Abstract: An electro-optic system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises a high glass transition temperature (Tg?about 210° C.) polymer matrix featuring aromatic groups on the backbone repeating unit, which hosts a guest, high hyperpolarizability organic NLO chromophore. Electro-optic systems according to embodiments of the present invention exhibit relatively high electro optical activity and low optical loss, and may exhibit optical stability at temperatures exceeding 70° C. Guest-host polymer systems in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be formed into unique and appropriate shapes such as waveguides.

Abstract: An electrooptical deflector is presented. The electrooptical deflector includes a material that has a different refractive index for different polarization states and changes its refractive index in response to voltage (e.g., lithium niobate or lithium tantalite). Inside the material is a poled region that includes triangularly-shaped prisms, each of which affects the direction in which an incident light beam propagates. When a light beam of a known polarization state propagates through the material, its direction of propagation (i.e., the amount of deflection) is controlled by a voltage applied to the poled region and the size and number of the prisms in the material.

Abstract: A directional optical coupler is shown and described, which includes an optical cell that is made of a first transparent conductor, a second transparent conductor and an electro-optical member interposed between the two transparent conductors, the electro-optical member having an index of refraction which can be varied only along one crystal axis by application of an electric field.

Abstract: An electronically modulated prism, having a bulk crystal, a plurality of electrode pads formed on a top surface of the bulk crystal, and a common electrode formed on a bottom surface of the bulk crystal. The bulk crystal is optically isotropic with zero electric field applied thereto and optically anisotropic when subjected to a non-zero electric field. More specifically, the bulk crystal between each of the electrode pads and the common electrode has an index of fraction altered proportionally to the electric field applied thereto, such that an incident beam propagate through the crystal is modulated with an accumulated phase shift.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein for determining the quality of an optical material by measuring and analyzing birefringence (e.g., stress-induced birefringence, inherent birefringence) in the optical material (e.g., glass sheet). The method is a scanning technique in which a birefringence sensor is set to a first optical state and then moved in a direction at a constant velocity over a glass sheet while first power transmission measurements are made at a high data rate. At the end of this move, the birefringence sensor is set to a second optical state and then moved at the same velocity back over the glass sheet, while second power transmission measurements are made. This procedure is repeated the same number of times as there are optical states in the birefringence sensor. A computer then calculates birefringence values using profiles of the power transmission measurements so as to determine the quality of the glass sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical switch having a photonic crystal structure. An optical switch of the invention has a slab optical waveguide structure whose core (35) has a two-dimensional photonic crystal structure where two or more media (33, 34) with different refractive indices are alternately and regularly arranged in a two-dimensional manner. The photonic crystal structure comprises: a line-defect waveguide; and means for altering the refractive index of the line-defect waveguide.

Abstract: A three dimensional photonic crystal and layer-by-layer processes of fabricating the photonic crystal. A substrate is exposed to a plurality of first microspheres made of a first material, the first material being of a type that will bond to the templated substrate and form a self-passivated layer of first microspheres to produce a first layer. The first layer is exposed to a plurality of second microspheres made of a second material, the second material being of a type that will bond to the first layer and form a self-passivated layer of second microspheres. This layering of alternating first and second microspheres can be repeated as desired to build a three dimensional photonic crystal of desired geometry. Charged polymers such as polyelectrolyte coatings can be used to create the bonds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nonlinear optical crystals of compound Na3La9B8O27 and producing method and uses thereof. From the Na3La9B8O27 compound, large size single crystal of Na3La9B8O27 could be prepared by flux method. Na3La9B8O27 crystals are non-hygroscopic, and possess stronger nonlinear optical effect and good mechanical properties. They meet the requirements for the frequency conversion of blue—green wavelength lasers and could be used to prepare nonlinear optical devices.

Abstract: An optical device is capable of changing signal light to a plurality of paths. The device includes a film, a heating source attached to the film, and a heat radiator plate attached to the other portion of the film. The refractive index of the film varies according to heat excitation, and the film comprises crystal grains of an oxide and amorphous portions present between the crystal grains.

Abstract: In a projection display apparatus that analyzes to pick up lights emitted from a plurality of the reflective light valves, color-composes the analyzed lights and projects the color-composed light, a dichroic film is disposed in at least one of optical paths of the respective color lights between the polarizing beam splitters and the dichroic prism. The dichroic film reflects such a component of a color light derived from the composite light incident on the projection optical system that has been reflected by a surface of a lens element constituting the projection optical system and incident on the dichroic prism after passing through a quarter wave phase plate and reflected or transmitted by the dichroic film within the dichroic prism to travel along the optical path of the color light in the reverse direction, thereby deflecting the color light component out of the optical path.

Abstract: The invention describes a system and methods for filtering electromagnetic and visual transmissions and for minimizing acoustic transmissions. Various combinations of UV, IR, and yellow-tinted filters are applied in various physical configurations to a transparent substrate such as a plastic film or glazing of a window for modifying selected wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. For instance a light filter may have a multi-layered metallic sputtered stack having a relatively low sheet resistance. The combination of filters prevents or attenuates the passage of selected wavelengths through the substrate as needed to address security risks. The combination of filters is useful to prevent unauthorized data collection and information exchange from or within buildings or otherwise prevent such unauthorized data collection and information exchange from, for example, computer monitors or screens, personal digital assistants, and local area networks.

Abstract: An optical device having a photonic crystal structure is provided. The photonic crystal structure includes a plurality of rods/holes, a plurality of light input ports, a plurality of light output ports, a light path; and a defect of rod/hole located in the light path. The photonic crystal structure of the optical device can be optimized to adjust the powers of the lights of the output ports, and thus the output powers having identical intensities can also be achieved. When a plurality of lights is launched via the input ports, the powers and the phases of the lights of the output ports can also be optimized.

Abstract: A high-speed, high-performance optical modulator operating with a reduced drive voltage without sacrificing modulation bandwidth. The modulator has an optical waveguide fabricated on a crystal substrate. A signal electrode is on a ridge on the substrate. Ground electrodes are formed on both sides of the signal electrode. A gap between the signal and ground electrodes is at least 44 ?m, and an interaction length of the signal electrode is at least 41 mm. The modulator can operate at 40 Gbps or higher.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a transmission wavelength characteristics variable optical element which can actively equalize changes of the wavelength characteristics due to temperature changes, and providing a wavelength characteristics variable apparatus, an optical amplifier, an optical transmission system, and a control method of the transmission wavelength characteristics, which use such an optical element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for enhancing functionality for photonic devices each including at least one operable surface. This method includes stacking the photonic devices such that each of the operable surfaces are aligned to form a composite surface, applying a film adapted to receive a replication to the composite surface and replicating a pattern of nanostructures in the applied film. Substantially, each of the operable surfaces is replicated with a sufficient portion of the replicated pattern of nanostructures to enhance operation of the devices by performing a given function associated with the nanostructures.

Abstract: A photonic crystal having reversibly tunable photonic properties. The photonic crystal includes a phase change material having a plurality of structural states that vary with respect to fractional crystallinity. Optical constants including refractive index, extinction coefficient and permittivity vary as the fractional crystallinity of the phase change material is varied thereby providing tunability of photonic crystal properties. Variations among the structural states of the phase change material are reversibly effected through the addition of energy in forms including optical or electrical energy. The photonic crystals may include defects that provide photonic states within the photonic band gap. The position of these states is tunable through the control of the fractional crystallinity of the phase change material included in the photonic crystal. Electromagnetic radiation resonators including photonic crystals having photonic states in the photonic band gap are further provided.

Abstract: A two-dimensional photonic crystal slab apparatus having a waveguiding capability is provided. Noncircular holes are introduced to replace the circular holes in the two-dimensional lattice of the photonic crystal to provide waveguiding capability. Waveguide bends and splitter using noncircular holes with high transmittances are described for symmetry planes of the two dimensional lattice structure.

Abstract: A co-planar waveguide interferometric electro-optic modulator is disclosed. A Z-cut lithium niobate electro-optic substrate includes a first and second waveguide that are formed in the lithium niobate electro-optic substrate. An elongate RF electrode at least partially covers one of the waveguides. A slotted electrode is disclosed formed by two elongate substantially-parallel electrodes one of which is at least partially covers the other of the waveguides. At least one electrode is substantially greater, preferably at least twice the width of the elongate RF electrode.

Abstract: A directional optical coupler is shown and described, which includes an optical cell that is made of a first transparent conductor, a second transparent conductor and an electro-optical member interposed between the two transparent conductors, the electro-optical member having an index of refraction which can be varied only along one crystal axis by application of an electric field.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric-optic modulator comprising a block (1) of crystal having electro-optic properties, said block extending lengthways along a long axis and comprising a light guide (4) which extends between a light guide input and a light guide output. An electric modulation signal acts on an interaction zone of the block by means of coplanar electrodes (5) together with the light guide through the intermediary of a dielectric layer. Said electrodes are disposed on a main long face of the block and the interaction zone is elongated more or less along the long axis. The light to be modulated arrives through an input optical fiber (2′) which is connected to the light guide at the light guide input on a first face of the block. The modulated light leaves the modulator through an output optical fiber (2″) which is connected to the light guide at the light guide output on a second face of the block.

Abstract: A device, system and method are disclosed for optical communications using beams of light in which a solid state total internal reflection optical switching element is used to switch the optical pathways of optical communications signals inside a node of an optical network. The solid state total internal reflection optical switching element is used in a substantially planar waveguide assembly, and has electro-optically active material which responds to electrical fields greater than a switching electrical field to create a total internal reflection boundary that switches the optical pathway inside the switching element.

Abstract: The present invention provides fully tunable photonic band gap (PBG) materials. These materials are periodic composite materials comprising a high refractive index dielectric material and another optically anisotropic, birefringent, electro-optically tunable, or magneto-optically tunable material with a lower dielectric constant in which the photonic band structure can be globally or locally changed in a controlled manner by application of an external electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic field, whereby changing the refractive index properties of one or more of the dielectric constituents by application of the field modulates the photonic band structure. In one aspect of the invention, when an optically birefringent nematic liquid crystal is infiltrated into the void regions of full bandgap (PBG) material based on an inverse opal, the resulting composite material exhibits a completely tunable PBG.

Abstract: A non-linear optical material comprising crystal grains of an oxide having a corundum type crystal structure, and amorphous portions in the surroundings of the crystal grains, in a thin film, is disclosed. The non-linear optical thin film has such a property that its refractive index varies largely when energy is applied thereto. Since the material shows little loss of light transmitted therethrough, it is possible, by use of the material, to provide a non-linear optical device for efficiently changing over the emission path of a light signal or turning-ON/OFF the light signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging assembly comprising: (a) a modulator crystal comprising a first surface and a second surface substantially opposite to the first surface, wherein the first surface comprises an active area; and (b) a heating element for heating the modulator crystal to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range, wherein the heating element is positioned under the modulator crystal and comprises a first surface, wherein the heating element first surface faces the modulator crystal second surface and covers a portion of the modulator crystal second surface such that the active area of the first surface of the modulator crystal has a homogeneous temperature.

Abstract: Optical modulators are provided. A representative optical modulator includes an optical medium that is adapted to propagate optical signals. An array of lattice sites are arranged in the optical medium, with at least some of the lattice sites exhibiting lower refractive indexes than the refractive index of the optical medium. Preferably, a first of the lattice sites incorporates a first optical component that is moveable relative to the optical medium. By moving the first optical component relative to the optical medium, a propagation characteristic of the optical medium can be altered. Optical systems, methods and other optical modulators also are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods reduce aberrations in a wavefront imaged by an optical system having a non-linear detector. A wavefront of electromagnetic radiation from an object imaged to the non-linear detector is encoded. Data from the non-linear detector is digitally converted to form a digital representation of the image captured by the non-linear detector. The detected image is linearized to form a linearized image. The linearized image is filtered to reverse effects of wavefront coding to form a final image.

Abstract: In an optical phase modulator, a substrate has electro-optical effect. An optical waveguide is formed in a surface portion of the substrate. A phase modulation section is provided on an input side to change a refractive index of the optical waveguide for phase modulation to input light. An adjustment section is provided on an output side to change a refractive index of the optical waveguide for elimination of polarization dependency of the phase-modulated light. In this case, the refractive index change rate in the phase modulation section and the refractive index change rate in the adjustment section may have different signs each other.

Abstract: An optical deflection element for splitting light rays in accordance with a wavelength of incident light, includes a photonic crystal having an entrance end face and an exit end face, and having a refractive index which periodically changes depending upon positions thereof. The optical deflection element includes a region in which a propagation angle &thgr;C of the incident light within the photonic crystal changes in accordance with the wavelength of the incident light having entered at an incident angle &thgr;IN into the entrance end face, and a relationship among a wavelength &lgr; of the incident light in vacuum, a lattice constant A of the photonic crystal, the incident angle &thgr;IN and the propagation angle &thgr;C satisfies (∂&thgr;C/∂(A/&lgr;))/(∂&thgr;C/∂&thgr;IN)>10.

Abstract: Desired characteristic impedance can be obtained in an optical modulator. The optical modulator includes a substrate having the electrooptic effect; an optical waveguide formed on a surface of the substrate; and a signal electrode and a ground electrode formed in the vicinity of the optical waveguide, wherein the signal electrode and the ground electrode include an interaction portion and an extraction portion, and a groove is formed between the signal electrode and the ground electrode located in the extraction portion area.

Abstract: A coplanar integrated optical waveguide electro-optical modulator comprises a substrate (1) of an electro-optic material, at least two optical waveguides (41, 42) integrated in the substrate in correspondence of a surface (71) thereof, and an electrode system (80, 90, 100; 80, 90, 900; 12-15; 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170) arranged on the surface for applying a modulating electric field to the waveguides suitable for causing a modulation of a refractive index of the two waveguides in a device modulation region (50). The waveguides are formed, for at least a section thereof (411, 421) in the device modulation region, in respective substrate regions (61, 62) which have electro-optic coefficients of opposite sign along an axis transversal to the waveguide sections, so that a modulating electric field of same direction and orientation in the waveguide sections causes refractive index modulations of opposite sign in the waveguide sections.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electro-optic ceramic material including lead, zinc and niobium having a propagation loss of less than about 3 dB/cm and a quadratic electro-optic coefficient of greater than about 1×10−6 m2/V2 at 20° C. at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The present invention also provides electro-optic devices including an electro-optic ceramic material including lead, zinc and niobium having a propagation loss of less than about 3 dB/cm and a quadratic electro-optic coefficient of greater than about 1×10−16 m2 V at 20° C. at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The materials and devices of the present invention are useful in optical communications applications such as intensity and phase modulation, switching, and polarization control.

Abstract: A high-speed, high-performance optical modulator operating with a reduced drive voltage without sacrificing modulation bandwidth. The modulator has an optical waveguide fabricated on a crystal substrate. A signal electrode is on a ridge on the substrate. Ground electrodes are formed on both sides of the signal electrode. A gap between the signal and ground electrodes is at least 44 &mgr;m, and an interaction length of the signal electrode is at least 41 mm. The modulator can operate at 40 Gbps or higher.

Abstract: An optical device includes: a complex photonic crystal in which a plurality of materials with different refractive indices are placed periodically, whereby a plurality of photonic crystals with a periodic refractive index distribution are arranged in a column in a direction of a common primitive lattice vector; an ingoing optical waveguide for allowing light to be incident upon the complex photonic crystal; and an outgoing optical waveguide for receiving light output from the complex photonic crystal.

Abstract: An electrically controllable azimuth optical rotator (10) includes a first quarterwave plate (16) for receiving a first beam of electromagnetic energy (22) having a first arbitrary polarization state, and outputting a second beam (122) in response to the first quarterwave plate (16). An electric voltage controlled ferro-electric variable phase retarder (20) aligned at approximately 45 degrees to the first quarterwave plate (16) receives the second beam 122 and provides a third beam 38 in response to the retarder (20). The electric voltage controlled ferro-electric variable phase retarder (20) is characterized by a phase shift of &phgr;=2&agr;, where &agr; is a desired angle of rotation of the first arbitrary polarization state. To provide a voltage-controlled rotation, a second quarterwave plate (18) is aligned either parallel or perpendicular to the first quarterwave plate (16) for receiving the third beam (38) and outputting a fourth beam (46) in response to the retarder (20).

Abstract: A multilayer nonlinear dielectric optical structure is formed by coextruding at least two polymeric materials, components (a) and (b), using a multiplying element; the structure contains a plurality of alternating layers (A) and (B) represented by formula (AB)x, where x=2n, and n is the number of multiplying elements; at least one of the components (a) and (b) exhibits nonlinear optical response. These structures perform a variety of nonlinear optical functions including all-optical switching and passive optical limiting.

Abstract: The invention concerns a light diffraction optical method covering a wide wavelengths range, a optical system and a optical measuring device corresponding.

Abstract: A photonic crystal having reversibly tunable photonic properties. The photonic crystal includes a phase change material having a plurality of structural states that vary with respect to fractional crystallinity. Optical constants including refractive index, extinction coefficient and permittivity vary as the fractional crystallinity of the phase change material is varied thereby providing tunability of photonic crystal properties. Variations among the structural states of the phase change material are reversibly effected through the addition of energy in forms including optical or electrical energy. The photonic crystals may include defects that provide photonic states within the photonic band gap. The position of these states is tunable through the control of the fractional crystallinity of the phase change material included in the photonic crystal. Electromagnetic radiation resonators including photonic crystals having photonic states in the photonic band gap are further provided.

Abstract: A method for applying a protective coating to an electro-optical component includes positioning the electro-optical component in a chamber and applying a coating composition to at least one surface of the electro-optical component to form the protective coating thereon. The coating composition may include fluorinated poly(phenylene ether ketone) and an anti-reflection agent. The anti-reflection agent may include at least one of an inorganic salt, an organofunctionalized additive, and an erbium dopant, for example.

Abstract: A travelling wave-type optical modulator has a supporting substrate and a ferroelectric single crystalline layer on the supporting substrate. The ferroelectric single crystalline layer has thicker parts and thinner parts within the modulating region of the travelling wave-type optical modulator when viewed in the cross section of the modulating region. An optical waveguide is formed in the thicker part of the ferroelectric single crystalline layer, and electrodes for modulation are provided on the thinner part of the ferroelectric single crystalline layer between the adjacent thicker parts.

Abstract: An all solid-state light valve and tunable filter that uses color-selective absorption at a metal-dielectric interface by surface plasmons. The solid-state surface plasmon light valve and tunable filter comprises a substrate, a bottom electrode, a solid-state electro-optic material, and a top electrode through which electromagnetic radiation may pass through and whose optical properties may be modified by suitable modulation of an electrical bias, i.e., an applied voltage between the top and bottom electrodes. The bottom electrode must be specifically fabricated using a refractory metal to allow the formation of the solid-state electro-optic material.

Abstract: A light modulating switch (210) including a switching element (218) having a first portion (226) of electro-optic material to which first and second electrodes (213, 224) are associated. A second portion (228) is composed of material having an index of refraction matching that of the first portion (226) when no voltage is applied to electro-optically activate the first portion (226), but the index of refraction of the second portion (228) is less than the index of refraction of the first portion (226) when the first portion (226) is electro-optically activated by application of voltage to the electrodes (213, 224).

Abstract: An image displaying method and apparatus is provided which can display an image at a high luminance. A first horizontal line image signal is written in a write memory, read in parallel from a read memory during a horizontal blanking period next to the horizontal image signal period, and amplified to thereafter perform modulation. The first horizontal line image signal is displayed at least until the next horizontal image signal line period terminates. The above operations are sequentially repeated to scan all horizontal lines.

Abstract: A multilayer nonlinear dielectric optical structure is formed by coextruding at least two polymeric materials, components (a) and (b), using a multiplying element; the structure contains a plurality of alternating layers (A) and (B) represented by formula (AB)x, where x=2n, and n is the number of multiplying elements; at least one of the components (a) and (b) exhibits nonlinear optical response. These structures perform a variety of nonlinear optical functions including all-optical switching and passive optical limiting.

Abstract: A method of laser machining using an ultra-fast pulse laser is presented. According to the present invention a plurality of holes with a pitch less than the wavelength of the laser are drilled into a material sample. Reliable and reproducible hole drilling is accomplished through an exemplary drilling sequence which applies a number of pulses at a first pulse energy to the surface spaced to avoid laser hardening of the surface for adjacent holes of a first set of holes. Next, the number of pulses is increased or the energy of the laser beam is increased to drill holes that are interstitial to the first set of holes. The exemplary laser machining process may used to produce both one-dimensional and two-dimensional photonic crystals, among other applications.

Abstract: A light transfer device is provided that includes a first light pathway having a first input and a first output and a second light pathway having a second output. The second light pathway is coupled to the first light pathway, and light from the first input is transferable between the first and second light pathways. An active medium is positioned along one of the first and second light pathways, and the active medium is capable of receiving optical energy that modifies the active medium so that the active medium controls the transfer of light between the first and second pathways.

Abstract: Micro fabricated arrays of optical modulators of both a surface electrode and machined mesa nature where the small structure size and low capacitance electrical connections permit each modulator element to be individually electrically addressed thus providing modulator optical rise and fall response times in the low and sub nanosecond range. Both sparsely spaced and closely packed arrays are achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering an optical input is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, an optical input is split into polarization components along separate paths. The polarization components are then fed into a first electro-optic device that includes a set of electrodes across which a voltage is applied to adjust a wavelength transmission characteristic of the device. A section of the first device positioned between the electrodes preferably has a birefringence that is adjusted depending on the voltage applied across the electrodes. The adjusted components of the optical input are thereafter combined to produce an optical output. Accordingly, the optical input can be attenuated based on the voltage applied to electrodes of the first electro-optic device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of anisometrically shaped metal particles in liquid light valve suspensions, light valve films and light valves. The anisometric metal particles may have various geometric shapes including, for example, fibrils, and an average length in the range between about 1 micron and 50 nanometers.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator and associated method are provided. The electro-optic modulator includes an optical waveguide comprised of two pairs of coplanar modulation strips, the strips being driven by a controller circuit which applies voltages of equal amplitude and opposite polarity to the strips of each pair. The voltage applied to the first pair of strips may differ from the voltage applied to the second pair of strips, so that a chirp factor may be adjusted if desired. The modulator and associated method exhibit reduced drive voltage requirements.

Abstract: An optical system may be formed by including a plurality of discrete protrusions comprising electro-optic material. Each discrete protrusion is electrically and optically isolated from each other. The protrusions further have defined a top face, a bottom face, a first side face or first and second side faces, and front and back faces. A plurality of electrodes are associated with each of the protrusions. The electrodes are capable of inducing an electric field in the electro-optic material for independently modulating one or more light beams which are incident upon one of the faces of the protrusions.