Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing composite structures in which ultrasonic waves are used to detect disbonds in the structures are described. The apparatus comprises a flexible structure carrying acousto-optical transducers such as fiber Bragg gratings. During use, the apparatus is mechanically and conformally coupled to the structure under test.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing composite structures in which ultrasonic waves are used to detect disbonds in the structures are described. The apparatus comprises a flexible structure carrying acousto-optical transducers such as fiber Bragg gratings. During use, the apparatus is mechanically and conformally coupled to the structure under test.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing composite structures in which ultrasonic waves are used to detect disbonds in the structures are described. The apparatus comprises a flexible structure carrying acousto-optical transducers such as fiber Bragg gratings. During use, the apparatus is mechanically and conformally coupled to the structure under test.

Abstract: A photosensitive sol-gel film containing an organometallic photosensitizer is deposited on the oxide containing surface layer of a silicon substrate. A pattern of white or ultra violet light incident to the photosensitive sol-gel film results in the unbinding of the photosensitizer from the exposed regions of the sol-gel film. A subsequent succession of first and second heating steps results in, first, the removal of the photo sensitizer constituents from the exposed regions of the sol-gel film and, second, the removal of the organic constituents from the exposed regions, resulting in regions doped with a metal oxide with non linear optical properties, such as semicondutive, etc. properties. Optical switches, couplers, waveguides, splitters, interferometers wavelength division multiplexer, Bragg gratings and more can be fabricated. A glass substrate also may be employed, instead of a silicon, in which case a separate silicon oxide surface layer is unnecessary.

Abstract: Image data is acquired, processed, and/or displayed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure to display, monitor, and/or demonstrate the progress of an experiment substantially in real-time and with high sensitivity. In one embodiment, at least one time-resolved value of spatially distributed polarization change data is provided and displayed. Advantageously, real-time processing and display of data is provided such that discussion and collaboration about the experiment may occur, time-resolved data is not lost, and resources are not wasted.

Abstract: A photosensitive sol-gel film containing an organometallic photosensitizer is deposited on the oxide containing surface layer of a silicon substrate. A pattern of white or ultra violet light incident to the photosensitive sol-gel film results in the unbinding of the photosensitizer from the exposed regions of the sol-gel film. A subsequent succession of first and second heating steps results in, first, the removal of the photo sensitizer constituents from the exposed regions of the sol-gel film and, second, the removal of the organic constituents from the exposed regions, resulting in regions doped with a metal oxide with non linear optical properties, such as semicondutive, etc. properties. Optical switches, couplers, waveguides, splitters, interferometers wavelength division multiplexer, Bragg gratings and more can be fabricated. A glass substrate also may be employed, instead of a silicon, in which case a separate silicon oxide surface layer is unnecessary.

Abstract: Processes for fabricating integrated optics devices are provided. According to one process, a photosensitive sol-gel glass material including a volatile photosensitizer is prepared. A film of the sol-gel is then produced on a substrate. The film is then imprinted with an image of an optical device by exposing the photosensitive sol-gel film to light energy patterned in the negative or positive image of the desired device, thereby photolyzing photosensitizer within the exposed portion in proportion to the amount of light energy delivered. The image of the written optical device is then fixed in the exposed film, thereby forming a planar device layer having an embedded optical device. The photoinduced refractive index change between the optical device and the surrounding region is preferably greater than or equal to 0.001. A variety of passive and active integrated optic devices may be fabricated using the disclosed processes and are also described.

Abstract: Waveguide structures in which light confinement strength varies along the direction of light propagation are described. The waveguides include a core adapted to propagate light along a path defined by the core and a cladding material that at least partially surrounds the core. The core and the cladding material each have a refractive index profile in the direction of light propagation. One or more of the profiles or lateral core dimensions are varied along the direction of light propagation, thereby causing the degree of light confinement to vary in the direction of light propagation. With such structures it is possible to tailor the velocity of the light propagating through the core and the confinement of the light to the core for any given core cross section. The structures may be used, for example, in mode-matching an input or output of a waveguide and in fabricating compact directional couplers.

Abstract: Apparatus for acquiring an image of a specimen comprising a cassette having an optical portion holding a specimen array on a TIR surface and being removably matable to a processing portion having a polarized light beam source and a processing polarization-sensitive portion to image the spatially distributed charges in polarization of the specimen array. In one form the array optical portion comprises a transparent slide having a bottom surface with first and second gratings located to direct polarized light to the TIR surface and to direct light reflected by that (TIR) surface to an imager, respectively. The apparatus may include a flow cell integral with the optical portion as well as means for selecting the direction and wavelength of the polarized light.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for scanning of a microarray to provide an image of the microarray are disclosed. Data related to change in polarization state of a scanning light beam for individual points or lines or other portion of the microarray are collected and processed to image the microarray at high resolution and speed.

Abstract: An imaging method and apparatus are provided, including a light source emitting a polarized light beam, and an optical assembly including a control layer and/or a light reflection surface. The control layer advantageously allows for control over the properties of a generated evanescent wave to optimize an image of a specimen array within the evanescent wave. The light reflection surface includes coupling means used to couple a receptor/capture agent advantageously allowing for flexible control over receptor specific regions.