Patents by Inventor Nanfang Yu
Nanfang Yu 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).
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Patent number: 10620431Abstract: Exemplary embodiment can utilize the properties of tunable thin-film, material (e.g., graphene) to efficiently modulate the intensity, phase, and/or polarization of transmitted and/or reflected radiation, including mid-infrared (“mid-IR”) radiation. Exemplary embodiments include planar antennas comprising tunable thin-film material sections and metallic sections disposed in contact with the tunable thin-film material sections, each metallic section having a gap with at least one dimension related to a wavelength of the radiation, which in some embodiments may be less than the wavelength. The metallic layer may comprise rods arrange in one or more shapes, or one or more apertures of one or more shapes. Embodiments of the antenna may also comprise a substrate, which may be a semiconductor or conductor in various embodiments. Embodiments also include systems, computer-implemented methods, devices, and computer-readable media for effectuating desired modulation of incident radiation by, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORKInventor: Nanfang Yu
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Publication number: 20200096672Abstract: Techniques for creating a replacement for optical elements with diffractive planar components based on metasurfaces are provided. In one example, a substantially flat optical component for lensing incoming electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength and a first phase into outgoing electromagnetic radiation having a second phase is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORKInventors: Nanfang Yu, Adam Overvig, Sajan Shrestha
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Publication number: 20200025425Abstract: Systems and methods for radiative cooling and heating are provided. For example, systems for radiative cooling can include a top layer including one or more polymers, where the top layer has high emissivity in at least a portion of the thermal spectrum and an electromagnetic extinction coefficient of approximately zero, absorptivity of approximately zero, and high transmittance in at least a portion of the solar spectrum, and further include a reflective layer including one or more metals, where the reflective layer has high reflectivity in at least a portion of the solar spectrum.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORKInventors: Nanfang Yu, Jyotirmoy Mandal, Adam Overvig, Norman Nan Shi, Meng Tian
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Publication number: 20190258088Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for electro-optic tuning. An example device may comprise a first layer comprising a transition metal di-chalcogenide material, a second layer comprising a conductive material, and a third layer comprising a dielectric material. The third layer may be disposed at least partially between the first layer and the second layer. An electrical potential difference applied between the first layer and the second layer may cause a tunable refractive index change in the first layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Michal Lipson, James Hone, Nanfang Yu, Ipshita Datta, Sanghoon Chae, Gaurang R. Bhatt, Dmitri N. Basov
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Patent number: 10386097Abstract: Systems and methods for radiative cooling and heating are provided. For example, systems for radiative cooling can include a top layer including one or more polymers, where the top layer has high emissivity in at least a portion of the thermal spectrum and an electromagnetic extinction coefficient of approximately zero, absorptivity of approximately zero, and high transmittance in at least a portion of the solar spectrum, and further include a reflective layer including one or more metals, where the reflective layer has high reflectivity in at least a portion of the solar spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORKInventors: Nanfang Yu, Jyotirmoy Mandal, Adam Overvig, Norman Nan Shi, Meng Tian
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Publication number: 20180335362Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a change in at least one physical parameter of a target illuminated by electromagnetic radiation are disclosed herein. The system includes one or more optical fibers, an optical switch, and a photo detector. The optical fiber switch can transmit at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation into the one or more optical fibers. The optical fibers can have a plurality of sensor nodes. The sensor nodes can induce an interaction between the change in the at least one physical parameter and the transmitted electromagnetic radiation to generate an optical signal. The photo detector can be connected to the one or more optical fibers and measure the optical signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORKInventors: Nanfang Yu, Meng Tian
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Publication number: 20180180331Abstract: Systems and methods for radiative cooling and heating are provided. For example, systems for radiative cooling can include a top layer including one or more polymers, where the top layer has high emissivity in at least a portion of the thermal spectrum and an electromagnetic extinction coefficient of approximately zero, absorptivity of approximately zero, and high transmittance in at least a portion of the solar spectrum, and further include a reflective layer including one or more metals, where the reflective layer has high reflectivity in at least a portion of the solar spectrum.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2017Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORKInventors: Nanfang Yu, Jyotirmoy Mandal, Adam Overvig, Norman Nan Shi
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Publication number: 20180059440Abstract: Active photonic devices based on correlated perovskites are disclosed. Systems and methods using such active photonic devices are also disclosed. In one example, a smart window including an active photonic device is disclosed. In another example, a variable emissivity coating including an active photonic device is disclosed. In yet another example, an optical memory device including an active photonic device is disclosed. In a further example, an optical modulator including an active photonic device is disclosed. In an additional example, a tunable optical filter including an active photonic device is disclosed. In an additional example, a directional optical coupler including an active photonic device is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORKInventors: Nanfang Yu, Zhaoyi Li
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Patent number: 9588292Abstract: Integrated photonic devices including an optical waveguide patterned with an array of antennas are provided. The small footprint, lightweight, and broadband integrated photonic devices provided can be configured into waveguide mode converters, polarization rotators, perfect absorbers, photodetectors, optical power diodes, nonlinear optical elements, heat-assisted magnetic recorders, optical isolators, and optical circulators.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORKInventors: Nanfang Yu, Zhaoyi Li, Myoung-Hwan Kim
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Publication number: 20160195676Abstract: Integrated photonic devices including an optical waveguide patterned with an array of antennas are provided. The small footprint, lightweight, and broadband integrated photonic devices provided can be configured into waveguide mode converters, polarization rotators, perfect absorbers, photodetectors, optical power diodes, nonlinear optical elements, heat-assisted magnetic recorders, optical isolators, and optical circulators.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventors: Nanfang Yu, Zhaoyi Li, Myoung-Hwan Kim
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Publication number: 20150369660Abstract: Exemplary embodiment can utilize the properties of tunable thin-film, material (e.g., graphene) to efficiently modulate the intensity, phase, and/or polarization of transmitted and/or reflected radiation, including mid-infrared (“mid-IR”) radiation. Exemplary embodiments include planar antennas comprising tunable thin-film material sections and metallic sections disposed in contact with the tunable thin-film material sections, each metallic section having a gap with at least one dimension related to a wavelength of the radiation, which in some embodiments may be less than the wavelength. The metallic layer may comprise rods arrange in one or more shapes, or one or more apertures of one or more shapes. Embodiments of the antenna may also comprise a substrate, which may be a semiconductor or conductor in various embodiments. Embodiments also include systems, computer-implemented methods, devices, and computer-readable media for effectuating desired modulation of incident radiation by, e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City New YorkInventor: NANFANG YU
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Patent number: 8848273Abstract: An optical plate includes a substrate and a resonator structure formed on or in the substrate, wherein the resonator structure is configured to produce an abrupt change in phase, amplitude and/or polarization of incident radiation.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignees: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Universita degli Studi di TrentoInventors: Nanfang Yu, Federico Capasso, Zeno Gaburro, Patrice Genevet, Mikhail Kats, Francesco Aieta
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Patent number: 8723145Abstract: A radiation-emitting device (e.g., a laser) includes an active region configured to generate a radiation emission linearly polarized along a first polarization direction and a device facet covered by an insulating layer and a metal layer on the insulating layer. The metal layer defines an aperture through which the radiation emission from the active region can be transmitted and coupled into surface plasmons on the outer side of the metal layer. The long axis of the aperture is non-orthogonal to the first polarization direction, and a sequential series of features are defined in or on the device facet or in the metal layer and spaced apart from the aperture, wherein the series of features are configured to manipulate the surface plasmons and to scatter surface plasmons into the far field with a second polarization direction distinct from the first polarization direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Federico Capasso, Nanfang Yu, Romain Blanchard
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Publication number: 20140016895Abstract: A radiation-emitting device (e.g., a laser) includes an active region configured to generate a radiation emission linearly polarized along a first polarization direction and a device facet covered by an insulating layer and a metal layer on the insulating layer. The metal layer defines an aperture through which the radiation emission from the active region can be transmitted and coupled into surface plasmons on the outer side of the metal layer. The long axis of the aperture is non-orthogonal to the first polarization direction, and a sequential series of features are defined in or on the device facet or in the metal layer and spaced apart from the aperture, wherein the series of features are configured to manipulate the surface plasmons and to scatter surface plasmons into the far field with a second polarization direction distinct from the first polarization direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGEInventors: Federico Capasso, Nanfang Yu, Romain Blanchard
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Publication number: 20130266034Abstract: laser devices described may emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a large wavelength (e.g., mid-infrared, far-infrared) and exhibiting a low angle of divergence. In some embodiments, the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation is between 3 microns and 500 microns and the divergence angel is less than 15 degrees. Electromagnetic waves may be produced from a single monolithic laser device which includes a laser waveguide (e.g., quantum cascade laser waveguide) and a collimating element having at least one indented region (e.g., a plurality of periodically disposed grooved structures). A portion of the electromagnetic radiation may propagate as surface waves (e.g., surface plasmons) along the surface of the collimating element where indented regions in the collimating element may decrease the propagation velocity of the surface waves. A portion of the electromagnetic radiation may also be substantially convinced within a grooved structure of the collimating element (e.g., as channel polaritons).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2011Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Nanfang Yu, Federico Capasso
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Patent number: 8552410Abstract: A radiation-emitting device (e.g., a laser) includes an active region configured to generate a radiation emission linearly polarized along a first polarization direction and a device facet covered by an insulating layer and a metal layer on the insulating layer. The metal layer defines an aperture through which the radiation emission from the active region can be transmitted and coupled into surface plasmons on the outer side of the metal layer. The long axis of the aperture is non-orthogonal to the first polarization direction, and a sequential series of features are defined in or on the device facet or in the metal layer and spaced apart from the aperture, wherein the series of features are configured to manipulate the surface plasmons and to scatter surface plasmons into the far field with a second polarization direction distinct from the first polarization direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Federico Capasso, Nanfang Yu, Romain Blanchard
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Publication number: 20130208332Abstract: An optical plate includes a substrate and a resonator structure formed on or in the substrate, wherein the resonator structure is configured to produce an abrupt change in phase, amplitude and/or polarization of incident radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Nanfang Yu, Federico Capasso, Zeno Gaburro, Patrice Genevet, Mikhail Kats, Francesco Aieta
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Patent number: 8328396Abstract: An apparatus for collimating radiation can include an aperture of subwavelength dimensions and a neighboring set of grooves defined on a metal film integrated with an active or passive device that emits radiation. Integration of the beam collimator onto the facet of a laser or other radiation-emitting device provides for beam collimation and polarization selection. Beam divergence can be reduced by more than one order of magnitude compared with the output of a conventional laser. An active beam collimator with an aperture-groove structure can be integrated with a wide range of optical devices, such as semiconductor lasers (e.g., quantum cascade lasers), light emitting diodes, optical fibers, and fiber lasers.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Federico Capasso, Nanfang Yu, Jonathan Fan
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Publication number: 20110315898Abstract: A radiation-emitting device (e.g., a laser) includes an active region configured to generate a radiation emission linearly polarized along a first polarization direction and a device facet covered by an insulating layer and a metal layer on the insulating layer. The metal layer defines an aperture through which the radiation emission from the active region can be transmitted and coupled into surface plasmons on the outer side of the metal layer. The long axis of the aperture is non-orthogonal to the first polarization direction, and a sequential series of features are defined in or on the device facet or in the metal layer and spaced apart from the aperture, wherein the series of features are configured to manipulate the surface plasmons and to scatter surface plasmons into the far field with a second polarization direction distinct from the first polarization direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGEInventors: Federico Capasso, Nanfang Yu, Romain Blanchard
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Publication number: 20100226134Abstract: An apparatus for collimating radiation can include an aperture of subwavelength dimensions and a neighboring set of grooves defined on a metal film integrated with an active or passive device that emits radiation. Integration of the beam collimator onto the facet of a laser or other radiation-emitting device provides for beam collimation and polarization selection. Beam divergence can be reduced by more than one order of magnitude compared with the output of a conventional laser. An active beam collimator with an aperture-groove structure can be integrated with a wide range of optical devices, such as semiconductor lasers (e.g., quantum cascade lasers), light emitting diodes, optical fibers, and fiber lasers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2008Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGEInventors: Federico Capasso, Nanfang Yu, Jonathan Fan