Abstract: Semiconductor substrate is disclosed having quantum wells having first bandgap, and quantum wells having second bandgap less than second bandgap. Semiconductor structure is disclosed comprising substrate having quantum wells having given bandgap, other quantum wells modified to bandgap greater than given bandgap. Semiconductor substrate is disclosed comprising wafer having quantum wells, section of first bandgap, and section of second bandgap greater than first bandgap. Method for forming semiconductor substrate is provided, comprising providing wafer having given bandgap, depositing dielectric cap on portion and rapid thermal annealing to tuned bandgap greater than given bandgap. Semiconductor structure is disclosed comprising substrate having quantum wells modified by depositing cap and rapid thermal annealing to tuned bandgap greater than given bandgap.

Abstract: A method for tagging and identifying a composition using Raman spectroscopy is disclosed, the method comprising tagging the composition by disbursing additional individual tag molecules throughout a base material thereof so as to create a tagged material having a spectral profile with a specific Raman optical signature encoded therein, wherein the specific Raman optical signature of the tagged material is distinct from the native Raman optical signature of the base material; and identifying the composition by reading a spectral response of the tagged material with a Raman spectroscopic technique so as to identify the composition based on the specific Raman optical signature encoded in the tagged material rather than the native Raman optical signature encoded in the base material.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of distributed Raman amplification for digital and analog transmission applications and other applications, e.g., instrumentation and imaging applications, including HFC-CATV applications. In particular, the invention uses a high power broadband source of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) as the Raman pump source for improved system performance. The invention also includes methods for constructing such a high-power broadband Raman pump.

Abstract: A fiber connector that facilitates alignment of and electrical communication with electrooptical devices on an optical fiber or interposed between optical fibers. An embodiment of in-line optoelectronic device packaging constructed according to principles of the invention includes a ferrule configured to receive an optical fiber with an optoelectronic device mounted on one end of the ferrule, for alignment with the fiber. Electrically-conductive deposits along the side of the ferrule supply electrical energy to or conduct electrical signals from the optoelectronic device. The optoelectronic device-carrying ferrule is inserted in a ceramic sleeve. Another ferrule, maintaining another optical fiber, also is inserted in the ceramic sleeve. Another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention includes a second optoelectronic device mounted on the second ferrule.

Abstract: A laser source for generating amplified and filtered optical output, comprising a VCSEL, a power optical amplifier, and a filter. A laser source for generating amplified and filtered optical output, comprising a first mirror and a second mirror forming a cavity, an optical amplifier disposed in the cavity, and filter means for filtering ASE generated and amplified by the optical amplifier. A system for generating amplified and filtered optical output, comprising an optical platform having electrical connections and a fiber optic connection, a VCSEL configured to generate seed light, an optical amplifier configured to receive and amplify seed light to generate power boosted ASE and a filter configured to reduce background noise from the power boosted ASE. A method of generating optical output having high optical power with high spectral fidelity, comprising generating seed light, amplifying seed light, and filtering the amplified optical output to reduce background noise.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for precision alignment and assembly of opto-electronic components relative to one another, the apparatus comprising a selected optical component having a periphery forming at least one flat surface; a holding block having at least one attachment region corresponding to the at least one flat surface of the selected optical component; a positioning mechanism having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured to position the selected optical component relative to another opto-electronic component, and the second portion configured to position the holding block relative to the selected optical component and in contact with a platform in attachment with the another opto-electronic component; and an attachment component disposed between the selected optical component and the holding block, and the attachment component disposed between the holding block and the platform so as to fix the selected optical component in position relative to the another opto-electronic compo

Abstract: A Raman spectroscopy system includes a laser source for providing a laser beam, and an optical probe assembly including a photonic crystal fiber light guide for receiving the laser beam from the laser source and for directing the laser beam toward a specimen of selected material, a lens for receiving the laser beam in the light guide and directing the beam onto the specimen and for receiving reflected light from the specimen and directing the reflected light back through the fiber light guide, and a dichroic beam splitter for directing a portion of the reflected beam out of the optical probe assembly. The system further includes an optical spectrum analyzer for receiving the portion of the reflected beam and for exhibiting a Raman signature of the specimen.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is disclosed for measuring fluid pressure comprising a pressure sensing structure comprising a mass target suspended on a spring mechanism, wherein the mass target and the spring mechanism together exhibit high Q mechanical resonance, wherein the mass target has an area which is presented in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the mechanical oscillation of the structure, and further wherein the mass target and the spring mechanism are in the form of a membrane, and transducer means for measuring the fluid pressure by characterizing the effects that the fluid molecules produce on the motion of the structure.

Abstract: An optical bandwidth source for generating amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) across a particular wavelength range, the optical bandwidth source comprising a waveguide having a first end and a second end, and the waveguide having a plurality of separate wavelength gain subsections arranged in a serial configuration to form an active waveguide between the first end and the second end; wherein each of the wavelength gain subsections is arranged relative to one another so as to produce ASE across the particular wavelength range.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for assembling optical components relative to one another, the system comprising: a plurality of carrier components, each one of the carrier components having a base portion, a top surface and a bottom surface of the base portion in opposition to one another, the base portion defining a given geometric shape, and at least one of the optical components disposed on the top surface of the base portion; an optical platform having an upper surface and a lower surface in opposition to one another, the upper surface of the optical platform having alignment patterns extending upwardly therefrom, and the alignment patterns defining a plurality of regions therebetween on the optical platform, wherein one of the regions is configured to secure the given geometric shape of the base portion of one of the carrier components thereto; and alignment means for aligning an optical transmission between the optical components mounted on separate ones of the carrier components.

Abstract: An optical isolator is disclosed for transmitting light in a first direction and blocking light in a second direction along an optical pathway. The optical isolator includes an input polarizer having a pass axis at first angle, an output polarizer having a pass axis at second angle, a Faraday rotator material between the polarizers having a Verdet constant and an axis of maximum length therethrough, generation means for generating a magnetic field around and inside the rotator material, and at least one reflector configured to define an optical length through the rotator material which is longer than the axis therethrough. The optical pathway length through the rotator material, the magnetic field strength, and the Verdet constant are selected so as to rotate light through the Faraday rotator material from the first angle to the second angle.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for automated semiconductor device probing. The apparatus includes a probe assembly; a machine vision system; and a semiconductor support fixture. A method includes providing apparatus for automated semiconductor device probing; locating the semiconductor device positioned on the semiconductor support fixture with the machine vision system; guiding the movement of at least one of the probe assembly and the semiconductor support fixture so as to position a contact portion of the semiconductor device and the electrical probe in alignment with one another; and moving at least one of the probe assembly and the semiconductor support fixture toward the other of the at least one of the probe assembly and the semiconductor support fixture so as to position the electrical probe and the contact portion of the semiconductor device in electrical connection with one another.

Abstract: A tunable Fabry-Perot filter and a tunable vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) are disclosed, where both devices utilize an improved dome structure for creating an internal air gap and improved bias electrode construction for increasing the tuning range of the devices.

Abstract: An efficient high power tunable laser source suitable for use in optical communications equipment and networks comprises an optically pumped VCSEL and a fiber amplifier for the laser output of said VCSEL, with VCSEL and the fiber amplifier being optically pumped by a common optical pump source.

Abstract: A method for modulating the output of an optically pumped, tunable VCSEL. Two approaches are disclosed. In a first approach, the output of the VCSEL is modulated by modulating the pump laser. In a second approach, the output of the VCSEL is modulated by modulating a voltage applied across the active region.

Abstract: Described is a semiconductor laser for generating an optical beam having a stable polarization mode. The laser includes a semiconductor structure having an active layer and a stressor disposed on the surface of the semiconductor structure. Birefringence and gain anisotropy are induced in the semiconductor structure in response to the stress applied by the stressor. The active layer includes one or more quantum wells fabricated to generate an interfacial strain and a desired gain anisotropy. By fabricating the active layer away from the stressor, the gain anisotropy induced by the stressor is substantially reduced. Consequently, the gain anisotropy from the interfacial stress is greater than the gain anisotropy induced by the stressor. The resulting semiconductor structure has a maximum refractive index direction that is parallel to the direction of maximum gain, thus enabling a stable polarization mode for the laser.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for integrating a VCSEL with a SOA, comprising positioning a collimating lens adjacent to the output of the VCSEL, positioning a focusing lens adjacent to the input of the SOA, and positioning a movable lens between the collimating lens and the focusing lens, where the movable lens has a focal length significantly longer than the focal length of the focusing lens; and moving the movable lens relative to the focusing lens so as to adjust the focusing spot on the input of the SOA.

Abstract: A laser comprising: a front mirror and a rear mirror which are disposed so as to establish a reflective cavity therebetween; a gain region disposed between the front mirror and the rear mirror, the gain region being constructed so that when the gain region is appropriately stimulated by light from a pump laser, the gain region will emit light; and one of the front mirror and the rear mirror being positioned to admit pump light into the reflective cavity, the one of the front mirror and the rear mirror having a low and substantially constant reflectance over a pumping wavelength range and having a high and substantially constant reflectance over a lasing wavelength range.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for providing auxiliary cooling and thermal stability to a temperature sensitive opto-electronic component. The disclosed apparatus comprising a primary thermal control system having a first thermal connection with a primary structure supporting at least one component of an optical system and a second thermal connection being thermally connected with an external environment; and an auxiliary thermal control system having a first thermal connection being thermally connected with the temperature sensitive opto-electronic component, and the auxiliary thermal control system having a second thermal connection being thermally connected with the primary thermal control system whereby the auxiliary thermal control system provides cooling to the temperature sensitive opto-electronic component and the primary thermal control system provides additional cooling to the auxiliary thermal control system through temperature regulation of the primary structure.

Abstract: A VCSEL having improved diffraction loss; comprising a series of deposited material layers comprising the structure of the VCSEL, and an intracavity lens formed in one of the series of deposited material layers. In one preferred form of the invention, the VCSEL comprises a bottom mirror mounted to the top of a substrate; a bottom spacer mounted to the top of the bottom mirror; a gain region mounted to the top of the bottom spacer; a top spacer mounted to the top of the gain region; and a top mirror mounted to the top of the top spacer, such that a reflective cavity is formed between the bottom mirror and the top mirror; with at least one of the bottom mirror, bottom spacer, gain region, top spacer and top mirror containing a superlattice structure, and with an adjacent region being subjected to ion implantation and rapid thermal annealing so as to disorder the superlattice structure and change its index of refraction, whereby to create an intracavity lens so as to reduce diffraction loss.