Etalon Structure Patents (Class 359/260)
  • Patent number: 11892618
    Abstract: A light beam shaping arrangement for a light microscope has a first and a second liquid crystal region or lifting micromirror region, each of which has a plurality of independently switchable liquid crystal elements or mirrors with which a phase of incident light is changeable in a settable manner, an input-/output-coupling polarization beam splitter, a polarization beam splitter arranged between the input-/output-coupling polarization beam splitter and the liquid crystal regions or lifting micromirror regions such that the polarization beam splitter separates the light coming from the input-/output-coupling polarization beam splitter in a polarization-dependent manner into a first partial beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Siebenmorgen, Ingo Kleppe, Ralf Netz
  • Patent number: 11789188
    Abstract: An optical filter may comprise a first pair of mirrors, a second pair of mirrors, and a common spacer. The second pair of mirrors and the first pair of mirrors may reflect different portions of an electromagnetic spectrum. The common spacer may be positioned between the first pair of mirrors and between the second pair of mirrors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: VIAVI Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Houck, Daniel Meysing
  • Patent number: 11660840
    Abstract: A packaged film assembly includes a packaging material and a switchable film. The switchable film is packaged in and attached to at least a portion of the packaging material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Solutia Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Sargent, Douglas M. Wiggin, Peter A. Von Hahn, Simon J. Gauthier, Ryan Gibson, Duhane Lam, Brodie Albright
  • Patent number: 11457132
    Abstract: In illustrative implementations, an imaging system may comprise a lens, an optical cavity and a time-of-flight camera. The imaging system may capture an image of a scene. The image may be formed by light that is from the scene and that passes through the optical cavity and the lens. In some cases, the lens is in front of the optical cavity, enabling the Euclidean distance between the lens and the camera sensor to be less than the nominal focal length of the lens. In some cases, the lens is inside the optical cavity, enabling the camera to acquire ultrafast multi-zoom images without moving or changing the shape of any optical element. In some cases, the lens is behind the optical cavity, enabling the system to perform ultrafast multi-spectral imaging. In other cases, an optical cavity between the scene and time-of-camera enables ultrafast ellipsometry measurements or ultrafast spatial frequency filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Barmak Heshmat Dehkordi, Matthew Tancik
  • Patent number: 11349577
    Abstract: A random acoustic phase scrambler device is installed in-line with a telecommunications fiber link to prevent voice detection via fiber links. The device includes a transducer to produce vibrations; a length of optical fiber positioned to receive the vibration from the transducer; and a random acoustic phase driver configured to control the intensity and frequency of the vibrations. The transducer produces randomized vibrations within an acoustic bandwidth. The device is configured to introduce device-induced phase changes to signals within the telecommunications fiber link. The bandwidth of the device-induced phase changes is greater than the bandwidth of voice-induced phase changes, and the device-induced phase changes are greater in intensity than the voice-induced phase changes. The device-induced phase changes mask voice-induced phase changes through the telecommunications fiber link that are otherwise detectable by voice detection equipment tapped to the telecommunications fiber link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Tiejun Xia, Glenn Wellbrock, Kevin N. Smith
  • Patent number: 11281010
    Abstract: The invention provides a diffractive waveguide element, waveguide stack, personal display and method of forming a viewable image. The element comprises a waveguide region defined by two optical surfaces between which light can propagate by total internal reflections, the optical surfaces having surface profiles, and at least one diffractive grating capable of modifying the light filed within the waveguide region. According to the invention, the surface profile of at least one of said optical surfaces is a staircase profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: DISPELIX OY
    Inventor: Kasimir Blomstedt
  • Patent number: 10807347
    Abstract: A laminated light valve film comprising: (a) a film having first and second opposed outer surfaces; (b) a first layer of a polymeric interlayer material upon at least a portion of each opposed outer surface; (c) a first pair of substrates, one of which is adhered to the interlayer material upon the first outer opposed surface of the light valve film and the second is adhered to the interlayer material upon the second outer opposed surface of the light valve film, these substrates being formed from plastic or glass; (d) a second layer of polymeric interlayer material applied to at least a portion of an outer surface of each one of the first pair of substrates; and (e) a second pair of substrates, one being adhered to the interlayer upon the outer surface of one of the first pair of substrates and a second one adhered to the interlayer material on the outer surface of a second one of the first pair of substrates, the second pair of substrates being formed from plastic or glass, with the proviso that when the fi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: RESEARCH FRONTIERS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Seth Van Voorhees, Dongyan Wang, Steven M. Slovak
  • Patent number: 10677972
    Abstract: An optical filter may include a substrate. The optical filter may include a first mirror. The optical filter may include a second mirror. The optical filter may include a spacer. The first mirror, the second mirror, and the spacer may form a plurality of component filters. A first component filter, of the plurality of component filters, may be associated with a first cross-sectional area and a second component filter, of the plurality of component filters, is associated with a second cross-sectional area. The first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area may be configured to response balance the first component filter and the second component filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: VIAVI Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Houck, Steven Saxe
  • Patent number: 10370894
    Abstract: A method for producing a triple insulating glazing unit is presented. According to the method, one pane is inserted into a groove of a spacer that is peripherally shaped to form a spacer frame to enframe the pane. A first pane and a second pane are connected to corresponding contact surfaces of the spacer frame by way of an upper edge and lateral edges of the first and second panes. Lower edges of the first and second panes are bent outward. Formed interpane spaces are filled from below with a protective gas, and the arrangement of the panes and the spacer frame is sealed and pressed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Hans-Werner Kuster, Walter Schreiber
  • Patent number: 10330917
    Abstract: An optical filter device includes a wavelength variable interference filter that includes a pair of reflective films which face each other, and a fixed substrate in which one of the pair of reflective films is provided; a base to which the fixed substrate is fixed; and a fixing member which fixes one place on the fixed substrate to the base, a surface which is on other place of the one place of the substrate and the base are disposed with a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Saito, Satoshi Fujisawa, Yasushi Matsuno, Nozomu Hirokubo
  • Patent number: 10243172
    Abstract: Luminaires and luminaire components are provided that may include emissive, index-matching, and/or outcoupling components that are replaceable separately from other components of the luminaire. In some embodiments, an index-matching component may include a gel sheet or pad that can be disposed between an emissive component and an outcoupling component. The index-matching component may be replaceable separately from the emissive and outcoupling components. In some embodiments, an emissive component including an OLED panel and/or an index-matching component may be replaceable separately from other components of the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Display Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Burrows, Emory Krall, Huiqing Pang, Jason Paynter, Kamala Rajan, Ruiqing Ma, Gregory McGraw
  • Patent number: 10082716
    Abstract: A composite panel with electrically switchable optical properties, having: an outer panel and an inner panel which are connected to one another over the entire length thereof via an interlayer; within the interlayer, a switchable functional element with at least one active layer; and an infrared protective coating arranged between the outer panel and the active layer over the entire length thereof, wherein the infrared protective coating contains at least three functional layers with reflecting properties for the infrared range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Julius Mennig, Franz Penners
  • Patent number: 9933687
    Abstract: An optimized wavelength-tuned nonlinear frequency conversion process using a liquid crystal clad waveguide. The process includes implanting ions on a top surface of a lithium niobate crystal to form an ion implanted lithium niobate layer. The process also includes utilizing a tunable refractive index of a liquid crystal to rapidly change an effective index of the lithium niobate crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Mark A. Stephen
  • Patent number: 9784958
    Abstract: A spectral imaging device (12) includes an image sensor (28), a tunable light source (14), an optical assembly (17), and a control system (30). The optical assembly (17) includes a first refractive element (24A) and a second refractive element (24B) that are spaced apart from one another by a first separation distance. The refractive elements (24A) (24B) have an element optical thickness and a Fourier space component of the optical frequency dependent transmittance function. Further, the element optical thickness of each refractive element (24A) (24B) and the first separation distance are set such that the Fourier space components of the optical frequency dependent transmittance function of each refractive element (24A) (24B) fall outside a Fourier space measurement passband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Daylight Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Rowlette, Miles James Weida
  • Patent number: 9740032
    Abstract: An optical modulator is provided, including a lower reflection layer, an active layer formed on the lower reflection layer, and an upper reflection layer formed on the active layer. The active layer includes a multiple quantum well structure including a quantum well layer and a quantum barrier layer. The upper reflection layer includes a dielectric material. A plurality of micro cavity layers are included in the upper reflection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Changyoung Park, Byunghoon Na, Yonghwa Park
  • Patent number: 9726913
    Abstract: The present invention describes a semiconductor interferometric reflecting device capable of modulating the reflected light by modulating the carrier concentration inside a semiconductor device. The variation of the carrier concentration within the device causes the variation of the physical optical properties inside the semiconductor material leading to a shift of the reflected and absorbed light spectrums. The modulating layer is fabricated on an optically smooth substrate, i.e., sufficiently smooth to allow for the occurrence of interference effects. Furthermore, if desired, the same device can be designed to emit or reflect the desired light. The present invention may be utilized for a reflective flat panel display comprising an array of semiconductor interferometric reflecting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Awenyx Inc.
    Inventors: Fabio Alessio Marino, Paolo Menegoli
  • Patent number: 9705631
    Abstract: In a digital coherent communication scheme utilizing polarization-multiplexed optical signals, it may be impossible to separate transmission light and reception light from each other with high precision for transmission/reception an optical signal. An optical space transmission system according to the present invention is provided with a first transmission/reception device which radiates first reception light and second reception light whose polarization states are orthogonal to each other, and a second transmission/reception device which radiates third reception light alternately including a first reception light component whose polarization state is the same as the first reception light and a second reception light component whose polarization state is the same as the second reception light in a time-wise manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9430590
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical design techniques for generating environmentally resilient optical elements used in optical computing devices. One method for designing an integrated computational element (ICE) includes generating a plurality of theoretical ICE designs with a design suite stored on a non-transitory, computer-readable medium, each theoretical ICE design being configured to detect a characteristic of interest and comprising one or more layers, sorting the theoretical ICE designs based on performance criteria of each theoretical ICE design and thereby identifying one or more predictive ICE designs, calculating a theoretical effect of a temperature shift on each predictive ICE design, and selecting for fabrication one or more predictive ICE designs based on favorable temperature stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Neil Simcock, David L. Perkins
  • Patent number: 9261729
    Abstract: A display panel including a substrate on which a switching element is disposed, a first electrode connected to the switching element, an image displaying layer disposed under the first electrode, a second electrode disposed under the image displaying layer and insulated from the first electrode, a protective layer disposed under the second electrode and surrounding a lower surface and side surfaces of the image displaying layer, and an upper polarizing plate disposed on the substrate, and making contact with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Su Kim, Seung-Beom Park, Kwang-Hyun Kim, Ji-Hoon Kim, Gwan-Young Na, Beong-hun Beon, Na-Young Shin
  • Patent number: 9235022
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for thermally managing electronic devices using dynamic optical components are provided. At least one of the reflectance and the transmittance of incident electromagnetic radiation of a dynamic optical component on an electronic device may be adjusted based on a detected variable device characteristic of the device, such as a temperature of a device component. By adjusting the reflectance and/or the transmittance of the dynamic optical component, different portions of the incident electromagnetic radiation may be directed from the dynamic optical component for changing the variable device characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Cameron, Ryan Joseph Garrone
  • Patent number: 9081188
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for an electromechanical systems reflective display device. In one aspect, an electromechanical systems display device includes a reflective layer and an absorber layer. The absorber layer is spaced apart from the reflective layer to define a cavity between the absorber layer and the reflective layer. The absorber layer is capable of transmitting light into the cavity, absorbing light, and reflecting light, and includes a metal layer. A plurality of matching layers are on a surface of the absorber layer facing away from the cavity, the plurality of matching layers including a first matching layer disposed on the absorber layer and a second matching layer disposed on the first matching layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hyunchul Hong, Jian Jim Ma, Tallis Young Chang, Chong Uk Lee
  • Patent number: 9047571
    Abstract: Encoding of quantum algorithm and devices therefrom are provided. The encoding includes receiving a unitary matrix operator representing the quantum algorithm, each row of the unitary matrix operator defining a superposition of basis state vectors for transforming input states to output states. The encoding also includes recording rows of the unitary matrix operator by applying, to a volume holographic element, a combination of an ith one of n reference waves and a superposition of n signal waves defined by the superposition defined in an ith row of the unitary matrix operator. The n signal waves are a first set of n plane waves lying on a first conical surface having a first half angle and the n reference waves are a second set of n plane waves lying on a second conical surface, concentric with the first conical surface, with a second half angle different that the first half angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Warner A. Miller, Grigoriy Kreymerman, Paul M. Alsing
  • Publication number: 20150138620
    Abstract: A transmissive image modulator for allowing image modulation over a wide bandwidth with multiple Fabry-Perot resonant modes and multiple absorption modes is provided. The transmissive image modulator includes a lower reflection layer; an active layer disposed on the lower reflection layer, including multiple quantum well layers and multiple barrier layers; an upper reflection layer disposed on the active layer; and at least one micro-cavity layer disposed in at least one of the lower and upper reflection layer. The active layer and the at least one micro-cavity layer have thicknesses of a multiple of ?/2, where ? is a resonant wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicants: GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-chul CHO, Yong-tak LEE, Byung-hoon NA, Chang-young PARK, Yong-hwa PARK, Jang-woo YOU, Hee-ju CHOI
  • Patent number: 9025233
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dual mode function pixel that operates either in a first mode or in a second mode according to the intensity of a projected light to have a high visibility regardless of the intensity of projected light. The dual mode function pixel includes: a first membrane on which a self-luminescent element is formed; one or more membranes formed to surround the first membrane; and a lower layer formed below the first membrane and the one or more membranes to be spaced apart from the first membrane and the one or more membranes. The dual mode function pixel is controlled such that the self-luminescent element is driven either to emit light in a first mode operation or to selectively reflect a projected light by utilizing an interference of light generated between the first to one or more membranes and the lower layer in a second mode operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Hojun Ryu, Sang Hee Park
  • Patent number: 8995044
    Abstract: The invention relates to controllable Fabry-Perot interferometers which are produced with micromechanical (MEMS) technology. Micromechanical interferometers of the prior art have a disadvantage of significantly attenuating infrared radiation. In the inventive solution there is a gap in at least one mirror, serving as a layer of the mirror. The other layers of the mirrors can be made of polycrystalline silicon, which has a negligible attenuation at the infrared range. It is also preferable to provide a hole or a recess in a substrate at the optical area of the interferometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventor: Martti Blomberg
  • Patent number: 8981281
    Abstract: An optical module comprising a tunable interference filter including a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a first reflective film formed on the first substrate, a second reflective film formed on the second substrate and facing the first reflective film, a gap changing unit changing a gap between the first reflective film and the second reflective film, and a driving electrode line electrically connected to the gap changing unit, a temperature sensor detecting temperature of the tunable interference filter and including a first sensor wiring and a second sensor wiring, the first sensor wiring being electrically connected to the driving electrode line, a switch electrically connected to the second sensor wiring, and a temperature detecting circuit electrically connected to the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20150054925
    Abstract: An optical modulator and a 3D image acquisition apparatus including an optical modulator are provided. The optical modulator is disposed in a multiple quantum well including a plurality of quantum wells and a plurality of quantum barriers, and includes at least one carrier block disposed in the multiple quantum well restricting the carrier movement between the multiple quantum wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-young PARK, Yong-hwa PARK, Sang-hun LEE
  • Patent number: 8947782
    Abstract: A wavelength variable interference filter includes: a first movable mirror disposed on a first substrate; a second movable mirror disposed so as to be opposed to the first movable mirror with a predetermined gap interposed therebetween; and an electrostatic actuator which varies the length of the gap between the mirrors. The first substrate has a first movable portion on which the first movable mirror is disposed, and a first linkage portion which holds the first movable portion in such a manner that the first movable portion can shift in the thickness direction of the substrate. The second substrate has a second movable portion on which the second movable mirror is disposed, and a second linkage portion which holds the second movable portion in such a manner that the second movable portion can shift in the thickness direction of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Company
    Inventors: Nozomu Hirokubo, Koji Kitahara
  • Patent number: 8934164
    Abstract: A tunable optical filter is formed in the structure of an etalon. A thin electro-optic ceramic substrate is fixed between two end substrates. Each end substrate has an inner parallel surface toward said electro-optic ceramic substrate covered by an electrode layer and a reflecting layer. An adhesive which attaches the electro-optic ceramic substrate to each first and second end substrates has a consistency so as to avoid stress on the electro-optic ceramic substrate. A voltage imposed on the electro-optic ceramic substrate by the electrode layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates effectively controls an optical distance between the reflective coating layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates of the etalon structure. The electro-optic ceramic substrate is preferably PMN-PT ((1-x)Pb(Mg?Nb?)O3-x—PbTiO3) and no more than 160 ?m thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventor: Jing-Jong Pan
  • Patent number: 8881380
    Abstract: There is provided a component mounting apparatus, which includes: a nozzle which sucks a component; a nozzle supporting member, on which the nozzle is installed, which moves in a vertical direction with respect to an upper surface of a substrate on which the component sucked at the nozzle is mounted; an optical system which captures an image of a leading edge portion of the nozzle where the component is sucked in a component mounting operation, from a side direction, such that an optical axis of the optical system is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a sucking surface of the nozzle; and an analyzer which analyzes the image of the leading edge portion to determine whether a sucking state of the component sucked by the nozzle is normal or abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hatase Takayuki
  • Patent number: 8879137
    Abstract: A high sensitivity transient grating ultrafast radiation to optical image converter is based on a fixed transmission grating adjacent to a semiconductor substrate. X-rays or optical radiation passing through the fixed transmission grating is thereby modulated and produces a small periodic variation of refractive index or transient grating in the semiconductor through carrier induced refractive index shifts. An optical or infrared probe beam tuned just below the semiconductor band gap is reflected off a high reflectivity mirror on the semiconductor so that it double passes therethrough and interacts with the radiation induced phase grating therein. A small portion of the optical beam is diffracted out of the probe beam by the radiation induced transient grating to become the converted signal that is imaged onto a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Richard E. Stewart, Stephen P. Vernon, Paul T. Steel, Mark E. Lowry
  • Patent number: 8817358
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a thin film stack with surface-conditioning buffer layers. In one aspect, the thin film stack includes a plurality of thin film layers each having a thickness greater than about 10 nm and a plurality of surface-conditioning buffer layers each having a thickness between about 1 nm and about 10 nm. The surface-conditioning buffer layers are alternatingly disposed between the thin film layers. Each of the surface-conditioning buffer layers are formed with the same or substantially the same thickness and composition. In some implementations, the surface-conditioning buffer layers are formed by atomic layer deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hyunchul Hong, Isak Clark Reines, Chong Uk Lee, Tallis Young Chang, Yaoling Pan, Edward Keat Leem Chan
  • Publication number: 20140204443
    Abstract: A tunable optical filter is formed in the structure of an etalon. A thin electro-optic ceramic substrate is fixed between two end substrates. Each end substrate has an inner parallel surface toward said electro-optic ceramic substrate covered by an electrode layer and a reflecting layer. An adhesive which attaches the electro-optic ceramic substrate to each first and second end substrates has a consistency so as to avoid stress on the electro-optic ceramic substrate. A voltage imposed on the electro-optic ceramic substrate by the electrode layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates effectively controls an optical distance between the reflective coating layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates of the etalon structure. The electro-optic ceramic substrate is preferably PMN-PT ((1-x)Pb(Mg?Nb?)O3-x—PbTiO3) and no more than 160 ?m thick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventor: Jing-Jong Pan
  • Patent number: 8736939
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for an electromechanical systems reflective display device. In one aspect, an electromechanical systems display device includes a reflective layer and an absorber layer. The absorber layer is spaced apart from the reflective layer to define a cavity between the absorber layer and the reflective layer. The absorber layer is capable of transmitting light into the cavity, absorbing light, and reflecting light, and includes a metal layer. A plurality of matching layers are on a surface of the absorber layer facing away from the cavity, the plurality of matching layers including a first matching layer disposed on the absorber layer and a second matching layer disposed on the first matching layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hyunchul Hong, Jian J. Ma, Tallis Young Chang, Chong Uk Lee
  • Patent number: 8717657
    Abstract: An optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) is used to provide a continuous, high Q, modulated signal for a variety of purposes, including a carrier wave for communications, and radar emissions. The OEO of this invention replaces an RF filter in the conventional OEO with an interferometer, preferably a high finesse Fabry-Perot etalon as the mode selector, providing lower phase noise and higher RF frequency stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Delfyett, Ibrahim T. Ozdur
  • Patent number: 8684540
    Abstract: An optical projection apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source, and an imaging element, which is illuminated by the first light source and the second light source during operation. The light source includes a light-emitting diode chip that emits red light during operation. The second light source includes a first light-emitting diode chip, which emits green light during operation. A second light-emitting diode chip emits blue light during operation. The second light-emitting diode chip is arranged on the first light-emitting diode chip at a radiation exit surface of the first light-emitting diode chip. Electromagnetic radiation generated in the first light-emitting diode chip during operation passes through the second light-emitting diode chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Grötsch, Simon Kocur, Matthias Sabathil
  • Patent number: 8559090
    Abstract: A tunable optical filter is formed in the structure of an etalon. A thin electro-optic ceramic substrate is fixed between two end substrates. Each end substrate has an inner parallel surface toward said electro-optic ceramic substrate covered by an electrode layer and a reflecting layer. An adhesive which attaches the electro-optic ceramic substrate to each first and second end substrates has a consistency so as to avoid stress on the electro-optic ceramic substrate. A voltage imposed on the electro-optic ceramic substrate by the electrode layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates effectively controls an optical distance between the reflective coating layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates of the etalon structure. The electro-optic ceramic substrate is preferably PMN-PT ((1-x)Pb(Mg?Nb?)O3-x—PbTiO3) and no more than 160 ?m thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventor: Jing Jong Pan
  • Patent number: 8559091
    Abstract: A method comprising forming two or more frames from a first wafer, forming two or more etalons from a second wafer, disposing a resistive thermal device on each of the two or more frames, dicing the first wafer and the second wafer, and bonding each of the frames to a corresponding one of the etalons to form optical subassemblies of optical filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Emcore Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Finot, Mark McDonald, Andrew Daiber
  • Patent number: 8512492
    Abstract: An optical filter according to the invention includes: first and second substrates opposed to each other; first and second reflecting films provided to the first and second substrates; first and second bonding films provided to the first and second substrates; and first and second barrier films disposed on surfaces of the first and second reflecting films, wherein the first barrier film has a transmittance of ozone lower than a transmittance of ozone the first reflecting film has, and the second barrier film has a transmittance of ozone lower than a transmittance of ozone the second reflecting film has. Accordingly, the reflecting films are protected from ozone or ultraviolet radiation during the manufacturing process of the optical filter and thereby the optical filter characteristics is prevented from being deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8512493
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical filter according to the invention includes the steps of forming a first bonding film in a first bonding area of a first substrate provided with a first reflecting film, forming a second bonding film in a second bonding area of a second substrate provided with a second reflecting film, irradiating the first bonding area with ozone or an ultraviolet ray using a first mask member, irradiating the second bonding area with ozone or an ultraviolet ray using a second mask member, and bonding the first bonding film and the second bonding film to each other to bond the first substrate and the second substrate to each other, thereby protecting the reflecting films from ozone or ultraviolet radiation to prevent the reflecting films from being deteriorated in the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8503058
    Abstract: An etalon has an effective cavity length that can be tuned to compensate for temperature-dependent frequency shift and/or for random variations in the manufacturing process. The effective cavity length of an etalon is adjusted by changing the orientation of a tuning plate positioned in the etalon cavity. A screw adjustment and bending beam spring are used to change tuning plate orientation and precisely tune the etalon resonance frequency after the manufacturing process has been completed. Orientation of the tuning plate is adjusted during operation of the etalon using a passive thermal compensation mechanism, such as a bimetal support arm, which is fixed to the tuning plate and configured to reposition the tuning plate with changing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Oclaro Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ruibo Wang, Ming Wu, Ming Cai
  • Patent number: 8447145
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an ultra-compact optical modulator comprising at least one resonator on a semiconductor chip. The EO modulator modulates incoming light having a certain wavelength range and comprises a waveguide layer accommodating at least one resonator having a periodic complex refraction index distribution structure defining a periodic defect band-edge and a cladding layer; and at least one electrode; the waveguide layer, the cladding layer and the electrode forming a capacitor structure; such that when an external voltage is applied to the capacitor structure the free carrier concentration in the waveguide layer is controlled, enabling a modulation of the resonator's refractive index; wherein the periodic defect band-edge is selected to be within the wavelength range, enabling a slow-light propagation of the incoming light within the waveguide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Damian Goldring, David Mendlovic
  • Patent number: 8432599
    Abstract: An optical image modulator and a method of manufacturing the same. The optical image modulator includes a substrate, an N electrode contact layer formed on the substrate, a lower distributed Bragg reflection (DBR) layer, a quantum well layer, an upper DBR layer, and a P electrode contact layer sequentially stacked on the N electrode contact layer, a P electrode formed on the P electrode contact layer, and an N electrode formed on the N electrode contact layer. The N electrode is a frame that surrounds the lower DBR layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Yong-Chul Cho, Yong-Tak Lee, Yong-Hwa Park, Byung-Hoon Na, Bong-Kyu Jeong
  • Patent number: 8305676
    Abstract: An optical deflector includes multiple voltage-dependent refractive boundaries. Light passes through the refractive boundaries and accumulates a deflection angle. An electrode placed to apply a voltage to the boundaries may be non-uniform to modulate a wavefront as it passes. A scanning laser projector includes the optical deflector to modulate laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventor: Bin Xue
  • Patent number: 8306375
    Abstract: A first exemplary aspect of the present invention is a wavelength-tunable optical transmitter including: a semiconductor substrate (101); a wavelength-tunable light source that is formed on the semiconductor substrate (101) and includes at least a first reflector (102) of a wavelength-tunable type and a gain region (104); a semiconductor optical modulator formed on the semiconductor substrate (101); a first semiconductor optical waveguide (105c) that is formed on the semiconductor substrate (101) and smoothly connected to the wavelength-tunable light source; a second semiconductor optical waveguide (105d) that is formed on the semiconductor substrate and smoothly connected to the semiconductor optical modulator; a waveguide coupling region (108) in which the first and second semiconductor optical waveguides are collinearly coupled with a length LC that is not equal to m/2 (m: integer) times a complete coupling length LC0; and a second reflector (113) formed at an end of the waveguide coupling region (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoaki Kato
  • Patent number: 8238015
    Abstract: A method comprising generating an optical beam with a laser, filtering the optical beam to select a desired wavelength with an etalon positioned in a path of the optical beam, heating the etalon to an operational temperature using a heater, monitoring the operational temperature of the etalon with a resistive thermal device disposed in or on a thermally conductive frame bonded to the etalon, and applying feedback control of the heater based on the monitoring to select the desired wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Emcore Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Finot, Mark McDonald, Andrew Daiber
  • Patent number: 8213073
    Abstract: Described is a method for designing individual stages of a multiple cascaded etalon TDC device to allow continuous thermo-optic tuning over a desired range without inducing incremental signal distortion due to uncontrolled and unpredictable dispersion of the TDC during tuning. This allows the signal to transmit without encountering periods of incremental distortion or dark spots. The method includes prior knowledge of each etalon stage, after full assembly, for spectral group delay profile as a function of temperature through modeling and/or characterization. Characterization can account for performance variations that are due to allowed manufacturing tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Oclaro (North America), Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Summa, Peter Gerard Wigley, Aravanan Gurusami, Ghang-Ho Lee, Douglas Lleweilyn Butler, Robert David Paul Ridding, Timothy Kent Zahnley
  • Publication number: 20120162380
    Abstract: An optical modulator that performs wide bandwidth optical modulation by using multiple Fabry-Perot resonant modes, and an apparatus for capturing a three-dimensional image including the optical modulator are provided. The optical modulator may include: a substrate; a first contact layer disposed on the substrate; a bottom distributed Bragg reflective (DBR) layer disposed on the first contact layer; an active layer disposed on the bottom DBR layer and includes a multiple quantum well layer; a top DBR layer disposed on the active layer; a cavity layer disposed in the top DBR layer; and a second contact layer disposed on the top DBR layer. Since the optical modulator achieves both a high contrast ratio and a wide bandwidth by using two or more Fabry-Perot resonant modes, the optical modulator may show a stable performance even when a resonant wavelength is changed during manufacture or due to an external environment such as temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicants: GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-chul CHO, Yong-Tak LEE, Yong-Hwa PARK, Byung-Hoon NA
  • Publication number: 20120140309
    Abstract: An optical image modulator and a method of manufacturing the same. The optical image modulator includes a substrate, an N electrode contact layer formed on the substrate, a lower distributed Bragg reflection (DBR) layer, a quantum well layer, an upper DBR layer, and a P electrode contact layer sequentially stacked on the N electrode contact layer, a P electrode formed on the P electrode contact layer, and an N electrode formed on the N electrode contact layer. The N electrode is a frame that surrounds the lower DBR layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-Chul CHO, Yong-Tak LEE, Yong-Hwa PARK, Byung-Hoon NA, Bong-Kyu JEONG
  • Patent number: 8184358
    Abstract: Various embodiments include interferometric optical modulators comprising a substrate layer having a thickness between about 0.1 mm to about 0.45 mm thick and a method for manufacturing the same. The interferometric modulator can be integrated together with a diffuser in a display device. The thin substrate permits use of a thicker diffuser. The thinner substrate may increase resolution and reduce overall thickness of the inteferometric modulator. The thicker diffuser may provide increased diffusion and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence Chui