Abstract: Disclosed herein is a swappable modular-based radiofrequency (RF) frontend that is reconfigurable to form transmitting (TX) and receiving (RX) phased array systems for diverse applications. Such swappable RF frontend may be used with unique spatial and spectral optical processing of complex RF signals over an ultra-wide frequency band. The swappable RF front end may be used in conjunction with an optically upconverted imaging receiver and/or in conjunction with optically addressed phased array technologies transmitters.

Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.

Abstract: A phased antenna array comprises a plurality of antennas and photodiodes arranged on a substrate. Each antenna is driven by an electrical signal output by the photodiode. The photodiodes each receive an optical signal via an optical fiber. The optical fibers conform to the sheet-like shape of the antenna array (which may be planar or curved) and optically communicate with a corresponding photodiode via a corresponding reflector, such as a ninety degree reflector. The reflectors may comprise a v-groove in a silicon substrate on which the optical fiber is positioned and a reflecting surface. Each reflector may be attached to the substrate or a ground plane positioned parallel to the substrate and the optical fiber may connect to the reflector in a direction running parallel to the phased antenna array. This optical feed network may accommodate tight spacing of the antenna elements (such as spacing less than 5 mm apart) with a thin profile.

Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.

Abstract: A phased antenna array comprises a plurality of antennas and photodiodes arranged on a substrate. Each antenna is driven by an electrical signal output by the photodiode. The photodiodes each receive an optical signal via an optical fiber. The optical fibers conform to the sheet-like shape of the antenna array (which may be planar or curved) and optically communicate with a corresponding photodiode via a corresponding reflector, such as a ninety degree reflector. The reflectors may comprise a v-groove in a silicon substrate on which the optical fiber is positioned and a reflecting surface. Each reflector may be attached to the substrate or a ground plane positioned parallel to the substrate and the optical fiber may connect to the reflector in a direction running parallel to the phased antenna array. This optical feed network may accommodate tight spacing of the antenna elements (such as spacing less than 5 mm apart) with a thin profile.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to two-dimensional conformal optically-fed phased arrays and methods for manufacturing the same. The method includes providing a wafer substrate, depositing a first cladding layer on the wafer substrate, and depositing a core layer on the first cladding layer. The method further includes photolithographically patterning the core layer to provide a plurality of optical waveguide cores, and depositing a second cladding layer on the core layer to cover the plurality of optical waveguide cores to provide a plurality of optical waveguides. In addition, the method includes forming a plurality of antennas on the second cladding layer, each antenna of the plurality of antennas located near a termination of a corresponding optical waveguide of the plurality of optical waveguides, and providing a plurality of photodiodes on the second cladding layer, each photodiode of the plurality of photodiodes connected to a corresponding antenna.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods that use 1 GHz to 1000 GHz sources and sensors to create an intrusion detection array that does not have the physical limitations of an Active IR sensor. The array is created by a plurality of wave sources and sensor pairs that form a plane of wave break beams. The plane detects an intruder as he/she passes through the beams.

Abstract: Traveling-wave directional filters (DFs) with multiple coupling slots are disclosed. A traveling-wave directional filter may include two terminating conductive strips in a top circuit layer of a substrate, a loop resonator in a bottom layer of a substrate, and a shared ground plane. Coupling slots in the ground plane may couple the conductive strips via the loop resonator.

Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.

Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.

Abstract: A phased antenna array comprises a plurality of antennas and photodiodes arranged on a substrate. Each antenna is driven by an electrical signal output by the photodiode. The photodiodes each receive an optical signal via an optical fiber. The optical fibers conform to the sheet-like shape of the antenna array (which may be planar or curved) and optically communicate with a corresponding photodiode via a corresponding reflector, such as a ninety degree reflector. The reflectors may comprise a v-groove in a silicon substrate on which the optical fiber is positioned and a reflecting surface. Each reflector may be attached to the substrate or a ground plane positioned parallel to the substrate and the optical fiber may connect to the reflector in a direction running parallel to the phased antenna array. This optical feed network may accommodate tight spacing of the antenna elements (such as spacing less than 5 mm apart) with a thin profile.

Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.

Abstract: An optically-fed tightly-coupled array (TCA) antenna comprises a plurality of photodiodes and antennas. Each photodiode may receive an optical signal from an optical fiber and convert the optical signal into an RF driving signal to drive a corresponding antenna to which it is connected. Each photodiode may be connected to the antenna. In some examples, the TCA is capable of ultra-wideband operation ranging from 2-12 GHz and wide beam-steering capability up to 40° from the broadside. Inductance peaking and resistance matching may be employed.

Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.

Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a photovoltaic layer configured to convert light into electrical power, a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) layer having one to three periods disposed adjacent the photovoltaic layer, a metal layer, disposed adjacent the DBR layer, configured to reflect light passed through the photovoltaic layer to the DBR layer, and a phase matching layer disposed between the metal layer and the DBR layer, the phase matching layer configured to match a phase between the DBR layer and the metal layer over a selected wavelength band. The metal layer has a non-uniformed textured surface facing the phase matching layer. The photovoltaic device further includes an anti-reflection coating layer disposed on a top surface of the photovoltaic layer, and a substrate on which the metal layer is disposed. The substrate may be textured on a surface facing the metal layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high efficiency solar cell comprising: (a) a top surface of an anti-reflective coating layer; (b) an engineered photonic crystal material layer, (c) an active photovoltaic layer; (d) a photonic crystals with an integrated diffraction grating; (e) a metallic diffraction grating reflective layer, and (f) a metallic back reflector; whereby normally incident light striking the surface of the solar cell passes through the anti-reflective coating and the engineered photonic crystal material layer and is absorbed by active photovoltaic layer thereby generating electrical energy and obliquely incident light is reflected and diffracted by the engineered photonic crystal material layer, the one dimensional photonic crystal layer, the metallic grating reflective layer and the metallic back reflector to the active photovoltaic layer thereby generating electrical energy.

Abstract: Electro-optic modulators are disclosed. An electro-optic modulator comprises an electro-optic polymer layer, semiconductor layers, ferroelectric material layers, and electrodes. The semiconductor layers are positioned on each surface of the electro-optic polymer layer. The refractive index of the semiconductor layers in the optical and RF domains is higher than the refractive index of the electro-optic polymer layer in the optical and RF domains. The ferroelectric material layers are positioned on each semiconductor layer opposite the electro-optic polymer layer. The refractive index of the ferroelectric material layers in the RF domain is higher than the refractive indices of both the electro-optic polymer layer and the semiconductor layers in the RF domain. The refractive index of the ferroelectric material layers in the optical domain is lower than the refractive index of the semiconductor layer in the optical domain.

Abstract: Described herein are electromagnetic traps or tweezers. Desired results are achieved by combining two recently developed techniques, 3D negative refraction flat lenses (3DNRFLs) and optical tweezers. The very unique advantages of using 3DNRFLs for electromagnetic traps have been demonstrated. Super-resolution and short focal distance of the flat lens result in a highly focused and strongly convergent beam, which is a key requirement for a stable and accurate electromagnetic trap. The translation symmetry of 3DNRFL provides translation-invariance for imaging, which allows an electromagnetic trap to be translated without moving the lens, and permits a trap array by using multiple sources with a single lens.

Abstract: A method for fabricating three-dimensional photonic crystal structures includes providing a layer of photosensitive material; introducing a laser beams into the material; reintroducing the laser beams into the photosensitive material during a second exposure; combining results from at least the first and second exposures to produce a three-dimensionally periodic pattern in the photosensitive material. A related system includes a laser source; a grating array having a plurality of diffraction gratings located thereon; a mask plate located on a photoresist layer and arranged in registration with the grating array; a rotating shutter arranged between the grating array and the laser source, said rotating shutter being suitable for periodically blocking light from the laser source; wherein each of the diffraction gratings is positioned and oriented so as to converge all first-order diffracted spots to a common point lying in a plane of a back side of the mask plate.