Abstract: An optical signal transmitting device includes a substrate, light emitting modules, an optical coupling element, an optical fiber module, and a pressing pole. The substrate has a first loading surface and a second loading surface. The optical coupling element is positioned on the first loading surface and includes a first cladding portion and coupling lenses. Each coupling lens has a first sloped surface and a second sloped surface. The light emitting modules are positioned on the second loading surface and spatially correspond to the respective first sloped surfaces. The optical fiber module is positioned on the first loading surface and includes a second cladding portion and fiber cores. Each fiber core has a bare end. The pressing pole presses each bare end to the corresponding second sloped surface. The refractive indexes of the substrate, the coupling lenses, the fiber cores and the air are n1, n2, n3, n0, wherein n3>n2>>n1>n0.

Abstract: An optical module manufacturing method includes: forming a first waveguide layer and a second waveguide layer on a first substrate and a second substrate respectively, or forming a first waveguide layer and a second waveguide layer on a first surface of a first substrate and a second surface of the first substrate respectively; disposing the first substrate on the second substrate; disposing a filter at an end of the first waveguide layer and the second waveguide layer, so that the filter is aligned with the second waveguide layer; and disposing a prism on the filter, so that a first reflective surface of the prism is aligned with the first waveguide layer, and a second reflective surface is aligned with the second waveguide layer. Embodiments of the present application further disclose an optical module.

Abstract: An optical waveguide film includes at least one optical waveguide area having an X-direction and a Y-direction orthogonal to the X-direction. Such an optical waveguide film includes a plurality of core portions arranged side by side within the same layer so as to extend along the X-direction, each of the core portions having side surfaces, and the core portions adjoining to each other in the Y-direction being arranged through a gap therebetween; and a plurality of cladding portions provided so as to cover the side surfaces of each of the core portions, each of the cladding portions formed of a resin having an optical refractive index smaller than that of each of the core portions, and the cladding portion between the adjoining core portions providing each gap. In the optical waveguide film, a size of the gap between the adjoining core portions varies along the X-direction in at least a part of the optical waveguide area.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a substrate having a planar surface and having an optical core thereon. The device also comprises a two-dimensional grating located in the optical core, said two-dimensional grating being formed by a regular two-dimensional pattern of light-refractive structures, one of said light-refractive structures being located at each node of a regular 2D lattice located in a laterally bounded region. The device also comprises first and second optical waveguides being on the planar substrate and having ends end-coupled to the two-dimensional grating, the first optical waveguide being such that a direction of propagation near the end thereof is substantially along a primitive lattice vector of said 2D lattice, the second optical waveguide being such that a direction of propagation near the end thereof is not-parallel to a primitive lattice vector of said regular 2D lattice.

Abstract: A flexible optical interconnect and method of forming the interconnect is disclosed. The optical interconnect includes a waveguide base formed from a flexible dielectric material. A three-sided channel is formed in the flexible material. Each side of the channel is coated with a reflective metallic coating. A cover piece is formed from the flexible material and coated with a reflective metallic coating on an underside. The cover piece is coupled to the waveguide base to form a flexible optical bus having at least one hollow metallized waveguide. The hollow metallized waveguide is configured to carry an optical signal. A transverse slot is formed in the cover piece and the waveguide base to form an aperture bisecting the hollow metallized waveguide to enable the optical signal to be detected and/or redirected.

Abstract: A method for transferring a thin layer from a lithium-based first substrate includes proton exchange between the first substrate and a first electrolyte, which is an acid, through a free face of the first substrate so as to replace lithium ions of the first substrate by protons, in a proportion between 10% and 80%, over a first depth e1. A reverse proton exchange between the first substrate and a second electrolyte, through the free face is carried out so as to replace substantially all the protons with lithium ions over a second depth e2 smaller than the first depth e1, and so as to leave an intermediate layer between the depths e1 and e2, in which intermediate layer protons incorporated during the proton exchange step remain. The depth e2 defines a thin layer between the free face and the intermediate layer. A heat treatment is carried out under conditions suitable for embrittling the intermediate layer and the thin film is separated from the first substrate at the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A guiding element suitable for integrated optics and transmission in the visible wavelength region includes a plurality of sub-wavelength sized regions in two parallel periodic arrangements embedded within a waveguide layer located on a planar substrate. The dielectric constant of each regions may be the same but different from that of the substrate, the waveguide layer, and the cladding. The periodicity, dimensions and shape of the regions of the periodic arrangement are selected to achieve the desired transmission and guiding of the incident radiation spectrum (e.g., parallel to the two periodic arrangements). A transparent layer with a dielectric constant between the dielectric constant of the periodic arrangement and the dielectric constant of the substrate/cladding provides confinement normal to the substrate.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an integrated circuit including a first non-planar structure and a waveguide configured to provide electromagnetic waves to the first non-planar structure. The first non-planar structure provides a first signal in response to at least some of the electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: Waveguide structures and optical elements for use in an optical touch input device are disclosed. The disclosed waveguide structures and optical elements allow for reduced bezel width and simplified assembly of optical touch input devices, and relaxed component tolerances.

Abstract: A compressible photonic crystal comprising a polymer with an ordered array of voids, the photonic crystal having a reflectance in a first wavelength range for light incident to its incident surface and its opposing incident surface; wherein compression against at least a portion of at least one of the surfaces shifts the reflectance to a second wavelength range in at least that portion of that surface. The crystal may be used in authentication devices of various types.

Abstract: An optical waveguide system includes a substrate, a cladding layer arranged on the substrate, a core layer arranged on the cladding layer, a lens patterned in the core material, and a prism patterned in the core material, the prism arranged adjacent to the lens.

Abstract: An optical waveguide system includes a substrate, a cladding layer arranged on the substrate, a core layer arranged on the cladding layer, and a lens-prism patterned in the core material, the lens-prism comprising a Fresnel lens portion, and a Fresnel prism portion.

Abstract: An optical module comprises: a housing; a first incident surface mounted on the housing for receiving an optical signal converted from an electrical signal; a first output surface mounted on the housing for exporting the optical signal from the first incident surface; a second incident surface mounted on the housing for receiving another optical signal to be converted to another electrical signal; and a second output surface mounted on the housing for exporting the another optical signal from the second incident surface. An aperture of the first incident surface is smaller than an aperture of the second incident surface.

Abstract: There is described an optical waveguide structure exhibiting nonlinear properties, a method of fabricating such, and an optical coupling device made of two of such optical waveguide structures. The optical waveguide structure comprises an optical waveguide portion made of a light transmitting material for supporting a light mode traveling therein. The light transmitting material has an intrinsic nonlinearity parameter suitable for inducing a nonlinearity on the light mode, and the optical waveguide portion having a diameter sized to securely confine the light mode therein and to increase the nonlinearity on the light mode. The optical waveguide structure also has a coating surrounding the optical waveguide portion to mechanically support or to protect the optical waveguide portion from surface damage.

Abstract: A multibeam deflector includes a plurality of optical deflection devices formed on a single substrate and an output optical system. Each of the optical deflection devices includes a slab optical waveguide formed by a material having an electro-optic effect. The output optical system is configured to separate beams output from the optical deflection devices from each other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a light guide assembly includes the steps of providing a light guide array made of a light-transmissive material and having a top portion and an integral bottom portion supporting the top portion, wherein grooves are formed on a top surface of the top, providing an optical isolation frame of interconnected slats made of an opaque material wherein the slats are arranged and profiled to correspondingly match the grooves in the light guide array, bonding the light guide array and the optical isolation frame to each other, and removing the bottom portion of the light guide array.

Abstract: There is provided an optical waveguide comprising an optical core having transverse sides, the optical core extending along a curved path; an optical cladding on the transverse sides of the optical core, wherein the distribution of the optical cladding on the transverse sides of the optical core is asymmetric about the centre of the core.

Abstract: Methods for the fabrication of orientation-patterned semiconductor structures are provided. The structures are light-waveguiding structures for nonlinear frequency conversion. The structures are periodically poled semiconductor heterostructures comprising a series of material domains disposed in a periodically alternating arrangement along the optical propagation axis of the waveguide. The methods of fabricating the orientation-patterned structures utilize a series of surface planarization steps at intermediate stages of the heterostructure growth process to provide interlayer interfaces having extremely low roughnesses.

Abstract: Provided are an opto-electric hybrid board and a manufacturing method. The opto-electric hybrid board includes an optical waveguide unit and an electric circuit unit having an optical element mounted thereon. The optical waveguide unit includes socket portions for locating the electric circuit unit, which are formed on a surface of an undercladding layer and formed of the same material as a core. The socket portions are located at predetermined locations with respect to one end surface of a core. The electric circuit unit includes bent portions which are formed by bending a part of an electric circuit board so as to stand, for fitting into the socket portions. The bent portions are located at predetermined locations with respect to the optical element. The optical waveguide unit and the electric circuit unit are coupled in a state in which the bent portions fit into the socket portions.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an optical element, e.g., an optical fiber, may be configured to compensate for thermal lensing. For example, thermal lensing may be caused by light power dissipation within an optical fiber, which may include a fiber core that guides amplified light along the longitudinal dimension of the fiber core. Thermal lensing from a thermally induced change in material refractive index as a function of position along dimensions perpendicular to the fiber's longitudinal dimension may be at least partially compensated or offset when light is guided by the fiber core by a designed-in effective refractive index profile selected such that the designed-in material refractive index of the fiber core changes as a function of transverse position within the fiber core, or by selection of a favorable cross-sectional core shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the fiber core.

Abstract: To project a rectangular laser spot having a predetermined size and a high laser power density onto the surface of an object, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus comprises a control unit for controlling power of a laser light source, an optical waveguide unit (1) including a core section (10) transmitting laser light and a clad section (11) covering the core section (10), and a lens (3) for forming the laser light output through the optical waveguide unit (1) into a laser spot having a predetermined shape, an output end surface (15) of the core section (10) has a rectangular shape with one side length of 1 ?m to 20 ?m and the other side length of 1 mm to 60 mm, and the laser source is set to make the power density of the laser spot output from the core section (10) to be 0.1 mW/?m2 or more.

Abstract: An optical assembly for a wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) transmitter or receiver that lends itself to cost-effective production-line manufacturing. In one embodiment, the fiber optic assembly has a vernier-type arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) with five optical ports at one side and fourteen optical ports at another side. Ten of the fourteen ports are optically coupled to ten photo-detectors or lasers. A selected one of the five ports is optically coupled to an external optical fiber. The coupling optics and the mounting hardware for the AWG are designed to accommodate, with few relatively straightforward adjustments performed on the production line, any configuration of the AWG in which any consecutive ten of the fourteen ports are optically coupled to the ten photo-detectors or lasers.

Abstract: An optical component has first and second planar lightwave circuits. The first and second planar lightwave circuits are aligned and jointed such that the position of an i-th optical waveguide (where i is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to n) of the first planar lightwave circuit and that of an i-th optical waveguide of the second planar lightwave circuit are matched on a joint interface. An angle formed by the i-th optical waveguide of the first planar lightwave circuit and a normal of the interface is configured to vary in accordance with a value of i within a range satisfying the Snell's law.

Abstract: Provided are a lightwave circuit and a method of manufacturing the same. The lightwave circuit includes a first substrate having an engraved core formation groove which is formed on an upper portion of the first substrate, a core layer which is formed inside the engraved core formation groove, a BPSG bonding layer which is formed on the first substrate including the core layer, and a second substrate which is formed on the BPSG bonding layer. Accordingly, light loss and branching uniformity of the lightwave circuit are effectively improved, and the lightwave circuit is manufactured simply and inexpensively while also further improving light loss and branching uniformity of the lightwave circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a backlight module which comprises a waveguide, an optical film, an elastic frame, and dowel pins. Wherein at least corners of the optical film is securely attached to the elastic frame, and wherein the dowel pints are attached to the elastic frame, and the optical film is disposed on top of the waveguide. Wherein corners of the optical film are provided with openings with which the optical films are readily positioned with respect to the waveguide by extending the dowel pins through the openings. And wherein the strength of the dowel pins is stronger than the strength of the elastic frame. The present invention further provides a liquid crystal display device incorporated with the backlight module disclosed above. By this arrangement, once the positioning of the optical films can he ensured, the optical quality of the backlight module can also be ensured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method to maintain the polarization state of an optical signal propagating within a photonic integrated circuit, or from a first photonic integrated circuit to a second photonic integrated circuit. According to various embodiments of the invention, an optical circuit is provided which includes a waveguide having one or more bends or curved portions. The bends or curved portions of the waveguide are configured to maintain the polarization orientation of the optical signal as the optical signal propagates through the waveguide, such that the polarization orientation at inputs or outputs, or at various points along the waveguide is known. Embodiments of the present invention mitigate polarization crosstalk, which in turn provides for improved processing efficiency.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide device, includes obtaining an optical waveguide by forming sequentially a first cladding layer, a core layer, and a second cladding layer on a substrate, forming a groove portion including a light path conversion inclined surface and a sidewall surface which intersects with it, and the groove portion dividing the second cladding layer and the core layer, on both end sides of the optical waveguide respectively, forming selectively a metal layer on the light path conversion inclined surface and the sidewall surface of the groove portion, forming a protection insulating layer sealing the metal layer on the optical waveguide, and obtaining a light path conversion mirror that the metal layer is formed on the light path conversion inclined surface, by forming a concave portion which penetrates the core layer from the protection insulating layer to remove the metal layer formed on the sidewall surface of the groove portion.

Abstract: A polarization-independent optical multiplexer/demultiplexer with wide passbands has a core including an input optical waveguide, an input slab optical waveguide connected to the input optical waveguide, a waveguide array connected to the input slab optical waveguide, an output slab optical waveguide connected to the waveguide array, a pair of multimode couplers connected to the output slab optical waveguide, and a pair of output optical waveguides connected to the multimode couplers. The multimode couplers are dimensioned so that as both TE and TM polarized light propagates through them, the phase difference between the fundamental and second-order modes changes by an odd multiple of pi radians.

Abstract: A device that filters optical signals using a waveguide having a slotted optical pathway. The shape of the optical pathway passively restricts at least one optical signal from traveling through the waveguide. The device can also be used to reference the phase of an optical signal in an optical circuit.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical waveguide including a resin substrate containing an inorganic filler, and at least a UV-absorbing layer, a lower cladding layer, a patterned core layer, and an upper cladding layer laminated above the resin substrate in this order, wherein the core layer has been patterned through light exposure and development, and the UV-absorbing layer has a thickness of 10 to 50 ?m, and a method for producing an optical waveguide, including a step of forming a UV-absorbing layer on a resin substrate containing an inorganic filler; a step of forming a lower cladding layer on the UV-absorbing layer; a step of forming a core layer on the lower cladding layer; a step of subjecting the core layer to light exposure to thereby transfer a pattern having a given shape to the core layer; a step of developing the core layer to thereby form a core pattern; and a step of forming an upper cladding layer on the patterned core layer.

Abstract: A light guiding film including: a light entrance portion which allows incident light from a light source to enter; a wavelength converting portion which absorbs the incident light and converts the wavelength of the incident light to a wavelength utilizable for growth of a plant; and a light exit portion which allows the light with the converted wavelength to exit.

Abstract: An interposer, comprising: (a) a planar substrate having top and bottom surfaces, the bottom surface defining at least one ferrule alignment structure, and fiber bores, each bore hole being in a certain position relative to the ferrule alignment structure and adapted to receive a fiber; (b) at least one ferrule having an end face and comprising one or more fibers protruding from the end face, and at least one alignment feature cooperating with the ferrule alignment structure to position the ferrule precisely on the bottom surface such that the fibers are disposed in the fiber bores and protrude past the top surface; and (c) at least one optical component having one or more optical interfaces and being mounted on the top surface such that each of the optical interfaces is aligned with one of the fiber bores and is optically coupled with a fiber protruding from the fiber bores.

Abstract: A lasing cavity can provide a substantial portion of a path over which data, messages, communication signals, or other information travels from a sender to a recipient. The lasing cavity can support light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. The sender can be coupled to an input port of the lasing cavity, while the recipient can be coupled to an output port of the lasing cavity. The sender can input information at the input port via applying energy to the lasing cavity, removing energy from the lasing cavity, perturbing the lasing cavity, lengthening the lasing cavity, shortening the lasing cavity, or otherwise inducing a cavity change or a dynamic response. The recipient can receive the information via monitoring the lasing cavity at the output port for changes or responses caused by the sender at the input port.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide, includes forming a first cladding layer on a substrate, forming a core layer on the first cladding layer, forming a groove portion including a light path conversion inclined surface by processing the core layer in a thickness direction, and forming a second cladding layer in which a light path conversion hole is arranged on the light path conversion inclined surface on the first cladding layer and the core layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating a sample includes a planar waveguide. The planar waveguide includes a first substrate, including a first outer surface and a first inner surface, and a second substrate, including a second outer surface and a second inner surface. The first and second inner surfaces of the first and second substrates, respectively, are spaced apart from each other and partly define a volume for confining the sample therein. The apparatus also includes a light source for providing light directed toward the planar waveguide, such that the light is optically coupled to and contained within the planar waveguide between the outer surfaces of the first and second substrates, while illuminating at least a portion of the sample confined within the volume.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for dynamic manipulation and dispersion in photonic crystal devices. In one embodiment, a photonic crystal structure comprises a substrate having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, a waveguide formed by “removing” a row of apertures, and a plurality of pairs of lateral electrical contacts, the lateral electrical contact pairs extending along the length of the waveguide in a spaced-apart manner. The lateral electrical contact pairs facilitate local manipulation of the photonic crystal structure's refractive index. Thus, optical signals of different wavelengths that propagate through the photonic crystal structure can be dynamically manipulated.

Abstract: Provided are an opto-electric hybrid board and a manufacturing method therefor. The opto-electric hybrid board includes an optical waveguide unit and an electric circuit unit having an optical element mounted thereon, the electric circuit unit being coupled to the optical waveguide unit. The optical waveguide unit includes notch portions for locating the electric circuit unit, which is formed in portions of at least one of an undercladding layer and an overcladding layer, and the notch portions are located and formed at predetermined locations with respect to one end surface of a core. The electric circuit unit includes bent portions, which fit into the notch portions, and the bent portions are located and formed at predetermined locations with respect to the optical element. The optical waveguide unit and the electric circuit unit are coupled to each other under a state in which the bent portions fit into the notch portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor array detecting a first liquid medium in a second liquid medium by means of the reflection of an emitted light beam of a given wavelength, comprising a light source and an associated receiver, further two circular glass rod lenses running parallel to each other while encapsulated in a housing. The index of refraction of the glass rod lenses is different from those of the liquid media. A reflecting surface is situated opposite the glass rod lenses and is connected to the housing. Said array also comprises a control fitted with a beam splitter, a second receiver and a third receiver, the latter two receivers being configured being mutually opposite.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method for an optical waveguide in which, when the optical waveguide is cut and a contour thereof is processed, accuracy of a cut position is improved by improving visibility of an alignment mark. An undercladding layer, cores, and alignment marks are formed on a front surface of a substrate. Then, an overcladding layer is formed using a photomask so as to cover the cores with the alignment marks being exposed. After the substrate is separated to manufacture an optical waveguide body, a cut position is located with reference to the alignment marks from a rear surface side of the undercladding layer, and the undercladding layer and the overcladding layer are cut to manufacture the optical waveguide.

Abstract: The invention provides a light collimator (1) comprising (a) an elongated light waveguide (100) having a waveguide longitudinal axis (101), a waveguide length (wl), a waveguide width (ww) and a waveguide height (wh); the waveguide height (wh) defined by the height between a first waveguide surface (151) and a second waveguide surface (152), the waveguide (100) having an aspect ratio of the waveguide length (wl) and the waveguide width (ww) wl/ww>1; the waveguide comprising a plurality of elongated cavities (110); each cavity (110) comprises a cavity longitudinal axis (111), a cavity length (cl), a cavity width (cw) and a cavity height (ch); each cavity having an aspect ratio of the cavity length (cl) and the cavity width (cw) cl/cw>1, wherein the cavity longitudinal axes (111) of the plurality of cavities (110) are perpendicular to the waveguide longitudinal axis (101); and (b) a diffuse reflective layer (200) adjacent to the second waveguide surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor optical modulator including a two-step mesa optical waveguide having a first clad layer (101); a mesa-like core layer (102) formed over the first clad layer (101); and a second clad layer (103) formed into a mesa shape over the core layer (102), and having a mesa width smaller than that of the core layer (102). The two-step mesa optical waveguide includes a multi-mode optical waveguide region to which an electric field is applied or into which an electric current is injected, and a single-mode optical waveguide region to which the electric field is not applied and into which the electric current is not injected. When the mesa width of the core layer in the multi-mode optical waveguide region is defined as Wmesa1, and the mesa width of the core layer in the single-mode optical waveguide region is defined as Wmesa2, Wmesa1>Wmesa2 is satisfied.

Abstract: An optical PCB includes a substrate, conductive traces, a solder resist layer, and a light waveguide. The substrate includes a surface. The surface includes a flat area. The conductive traces are formed on the surface of the substrate and only positioned outside of the flat area. The solder resist layer is formed on the substrate and covers the conductive traces. The light waveguide is positioned on the solder resist layer. An orthogonal projection of the light waveguide on the surface of the substrate coincides with the flat area.

Abstract: In an optical waveguide device of the present invention, optical element mount (17) includes first base block (19a) for supporting first optical element (18a) and second base block (19b) for supporting second optical element (18b) that has an active layer depth smaller than that of first optical element (18a). Second base block (19b) is formed from stacks of upper clad layers whose number of stacks is larger than that of first base block (19a). Difference (h1) in height between the first and second base blocks is equal to difference (d1?d2) in active layer depth between the first and second optical elements.

Abstract: A leaky travelling wave array of optical elements provide a solar wavelength rectenna.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring an oxygen content in a liquid or gaseous sample has first and second sensor sections (14a, 14b). The first sensor section (14a) can be brought into contact with the sample and has a luminescent indicator dye embedded in an oxygen-permeable first polymer matrix. The second sensor section (14b) is arranged adjacent to the first sensor section (14a) and includes the same dye embedded in an oxygen-impermeable second polymer matrix. A light guide (10) guides luminescence excitation light from a light source (31, 32) to the sensor sections (14a, 14b) and guides luminescence emission light from the sensor section (14a, 14b) to a detector (39).

Abstract: An optical device includes a first region interfaced with a second region. The first region includes one or more surfaces that are formed using electron-beam lithography and the second region includes one or more surfaces that are formed using photolithography. A component crosses the interface and includes a first portion located in the first region and a second portion located in the second region. The component includes a light-signal carrying region that constrains light signals. The first portion includes a first taper that expands the light-signal carrying region as the component approaches the interface and the second portion includes a second taper that expands the light-signal carrying region as the component approaches the interface.

Abstract: The present invention realizes an enhancement of a fabrication yield and a reduction of a size regarding an optical modulator or an optical device including polarization beam combining means. An optical modulator of the present invention (1) includes: first and second optical modulators (LN optical modulators (101) to (104)) that are formed on a substrate; a polarization beam rotating unit (107) that rotates at least one polarization beam of modulated light beams modulated by the first and second optical modulators; and a polarization beam combining element (110) that is disposed outside the substrate and that combines the polarization beams of the modulated light of which the polarization beams are rotated by the polarization beam rotating unit (107).

Abstract: An active device for dynamic control of lightwave transmission properties has at least one photonic crystal waveguide that has anti-reflection photonic crystal waveguides with gradually changed group refractive indices at both input and output side. An alternating voltage or current signal applied to two electrically conductive regions changes the refractive indices of the photonic crystal materials, introducing a certain degree of blue-shift or red-shift of the transmission spectrum of the photonic crystal waveguide. The output lightwave with frequency close to the band-edge of the photonic crystal waveguide is controlled by the input electric signal. Devices having one or more such active photonic crystal waveguides may be utilized as an electro-optic modulator, an optical switch, or a tunable optical filter.

Abstract: The dielectric, three-dimensional photonic materials disclosed herein feature Dirac-like dispersion in quasi-two-dimensional systems. Embodiments include a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure formed by alternating layers of dielectric rods and dielectric slabs patterned with holes on respective triangular lattices. This fcc structure also includes a defect layer, which may comprise either dielectric rods or a dielectric slab with patterned with holes. This defect layer introduces Dirac cone dispersion into the fcc structure's photonic band structure. Examples of these fcc structures enable enhancement of the spontaneous emission coupling efficiency (the ?-factor) over large areas, contrary to the conventional wisdom that the ?-factor degrades as the system's size increases. These results enable large-area, low-threshold lasers; single-photon sources; quantum information processing devices; and energy harvesting systems.

Abstract: A waveguide including a top cladding layer, the top cladding layer including a material having an index of refraction, n1; an assistant layer, the assistant layer positioned adjacent the top cladding layer, the assistant layer including a material having an index of refraction, n2; a core layer, the core layer positioned adjacent the assistant layer, the core layer including a material having an index of refraction, n3; and a bottom cladding layer, the bottom cladding layer positioned adjacent the core layer, the bottom cladding layer including a material having an index of refraction, n4, wherein n1 is less than both n2 and n3, n3 is greater than n1 and n4, and n4 is less than n3 and n2.