Patents by Inventor Halleh B. Balch

Halleh B. Balch 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).

  • Optical sensing with critically coupled planar waveguide with optional integration of layered two-dimensional materials
    Patent number: 10782233
    Abstract: An optical sensing system includes a planar optical waveguide having a first surface for detection and a second surface for coupling light. The optical sensing system includes a functional layer integral with the first surface of the planar optical waveguide, and a coupling layer in contact with the second surface of the planar optical waveguide, the coupling layer having a lower refractive index than the planar optical waveguide. The optical sensing system includes an optical source arranged to illuminate at least a portion of the second surface of the planar optical waveguide through the coupling layer with substantially critical optical coupling. The optical sensing system also includes an optical detector arranged to receive a portion of light from the optical source after being reflected from the first surface of the planar optical waveguide and passing through the coupling layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Feng Wang, Jason Horng, Halleh B. Balch
  • OPTICAL SENSING WITH CRITICALLY COUPLED PLANAR WAVEGUIDE WITH OPTIONAL INTEGRATION OF LAYERED TWO-DIMENSIONAL MATERIALS
    Publication number: 20180106724
    Abstract: An optical sensing system includes a planar optical waveguide having a first surface for detection and a second surface for coupling light. The optical sensing system includes a functional layer integral with the first surface of the planar optical waveguide, and a coupling layer in contact with the second surface of the planar optical waveguide, the coupling layer having a lower refractive index than the planar optical waveguide. The optical sensing system includes an optical source arranged to illuminate at least a portion of the second surface of the planar optical waveguide through the coupling layer with substantially critical optical coupling. The optical sensing system also includes an optical detector arranged to receive a portion of light from the optical source after being reflected from the first surface of the planar optical waveguide and passing through the coupling layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Feng Wang, Jason Horng, Halleh B. Balch