Abstract: Embodiments of an optical detection apparatus are disclosed which may include one or more of a waveguide, a trench formed in the waveguide, a reflective surface, and a photodetector. The waveguide may be formed in a semiconductor substrate to propagate an optical signal received at a first end of the waveguide. The trench may also be formed in the waveguide having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming first and second angles with the waveguide's propagation direction. The second sidewall may include a reflective surface formed thereon. The photodetector may be configured to receive an optical signal propagated in the waveguide, through the first sidewall and reflected from the reflective surface on the second sidewall.

Abstract: Embodiments of an optical detection apparatus are disclosed which may include one or more of a waveguide, a trench formed in the waveguide, a reflective surface, and a photodetector. The waveguide may be formed in a semiconductor substrate to propagate an optical signal received at a first end of the waveguide. The trench may also be formed in the waveguide having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming first and second angles with the waveguide's propagation direction. The second sidewall may include a reflective surface formed thereon. The photodetector may be configured to receive an optical signal propagated in the waveguide, through the first sidewall and reflected from the reflective surface on the second sidewall.

Abstract: Embodiments of an optical detection apparatus are disclosed which may include one or more of a waveguide, a trench formed in the waveguide, a reflective surface, and a photodetector. The waveguide may be formed in a semiconductor substrate to propagate an optical signal received at a first end of the waveguide. The trench may also be formed in the waveguide having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming first and second angles with the waveguide's propagation direction. The second sidewall may include a reflective surface formed thereon. The photodetector may be configured to receive an optical signal propagated in the waveguide, through the first sidewall and reflected from the reflective surface on the second sidewall.

Abstract: Embodiments of an optical detection apparatus are disclosed which may include one or more of a waveguide, a trench formed in the waveguide, a reflective surface, and a photodetector. The waveguide may be formed in a semiconductor substrate to propagate an optical signal received at a first end of the waveguide. The trench may also be formed in the waveguide having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming first and second angles with the waveguide's propagation direction. The second sidewall may include a reflective surface formed thereon. The photodetector may be configured to receive an optical signal propagated in the waveguide, through the first sidewall and reflected from the reflective surface on the second sidewall.

Abstract: Embodiments of an optical detection apparatus are disclosed which may include one or more of a waveguide, a trench formed in the waveguide, a reflective surface, and a photodetector. The waveguide may be formed in a semiconductor substrate to propagate an optical signal received at a first end of the waveguide. The trench may also be formed in the waveguide having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming first and second angles with the waveguide's propagation direction. The second sidewall may include a reflective surface formed thereon. The photodetector may be configured to receive an optical signal propagated in the waveguide, through the first sidewall and reflected from the reflective surface on the second sidewall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes a first waveguide segment that differentially changes the amplitude of the light relative to a first polarization orientation, a thickness of oriented liquid crystal or other birefringent material sufficient to delay one polarization component one-half wavelength relative to another, and a second waveguide segment that also differentially changes the amplitude of the light based on the polarization orientation. Also, an apparatus that includes a thin polarization converter that includes a thin first substrate that is substantially transparent to a wavelength of light, and a birefringent material deposited on one or more surfaces of the first substrate and oriented such that the polarization converter forms a half-wavelength birefringent plate for the light. Also, an apparatus having a first substrate surface, a second substrate surface, and a liquid crystal material between the first and second substrate surfaces to form a polarization converter.

Abstract: An optical transmitter includes an external cavity laser array formed in a PLC, a trench-based detector array and an AWG. The external cavity laser is formed using an array of substantially similar laser gain blocks and an array of gratings formed in waveguides connected to the gain blocks. Each grating defines the output wavelength for its corresponding external cavity laser. Each detector of the detector array includes a coupler to cause a portion of a corresponding laser output signal of the laser array to propagate through a first sidewall of a trench and reflect off a second sidewall of the trench to a photodetector. In one embodiment, the photodetector outputs a signal indicative of the power level of the reflected signal, which a controller uses to control the laser array to equalize the power of the laser output signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes a first waveguide segment that differentially changes the amplitude of the light relative to a first polarization orientation, a thickness of oriented liquid crystal or other birefringent material sufficient to delay one polarization component one-half wavelength relative to another, and a second waveguide segment that also differentially changes the amplitude of the light based on the polarization orientation. Also, an apparatus that includes a thin polarization converter that includes a thin first substrate that is substantially transparent to a wavelength of light, and a birefringent material deposited on one or more surfaces of the first substrate and oriented such that the polarization converter forms a half-wavelength birefringent plate for the light. Also, an apparatus having a first substrate surface, a second substrate surface, and a liquid crystal material between the first and second substrate surfaces to form a polarization converter.

Abstract: A planar lightwave circuit comprises a first portion of a waveguide, a second portion of a waveguide, and a segment of crystal core fiber coupling the first portion to the second portion of the waveguide. The crystal core fiber helps to reduce the polarization sensitivity of the waveguide. In one embodiment, multiple crystal core fibers are used in a planar lightwave circuit having multiple waveguides, such as an array waveguide grating.

Abstract: An optical connector comprises an optical circuit and a package casing. The package casing has an integrated modular optical connector, which has multiple optical waveguides.

Abstract: A planar lightwave circuit comprises a plurality of waveguides formed with a geometrical or refractive index properties that renders the planar lightwave circuit substantially polarization insensitive.

Abstract: To accommodate high power densities associated with high performance integrated circuits, heat is dissipated from a surface of a die through a solderable thermal interface to a lid or integrated heat spreader. In one embodiment, the die is mounted on an organic substrate using a C4 and land grid array arrangement. In order to maximize thermal dissipation from the die while minimizing warpage of the package when subjected to heat, due to the difference in thermal coefficients of expansion between the die and the organic substrate, a thermal interface is used that has a relatively low melting point in addition to a relatively high thermal conductivity. Methods of fabrication, as well as application of the package to an electronic assembly, an electronic system, and a data processing system, are also described.

Abstract: An optical transmitter includes an external cavity laser array formed in a PLC, a trench-based detector array and an AWG. The external cavity laser is formed using an array of substantially similar laser gain blocks and an array of gratings formed in waveguides connected to the gain blocks. Each grating defines the output wavelength for its corresponding external cavity laser. Each detector of the detector array includes a coupler to cause a portion of a corresponding laser output signal of the laser array to propagate through a first sidewall of a trench and reflect off a second sidewall of the trench to a photodetector. In one embodiment, the photodetector outputs a signal indicative of the power level of the reflected signal, which a controller uses to control the laser array to equalize the power of the laser output signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes a first waveguide segment that differentially changes the amplitude of the light relative to a first polarization orientation, a thickness of oriented liquid crystal or other birefringent material sufficient to delay one polarization component one-half wavelength relative to another, and a second waveguide segment that also differentially changes the amplitude of the light based on the polarization orientation. Also, an apparatus that includes a thin polarization converter that includes a thin first substrate that is substantially transparent to a wavelength of light, and a birefringent material deposited on one or more surfaces of the first substrate and oriented such that the polarization converter forms a half-wavelength birefringent plate for the light. Also, an apparatus having a first substrate surface, a second substrate surface, and a liquid crystal material between the first and second substrate surfaces to form a polarization converter.

Abstract: A planar lightwave circuit comprises a plurality of waveguides formed with a geometrical or refractive index properties that renders the planar lightwave circuit substantially polarization insensitive.

Abstract: An optical connector comprises an optical circuit and a package casing. The package casing has an integrated modular optical connector, which has multiple optical waveguides.

Abstract: A planar lightwave circuit comprises a first portion of a waveguide, a second portion of a waveguide, and a segment of crystal core fiber coupling the first portion to the second portion of the waveguide. The crystal core fiber helps to reduce the polarization sensitivity of the waveguide. In one embodiment, multiple crystal core fibers are used in a planar lightwave circuit having multiple waveguides, such as an array waveguide grating.

Abstract: A ceramic substrate for an integrated circuit package comprising a mixture of MgO and a glass, where the material has a coefficient of expansion greater than about 5 PPM/° C. and less than about 16 PPM/° C. In one embodiment, the material includes a low temperature composition glass which sinters in the range of about 600-1400° C., and is provided with metal traces selected from the group consisting essentially of copper, silver, gold and alloys thereof. The material preferably includes 30-80 percent MgO by weight, and the low temperature composition glass sinters in the range of about 900-1100° C. In another embodiment, the material includes a high temperature composition glass which sinters in the range of 1400-1800° C., and wherein the coefficient of expansion of the material is greater than about 8 PPM/° C. and less than about 16 PPM/° C.

Abstract: A process and system and for extracting and refining gold from ores using relatively benign and inexpensive chemicals, fewer process steps, and permitting the recycling and re-use of process chemicals. The invention is preferably implemented as a two part process. In a first part process, gold is extracted from the ore and dissolved in a chemical solution to form a gold complex. The chemical solution preferably includes a KI and I.sub.2. Optionally, Isopropyl alcohol is mixed with the KI and I.sub.2 to serve as an accelerant. In a second part process, the complex is reduced to gold from the solution, preferably by one of two methods. The first method precipitates the gold complex by washing and decomposing of the gold complex to form pure gold. The second method electrolytically plates the gold from the gold complex solution onto a cathode to obtain pure gold.

Abstract: A process and system and for extracting and refining gold from ores using relatively benign and inexpensive chemicals, fewer process steps, and permitting the recycling and re-use of process chemicals. The invention is preferably implemented as a two part process. In a first part process, gold is extracted from the ore and dissolved in a chemical solution to form a gold complex. The chemical solution preferably includes a KI and I.sub.2. Optionally, Isopropyl alcohol is mixed with the KI and I.sub.2 to serve as an accelerate. In a second part process, the complex is reduced to gold from the solution, preferably by one of two methods. The first method precipitates the gold complex by washing and decomposing of the gold complex to form pure gold. The second method electrolytically plates the gold from the gold complex solution onto a cathode to obtain pure gold.