Abstract: A method for execution by one or more processing modules of one or more computing devices of a dispersed storage network (DSN), the method begins by determining, in advance of a DSN data access request, an optimal routing configuration for the DSN data access request to a collection of one or more DS processing units. The method continues by assigning a final destination identifier (FDI) to the collection of one or more DS processing units. The method continues by associating a request router with the collection of one or more DS processing units and distributing the optimal routing configuration to each of the collection of one or more DS processing units and to the associated request router.

Abstract: A method for execution by one or more processing modules of one or more computing devices of a dispersed storage network (DSN), the method begins by determining, in advance of a DSN data access request, an optimal routing configuration for the DSN data access request to a collection of one or more DS processing units. The method continues by assigning a final destination identifier (FDI) to the collection of one or more DS processing units. The method continues by associating a request router with the collection of one or more DS processing units and distributing the optimal routing configuration to each of the collection of one or more DS processing units and to the associated request router.

Abstract: A gravity-based, non-invasive method of measuring a level of fluid in a container comprises use of at least one gravity meter located as proximate a center of mass of the fluid as possible. In a nuclear reactor system a method for monitoring the level of fluid in a nuclear reactor module, a report of a loss or gain of fluid within a cylindrical module may be generated from capturing a time series of gravity data from a first gravity meter mounted as an upper gravity meter and a second gravity meter mounted as a lower gravity meter, for example, proximate a cylindrical nuclear reactor module so as not to require any invasive conduit through, for example, a containment pressure vessel (CPV) or a reactor pressure vessel (RPV). In one embodiment, the upper and lower gravity meters are mounted on stable mounts as close to the fluid in the module as possible within a coolant pool or a structure containing cooled air.

Abstract: A gravity-based, non-invasive method of measuring a level of fluid in a container comprises use of at least one gravity meter located as proximate a center of mass of the fluid as possible. In a nuclear reactor system a method for monitoring the level of fluid in a nuclear reactor module, a report of a loss or gain of fluid within a cylindrical module may be generated from capturing a time series of gravity data from a first gravity meter mounted as an upper gravity meter and a second gravity meter mounted as a lower gravity meter, for example, proximate a cylindrical nuclear reactor module so as not to require any invasive conduit through, for example, a containment pressure vessel (CPV) or a reactor pressure vessel (RPV). In one embodiment, the upper and lower gravity meters are mounted on stable mounts as close to the fluid in the module as possible within a coolant pool or a structure containing cooled air.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a millimeter or sub-millimeter wave portal system is provided. Generally, the portal system comprises an electrooptic source and one or more millimeter or sub-millimeter wave detectors. The electrooptic source comprises an optical signal generator, optical switching and encoding circuitry, and one or more optical/electrical converters. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design and operation of a frequency selective electrooptic source. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the electrooptic source comprises an optical signal generator, optical circuitry, and at least one optical/electrical converter wherein the optical signal generator comprises a plurality of optical outputs characterized by distinct output frequencies and the optical circuitry is configured to permit the selection and combination of different ones of the distinct-frequency optical outputs to generate a modulated optical signal, which is converted to a millimeter or sub-millimeter wave. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design and operation of a frequency selective electrooptic source. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the electrooptic source comprises an optical signal generator, optical circuitry, and at least one optical/electrical converter wherein the optical signal generator comprises a plurality of optical outputs characterized by distinct output frequencies and the optical circuitry is configured to permit the selection and combination of different ones of the distinct-frequency optical outputs to generate a modulated optical signal, which is converted to a millimeter or sub-millimeter wave. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Optical generation and modulation is carried out in the optical domain and converted to, for example, the THz band using suitable optical/electrical conversion hardware. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic modulator is significantly overdriven to create sidebands on an optical carrier signal. An arrayed waveguide grating or other suitable filter is then used to filter the optical signal and remove the carrier signal and unwanted sidebands. The desired sidebands are then combined to create an optical signal that can be encoded with data through suitable modulation. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design and operation of a frequency selective electrooptic source. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the electrooptic source comprises an optical signal generator, optical circuitry, and at least one optical/electrical converter wherein the optical signal generator comprises a plurality of optical outputs characterized by distinct output frequencies and the optical circuitry is configured to permit the selection and combination of different ones of the distinct-frequency optical outputs to generate a modulated optical signal, which is converted to a millimeter or sub-millimeter wave. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a millimeter or sub-millimeter wave portal system is provided. Generally, the portal system comprises an electrooptic source and one or more millimeter or sub-millimeter wave detectors. The electrooptic source comprises an optical signal generator, optical switching and encoding circuitry, and one or more optical/electrical converters. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an antenna assembly comprising an antenna portion and an electrooptic waveguide portion is provided. The antenna portion comprises at least one tapered slot antenna. The waveguide portion comprises at least one electrooptic waveguide. The electrooptic waveguide comprises a waveguide core extending substantially parallel to a slotline of the tapered slot antenna in an active region of the antenna assembly. The electrooptic waveguide at least partially comprises a velocity matching electrooptic polymer in the active region of the antenna assembly. The velocity Ve of a millimeter or sub-millimeter wave signal traveling along the tapered slot antenna in the active region is at least partially a function of the dielectric constant of the velocity matching electrooptic polymer.

Abstract: An optical waveguide structure is provided wherein a controller is configured to provide a TE control voltage to a first set of control electrodes in a first electrooptic functional region and a TM control voltage to a second set of control electrodes in a second electrooptic functional region. The TE control voltage and the first electrooptic functional region are configured to alter the TE polarization mode of an optical signal propagating along the waveguide core through the first electrooptic functional region to a substantially greater extent than the TM polarization mode of the optical signal. Further, the TM control voltage and the second electrooptic functional region are configured to alter the TM polarization mode of an optical signal propagating along the waveguide core through the second electrooptic functional region to a substantially greater extent than the TE polarization mode of the optical signal. Additional embodiments and features are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Broadly, then, one aspect of the present invention is a functional optical material composed of a liquid crystal (LC) evidencing a pair of refractive indices (RI's) and a polymer in which the LC is dispersed. The refractive index (RI) of said polymer may be outside of the L C RI's by at least about 0.03. Another aspect of the present invention is a functional optical material composed of a liquid crystal (LC) and a polymer in which the LC is dispersed, wherein said LC is less than about 5% miscible in said polymer. A further aspect of the present invention is a functional optical material composed of a liquid crystal (LC) and a polymer in which the LC is dispersed, wherein the cladding contains not more than about 20 wt-% LC. In all of these embodiments, the functional optical material can be clad to an optical waveguide and can optionally contain a chromophore.

Abstract: Methods of attenuating, delaying the phase, and otherwise controlling an optical signal propagating along a waveguide are provided. According to one method, a variable optical attenuator structure is provided comprising a waveguide core, a cladding, an electrooptic polymer, and a set of control electrodes. The core, the cladding, and the electrooptic polymer are configured such that an increase in the index of refraction of the polymer causes a substantial portion of an optical signal propagating along the waveguide core to couple into a relatively high index region of the electrooptic polymer above the waveguide core, so as to inhibit return of the coupled signal to the waveguide core. Another embodiment of the present invention introduces a phase delay in the coupled optical signal and permits return of the coupled signal to the waveguide core. An additional embodiment contemplates the use of a ridge waveguide structure to enable control of the optical signal.

Abstract: Methods of attenuating, delaying the phase, and otherwise controlling an optical signal propagating along a waveguide are provided. According to one method, a variable optical attenuator structure is provided comprising a waveguide core, a cladding, an electrooptic polymer, and a set of control electrodes. The core, the cladding, and the electrooptic polymer are configured such that an increase in the index of refraction of the polymer causes a substantial portion of an optical signal propagating along the waveguide core to couple into a relatively high index region of the electrooptic polymer above the waveguide core, so as to inhibit return of the coupled signal to the waveguide core. Another embodiment of the present invention introduces a phase delay in the coupled optical signal and permits return of the coupled signal to the waveguide core. An additional embodiment contemplates the use of a ridge waveguide structure to enable control of the optical signal.

Abstract: Optical devices are provided for optical signal modulation under the control of an electrical signal propagating along a traveling wave electrode structure. The electrode structure comprises a coplanar stripline including a control signal electrode interposed between a pair of ground plane electrodes. Each of the ground plane electrodes defines a positively or negatively biased elevated ground plane portion isolated from the control signal input and the control signal output. The present invention also contemplates provision of a coplanar stripline as described and claimed herein.

Abstract: An optical architecture is provided comprising a plurality of mod/mux units, a master optical distribution hub, a plurality of additional optical distribution hubs, and a plurality of premise stations. Each of the mod/mux units is configured to (i) permit selective modulation of demultiplexed components of a target wavelength band of an optical signal, (ii) multiplex the selectively modulated optical signal, and (iii) direct the multiplexed signal to the master optical distribution hub. The master optical distribution hub is configured to distribute multiplexed signals from respective ones of the mod/mux units to corresponding ones of the plurality of additional optical distribution hubs. Each of the plurality of additional optical distribution hubs comprises an arrayed waveguide grating configured to demultiplex the multiplexed optical signal and distribute respective distinct wavelength portions of the target wavelength band to respective ones of the premise stations.

Abstract: An optical architecture is provided comprising at least one broadband light source, a mod/mux unit, and a plurality of premises stations in communication with the mod/mux unit via an optical distribution hub. The mod/mux unit is configured to permit selective modulation of demultiplexed components of a target wavelength band of an optical signal, multiplex the selectively modulated optical signal, and direct the target wavelength band and a bypass wavelength band of the multiplexed optical signal to the optical distribution hub. The optical distribution hub comprises an arrayed waveguide grating configured to demultiplex the multiplexed optical signal and distribute respective distinct wavelength portions of the target wavelength band and respective distinct wavelength portions of the bypass wavelength band to respective ones of the premises stations.

Abstract: A very compact light beam scanning system is provided by utilizing the optical integrated circuit technique. A Luneburg lens of As.sub.2 S.sub.3 and a SAW transducer device are provided on a waveguide and a wideband heterodyning RF oscillator including two varactor tuned oscillators and a digital linearization circuit are provided as the drive circuit for the transducer device.