Patents by Inventor Eric Swanson

Eric Swanson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11163324
    Abstract: An optical probe includes an optical source that generates an optical beam that propagates from a proximal end to a distal end of an optical fiber that imparts a transformation of a spatial profile of the optical beam. An optical control device imparts a compensating spatial profile on the optical beam that at least partially compensates for the transformation of the spatial profile of the optical beam imparted by the optical fiber in response to a control signal from a signal processor. A distal optical source generates a calibration light that propagates through the one or more optical waveguides from the distal end to the proximal end of the optical fiber. An optical detector detects the calibration light and generates electrical signals in response to the detected calibration light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Swanson, Tristan Kremp, Paul S Westbrook, David J DiGiovanni
  • Publication number: 20210278151
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first planar region having a first surface configured to contact a heat sink. The apparatus also includes at least one second planar region having a second surface configured to contact a surface of at least one heat generating component, the at least one second planar region being parallel to the first planar region and disposed in at least one plane that is offset from the first planar region. The apparatus further includes a plurality of flexure regions disposed at an angle or curved relative to the first planar region and the at least one second planar region. The plurality of flexure regions connect the at least one second planar region to the first planar region. The first planar region and the at least one second planar region are formed of at least a thermally conductive material and a stiffening material and the plurality of flexure regions are formed of at least the stiffening material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Tuan L. Duong, Eric Swanson, Michael Hulse, William Francis
  • Publication number: 20210278196
    Abstract: A wavelength tunable laser device includes a gain element positioned in an optical cavity that provides optical gain to an optical signal. A frequency shifter that generates a frequency shift as a function of time is positioned in the optical cavity. The optical cavity is configured so that a magnitude of the frequency shift as a function of time generated by the frequency shifter is substantially equal to a frequency separation of a cavity mode of the cavity such that an output of the cavity generates laser light having a wavelength that tunes as a function of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Publication number: 20210215927
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are configurations for few-mode fiber optical endoscope systems employing distal optics and few-mode, double-clad or other optical fiber wherein the systems directing an optical beam to a sample via the optical fiber; collecting light backscattered from the sample; direct the backscattered light to a detector via the optical fiber; and detect the backscattered light; wherein the directed optical beam is single mode and the collected light is one or more higher order modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Patent number: 11041710
    Abstract: A wavelength tunable laser device includes a gain element positioned in an optical cavity that provides optical gain to an optical signal. A frequency shifter that generates a frequency shift as a function of time is positioned in the optical cavity. The optical cavity is configured so that a magnitude of the frequency shift as a function of time generated by the frequency shifter is substantially equal to a frequency separation of a cavity mode of the cavity such that an output of the cavity generates laser light having a wavelength that tunes as a function of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Publication number: 20210149101
    Abstract: A multicore fiber light transfer system includes a multicore fiber having a proximal end and a distal end and at least three optical cores. The multicore fiber transferring light from the proximal end to the distal end and collecting light from a target at the distal end and transferring the collected light to the proximal end. Distal optics is 3D printed near the distal end of the multicore fiber. The distal optics includes a first element having a surface that is aligned to one core of the multicore fiber with a first shape such that the first element projects the light transferred from the proximal end in a first desired direction with a first desired beam shape and having a second element comprising a surface that is aligned to another core of the multicore fiber with a second shape such that the second element collects light from a desired location on the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Patent number: 10969571
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are configurations for few-mode fiber optical endoscope systems employing distal optics and few-mode, double-clad or other optical fiber wherein the systems directing an optical beam to a sample via the optical fiber; collecting light backscattered from the sample; direct the backscattered light to a detector via the optical fiber; and detect the backscattered light; wherein the directed optical beam is single mode and the collected light is one or more higher order modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Publication number: 20210088438
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are optical integration technologies, designs, systems and methods directed toward Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and other interferometric optical sensor, ranging, and imaging systems wherein such systems, methods and structures employ tunable optical sources, coherent detection and other structures on a single or multichip monolithic integration. In contrast to contemporary, prior-art OCT systems and structures that employ simple, miniature optical bench technology using small optical components positioned on a substrate, systems and methods according to the present disclosure employ one or more photonic integrated circuits (PICs), use swept-source techniques, and employ a widely tunable optical source(s). In another embodiment the system uses an optical photonic phased array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Publication number: 20210063302
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are optical integration technologies, designs, systems and methods directed toward Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and other interferometric optical sensor, ranging, and imaging systems wherein such systems, methods and structures employ tunable optical sources, coherent detection and other structures on a single or multichip monolithic integration. In contrast to contemporary, prior-art OCT systems and structures that employ simple, miniature optical bench technology using small optical components positioned on a substrate, systems and methods according to the present disclosure employ one or more photonic integrated circuits (PICs), use swept-source techniques, and employ a widely tunable optical source(s). In another embodiment the system uses an optical photonic phased array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Publication number: 20210055752
    Abstract: An optical probe includes an optical source that generates an optical beam that propagates from a proximal end to a distal end of an optical fiber that imparts a transformation of a spatial profile of the optical beam. An optical control device imparts a compensating spatial profile on the optical beam that at least partially compensates for the transformation of the spatial profile of the optical beam imparted by the optical fiber in response to a control signal from a signal processor. A distal optical source generates a calibration light that propagates through the one or more optical waveguides from the distal end to the proximal end of the optical fiber. An optical detector detects the calibration light and generates electrical signals in response to the detected calibration light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: OFS FITEL, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Swanson, Tristan Kremp, Paul S. Westbrook, David J. DiGiovanni
  • Patent number: 10895525
    Abstract: An optical-fiber measurement system includes an optical system that generates light and a spatial optical switch that is coupled to the optical system that processes the light generated by the optical system and generates light at a plurality of spatially distributed optical ports. A respective one of a plurality of optical cores at a first end of a multicore optical fiber is positioned to receive light from a respective one of the plurality of spatially distributed optical ports, where the light generated at the plurality of spatially distributed optical ports propagates through the multicore optical fiber. Distal optics is positioned adjacent to a second end of the multicore optical fiber and is positioned to collect light from a sample of interest so that the collected light from the sample of interest is coupled to the plurality of optical cores in the multicore optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Patent number: 10876827
    Abstract: A wavelength tunable laser device includes a gain element that provides optical gain. A laser cavity includes at least two cavities, wherein each of the at least two cavities has a different optical cavity length. At least two optical modulators are positioned in the laser cavity, wherein the at least two optical modulators are driven with waveforms so as to tune a wavelength of the wavelength tunable laser device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Patent number: 10816723
    Abstract: An optical coherent transceiver comprising a polarization and phase-diversity coherent receiver and a polarization and phase-diversity modulator on the same substrate interfaced by three grating couplers, on grating coupler coupling in a signal, one grating coupler coupling in a laser signal, and a third grating coupler coupling out a modulated signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Acacia Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Doerr, Benny Mikkelsen, Eric Swanson
  • Patent number: 10809750
    Abstract: An optical probe includes an optical source that generates an optical beam that propagates from a proximal end to a distal end of an optical fiber that imparts a transformation of a spatial profile of the optical beam. An optical control device imparts a compensating spatial profile on the optical beam that at least partially compensates for the transformation of the spatial profile of the optical beam imparted by the optical fiber in response to a control signal from a signal processor. A distal optical source generates a calibration light that propagates through the one or more optical waveguides from the distal end to the proximal end of the optical fiber. An optical detector detects the calibration light and generates electrical signals in response to the detected calibration light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: OFS Fitel, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Swanson, Tristan Kremp, Paul S. Westbrook, David DiGiovanni
  • Patent number: 10741910
    Abstract: An optical system for producing an optical probe beam includes an optical source that generates a free-space optical beam. An optical element is positioned in a path of the free-space optical beam to project the free-space optical beam to generate a projected free-space optical beam. A photonic integrated phased-array component positioned in a path of the projected free-space optical beam to reflect the projected free space optical beam, thereby generating the optical probe beam. The photonic integrated phased-array component comprises a plurality of antenna elements and a substrate positioned proximate to the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of fan-out electrical connections from at least some of the plurality of antenna elements such that a size of a region comprising the fan-out electrical connections is larger than a size of a region comprising the plurality of antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Publication number: 20200149865
    Abstract: A wavelength tunable laser device includes a gain element positioned in an optical cavity that provides optical gain to an optical signal. A frequency shifter that generates a frequency shift as a function of time is positioned in the optical cavity. The optical cavity is configured so that a magnitude of the frequency shift as a function of time generated by the frequency shifter is substantially equal to a frequency separation of a cavity mode of the cavity such that an output of the cavity generates laser light having a wavelength that tunes as a function of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Patent number: 10627485
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are optical integration technologies, designs, systems and methods directed toward Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and other interferometric optical sensor, ranging, and imaging systems wherein such systems, methods and structures employ tunable optical sources, coherent detection and other structures on a single or multichip monolithic integration. In contrast to contemporary, prior-art OCT systems and structures that employ simple, miniature optical bench technology using small optical components positioned on a substrate, systems and methods according to the present disclosure employ one or more photonic integrated circuits (PICs), use swept-source techniques, and employ a widely tunable optical source(s). In another embodiment the system uses an optical photonic phased array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Publication number: 20200110258
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are configurations for fiber optic endoscopes employing fixed distal optics and multicore optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Patent number: 10578799
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are designs, structures and techniques for advanced packaging of multi-function photonic integrated circuits that allow such high-performance multi-function photonic integrated circuits to be co-packaged with a high-performance multi-function ASIC thereby significantly reducing strenuous interconnect challenges and lowering costs, power and size of the overall devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Acaia Communications
    Inventors: Christopher Doerr, Eric Swanson, Diedrik Vermeulen, Saeid Azemati, Jon Stahl
  • Publication number: 20190369650
    Abstract: An optical probe includes an optical source that generates an optical beam that propagates from a proximal end to a distal end of an optical fiber that imparts a transformation of a spatial profile of the optical beam. An optical control device imparts a compensating spatial profile on the optical beam that at least partially compensates for the transformation of the spatial profile of the optical beam imparted by the optical fiber in response to a control signal from a signal processor. A distal optical source generates a calibration light that propagates through the one or more optical waveguides from the distal end to the proximal end of the optical fiber. An optical detector detects the calibration light and generates electrical signals in response to the detected calibration light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicants: OFS Fitel, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Swanson, Tristan Kremp, Paul S. Westbrook, David DiGiovanni