Abstract: The present disclosure provides a dispersive optical device (DOD) that includes a first material having a first refractive index (n1) at a first wavelength (W1) and a first chromatic dispersion (D1); and at least one dispersive optical element (DOE) optically coupled in the first material, the at least one DOE comprising a second material containing a chromophore. The at least one DOE has a second refractive index (n2) at W1; a ratio of n2 to n1 is less than or equal to about 1.05; and the at least one DOE has a second chromatic dispersion (D2), wherein D2 is at least 10 times greater than D1.

Abstract: A method of converting a modulated optical signal to an encoded electrical signal is provided. The method utilizes a device comprising an electrooptic sideband generator, an optical filter, and an optical/electrical converter. Initially, the modulated optical signal, which carries encoded optical data, is directed to an optical input of the electrooptic sideband generator. The electrooptic sideband generator is driven to generate frequency sidebands about a carrier frequency of the input optical signal. The optical filter is utilized to discriminate between the frequency sidebands and the carrier frequency and combine sidebands-of-interest to yield at least one frequency-converted optical signal comprising a millimeter wave modulation frequency. The frequency converted optical signal carries the encoded optical data and the modulation frequency is a function of the spacing of the sidebands-of-interest.

Abstract: A digital data transmission device is provided comprising optical waveguide architecture, a sideband generator, a modulation controller, an optical filter, a data mapping unit, and a phase controller. The optical waveguide architecture is configured to direct an optical signal through the sideband generator and the optical filter. The sideband generator comprises an electrooptic interferometer comprising first and second waveguide arms. The modulation controller is configured to generate an electrical drive signal to drive the sideband generator at a control voltage that is substantially larger than V? to generate optical frequency sidebands about a carrier frequency of the optical signal. The optical filter is configured to discriminate between the optical frequency sidebands and the optical carrier frequency such that optical sidebands of interest can be directed through the optical waveguide architecture as an optical millimeter wave signal.

Abstract: A system comprises an optical processor comprising a sideband generator, an optical filter, and a phase-shift-keying (PSK) modulator, wherein: the sideband generator generates optical frequency sidebands about a carrier frequency of an optical signal; the optical filter discriminates between the optical frequency sidebands and the optical carrier frequency such that optical sidebands of interest can be used to generate an optical millimeter-wave signal; the PSK modulator comprises an optical splitter, an optical phase delay unit, two or more optical gates, and an optical combiner; the optical splitter divides the optical millimeter-wave signal into two or more intermediate signals; the optical phase delay unit delays one or more of the intermediate signals to create distinct phase relationship between them; the optical gates modulate each intermediate signal individually, based on a control input; and the optical combiner combines the gated intermediate signals into a single, PSK-modulated optical millimeter-

Abstract: A data communications system is provided comprising a submersible home vessel, a submersible satellite vessel, and a flexible dielectric waveguide cable. The flexible dielectric waveguide cable comprises an exposed dielectric face configured to transmit electromagnetic millimeter wave radiation. The submersible home vessel comprises a transparent pressure boundary that is configured to be functionally transparent to electromagnetic millimeter wave radiation and to permit unguided propagation of the electromagnetic millimeter wave radiation. The submersible home vessel further comprises a coupling portion that is configured to secure the dielectric face in a position that enables the transmission of unguided millimeter wave radiation across the transparent pressure boundary to a MMW detector within the submersible home vessel. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A system comprises an optical processor comprising a sideband generator, an optical filter, and a phase-shift-keying (PSK) modulator, wherein: the sideband generator generates optical frequency sidebands about a carrier frequency of an optical signal; the optical filter discriminates between the optical frequency sidebands and the optical carrier frequency such that optical sidebands of interest can be used to generate an optical millimeter-wave signal; the PSK modulator comprises an optical splitter, an optical phase delay unit, two or more optical gates, and an optical combiner; the optical splitter divides the optical millimeter-wave signal into two or more intermediate signals; the optical phase delay unit delays one or more of the intermediate signals to create distinct phase relationship between them; the optical gates modulate each intermediate signal individually, based on a control input; and the optical combiner combines the gated intermediate signals into a single, PSK-modulated optical millimeter-

Abstract: A digital data transmission device is provided comprising optical waveguide architecture, a sideband generator, a modulation controller, an optical filter, a data mapping unit, and a phase controller. The optical waveguide architecture is configured to direct an optical signal through the sideband generator and the optical filter. The sideband generator comprises an electrooptic interferometer comprising first and second waveguide arms. The modulation controller is configured to generate an electrical drive signal to drive the sideband generator at a control voltage that is substantially larger than V? to generate optical frequency sidebands about a carrier frequency of the optical signal. The optical filter is configured to discriminate between the optical frequency sidebands and the optical carrier frequency such that optical sidebands of interest can be directed through the optical waveguide architecture as an optical millimeter wave signal.

Abstract: A method of converting a modulated optical signal to an encoded electrical signal is provided. The method utilizes a device comprising an electrooptic sideband generator, an optical filter, and an optical/electrical converter. Initially, the modulated optical signal, which carries encoded optical data, is directed to an optical input of the electrooptic sideband generator. The electrooptic sideband generator is driven to generate frequency sidebands about a carrier frequency of the input optical signal. The optical filter is utilized to discriminate between the frequency sidebands and the carrier frequency and combine sidebands-of-interest to yield at least one frequency-converted optical signal comprising a millimeter wave modulation frequency. The frequency converted optical signal carries the encoded optical data and the modulation frequency is a function of the spacing of the sidebands-of-interest.

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 ?e 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: Waveguide devices and schemes for fabricating waveguide devices useful in applications requiring modulation, attenuation, polarization control, and switching of optical signals are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabricating an integrated optical device is provided.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: According to the present invention, an improved waveguide device utilizes an advantageously designed optically functional cladding region and an associated modulation controller to address design challenges in applications requiring modulation, attenuation, control, switching, etc. of optical signals. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic modulator is provided comprising an optical waveguide, a cladding optically coupled to the optical waveguide, an optically functional cladding region defined in at least a portion of the cladding, and a modulation controller configured to provide a modulating control signal to the optically functional cladding region. The modulation controller is configured to generate an electric field in the optically functional region in response to a biased modulating RF control signal.

Abstract: A waveguide device is provided comprising an optical waveguide core and a cladding optically coupled to the optical waveguide core. The cladding comprises an optically functional region defining a refractive index that is configured to vary in response to a control signal applied to the optically functional region. The refractive index of the optically functional region is lower than the refractive index of the optical waveguide core. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the optically functional region may be characterized as a Kerr Effect medium.

Abstract: An intelligent microsensor module (10, 100, 210, 300, 355, 410) is provided that can fuse data streams from a variety of sources and then locally determine the current state of the environment in which the intelligent microsensor is placed. The resultant state rather than raw data is communicated to the outside world when the microsensor is queried. The intelligent microsensor module (10, 100, 210, 300, 355, 410) of the present invention can locally determine and execute an action to be taken based on the determined state of the environment. The module (10, 100, 210, 300, 355, 410) can be readily reconfigured for multiple applications.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an improved waveguide device utilizes an advantageously designed optically functional cladding region and an associated modulation controller to address design challenges in applications requiring modulation, attenuation, control, switching, etc. of optical signals. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic modulator is provided comprising an optical waveguide, a cladding optically coupled to the optical waveguide, an optically functional cladding region defined in at least a portion of the cladding, and a modulation controller configured to provide a modulating control signal to the optically functional cladding region. The modulation controller is configured to generate an electric field in the optically functional region in response to a biased modulating RF control signal.

Abstract: Waveguide devices and schemes for fabricating waveguide devices useful in applications requiring modulation, attenuation, polarization control, and switching of optical signals are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabricating an integrated optical device is provided.