosure is directed to thermally controlled optical systems. In one aspect, an optical system includes a sub-wavelength grating having a planar geometry and a grating pattern associated with a particular shape of, and direction in which, a wavefront emerges from the grating, when the grating is illuminated by a beam of light. The system includes at least one heating element separately connected to a current source. The current source to inject a current into each heating element to heat a corresponding region of the grating and produce a desired change in the shape of, and/or direction in which, the wavefront emerges from the grating. | 08-02-2012 |
20120195543 | FIBER-OPTIC MODULATORS - This disclosure is directed to fiber-optic modulators that can be integrated in optical fibers to encode data in optical signals. In one aspect, a fiber-optic modulator includes a weak planar, sub-wavelength grating disposed between an end of a first optical fiber and an end of a second optical fiber. A first electrode is disposed on an edge of the grating and connected to an electronic signal source, and a second electrode is disposed on the edge of the grating opposite the first electrode and connected to the electronic signal source. The grating includes a grating pattern to reflect a channel input to the first optical fiber when a low or no current portion of an electronic signal to be generated by the electronic signal source is applied to the grating and to transmit the channel when a high current portion of the electronic signal is applied to the grating. | 08-02-2012 |
20120262795 | CONCENTRIC RING DIELECTRIC LENS - A lens and a method of forming a lens are included. A lens can include a plurality of concentric rings formed from a dielectric material interleaved by a plurality of gaps separating the plurality of concentric rings. | 10-18-2012 |
20120268736 | CONFIGURABLE GRATING BASED ON COLLAPSING NANO-FINGERS - A configurable grating based on collapsing nano-fingers includes a substrate; and a plurality of bendable nano-fingers supported on the substrate. The nano-fingers may be formed in a regular first array and the nano-fingers may be formed in a spacing that, upon closing at their tops, forms a second array to act as an optical grating or a diagnostic tool. A method of fabricating a configurable optical grating based on collapsing nano-fingers is also disclosed, as well as a method of determining an open or closed state for a plurality of nano-fingers. | 10-25-2012 |
20120281950 | GRATING-BASED OPTICAL FIBER-TO-WAVEGUIDE INTERCONNECTS - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to optical waveguide-to-fiber interconnects. In one aspect, an optical fiber-to-waveguide interconnect includes a grating coupler ( | 11-08-2012 |
20120300202 | AUTONOMOUS LIGHT AMPLIFYING DEVICE FOR SURFACE ENHANCED RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY - An autonomous light amplifying device for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy includes a dielectric layer, at least one laser cavity defined by at least one light confining mechanism formed in the dielectric layer, at least one nano-antenna established on the dielectric layer in proximity to the at least one laser cavity, and a gain region positioned in the dielectric layer or adjacent to the dielectric layer. | 11-29-2012 |
20130003185 | OPTICAL STAR COUPLER - An optical device ( | 01-03-2013 |
20130032734 | NON-UNIFORM GRATING - A system includes a non-uniform grating having a first region with a first refractive index and second regions with a second refractive index. A pattern of the second regions varies with an angular coordinate such that phase shifts of an incident beam created by the grating cause destructive interference that creates an intensity minimum within an output beam from the grating. | 02-07-2013 |
20130100528 | PLANAR REFLECTIVE DEVICES - Planar reflective devices that operate as reflective blazed diffraction gratings are disclosed. In one aspect, a reflective device includes a substrate with a planar surface, and a planar, high-contrast, sub-wavelength grating disposed on the surface. The grating is divided into a number of regions that each reflect incident light of a particular wavelength and with a particular angle of incidence into a single diffraction order and associated diffraction angle. | 04-25-2013 |
20130188172 | MICROFLUIDIC CHIP ASSEMBLY - In one embodiment, an optical system includes a microfluidic chip assembly. The microfluidic chip assembly includes a first structure that provides a first wall of a fluid channel. A second structure provides a second wall of the fluid channel. The second structure includes a diffraction grating configured to provide, in the presence of incident light of a wavelength band of interest on a first surface of the second structure, a plurality of regions of high intensity light within the fluid channel. | 07-25-2013 |
20130209110 | SMALL-MODE-VOLUME, VERTICAL-CAVITY, SURFACE-EMITTING LASER - A small-mode-volume, vertical-cavity, surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). The VCSEL includes an active structure to emit light upon injection of carriers, and two reflecting structures at least one of which is a grating reflector structure. The active structure is disposed within at least one of the reflecting structures. The reflecting structures are configured as a vertical-cavity resonator of small mode-volume. An optical-bus transmitter including a plurality of small-mode-volume VCSELs, and a system including at least one optical bus and at least one optical-bus transmitter in a digital-information processor, or a data-processing center, are also provided. | 08-15-2013 |
20130250420 | DYNAMIC OPTICAL CROSSBAR ARRAY - A dynamic optical crossbar array includes a first set of parallel transparent electrode lines, a bottom set of parallel electrode lines that cross said transparent electrode lines, and an optically variable material disposed between said first set of transparent electrode lines and said bottom set of electrode lines. | 09-26-2013 |
20130266254 | WAVEFRONT SYNTHESIZER SYSTEMS - Wavefront synthesizers and optical switches implemented with wavefront synthesizers are disclosed. In one aspect, a wavefront synthesizer includes a waveguide tree composed a root waveguide that branches into at least two terminus waveguides. The root waveguide is integrated with a source to inject light into the waveguide tree via the root waveguide. The synthesizer includes output couplers located at the ends of the terminus waveguides. Each output coupler outputs a wavefront associated with a portion of the light injected with at least two of the wavefronts overlapping to form at least one beam of light via constructive interference. The synthesizer also includes microring resonators disposed adjacent to the terminus waveguides. Each microring is independently tunable to apply a phase shift in the wavefront output from one of the output couplers to steer the direction of the beam and the at least two wavefronts. | 10-10-2013 |
20130266255 | PASSIVE OPTICAL ALIGNMENT - A system for passive optical alignment includes an through optical via formed through a substrate, an optical transmission medium secured to a first side of the substrate such that the optical transmission medium is aligned with the through optical via, and an optoelectronic component secured to a second side of the substrate such that the active region of said optoelectronic component is aligned with the through optical via. | 10-10-2013 |
20130271759 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING SPECTROSCOPY - An apparatus for performing spectroscopy includes a substrate, a photodetector positioned at a distance with respect to the substrate, and a plurality of sub-wavelength grating (SWG) filters positioned between the substrate and the photodetector, in which the SWG filters are to filter different ranges of predetermined wavelengths of light emitted from an excitation location prior to being emitted onto the photodetector. | 10-17-2013 |
20130272337 | VERTICAL-CAVITY SURFACE-EMITTING LASER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING THE SAME - A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) system and method of fabrication are included. The VCSEL system includes a first portion comprising a first mirror and a gain region to amplify an optical signal in response to a data signal, the first portion being fabricated on a first wafer. The system also includes a second portion comprising a second mirror that is partially-reflective to couple the optical signal to an optical fiber. The second portion can be fabricated on a second wafer. The system further includes a supporting structure to couple the first and second portions such that the first and second mirrors are arranged as a laser cavity having a predetermined length to resonate the optical signal. | 10-17-2013 |
20130279849 | MICRO-RING OPTICAL RESONATORS - Apparatuses, systems, and methods for micro-ring optical resonators are provided. An example of a micro-ring optical resonator apparatus includes an array of input waveguides with each input waveguide optically coupled to an array of micro-rings, an output waveguide operatively associated with each of the micro-rings, and a scattering object operatively associated with each of the micro-rings, wherein the scattering object is connected to the output waveguide. | 10-24-2013 |
20130286483 | OPTICAL SHUFFLE SYSTEM HAVING A LENS FORMED OF SUB-WAVELENGTH GRATINGS - An optical shuffle system includes a plurality of sources that are to output respective beams of light and a plurality of receivers that are to receive respective beams of light, wherein the plurality of receivers are spaced apart from the plurality of sources. The optical shuffle system further includes an output lens formed of a plurality of output sub-wavelength grating (SWG) sections, wherein each of the plurality of output SWG sections is positioned in a respective output optical path of the plurality of sources, and wherein each of the plurality of output SWG sections is to collimate and direct light received from respective ones of the plurality of sources toward respective ones of the plurality of receivers. | 10-31-2013 |
20130301137 | BROADBAND OPTICAL BEAM SPLITTERS - A broadband optical beam splitter can comprise a non-metallic high contrast grating including a substrate and an array of posts attached to a surface of the substrate. The grating can have a subwavelength period with respect to a preselected optical energy wavelength, the preselected optical energy wavelength within the range of 400 nm to 1.6 μm. Additionally, the broadband optical beam splitter can have a bandwidth of 80 nm to 120 nm and can have an optical energy loss of less than 5%. | 11-14-2013 |
20130314784 | GRATING-BASED POLARIZERS AND OPTICAL ISOLATORS - Optical polarizers and optical isolators and systems that incorporate the optical polarizers and isolators are disclosed. In one aspect, an optical isolator includes a Faraday crystal with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a first one-dimensional sub-wavelength grating disposed on the first surface, and a second one-dimensional sub-wavelength grating disposed on the second surface. The isolator is to receive a first input beam of light on the first grating and output a polarized first output beam of light through the second grating approximately parallel to the first input beam. The isolator is to also receive a second input beam of light on the second grating and output a polarized second output beam of light through the first grating with the second output beam offset from the second input beam. | 11-28-2013 |
20130318325 | COMPOSITE PROCESSORS - In one example, a composite processor ( | 11-28-2013 |
20140034820 | LIGHT-DETECTION SYSTEMS - Light-detection systems that do not destroy the light to be detected or change the propagation direction of the light are described. In one aspect, a light-detection system includes an optical element composed of a substrate with a planar surface and a polarization insensitive, high contrast, sub-wavelength grating composed of posts that extend from the planar surface. The posts and/or lattice arrangement of the posts are non-periodically varied to impart orbital angular momentum and at least one helical wavefront on the light transmitted through the optical element. | 02-06-2014 |
20140044392 | SUB-WAVELENGTH GRATING-BASED OPTICAL ELEMENTS - Planar, polarization insensitive, optical elements to control refraction of transmitted light in free space are disclosed. In one aspect, an optical element includes a substrate having a planar surface, and a polarization insensitive, high contrast, sub-wavelength grating composed of posts that extend from the planar surface. The grating has at least one region. Within each region, cross-sectional dimensions of the posts and/or lattice arrangement of the posts are nonperiodically varied to control refraction of light transmitted through the optical element. | 02-13-2014 |
20140111856 | GLASSES-FREE 3D DISPLAY FOR MULTIPLE VIEWERS USING IMPRINTED SUB-WAVELENGTH GRATINGS - A light field display for providing continuous 3D images to viewers at multiple views is provided. The light field display includes a pixel layer having a plurality of pixel layer elements, a resonant subwavelength lens layer having a plurality of resonant subwavelength lenses and a circuit board connected to the pixel layer and the resonant subwavelength lens layer. Each resonant subwavelength lens in the resonant subwavelength lens layer is integrated with an element in the pixel layer. The element may be either a pixel or a subpixel, such that each image view may be provided per pixel or subpixel in the pixel layer. | 04-24-2014 |
20140211822 | VERTICAL-CAVITY SURFACE-EMITTING LASERS - Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (“VCSELs”) and VCSEL arrays are disclosed. In one aspect, a surface-emitting laser includes a grating layer having a sub-wavelength grating to form a resonant cavity with a reflective layer for a wavelength of light to be emitted from a light-emitting layer and an aperture layer disposed within the resonant cavity. The VCSEL includes a charge carrier transport layer disposed between the grating layer and the light-emitting layer. The transport layer has a gap adjacent to the sub-wavelength grating and a spacer region between the gap and the light-emitting layer. The spacer region and gap are dimensioned to be substantially transparent to the wavelength. The aperture layer directs charge carriers to enter a region of the light-emitting layer adjacent to an aperture in the aperture layer and the aperture confines optical modes to be emitted from the light-emitting layer. | 07-31-2014 |
20140268867 | Backlight having Dual Collimating Reflectors - A backlight to emit light from a surface thereof includes a light guide to guide light, first and second collimating reflectors and a light source to produce light. The first collimating reflector is at a first edge of the light guide to collimate the light from the light source in a vertical direction and to direct the collimated light into the light guide. The second collimating reflector is at a second edge of the light guide to further collimate the collimated light in a horizontal direction and to redirect the further collimated light back into the light guide. | 09-18-2014 |
20140293759 | MULTIVIEW 3D WRIST WATCH - A multiview 3D wrist watch is disclosed. The wrist watch has clock circuitry to determine a time and a plurality of light sources to generate a plurality of input planar lightbeams. A directional backplane having a plurality of directional pixels scatters the plurality of input planar lightbeams into a plurality of directional lightbeams, each directional lightbeam having a direction and angular spread controlled by characteristics of a directional pixel in the plurality of directional pixels. A shutter layer receives the time from the clock circuitry and modulates the plurality of directional lightbeams to generate a 3D time view. | 10-02-2014 |
20140300840 | DIRECTIONAL BACKLIGHT WITH A MODULATION LAYER - A directional backlight is disclosed. The directional backlight has a directional backplane that has a plurality of directional pixels to scatter a plurality of input planar lightbeams into a plurality of directional lightbeams. Each directional lightbeam has a direction and angular spread controlled by characteristics of a directional pixel in the plurality of directional pixels. A modulation layer having a plurality of modulators modulates the plurality of directional lightbeams. The directional backlight can be used to generate a 3D image with multiple views by specifying the characteristics of the directional pixels in the directional backplane. | 10-09-2014 |
20140300947 | DIRECTIONAL PIXEL FOR USE IN A DISPLAY SCREEN - A directional pixel for use in a display screen is disclosed. The directional pixel receives a planar lightbeam and includes a light propagating layer and a grating to scatter a portion of the planar lightbeam into a directional lightbeam having a direction and angular spread controlled by the grating. | 10-09-2014 |
20140300960 | DIRECTIONAL BACKLIGHT - A directional backlight is disclosed. The directional backlight has a plurality of light sources to generate a plurality of input planar lightbeams. The plurality of input planar lightbeams illuminates a directional backplane that has a plurality of directional pixels to scatter the plurality of input planar lightbeams into a plurality of directional lightbeams. Each directional lightbeam has a direction and angular spread controlled by characteristics of a directional pixel in the plurality of directional pixels. The directional backlight can be used to generate a 3D image by specifying the characteristics of the directional pixels in the directional backplane. | 10-09-2014 |
20140301702 | Optical Connections - Techniques related to optical connectors are described. A ferrule includes an optical pathway for light transmission through the ferrule. In examples, a sub-wavelength grating (SWG) assembly is integrated in the ferrule, aligned with an end of the optical pathway. | 10-09-2014 |
20140308006 | Optical Connections - Techniques related to optical devices are described herein. In an example, an optical device includes (a) an input optical channel and a corresponding output optical channel, and (b) an assembly of sub-wavelength grating layers aligned to optically couple the input optical channel to the output optical channel. | 10-16-2014 |
20140314374 | GRATING COUPLERS WITH DEEP-GROOVE NON-UNIFORM GRATINGS - Grating couplers that enable efficient coupling between waveguides and optical fibers are disclosed. In one aspect, a grating coupler includes a transition region that includes a wide edge and tapers away from the edge toward a waveguide disposed on a substrate. The coupler also includes a sub-wavelength grating disposed on the substrate adjacent to the edge. The grating is composed of a series of non-uniformly distributed, approximately parallel lines and separated by grooves with a depth to output light from the grating with TM polarization. | 10-23-2014 |
20140321495 | INTEGRATED SUB-WAVELENGTH GRATING ELEMENT - An integrated sub-wavelength grating element includes a transparent layer formed over an optoelectronic substrate layer and a sub-wavelength grating element formed into a grating layer disposed on said transparent layer. The sub-wavelength grating element is formed in alignment with an active region of an optoelectronic component within the optoelectronic substrate layer. The sub-wavelength grating element affects light passing between said grating element and said active region. A method for forming an integrated sub-wavelength grating element is also provided. | 10-30-2014 |
20140334781 | Optical Connections - Techniques related to optical connectors are described herein. In some examples, an optical connector is illustrated including a ferrule and a mating arrangement to mechanically attach the ferrule to an optical device. The mating element defines an insertion direction. The ferrule includes an optical pathway for light transmission through the ferrule. An end longitudinal section of the optical pathway is to optically couple the optical pathway to the optical device. The end longitudinal section is angled with respect to the insertion direction. | 11-13-2014 |
20140362374 | ANALYZING LIGHT BY MODE INTERFERENCE - Apparatuses and systems for analyzing light by mode interference are provided. An example of an apparatus for analyzing light by mode interference includes a number of waveguides to support in a multimode region two modes of the light of a particular polarization and a plurality of scattering objects offset from a center of at least one of the number of waveguides. | 12-11-2014 |
20140363165 | OPTICAL SLAB - An apparatus can comprise an optical slab comprising a rigid substrate of substantially transmissive material. The apparatus can also comprise a WDM multiplexer to receive and combine a plurality of optical signals at different wavelengths to form a combined optical signal in the optical slab having an aggregate power. The apparatus can further comprise a broadcaster to distribute the combined optical signal from the optical slab to each of a plurality of different optical receivers with a fraction of the aggregate power of the combined optical signal. | 12-11-2014 |
20140376580 | HIGH DENSITY LASER OPTICS - Apparatuses and methods for high density laser optics are provided. An example, of a laser optics apparatus includes a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) in a monolithically integrated array, a high contrast grating (HCG) integrated with an aperture of a vertical cavity of each of the plurality of the VCSELs to enable emission of a single lasing wavelength of a plurality of lasing wavelengths, and a plurality of single mode waveguides, each integrated with a grating coupler, that are connected to each of the plurality of the integrated VCSELs and the HCGs, where each of the grating couplers is aligned to an integrated VCSEL and HCG. | 12-25-2014 |
20150010035 | UNIDIRECTIONAL RING LASERS - A laser includes an active ring, a passive waveguide, and a reflector. The active ring is to generate light. The passive waveguide is associated with the active ring to capture generated light. The reflector is associated with the passive waveguide to cause captured light from the waveguide to be coupled into the active ring to trigger domination of unidirectional lasing in the active ring to generate light. | 01-08-2015 |
20150010271 | INTEGRATED SUB-WAVELENGTH GRATING SYSTEM - An integrated grating element system includes a first transparent layer formed on an optoelectronic substrate layer which includes at least two optoelectronic components, a first grating layer disposed on the first transparent layer which includes at least two sub-wavelength grating elements formed therein aligned with active regions of the optoelectronic components, and a second grating layer placed at a distance from the first grating layer such that light propagates between a diffraction grating element formed within the second grating layer and the at least two sub-wavelength grating elements. | 01-08-2015 |
20150029588 | Control of Light Wavefronts - Techniques to control light wavefronts are described herein. A plurality of sub-wavelength grating (SWG) layers includes a SWG layer. The SWG layer is arranged to control a light wavefront. | 01-29-2015 |
20150035936 | DISPLAY-CAMERA SYSTEM - According to an example, a display-camera system includes a transparent display panel and a transparent backlight panel. Light sources emit light into the edge of the transparent backlight panel. A first polarizer, between the light sources and the edge of the transparent backlight panel, polarizes the light emitted from the light sources and the transparent backlight panel directs the polarized light towards the transparent display panel. A camera, adjacent a back surface of the transparent backlight panel captures an image of a scene through the transparent display panel and the transparent backlight panel. | 02-05-2015 |
20150036068 | MULTIBEAM DIFFRACTION GRATING-BASED BACKLIGHTING - Multibeam diffraction grating-based backlighting includes a light guide and a multibeam diffraction grating at a surface of the light guide. The light guide is to guide light from a light source. The multibeam diffraction grating is to couple out a portion of the guided light using diffractive coupling and to direct the coupled out portion away from the light guide as a plurality of light beams with different principal angular directions. | 02-05-2015 |
20150063750 | OPTICAL CONNECTORS - An optical connector includes a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. A first planar lens is positioned to operate on light exiting the first optical fiber to create a predetermined change in a wave front of the light. A second planar lens is positioned to accept the light from the first planar lens, the second planar lens focusing the light onto the second optical fiber. The first planar lens and second planar lens each include a regularly spaced array of posts with periodically varying diameters. | 03-05-2015 |