Abstract: An example electrostatic machine includes a number of stator plates, each having a stator electrode and rotationally fixed to a housing, a shaft at least partially defined within the housing and configured to rotate about an axis, and a number of rotor plates, each having a rotor electrode and rotational fixed to the shaft. The electrostatic machine includes a dielectric fluid disposed in the housing, and that fills a gap between the stator plates and the rotor plates. The electrostatic machine includes a seal associated with the shaft, where the seal includes a material compatible with the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: A grating coupler is disclosed. The grating coupler comprises a grating formed in a waveguide formed in a silicon layer of a silicon on insulator photonic component. The grating has a series of sequentially arranged grating elements i, each comprising an alternating etched trench section having a length Le and an etch depth e, and an unetched tooth section having a length L0. Each grating element has a total length of ?i and a fill factor Fi. The fill factor Fi of each grating element varies across the grating coupler according to an apodization function dependent on the location of the grating element. The total length of each grating element ?i varies across the grating coupler such that the effective refractive index of each grating element causes the Bragg condition to be satisfied for all of the grating elements of the grating.

Abstract: Erasable ion implanted optical couplers are described. In one example a method includes implanting ions into a substrate to form a grating in a waveguide of an optical device coupling optical signals into and out of the waveguide and through the grating, and annealing the substrate to remove the grating after coupling optical signals through the waveguide.

Abstract: Erasable ion implanted optical couplers are described. In one example a method includes implanting ions into a substrate to form a grating in a waveguide of an optical device coupling optical signals into and out of the waveguide and through the grating, and annealing the substrate to remove the grating after coupling optical signals through the waveguide.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modulating a phase of optical beam independent of polarization. In one embodiment, an apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention includes a first region of an optical waveguide disposed in semiconductor material, the first region having a first conductivity type, and a second region of the optical waveguide disposed in the semiconductor material, the second region having a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. The apparatus also includes a substantially V shaped insulating region disposed between the first and second regions of the optical waveguide, wherein a vertex of the substantially V shaped insulating region forms an intersecting line that is substantially parallel to an optical path of an optical beam to be directed through the optical waveguide.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modulating a phase of optical beam independent of polarization. In one embodiment, an apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention includes a first region of an optical waveguide disposed in semiconductor material, the first region having a first conductivity type, and a second region of the optical waveguide disposed in the semiconductor material, the second region having a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. The apparatus also includes a substantially V shaped insulating region disposed between the first and second regions of the optical waveguide, wherein a vertex of the substantially V shaped insulating region forms an intersecting line that is substantially parallel to an optical path of an optical beam to be directed through the optical waveguide.