Abstract: An optical routing element may include a planar dielectric photonic crystal which includes a lattice of holes having a first linear defect adjacent a second linear defect, with the two defects being separated by a central row of lattice holes. The first linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a first single mode line defect waveguide, and the second linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a second single mode line defect waveguide. Optical energy may be selectively coupled between the first and second waveguides across the central row of lattice holes. A free-carrier injector may be included to inject free-carriers into the dielectric photonic crystal, activation of which may alter selectivity of the optical coupling between the first and second waveguides. A plurality of optical routing elements with associated free-carrier injectors may be interconnected to form a bi-directional optical routing array.

Abstract: An optical routing element may include a planar dielectric photonic crystal which includes a lattice of holes having a first linear defect adjacent a second linear defect, with the two defects being separated by a central row of lattice holes. The first linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a first single mode line defect waveguide, and the second linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a second single mode line defect waveguide. Optical energy may be selectively coupled between the first and second waveguides across the central row of lattice holes. A free-carrier injector may be included to inject free-carriers into the dielectric photonic crystal, activation of which may alter selectivity of the optical coupling between the first and second waveguides. A plurality of optical routing elements with associated free-carrier injectors may be interconnected to form a bi-directional optical routing array.

Abstract: An optical routing element may include a planar dielectric photonic crystal which includes a lattice of holes having a first linear defect adjacent a second linear defect, with the two defects being separated by a central row of lattice holes. The first linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a first single mode line defect waveguide, and the second linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a second single mode line defect waveguide. Optical energy may be selectively coupled between the first and second waveguides across the central row of lattice holes. A free-carrier injector may be included to inject free-carriers into the dielectric photonic crystal, activation of which may alter selectivity of the optical coupling between the first and second waveguides. A plurality of optical routing elements with associated free-carrier injectors may be interconnected to form a bi-directional optical routing array.

Abstract: An optical routing element may include a planar dielectric photonic crystal which includes a lattice of holes having a first linear defect adjacent a second linear defect, with the two defects being separated by a central row of lattice holes. The first linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a first single mode line defect waveguide, and the second linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a second single mode line defect waveguide. Optical energy may be selectively coupled between the first and second waveguides across the central row of lattice holes. A free-carrier injector may be included to inject free-carriers into the dielectric photonic crystal, activation of which may alter selectivity of the optical coupling between the first and second waveguides. A plurality of optical routing elements with associated free-carrier injectors may be interconnected to form a bi-directional optical routing array.

Abstract: A transfer process for silicon nanomembranes (SiNM) may involve treating a recipient substrate with a polymer structural support. After treating the recipient substrate, a substrate containing the intended transferable devices may be brought in direct contact with the aforementioned polymer layer. The two substrates may then go through a Deep Reactive Ion Etch (DRIE) to remove at least a portion of the substrate containing the devices. Oxide may be selectively removed with a buffered oxide wet etch, leaving the transferred SiNM on the recipient substrate with the Underlying polymer layer.

Abstract: An optical logic gate may be composed of a host material having air holes disposed therein and having parallel optical waveguides formed therein.

Abstract: An optical routing element may include a planar dielectric photonic crystal which includes a lattice of holes having a first linear defect adjacent a second linear defect, with the two defects being separated by a central row of lattice holes. The first linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a first single mode line defect waveguide, and the second linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a second single mode line defect waveguide. Optical energy may be selectively coupled between the first and second waveguides across the central row of lattice holes. A free-carrier injector may be included to inject free-carriers into the dielectric photonic crystal, activation of which may alter selectivity of the optical coupling between the first and second waveguides. A plurality of optical routing elements with associated free-carrier injectors may be interconnected to form a bi-directional optical routing array.

Abstract: A transfer process for silicon nanomembranes (SiNM) may involve treating a recipient substrate with a polymer structural support. After treating the recipient substrate, a substrate containing the intended transferable devices may be brought in direct contact with the aforementioned polymer layer. The two substrates may then go through a Deep Reactive Ion Etch (DRIE) to remove at least a portion of the substrate containing the devices. Oxide may be selectively removed with a buffered oxide wet etch, leaving the transferred SiNM on the recipient substrate with the Underlying polymer layer.

Abstract: An electro-optical switch implemented in coupled photonic crystal waveguides is disclosed. The switch is proposed and analyzed using both a finite-difference time-domain (“FDTD”) method and a plane wave expansion (“PWM) method. The switch may be implemented in a square lattice of silicon posts in air, as well as in a hexagonal lattice of air holes in a silicon slab. Switching occurs due to a change in the conductance in the coupling region between the photonic crystal waveguides, which modulates the coupling coefficient and eventually causes switching. Conductance may be induced electrically by carrier injection or optically by electron-hole pair generation. The electro-optical switch has low insertion loss and optical crosstalk in both the cross and bar switching states.

Abstract: An electro-optical switch implemented in coupled photonic crystal waveguides is disclosed. The switch is proposed and analyzed using both a finite-difference time-domain (“FDTD”) method and a plane wave expansion (“PWM) method. The switch may be implemented in a square lattice of silicon posts in air, as well as in a hexagonal lattice of air holes in a silicon slab. Switching occurs due to a change in the conductance in the coupling region between the photonic crystal waveguides, which modulates the coupling coefficient and eventually causes switching. Conductance may be induced electrically by carrier injection or optically by electron-hole pair generation. The electro-optical switch has low insertion loss and optical crosstalk in both the cross and bar switching states.

Abstract: Described herein is a multi-channel wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) device including a two-dimensional photonic crystal. The photonic crystal consists of two primary components: (1) a waveguiding element created by line defects formed in the photonic crystal, and (2) frequency-selective elements created by high Q-value microcavities formed in the crystal. The multi-channel WDM system offers a flexible design and high channel density.

Abstract: In an optical coupling system, an optical coupler having a dielectric mirror or Gaussian beam mirror is used to efficiently couple optical signals to photonic crystal waveguides. Dielectric mirrors offer the advantage of optical coupling between dielectric waveguides and single mode photonic crystal waveguides. Various types of optical couplers may be implemented with or without a dielectric waveguide in the system.

Abstract: In an optical coupling system, an optical coupler having a dielectric mirror or Gaussian beam mirror is used to efficiently couple optical signals to photonic crystal waveguides. Dielectric mirrors offer the advantage of optical coupling between dielectric waveguides and single mode photonic crystal waveguides. Various types of optical couplers may be implemented with or without a dielectric waveguide in the system.

Abstract: Described herein is a multi-channel wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) device including a two-dimensional photonic crystal. The photonic crystal consists of two primary components: (1) a waveguiding element created by line defects formed in the photonic crystal, and (2) frequency-selective elements created by high Q-value microcavities formed in the crystal. The multi-channel WDM system offers a flexible design and high channel density.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in flow monitoring and cannulation of blood vessels which includes vascular accessing capabilities. The apparatus includes a flux panel, an audio monitor, and a probe-needle assembly. The flux panel is composed of two or more sections hingedly connected wherein each section includes a transducer having a continuously varying thickness from one end to the other. Successive bands of excitation are progressively created along the length of each transducer as different frequencies are transmitted thereto. The apparatus may be operated in either monitor or access modes with both manual and automatic changes frequencies. The apparatus is capable of transmitting high-powered ultrasonic waves of continuously variable resonant frequencies to be used along with an audio monitor for sensing flow or in conjunction with a probe-needle assembly to locate body vessels.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in flow monitoring and cannulation of blood vessels which includes vascular accessing capabilities. The apparatus includes a flux panel, an audio monitor, and a probe-needle assembly. The flux panel is composed of two or more sections hingedly connected wherein each section includes a transducer having a continuously varying thickness from one end to the other. Successive bands of excitation are progressively created along the length of each transducer as different frequencies are transmitted thereto. The apparatus may be operated in either monitor or access modes with both manual and automatic changes in frequencies. The apparatus is capable of transmitting high-powered ultrasonic waves of continuously variable resonant frequencies to be used along with an audio monitor for sensing flow or in conjunction with a probe-needle assembly to locate body vessels.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in cannulation of blood vessels which includes an ultrasonic flow sensing assembly. The assembly includes inner and outer elongated electrically conducting tubular members which are separated by an electrical insulator. A piezoelectric transducer capable of generating and receiving ultrasonic waves is located at the distal ends of the tubular members and is electrically connected to them. A power source is applied to the tubular members and to the piezoelectric transducer such that when a hollow needle containing the ultrasonic flow sensing assembly is advanced through tissue, emitted and detected ultrasonic waves can be employed to locate body vessels which can then be penetrated by the sharpened end of the hollow needle.

Abstract: A multilumen vascular catheter for the delivery of therapeutic fluids, e.g., containing thrombolytic agents, to a patient's blood vessel. The catheter has a plurality of flow passageways in the wall of the outer tubular member in which the discharge openings thereof increase in diametrical dimensions so that a desired, e.g., uniform, flow of treatment fluid is delivered exteriorly of the catheter body. The flow passageways preferably are formed by means of lasers. A first rectangularly shaped passageway is formed in the catheter wall and then a second rectangularly shaped hole is made in the wall, overlapping the first hole to form the final rectangular shape. The catheter is particularly adapted to deliver small quantities of thrombolytic agents, such as urokinase, streptokinase, and tissue plasminogen activator.