Abstract: A ring resonator has a first optical waveguide arranged in a loop, a second optical waveguide tangentially optically coupled to the first optical waveguide, and a translatable body configured to selectively move into an evanescent field region of said first optical waveguide.

Abstract: Gyroscopes using surface electrodes are provided. In this regard, a representative microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) gyroscope, among others, includes a top substrate and a bottom substrate. The top substrate includes an outermost structure that is open and enclosed and a first driving structure that is disposed within the outermost structure and includes first driving electrodes disposed on a bottom surface. The bottom substrate is disposed below the top substrate and includes second driving electrodes disposed on a top surface of the bottom substrate. The second driving electrodes are substantially aligned below the first driving electrodes such that a force can be applied to the first driving structure by an electrostatic force generated between the first and second driving electrodes. The first and second driving electrodes are also configured to provide a capacitance signal based on the movement of the first driving structure.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a substrate comprising a layer of thermally insulating material disposed thereon; an optical resonator disposed on the layer of thermally insulating material; and a trench in the thermally insulating material disposed around at least a portion of the optical resonator. The optical resonator is substantially thermally isolated from the substrate.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for sensing are provided. In one embodiment, a sensing system is provided that includes a first electrode array disposed on a proof mass, and a second electrode array disposed on a planar surface of a support structure. The proof mass is attached to the support structure via a compliant coupling such that the first electrode array is positioned substantially parallel to and faces the second electrode array and the proof mass is capable of displacement relative to the support structure. The first electrode array includes a plurality of first patterns of electrodes and the second electrode array includes a plurality of second patterns of electrodes. The sensing system further includes circuitry configured to provide an input voltage to each of the second patterns of electrodes to produce an electrical null position for the first electrode array.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes capacitive sensors and methods of forming capacitive sensors. One capacitive sensor includes a first substrate structure having a first dielectric material formed thereon and electrodes of a first electrode array formed on the first dielectric material. The sensor includes a second substrate structure facing the first substrate structure and having a second dielectric material formed thereon and electrodes of a second electrode array formed on the second dielectric material. The sensor includes a removed portion of the first dielectric material forming a recess between adjacent electrodes of the first electrode array, and the first substrate structure is moveable with respect to the second substrate structure.

Abstract: A transducer head apparatus (140) is disclosed for concurrently transferring data relative to a plurality of tracks on a data carrier. The head apparatus comprises a body (310) extending longitudinally, the body supporting a plurality of longitudinally spaced transducer elements (240, 241, 242, 250, 251, 252, 260, 261, 255, 256, 257, 265, 266, 267), and adjuster apparatus (330) operable to adjust the relative longitudinal dispositions of at least some of the transducer elements.

Abstract: A device for optically coupling two photonic elements may comprise an interposer where each photonic element is axially aligned with an optical pathway in the interposer. Also included is an optics assembly configured to direct a photonic signal along the optical pathway; and a mechanical guide assembly configured to reduce the relative tilt and rotation of photonic elements. Another such device may comprise two connectors where each connector comprises an optical pathway element in which an optics assembly is situated and a photonic element aligned with the optical pathway element. A mechanical guide assembly secures the optical pathway elements in a position so as to reduce the relative tilt and rotation of the photonic elements. A connection for optically coupling two computing units can comprise a partition situated between the computing units and on which an interposer is mounted.

Abstract: A resonator includes a translator, a stator, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to provide first and second translator voltages and first through third stator voltages, wherein the translator is configured to move with respect to the stator at a resonant frequency of the resonator in response to the control circuit.

Abstract: A component for an optical interconnect includes a waveguide having at least one surface that is configured at an angle equal to or less than 90° relative to an axis of the waveguide. A tap is operatively connected to the waveguide. The tap has an angled surface that is adhered to the angled surface of the waveguide. An angle of the angled surface of the tap is substantially identical to the angle of the angled surface of the waveguide. An axis of the tap is positioned at an angle that is two times the angle of the angled surface of the tap. An at least partially reflective coating established on at least a portion of the angled surface of the tap.

Abstract: Beam couplers and splitters are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a beam coupler and splitter includes a first waveguide including a bevel and a bend, and a second waveguide including a bevel complementarily shaped to the first waveguide bevel. The first waveguide bevel is configured to totally internally reflect at least some light incident thereon. The second waveguide is coupled to the first waveguide such that i) the second waveguide bevel is adjacent to at least a portion of the first waveguide bevel, and ii) a predetermined coupling ratio is achieved.

Abstract: Gyroscopes that can compensate frequency mismatch are provided. In this regard, a representative gyroscope, among others, includes a top substrate including an outermost structure, a first driving structure and a first sensing structure. The first driving structure and the first sensing structure are disposed within the outermost structure. The first driving structure and the first sensing structure include a first driving electrode and a first sensing electrode that are disposed on a bottom surface of the first driving structure and first sensing structure, respectively. A portion of the mass on the top surface of the first sensing structure is removed. The gyroscope further includes a bottom substrate that is disposed below the top substrate. The bottom substrate includes a second driving electrode and a second sensing electrode that are disposed on a top surface of the bottom substrate and below the first driving electrode and the first sensing electrode.

Abstract: Encapsulated devices that can adjust the damping level within are provided. In this regard, a representative encapsulated device, among others, comprises a bottom substrate, a middle substrate that is disposed above the bottom substrate, and a top substrate that is disposed above the middle substrate. The middle substrate comprises an outermost structure and at least one damping device. The at least one damping device is supported to the outermost structure. At least one top gap and a bottom gap are formed between the at least one damping device and the top and bottom substrates, respectively. The at least one top gap has at least one cavity depth that is adapted to adjust the damping level of the encapsulated device.

Abstract: A system for bi-directional data transmission includes a first array coupled to a first subsystem and a second array coupled to a second subsystem. The first array includes a first plurality of transmitters that produce first optical signals that are transmitted through free space, and a first plurality of receivers. The second array includes a second plurality of transmitters that produce second optical signals that are transmitted through free space to the first plurality of receivers, and a second plurality of receivers that is configured to receive the first optical signals. An image-forming apparatus is operatively positioned between the first and second arrays and is configured to concurrently form an image of the first plurality of transmitters on the second plurality of receivers and an image of the second plurality of transmitters on the first plurality of receivers.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes first and second variable capacitor electrode sets, respectively disposed upon a planar support surface and a proof mass that is compliantly displaceable along a first axis substantially parallel to the planar support surface. The first electrode set produces a cyclic variation in capacitance over a range of displacement of the proof mass along the first axis, and the second electrode set produces an absolute capacitance variation throughout the range of displacement along the first axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a family of image-rotation prisms. Each image-rotation prism has the property that as an image-rotation prism is rotated, an image passing through the image-rotation prism rotates at twice the angular rate of the image-rotation prism. Embodiments of the present invention include optical systems that can be used for board-to-board communications and employ the image-rotation prisms to compensate for arbitrary axial rotations and misalignment of optical signals and can be used to direct optical signals output from transmitters on one board to particular detectors of a detector arrangement located on an adjacent board.

Abstract: A system such as a server (100) dynamically aligns multiple free-space optical communication signals. One system embodiment includes a first array (114) in a first subsystem (110) and a second array (116) in a second subsystem (110). The first array (114) contains transmitters that produce optical signals that are transmitted through a first lens (220), free space, and a second lens (270) to the second array (116). The second array (116) contains receivers, and the first and second lenses (220, 270) constitute a telecentric lens that forms an image of the first array (114) on the second array (116). Mounting systems (230, 280) attach the first and second lenses (220, 270) respectively to the first and second subsystems (110), and at least one of the mounting systems (230, 280) dynamically moves the attached lens (220, 270) or another optical element (210, 260) to maintain image alignment.

Abstract: A solid core, multi-channel optical coupler comprising an elongate mixer body having an input end, an output end and sidewalls forming a length of the mixer body, where the input end is configured for coupling to a plurality of input channels providing an optical signal for transmission through the mixer body, and a plurality of output tapers coupled to the output end. Each of the output tapers has a reception area adjacent the output end of the mixer body for receiving a portion of the optical signal transmitted through the mixer body. Furthermore, the reception area of each output taper is variable to vary the intensity of the optical signal received by the output taper.

Abstract: Gyroscopes using surface electrodes are provided. In this regard, a representative microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) gyroscope, among others, includes a top substrate and a bottom substrate. The top substrate includes an outermost structure that is open and enclosed and a first driving structure that is disposed within the outermost structure and includes first driving electrodes disposed on a bottom surface. The bottom substrate is disposed below the top substrate and includes second driving electrodes disposed on a top surface of the bottom substrate. The second driving electrodes are substantially aligned below the first driving electrodes such that a force can be applied to the first driving structure by an electrostatic force generated between the first and second driving electrodes. The first and second driving electrodes are also configured to provide a capacitance signal based on the movement of the first driving structure.

Abstract: A resonator includes a translator, a stator, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to provide first and second translator voltages and first through third stator voltages, wherein the translator is configured to move with respect to the stator at a resonant frequency of the resonator in response to the control circuit.

Abstract: Encapsulated devices that can adjust the damping level within are provided. In this regard, a representative encapsulated device, among others, comprises a bottom substrate, a middle substrate that is disposed above the bottom substrate, and a top substrate that is disposed above the middle substrate. The middle substrate comprises an outermost structure and at least one damping device. The at least one damping device is supported to the outermost structure. At least one top gap and a bottom gap are formed between the at least one damping device and the top and bottom substrates, respectively. The at least one top gap has at least one cavity depth that is adapted to adjust the damping level of the encapsulated device.