Abstract: Optical interconnect systems and methods are disclosed. An optical interconnect system includes a substrate, an optical waveguide, and first and second modulators. The optical waveguide has a first waveguide portion extending to a first coupling structure, a second waveguide portion extending from the first coupling structure to a second coupling structure, and a third waveguide portion extending from the second coupling structure. The first modulator is positioned adjacent the first coupling structure, and the second modulator is positioned adjacent the second coupling structure. The optical interconnect method includes modulating light with a first modulator to produce one-time modulated light, and modulating the one-time modulated light with a second modulator to produce two-time modulated light.

Abstract: Dispersive optical systems and methods are disclosed, as well as energy generation systems utilizing such systems in combination with photovoltaic cells. A dispersive optical system includes an optical element, a layer of high-dispersion microprisms, and a layer of low-dispersion microprisms. The optical element is configured to focus a light beam. The layer of high-dispersion microprisms is configured to refract the light beam. The layer of low-dispersion microprisms is configured to refract the light beam. The dispersive optical system is configured to optically concentrate and disperse input light incident thereupon into an output comprising a plurality of bands of light each having a different wavelength. A method of optical dispersion includes focusing a light beam with an optical element, refracting the light beam with a layer of high-dispersion microprisms, and refracting the light beam with a layer of low-dispersion microprisms.

Abstract: Optical interconnect systems and methods are disclosed. An optical interconnect system includes a substrate, a first waveguide, and a free-space coupling structure. The first waveguide is disposed on the substrate. The free-space coupling structure is adjacent the first waveguide. The free-space coupling structure redirects light propagating through the first waveguide in a first direction out of the first waveguide in a second direction different from the first direction. An optical interconnect method comprises transmitting light through a first waveguide in a first direction; and redirecting the light out of the first waveguide in a second direction different from the first direction with a free-space coupling structure disposed in the first waveguide.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modulator-based optical interconnections are disclosed. An optical interconnect system comprises a substrate, a wave path, a coupling structure, and a modulator. The wave path may be a waveguide disposed on the substrate. The coupling structure is coupled to the substrate and disposed within the wave path. The modulator is positioned between the substrate and the coupling structure. An optical interconnect method comprises the steps of transmitting light through a wave path, redirecting the light onto a modulator with a coupling structure, modulating the light from the coupling structure with the modulator; and redirecting modulated light from the modulator into the wave path with the coupling structure.

Abstract: Optical sheets, light collection and conversion systems and methods of forming optical sheets are provided. An optical sheet includes a light guide layer having at least one light guide and a light concentrator layer adjacent to the light guide layer for concentrating incident light. Each light guide has a substantially uniform thickness with respect to a propagation direction of light through the light guide and includes a plurality of input-coupling elements and at least one output-coupling element. The light concentrator layer includes a plurality of concentrator elements optically coupled to the plurality of input-coupling elements of the respective light guide. Each light guide is configured to combine the concentrated light from the respective plurality of concentrator elements and to guide the combined light to the at least one output-coupling element.

Abstract: Optical interconnect systems and methods are disclosed. An optical interconnect system includes a substrate, an optical waveguide, and first and second modulators. The optical waveguide has a first waveguide portion extending to a first coupling structure, a second waveguide portion extending from the first coupling structure to a second coupling structure, and a third waveguide portion extending from the second coupling structure. The first modulator is positioned adjacent the first coupling structure, and the second modulator is positioned adjacent the second coupling structure. The optical interconnect method includes modulating light with a first modulator to produce one-time modulated light, and modulating the one-time modulated light with a second modulator to produce two-time modulated light.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for the realization of a photovoltaic solar cell that is able to achieve greater than 50% efficiency and can be manufactured at low cost on a large scale. The apparatus of the present invention is an integrated optical and solar cell design that allows a much broader choice of materials, enabling high efficiency, the removal of many existing cost drivers, and the inclusion of multiple other innovations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving high-density and misalignment tolerant short-reach free-space optical interconnects between arbitrary locations in a field, using microlenses, steering elements and a curved reflecting surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved high efficiency solar cell. The improvement comprises the addition of one or more silicon cells to surround at least a portion of the active region of the solar cell. Preferably, the silicon cells completely surround the active region of the solar cell. The silicon cells act as scavenger cells to absorb light that would otherwise not be absorbed by other components of the solar cell and to convert that energy to electricity.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for the realization of a photovoltaic solar cell that is able to achieve greater than 50% efficiency and can be manufactured at low cost on a large scale. The apparatus of the present invention is an integrated optical and solar cell design that allows a much broader choice of materials, enabling high efficiency, the removal of many existing cost drivers, and the inclusion of multiple other innovations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for waveguide-based and free space based optical interconnection in integrated circuits that includes an input optical waveguide with etched end-facets, an output optical waveguide with an end-facets and modulators and detectors.

Abstract: An optical interconnection for connecting a first integrated circuit to a second integrated circuit includes a plurality of light sources, a plurality of light detectors, a symmetric imaging system, and a plurality of beam steering elements, one for each of the plurality of light sources. Each of the beam steering elements is configured to steer light from its corresponding light source to a new angle which causes the symmetric imaging system to have an effective aperture closer to its plane of symmetry. A mirror may be inserted in the plane of symmetry of the imaging system that folds the system back upon itself, making the object plane and image plane co-incident.

Abstract: A sliding banyan switching network is disclosed for signal switching in an electrical or an optical network. The sliding banyan network routes up to N signals through a plurality of stages, each containing a plurality of switches. The sliding banyan network determines when a signal reaches its destination address by keeping track of the number of successful consecutive routings through the stages of the network. When this number reaches a predetermined number, the signal has reached its destination. The nodes of each stage are formed on a single substrate and the interconnections are implemented by optical connections. Only a single input line and a single output line for each set of nodes connects the sliding banyan network to the external system.