Abstract: An integrated optical signal Synthesizer and Analyzer for optical communications, each formed on a single chip, is disclosed. The Synthesizer and Analyzer are both design to use a Dual-Polarization Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) for communication operating at high data rates. A communication system for data transmission having such synthesizer and the analyzer is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical beam synthesizer formed on a single chip is provided. It allows M-PSK modulation for both beam polarizations. The synthesizer comprises an optical pulse shaper and two M-PSK modulators for each polarization. A single-chip-integrated analyzer is provided to receive a modulated data. Analyzer comprises a pulse shaper operating as an optical sampler and a pair of 90-degrees optical hybrids for each polarization. Each optical hybrids mix incoming portions of the modulated beams with portions of the local oscillator beams. Both the synthesizer and the analyzer include a set of mirrors located on the back and front surfaces of the chips to create compact designs. The output beams from the analyzer are detected by a set of balanced photodiodes, and the data is recovered. It is another object of the invention to provide a communication system for data transmission having the synthesizer and the analyzer.

Abstract: A system and method for a structure monitoring and locating a disturbance event is disclosed. The system includes a compact transceiver chip sending optical signals in three optical fibers that encompass the monitored structure appropriately. The system contains a sequence of loops, wherein the first and the second fiber forming the loop clockwise, while the third fiber is winded along the same loop counterclockwise. A set of two detectors registers the returning signals, and a time delay between those signals is calculated, which is indicative of the disturbance event location. The event location is determined with different sensitivity in different parts of the monitored structure depending on the density of fibers in these parts.

Abstract: This invention discloses an optical object tracking method and system with to up to six degrees of freedom: three translational and three angular coordinates. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes two near-infra-red light sources (e.g., light emitting diode), two cameras, and a digital signal processor. The system performs to tasks: object locking and tracking. For object locking and tracking, a single camera and two off-axis light sources are engaged. For more precise object tracking, two spatially-separate cameras and a single diode are used. In another embodiment, a third camera may be used to separate the locking and tracking tasks. The light sources may have different light wavelengths and may operate in a sequential mode. The cameras may be sensitive over different spectral ranges and may also differ in terms of field-of-view and resolution.

Abstract: A photo-thermal, interferometric spectroscopy system is disclosed that provides information about a chemical, such as explosives and the like, at a remote location. It may be used for solid residue detection on a surface. The system includes a novel light detector system with a matrix of optical elements focusing portions of a received light beam on input waveguides of an optical combiner. The combiner adjusts the phases of the received beam portions and combines them together to maximize the intensity of an output beam. The output beam is detected by a detector, and information about at least one of, absorption spectrum and concentration of the chemical is recovered. In the preferred embodiment the detector is a coherent detector based on 90-degrees optical hybrid.

Abstract: A device for phase distortion compensation across an optical beam is provided. The device is a part of an optical receiver, which can be used in free space optical communications, remote sensing, optical imaging and others. 2M inputs of the combiner interfere with each other via a system of tunable coupled waveguides. The phases in interleaved waveguides of the combiner are adjusted to maximize the resulting output signal. The combiner may be used for coherent communication in combination with a balanced 90° hybrid. Integrated solutions for the proposed device are provided.

Abstract: Proposed optical device is based on counter-propagating optical fields within at least one nested waveguide-cavity loop, where the part of the waveguide loop is fold into the external waveguide loop. The nesting is performed using at least one waveguide crossing section. The invention may be used in Sagnac interferometer to measure various physical parameters, including rotation rate, electric current and mechanical perturbations. The invention also addressed a measurement method of such non-reciprocal parameters of interest. Optionally, the cavity includes a gain element, and the device operation may be switched discretely or gradually between passive and active regimes, thus changing the measurement characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for a structure monitoring and locating a disturbance event is disclosed. The system includes a compact transceiver chip sending optical signals in three optical fibers that encompass the monitored structure appropriately. The system contains a sequence of loops, wherein the first and the second fiber forming the loop clockwise, while the third fiber is winded along the same loop counterclockwise. A set of two detectors registers the returning signals, and a time delay between those signals is calculated, which is indicative of the disturbance event location. The event location is determined with different sensitivity in different parts of the monitored structure depending on the density of fibers in these parts.

Abstract: An optical device is provided with first and second inputs. A first coupler coupled is coupled to the first input and produces at least a first and second output. A second coupler is coupled to the second input and produces at least a first and second output. A third coupler is coupled to the first output of the first coupler and to the first output of the second coupler. A fourth coupler is coupled to the second output of the first coupler and to the second output of the second coupler. First and second crossing waveguides are provided with an angle selected to minimize crosstalk and losses between the first and second cross waveguides. The first crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the first coupler with an input of the fourth coupler. The second crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the second coupler with an input of the third coupler. A first phase shifter is coupled to the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: A system and method for a structure monitoring and locating a disturbance event is disclosed. The system includes a compact transceiver chip sending optical signals in three optical fibers that encompass the monitored structure appropriately. The fiber arrangement has different density in different parts of the monitored structure, such as, for example, critical places in the structure may have larger number of fiber loops surrounding them. All fibers transmit signals in both directions: from the transceiver to a returning point and back. A set of two detectors registers the returning signals, and a time delay between those signals is calculated, which is indicative of the disturbance event location. Polarization states of the returning signals are controlled by transceiver built-in controllers. The event location is determined with different sensitivity in different parts of the monitored structure depending on the density of fibers in these parts.

Abstract: A system and method for a structure monitoring and locating a disturbance event is disclosed. The system includes a compact transceiver chip sending optical signals in three optical fibers that encompass the monitored structure appropriately. The fiber arrangement has different density in different parts of the monitored structure, such as, for example, critical places in the structure may have larger number of fiber loops surrounding them. All fibers transmit signals in both directions: from the transceiver to a returning point and back. A set of two detectors registers the returning signals, and a time delay between those signals is calculated, which is indicative of the disturbance event location. Polarization states of the returning signals are controlled by transceiver built-in controllers. The event location is determined with different sensitivity in different parts of the monitored structure depending on the density of fibers in these parts.

Abstract: A photo-thermal, interferometric spectroscopy system is disclosed that provides information about a chemical, such as explosives and the like, at a remote location. It may be used for solid residue detection on a surface. The system includes a novel light detector system with a matrix of optical elements focusing portions of a received light beam on input waveguides of an optical combiner. The combiner adjusts the phases of the received beam portions and combines them together to maximize the intensity of an output beam. The output beam is detected by a detector, and information about at least one of, absorption spectrum and concentration of the chemical is recovered. In the preferred embodiment the detector is a coherent detector based on 90-degrees optical hybrid.

Abstract: A device for phase distortion compensation across an optical beam is provided. The device is a part of an optical receiver, which can be used in free space optical communications, remote sensing, optical imaging and others. 2M inputs of the combiner interfere with each other via a system of tunable coupled waveguides. The phases in interleaved waveguides of the combiner are adjusted to maximize the resulting output signal. The combiner may be used for coherent communication in combination with a balanced 90° hybrid. Integrated solutions for the proposed device are provided.

Abstract: An optical beam synthesizer formed on a single chip is provided. It allows M-PSK modulation for both beam polarizations. The synthesizer comprises an optical pulse shaper and two M-PSK modulators for each polarization. A single-chip-integrated analyzer is provided to receive a modulated data. Analyzer comprises a pulse shaper operating as an optical sampler and a pair of 90-degrees optical hybrids for each polarization. Each optical hybrids mix incoming portions of the modulated beams with portions of the local oscillator beams. Both the synthesizer and the analyzer include a set of mirrors located on the back and front surfaces of the chips to create compact designs. The output beams from the analyzer are detected by a set of balanced photodiodes, and the data is recovered. It is another object of the invention to provide a communication system for data transmission having the synthesizer and the analyzer.

Abstract: An optical device is provided with first and second inputs. A first coupler coupled is coupled to the first input and produces at least a first and second output. A second coupler is coupled to the second input and produces at least a first and second output. A third coupler is coupled to the first output of the first coupler and to the first output of the second coupler. A fourth coupler is coupled to the second output of the first coupler and to the second output of the second coupler. First and second crossing waveguides are provided with an angle selected to minimize crosstalk and losses between the first and second cross waveguides. The first crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the first coupler with an input of the fourth coupler. The second crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the second coupler with an input of the third coupler. A first phase shifter is coupled to the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: Proposed optical device is based on counter-propagating optical fields within at least one nested waveguide-cavity loop, where the part of the waveguide loop is fold into the external waveguide loop. The nesting is performed using at least one waveguide crossing section. The invention may be used in Sagnac interferometer to measure various physical parameters, including rotation rate, electric current and mechanical perturbations. The invention also addressed a measurement method of such non-reciprocal parameters of interest. Optionally, the cavity includes a gain element, and the device operation may be switched discretely or gradually between passive and active regimes, thus changing the measurement characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated device and a method of its fabrication and use. Two parts of the device each having an electronic circuit are aligned adjacent to each other with an accuracy of at least 1 micron. An alignment system includes two parts: a first part integrated with the first electronic circuit of the integrated device on the first substrate and a second part integrated with the second electronic circuit of the integrated device on the second substrate. The second part of alignment system includes at least one photodiode. The maximal value of the photodiode current indicates the best alignment of two parts of the integrated device. In one embodiment the integrated device is a coherent optical detector for high speed optical communications and chemical sensing. In another embodiment the integrated optical device is a coherent optical detector operating in two polarization states of light.

Abstract: An optical device is provided with first and second inputs. A first coupler coupled is coupled to the first input and produces at least a first and second output. A second coupler is coupled to the second input and produces at least a first and second output. A third coupler is coupled to the first output of the first coupler and to the first output of the second coupler. A fourth coupler is coupled to the second output of the first coupler and to the second output of the second coupler. First and second crossing waveguides are provided with an angle selected to minimize crosstalk and losses between the first and second cross waveguides. The first crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the first coupler with an input of the fourth coupler. The second crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the second coupler with an input of the third coupler. A first phase shifter is coupled to the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: An optical device is provided with first and second inputs. A first coupler coupled is coupled to the first input and produces at least a first and second output. A second coupler is coupled to the second input and produces at least a first and second output. A third coupler is coupled to the first output of the first coupler and to the first output of the second coupler. A fourth coupler is coupled to the second output of the first coupler and to the second output of the second coupler. First and second crossing waveguides are provided with an angle selected to minimize crosstalk and losses between the first and second cross waveguides. The first crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the first coupler with an input of the fourth coupler. The second crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the second coupler with an input of the third coupler. A first phase shifter is coupled to the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: An optical device includes, a first Mach-Zehnder modulator that produces a first output, and a second Mach-Zehnder modulator which produces a second output. A splitter couples the first and second Mach-Zehnder modulators. A combiner combines the first and second outputs. A phase shifter is coupled to the first and second Mach-Zehnder modulators. The first Mach-Zehnder modulator, second Mach-Zehnder modulator, splitter, combiner and the phase shifter are each formed as part of a single chip made of electro-optical material. Such two similar optical device integrated together with polarization combiner provide a two-polarization performance.