Abstract: A technique facilitates actuation of a packer to a sealing and gripping position along a borehole. The packer includes a packer element structure mounted about a center structure. The packer element structure includes a sealing element mounted along an expandable base such that the sealing element may be radially expanded. Additionally, the packer includes an actuator member connected to a portion of the packer element structure via a release mechanism, e.g. a shear member. A plurality of slips may be located on the actuator member such that linear movement of the actuator member causes successive movement of the packer sealing element and then the slips in the radially outward direction. The packer may be constructed such that this sequential setting motion creates a jarring effect to ensure the slips securely bite into the surrounding wellbore surface, e.g. casing surface.

Abstract: A photonic switch includes a first waveguide including a first region extending between a first coupler section and a second coupler section and a second region extending between the second coupler section and a third coupler section. The photonic switch also includes a second waveguide including a first portion extending between the first coupler section and the second coupler section, the first portion including at least two first compensation sections each having a different waveguide width, and a second portion extending between the second coupler section and the third coupler section, the second portion including at least two second compensation sections each having a different waveguide width. The photonic switch further includes at least one variable phase-shifter disposed in at least one of the first waveguide or the second waveguide.

Abstract: A mattress allowing an individual to sleep in a prone position is provided. The mattress includes one or more internal cavities providing airflow to an openings formed in the mattress. The openings, which may be selectively closed, are sized for an average adult and are connected by way of the cavity to outlets which allow airflow. The reinforced cavities have filters and other features to increase user comfort.

Abstract: A method of resolving a number of photons received by a photon detector includes optically coupling a waveguide to a superconducting wire having alternating narrow and wide portions; electrically coupling the superconducting wire to a current source; and electrically coupling an electrical contact in parallel with the superconducting wire. The electrical contact has a resistance less than a resistance of the superconducting wire while at least one narrow portion of the superconducting wire is in a non-superconducting state. The method includes providing to the superconducting wire, from the current source, a current configured to maintain the superconducting wire in a superconducting state in the absence of incident photons; receiving one or more photons via the waveguide; measuring an electrical property of the superconducting wire, proportional to a number of photons incident on the superconducting wire; and determining the number of received photons based on the electrical property.

Abstract: A photonic switch includes a first waveguide including a first region extending between a first coupler section and a second coupler section and a second region extending between the second coupler section and a third coupler section. The photonic switch also includes a second waveguide including a first portion extending between the first coupler section and the second coupler section, the first portion including at least two first compensation sections each having a different waveguide width, and a second portion extending between the second coupler section and the third coupler section, the second portion including at least two second compensation sections each having a different waveguide width. The photonic switch further includes at least one variable phase-shifter disposed in at least one of the first waveguide or the second waveguide.

Abstract: A method of resolving a number of photons received by a photon detector includes optically coupling a waveguide to a superconducting wire having alternating narrow and wide portions; electrically coupling the superconducting wire to a current source; and electrically coupling an electrical contact in parallel with the superconducting wire. The electrical contact has a resistance less than a resistance of the superconducting wire while at least one narrow portion of the superconducting wire is in a non-superconducting state. The method includes providing to the superconducting wire, from the current source, a current configured to maintain the superconducting wire in a superconducting state in the absence of incident photons; receiving one or more photons via the waveguide; measuring an electrical property of the superconducting wire, proportional to a number of photons incident on the superconducting wire; and determining the number of received photons based on the electrical property.

Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) filter comprising one or more passive compensation structures are described. The passive compensation structures yield MZI filters that are intrinsically tolerant to perturbations in waveguide dimensions and/or other ambient conditions. The use of n+1 waveguide widths can mitigate n different sources of perturbation to the filter. The use of at least three different waveguide widths for each Mach-Zehnder waveguide can alleviate sensitivity of filter performance to random width or temperature variations. A tolerance compensation portion is positioned between a first coupler section and a second coupler section, wherein the tolerance compensation portion includes a first compensation section having a second width, a second compensation section having a third width and a third compensation section having a fourth width, wherein the fourth width is greater than the third width and the third width is greater than the second width.

Abstract: A technique facilitates actuation of a packer to a sealing and gripping position along a borehole. The packer includes a packer element structure mounted about a center structure. The packer element structure includes a sealing element mounted along an expandable base such that the sealing element may be radially expanded. Additionally, the packer includes an actuator member connected to a portion of the packer element structure via a release mechanism, e.g. a shear member. A plurality of slips may be located on the actuator member such that linear movement of the actuator member causes successive movement of the packer sealing element and then the slips in the radially outward direction. The packer may be constructed such that this sequential setting motion creates a jarring effect to ensure the slips securely bite into the surrounding wellbore surface, e.g. casing surface.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein relate generally to photonic integrated circuits working at cryogenic temperatures. In one example, a device includes a substrate, a dielectric layer on the substrate, an optical waveguide in the dielectric layer, a superconducting circuit in the dielectric layer and coupled to the optical waveguide, and a micro-channel in the dielectric layer and adjacent to the superconducting circuit. The micro-channel is aligned with the superconducting circuit and is configured to conduct a liquid at a cryogenic temperature to locally cool the superconducting circuit.

Abstract: A method of resolving a number of photons received by a photon detector includes optically coupling a waveguide to a superconducting wire having alternating narrow and wide portions; electrically coupling the superconducting wire to a current source; and electrically coupling an electrical contact in parallel with the superconducting wire. The electrical contact has a resistance less than a resistance of the superconducting wire while at least one narrow portion of the superconducting wire is in a non-superconducting state. The method includes providing to the superconducting wire, from the current source, a current configured to maintain the superconducting wire in a superconducting state in the absence of incident photons; receiving one or more photons via the waveguide; measuring an electrical property of the superconducting wire, proportional to a number of photons incident on the superconducting wire; and determining the number of received photons based on the electrical property.

Abstract: A photon detector is provided. The photon detector includes a superconducting wire having a plurality of alternating narrow and wide portions; a current source electrically-coupled to the superconducting wire and configured to supply the superconducting wire with electrical current; and an optical waveguide optically coupled to the plurality of narrow portions of the superconducting wire.

Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) filter comprising one or more passive compensation structures are described. The passive compensation structures yield MZI filters that are intrinsically tolerant to perturbations in waveguide dimensions and/or other ambient conditions. The use of n+1 waveguide widths can mitigate n different sources of perturbation to the filter. The use of at least three different waveguide widths for each Mach-Zehnder waveguide can alleviate sensitivity of filter performance to random width or temperature variations. A tolerance compensation portion is positioned between a first coupler section and a second coupler section, wherein the tolerance compensation portion includes a first compensation section having a second width, a second compensation section having a third width and a third compensation section having a fourth width, wherein the fourth width is greater than the third width and the third width is greater than the second width.

Abstract: An optical device includes a substrate, a dielectric layer on the substrate, a waveguide within the dielectric layer, a light sensitive component (e.g., a photodetector) in the dielectric layer and coupled to the waveguide, and a plurality of light isolation structures in at least one of the substrate or the dielectric layer and configured to prevent stray light from reaching the light sensitive component. In some embodiments, a light isolation structure in the plurality of light isolation structures includes two opposing sidewalls and a filling material between the two opposing sidewalls. The two opposing sidewalls include an optical isolation layer. The filling material is characterized by a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) matching a CTE of at least one of the substrate or the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A mattress allowing an individual to sleep in a prone position is provided. The mattress includes one or more internal cavities providing airflow to an openings formed in the mattress. The openings, which may be selectively closed, are sized for an average adult and are connected by way of the cavity to outlets which allow airflow. The reinforced cavities have filters and other features to increase user comfort.

Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) filter comprising one or more passive compensation structures are described. The passive compensation structures yield MZI filters that are intrinsically tolerant to perturbations in waveguide dimensions and/or other ambient conditions. The use of n+1 waveguide widths can mitigate n different sources of perturbation to the filter. The use of at least three different waveguide widths for each Mach-Zehnder waveguide can alleviate sensitivity of filter performance to random width or temperature variations. A tolerance compensation portion is positioned between a first coupler section and a second coupler section, wherein the tolerance compensation portion includes a first compensation section having a second width, a second compensation section having a third width and a third compensation section having a fourth width, wherein the fourth width is greater than the third width and the third width is greater than the second width.

Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) filter comprising one or more passive compensation structures are described. The passive compensation structures yield MZI filters that are intrinsically tolerant to perturbations in waveguide dimensions and/or other ambient conditions. The use of n+1 waveguide widths can mitigate n different sources of perturbation to the filter. The use of at least three different waveguide widths for each Mach-Zehnder waveguide can alleviate sensitivity of filter performance to random width or temperature variations. A tolerance compensation portion is positioned between a first coupler section and a second coupler section, wherein the tolerance compensation portion includes a first compensation section having a second width, a second compensation section having a third width and a third compensation section having a fourth width, wherein the fourth width is greater than the third width and the third width is greater than the second width.

Abstract: A clothing organizer and storage apparatus that allows for clothes to be mounted to a door or a wall for storage. The apparatus includes a first door hook, a second door hook, an elongated strap, and at least one attachment assembly. The first door hook and the second door hook are each terminally attached to the elongated strap and attach to an external structure. The attachment assembly includes a strap buckle, a ring, and a clothes clip to attach and suspend clothing along the elongated strap. The attachment assembly is positioned along the elongated strap with the elongated strap being threaded through the strap buckle. The ring is pivotably and adjacently connected to the strap buckle for additional degree of freedom. The clothes clip is removably mounted to the ring and acts as the grasping element for holding clothing.

Abstract: A photon detector is provided. The photon detector includes a superconducting wire having a plurality of alternating narrow and wide portions; a current source electrically-coupled to the superconducting wire and configured to supply the superconducting wire with electrical current; and an optical waveguide optically coupled to the plurality of narrow portions of the superconducting wire.

Abstract: A clothing organizer and storage apparatus that allows for clothes to be mounted to a door or a wall for storage. The apparatus includes a first door hook, a second door hook, an elongated strap, and at least one attachment assembly. The first door hook and the second door hook are each terminally attached to the elongated strap and attach to an external structure. The attachment assembly includes a strap buckle, a ring, and a clothes clip to attach and suspend clothing along the elongated strap. The attachment assembly is positioned along the elongated strap with the elongated strap being threaded through the strap buckle. The ring is pivotably and adjacently connected to the strap buckle for additional degree of freedom. The clothes clip is removably mounted to the ring and acts as the grasping element for holding clothing.

Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) filter comprising one or more passive compensation structures are described. The passive compensation structures yield MZI filters that are intrinsically tolerant to perturbations in waveguide dimensions and/or other ambient conditions. The use of n+1 waveguide widths can mitigate n different sources of perturbation to the filter. The use of at least three different waveguide widths for each Mach-Zehnder waveguide can alleviate sensitivity of filter performance to random width or temperature variations. A tolerance compensation portion is positioned between a first coupler section and a second coupler section, wherein the tolerance compensation portion includes a first compensation section having a second width, a second compensation section having a third width and a third compensation section having a fourth width, wherein the fourth width is greater than the third width and the third width is greater than the second width.