Input/output Coupler Patents (Class 385/31)
  • Patent number: 9229179
    Abstract: An integrated optoelectronic module comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a single-mode optical waveguide comprising a semiconductor with a signal input section at a first end; a multi-mode optical waveguide comprising a semiconductor connected to a second end of the single-mode optical waveguide; and a photodiode disposed on and adjacent to the multi-mode interferometer waveguide and having at least one optical absorption layer section, wherein the single-mode optical waveguide, the multi-mode optical waveguide, and the photodiode being stacked on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the multi-mode interferometer waveguide comprises a reflection section formed by partly grooving the multi-mode interferometer waveguide, and an optical signal having propagated through the multi-mode interferometer waveguide is reflected by the reflection section and focused on the optical absorption layer section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: NTT Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Tadao Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 9214782
    Abstract: A laser-driven dielectric electron accelerator is composed of a dielectric photonic crystal accelerator structure having an electron beam channel and buried grating whose elements are arranged linearly parallel to the electron beam channel. The accelerator structure preferably has a thin film material coating. The grating may have an asymmetric structure. The accelerator and undulator structures may be integrated with on-chip optical and electronic devices such as waveguide devices and control circuits so that multiple devices can be fabricated on the same chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Olav Solgaard, Chia Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 9201236
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a plurality of electromechanical systems (EMS) devices disposed on a first surface defined by a face of a substrate. Each EMS device includes a component which is movable in a plane that is substantially parallel to the first surface. The apparatus also includes a second surface positioned proximate to the substrate such that the plurality of EMS devices are located between the first surface and the second surface. In addition, each EMS device includes at least one anti-stiction projection positioned between the movable component and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Joyce H. Wu, Jasper L. Steyn, Eugene E. Fike, Cait Ni Chleirigh, Timothy Brosnihan, Richard S. Payne
  • Patent number: 9195058
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system comprising a lens element, a display unit displaced transversely from the lens element, at least one actuator coupled to at least one of the lens element or the display unit and capable of changing position of the lens element relative to the display unit in a lateral direction, and an electronic control system capable of driving the at least one actuator to move in a programmed manner to control positioning of the lens element relative to the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Dirk Schapeler
  • Patent number: 9195007
    Abstract: Inverted 45° semiconductor mirrors as vertical optical couplers for PIC chips, particularly optical receivers and transmitters. An inverted 45° semiconductor mirror functions to couple light between a plane in the PIC chip defined by thin film layers and a direction normal to a top surface of the PIC chip where it may be generated or collected by an off-chip component, such as a wire terminal. In an exemplary embodiment, a (110) plane of a cubic crystalline semiconductor may provide a 45° facet inverted relative to a (100) surface of the semiconductor from which light is to be emitted. In further embodiments, a (110) plane may be exposed by undercutting a device layer of a semiconductor on insulator (SOI) substrate. Alternatively, a pre-etched substrate surface may be bonded to a handling wafer, thinned, and then utilized for PIC waveguide formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: John Heck, Haisheng Rong
  • Patent number: 9182655
    Abstract: Image projection devices, high-speed fiber scanned displays and related methods for projecting an image onto a surface and interfacing with the projected image are provided. A method for projecting one or more images and obtaining feedback with an optical input-output assembly is provided. The input-output assembly comprising a light-scanning optical fiber and a sensor. The method includes generating a sequence of light in response to one or more image representations and a scan pattern of the optical fiber, articulating the optical fiber in the scan pattern, projecting the sequence of light from the articulated optical fiber, and generating a feedback signal with the sensor in response to reflections of the sequence of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Charles D. Melville, Richard S. Johnston, Cameron M. Lee, Eric J. Seibel, Brian T. Schowengerdt
  • Patent number: 9182529
    Abstract: A light guide element and a lamp are described. The light guide element has a length and an angle of total reflection. The light guide element includes a light-incident surface, a light-emitting surface, a first reflecting surface, and a second reflecting surface. The light-incident surface includes a first outer peripheral edge and a first inner peripheral edge. The light-emitting surface includes a second outer peripheral edge and a second inner peripheral edge. The first reflecting surface connects the first outer peripheral edge and the second outer peripheral edge. The second reflecting surface connects the first inner peripheral edge and the second inner peripheral edge. An angle is formed between the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface. The angle is smaller than the angle of total reflection, and the length is greater than a predetermined distance divided by tan the angle of total reflection).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: RADIANT OPTO-ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yung-Hui Tai, Wei-Hsuan Chen, Chun-Hau Lai
  • Patent number: 9128246
    Abstract: On-chip non-reciprocity can be achieved by employing micron-sized optomechanical (OM) devices that are fabricated on-chip and which can be integrated with other optical elements. Non-linear coupling between light and a mechanical mode inside a resonator can provide a non-reciprocal response of the OM system, which can be induced and fully controlled by an external driving electromagnetic field. By choosing different resonator and/or waveguide configurations and by tuning different system parameters, the same OM coupling mechanism can be used to provide isolation (e.g., as an optical diode), non-reciprocal phase shifting, and/or routing applications. Even in the presence of a finite intrinsic mode coupling inside the resonator, non-reciprocal effects remain large for a sufficiently strong OM coupling. The disclosed systems, methods, and devices can be applied on a single photon level, which may find use for various non-reciprocal applications in the classical optical as well as the quantum regime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: Mohammad Hafezi, Peter Rabl
  • Patent number: 9128250
    Abstract: We present optical systems suitable for focusing two substantially collimated beams or sheets of light propagating in different directions onto a common focal point. In some embodiments the optical systems comprise separate focusing elements for each beam or sheet of light, while in other embodiments the optical systems comprise a focusing element and a redirection element. The optical systems have particular application in the receive optics of infrared touch screens, where they enable the detection of additional light paths that assist in the determination of two or more simultaneous touch events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ZETTA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LLC—RPO SERIES
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Charters, Dax Kukulj, Warwick Todd Holloway, Duncan Ian Ross, Graham Roy Atkins
  • Patent number: 9124066
    Abstract: Spatial mode conversion modules are described, with the capability of efficiently transforming a given optical beam profile, at one plane in space into another well-defined optical beam profile at a different plane in space, whose detailed spatial features and symmetry properties can, in general, differ significantly. The modules are comprised of passive, high-efficiency, low-loss diffractive optical elements, combined with Fourier transform optics. Design rules are described that employ phase retrieval techniques and associated algorithms to determine the necessary profiles of the diffractive optical components. System augmentations are described that utilize real-time adaptive optical techniques for enhanced performance as well as power scaling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Arun K. Sridharan, Paul H. Pax, John E. Heebner, Derrek R. Drachenberg, James P. Armstrong, Jay W. Dawson
  • Patent number: 9110232
    Abstract: Arrayed waveguide grating can have one or both slab waveguides with relatively sharply folded optical paths and a mirror that provides the folding of the path. The folded optical paths through the slab waveguides can result in a more compact geometry of the waveguides through the device as well as smaller slab waveguides such that the device can be formed with a significantly smaller overall footprint. Also, arrayed waveguide gratings that cooperate with pivotable mirrors can adjust light passage through the waveguide in response to temperature changes to provide for thermally compensated operation of the device. Thus, very compact planar lightwave circuits filters are described that provide thermally compensated operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: NeoPhotonics Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. McGinnis, Anthony J. Ticknor
  • Patent number: 9091524
    Abstract: In part, the invention relates to optical caps having at least one lensed surface configured to redirect and focus light outside of the cap. The cap is placed over an optical fiber. Optical radiation travels through the fiber and interacts with the optical surface or optical surfaces of the cap, resulting in a beam that is either focused at a distance outside of the cap or substantially collimated. The optical elements such as the elongate caps described herein can be used with various data collection modalities such optical coherence tomography. In part, the invention relates to a lens assembly that includes a micro-lens; a beam director in optical communication with the micro-lens; and a substantially transparent film or cover. The substantially transparent film is capable of bi-directionally transmitting light, and generating a controlled amount of backscatter. The film can surround a portion of the beam director.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: LIGHTLAB IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Desmond Adler, Stephen McCartin, Christopher Petersen
  • Patent number: 9081201
    Abstract: In a wavelength selective switch, a holding member is used to rotate one end of optical fibers and a collimator array around a rotation axis to thereby change an incident angle of collimated light with respect to incident surfaces of a beam expander optical system. When the incident angle of the collimated light on the beam expander optical system is changed, an amount of variation in an emission angle of light from the beam expander optical system is not proportional (inversely proportional) to the magnification of the beam expander optical system. Thus, this wavelength selective switch can easily fine-tune the incident position (beam position) of light with respect to each reflecting surface of a MEMS mirror by rotating the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yoshikawa, Manabu Shiozaki
  • Patent number: 9067059
    Abstract: A light delivery device comprising an optical fiber having a non-feature portion and a feature portion having features that force light to couple out radially from the feature portion and provide a desired radial light output pattern. A method of photodisinfection of a cavity comprising of providing this device, apply a photosensitizing composition to treatment site within the cavity, and inserting at least a portion of the device into the cavity; and applying light delivered by the device from a light source to the treatment site within the cavity at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizing composition so as to inhibit or eliminate microbes located at the treatment site. The present invention also includes a method of making the device and a treatment kit containing the device and a container containing a photosensitizing composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventors: Alois Bissig, Erich Zurfluh, Andreas Rose
  • Patent number: 9036964
    Abstract: An optical light guide coupler for coupling at least two light guides comprises an input face and an output face, wherein the optical light guide coupler is configured to receive light from a first light guide having a stepped output profile and is configured to transmit that light to a second light guide having a non-stepped profile. The input face of the light guide coupler is registered to the stepped output profile of the first light guide and the output face of the light guide coupler is at least one of rectilinear and curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 9033594
    Abstract: A method for connecting an optical waveguide embedded in a fiber composite component, in particular of an aircraft and spacecraft, to an external optical waveguide, comprising the following steps: ascertaining a path of the embedded optical waveguide in the fiber composite component; determining a nodal position at which the embedded optical waveguide is to be coupled with the external optical waveguide; exposing, at least in portions, the embedded optical waveguide at the nodal position by removing at least part of the fiber composite component around the embedded optical waveguide; severing the exposed embedded optical waveguide; aligning relative to each other an end portion of the severed, embedded optical waveguide and an end portion of the external optical waveguide; and splicing the mutually aligned end portions of the optical waveguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Nicholas E. Brownjohn, Stefan Osternack
  • Patent number: 9036962
    Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber array. The method comprises providing a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The substrate is provided with a plurality of apertures extending through the substrate from the first surface to the second surface. Additionally, a plurality of fibers is provided. The fibers have fiber ends with a diameter smaller than the smallest diameter of the apertures. For each fiber, from the first surface side of the substrate, the fiber is inserted in a corresponding aperture such that the fiber end is positioned in close proximity of the second surface. Then the fiber is bent in a predetermined direction such that the fiber abuts a side wall of the aperture at a predetermined position. Finally, the bent fibers are bonded together using an adhesive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: MAPPER LITHOGRAPHY IP B.V.
    Inventors: Guido De Boer, Ralph Van Melle, Teunis Van De Peut, Henk Derks, Frederik Matthias Spiegelhalder, Roy Josephus Stephanus Derks, Edwin Johannes Theodorus Smulders
  • Patent number: 9036158
    Abstract: A pattern projector, comprising a light source, configured to emit a beam of light. A transparent substrate, which has a pair of mutually-opposed planar surfaces is configured to receive and propagate the beam within the substrate by total internal reflection between the planar surfaces. The transparent substrate comprises a diffractive structure that is formed on one of the planar surfaces and is configured to direct at least a part of the beam to propagate out of the substrate in a direction that is angled away from the surface and to create a pattern comprising multiple interleaved light and dark areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Benny Pesach
  • Patent number: 9036955
    Abstract: An optical interposer comprising: (a) a substrate having a planar surface: (b) at least one groove defined in the planar surface and extending from an edge of the substrate to a terminal end, the groove having side walls and a first facet at the terminal end perpendicular to side walls, the facet having a first angle relative to the planar surface, the first angle being about 45 degrees; and (c) a reflective coating on the first facet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terry Patrick Bowen, Richard Dean Miller, Robert Nelson Fair, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9036963
    Abstract: A light guide apparatus includes a light guide layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a transversely oriented side-end surface that forms an output aperture of the light guide, characterized by an index of refraction, n1, and further characterized by a length dimension in an intended light propagation direction towards the output aperture, where the intended light propagation direction is a z-axis direction of a Cartesian coordinate system; and a plurality of light injection elements disposed in the form of at least one linear strip in at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the light guide layer, wherein some of the plurality of light injection elements are disposed on one lateral side of the strip and some other of the plurality of light injection elements are disposed on an opposing lateral side of the strip at a rotation angle ?z about the y-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
    Inventors: Duncan T. Moore, Greg R. Schmidt, Blair L. Unger, Michael Brown
  • Patent number: 9025916
    Abstract: An optical communication apparatus includes a PCB, a photoelectric element, a driver chip, and a light waveguide. The PCB defines a groove in a surface thereof. The groove includes a bottom surface and a side surface connected to the bottom surface. The PCB includes a reflecting layer coated on the side surface. The photoelectric element includes an optical portion for emitting/receiving light carrying optical signals. An optical signal emitting/receiving direction of the photoelectric element is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the PCB. The side surface passes through a projection area of the optical portion along a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the PCB. An end of the light waveguide is positioned on the bottom surface of the groove and is out of the projection area of the optical portion. The reflecting layer couples optical signals between the photoelectric element and the light waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuo-Fong Tseng
  • Patent number: 9020310
    Abstract: An optical waveguide provided with a slab waveguide, which has a plurality of phase gratings arranged at a distance from each other in a direction substantially parallel to a light propagation direction and diffracting propagated light and a plurality of interference regions arranged alternately to the plurality of phase gratings in the direction substantially parallel to the light propagation direction and interfering the light diffracted by the plurality of phase gratings, and an arrayed waveguide whose end is connected to an end of the slab waveguide at a position of a constructive interference portion of a self-image formed by the plurality of phase gratings as an integrated phase grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: NTT Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Morita, Kazumi Shimizu, Kenya Suzuki, Koji Kawashima
  • Publication number: 20150110501
    Abstract: An optical modulator device directly-coupled to a driver circuit device. The optical modulator device can include a transmission line electrically coupled to an internal VDD, a first electrode electrically coupled to the transmission line, a second electrode electrically coupled to the first electrode and the transmission line. A wave guide can be operably coupled to the first and second electrodes, and a driver circuit device can be directly coupled to the transmission line and the first and second electrodes. This optical modulator and the driver circuit device can be configured without back termination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Carl POBANZ
  • Patent number: 9014520
    Abstract: A photoelectric mixed substrate includes a wiring substrate including a first ground wire, a signal wire arranged above the first ground wire and electrically connected to the photoelectric component and the electronic component, and a waveguide unit stacked on the wiring substrate to cover the signal wire. The waveguide unit includes a first clad layer formed on the wiring substrate, a second ground wire formed above the first clad layer, a core formed on the first clad layer and optically coupled to the photoelectric component, and a second clad layer formed on the first clad layer to cover the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 9008472
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light guide plate and a manufacturing method thereof. The light guide plate includes a light guide plate body and ink dots printed on a surface of the light guide plate body. The ink dots contain an antistatic agent. The manufacturing method of the light guide plate includes (1) providing a light guide plate body; (2) providing an ink and an antistatic agent ad mixing the antistatic agent in the ink; and (3) printing the ink that contains the antistatic agent on a surface of the light guide plate body to form the ink dots. The antistatic agent contained in the ink dots helps suppressing static electricity generated on the light guide plate so as to eliminate mura caused by electrostatic attraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kuangyao Chang, Chong Xiong
  • Patent number: 9008476
    Abstract: A polarization conversion device includes: a directional coupler that includes an input side optical waveguide and an output side optical waveguide which are disposed in parallel to each other and each of which has a core. Assuming that a direction in which the input side optical waveguide and the output side optical waveguide face each other is a width direction and a direction perpendicular to the width direction is a height direction in a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of each of the input side optical waveguide and the output side optical waveguide, and the directional coupler is configured to couple first light guided through the input side optical waveguide to second light guided through the output side optical waveguide, the polarization direction of the second light is perpendicular to that of the first light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Oka, Kazuhiro Goi, Kensuke Ogawa, Hiroyuki Kusaka
  • Patent number: 9002158
    Abstract: An optical connector is described. This optical connector spatially segregates optical coupling between an optical fiber and an optical component, which relaxes the associated mechanical-alignment requirements. In particular, the optical connector includes an optical spreader component disposed on a substrate. This optical spreader component is optically coupled to the optical fiber at a first coupling region, and is configured to optically couple to the optical component at a second coupling region that is at a different location on the substrate than the first coupling region. Moreover, the first coupling region and the second coupling region are optically coupled by an optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Drost, John E. Cunningham, Ashok V. Krishnamoorthy
  • Patent number: 8995808
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, NTT Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Motohaya Ishii, Takashi Saida, Hiroshi Terui, Tomoyo Shibazaki, Yuichi Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20150086161
    Abstract: An optical fiber link that utilizes concatenated primary and compensating multimode optical fibers is disclosed. The primary optical fiber has a first relative refractive index profile with a first alpha value ?40 of about 2.1 that provides for a minimum amount of intermodal dispersion of guided modes at a peak wavelength ?P40 in the range from 840 nm to 860 nm, and has a first bandwidth BW40 of 2 GHz·km or greater. The compensating optical fiber has a second relative refractive index profile with a second alpha value ?60, and wherein ?0.9?(?60??40)??0.1, and a peak wavelength ?P60 greater than 880 nm. The optical fiber link has improved bandwidth and data rates for first and second optical signals within first and second wavelength ranges, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Scott Robertson Bickham, Xin Chen, Ming-Jun Li, Dale Robert Powers
  • Patent number: 8989535
    Abstract: In embodiments of a multiple waveguide imaging structure, an imaging structure includes a first waveguide for see-through viewing of an environment at a first field of view, and includes a second waveguide for see-through viewing of the environment at a second field of view. The first and second waveguides each include a polarizing beam splitter to reflect light that enters at a first polarization orientation angle in the respective first and second waveguides, and the polarizing beam splitters pass through the light that enters at a second polarization orientation angle. The imaging structure also includes a polarization switch to rotate the polarization of the light through the first and second polarization orientation angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Steven John Robbins
  • Patent number: 8983249
    Abstract: An optical fiber combiner 1 has: a plurality of input optical fibers 20; a plurality of divergence angle reducing members 50 which lights emitted from the respective input optical fibers 20 enter and which emits the lights from the input optical fibers 20 at divergence angles made lower than divergence angles upon entrance; a bridge fiber 30 which the lights emitted from the respective divergence angle reducing members 50 enter and which has a tapered portion 34 which has a portion in which the lights propagate and a diameter of which is gradually reduced apart from a divergence angle reducing member 50 side; and an output optical fiber 40 which a light emitted from a side of the bridge fiber 30 opposite to the divergence angle reducing member 50 side enters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikiyo Noguchi, Kensuke Shima
  • Publication number: 20150069223
    Abstract: A light guide member for an object detection apparatus for detecting an object adhered on a light translucent member based on change of quantity of reflection light received from the light translucent member includes a detection face where light exits to the light translucent member and reflection light reflected from the light translucent member enters, the detection face including a detection area where a part of the reflection light to enter the detection unit passes through, and a non-detection area where remaining part of the reflection light not to enter the detection unit passes through; a first intervening member disposed on the detection face attachable to the light translucent member via the first intervening member; and a second intervening member disposed on the detection face attachable to the light translucent member via the second intervening member. The first intervening member has flexibility greater than flexibility of the second intervening member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8977085
    Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber tip, the method including, roughening at least part of an end portion of the optical fiber; and, etching the roughed end portion to thereby form an optical fiber tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The University of Queensland
    Inventors: Laurence James Walsh, Roy George
  • Patent number: 8971679
    Abstract: An apparatus for passive alignment of optical devices comprises a substrate including a trench in a top surface thereof, where the trench has a first end positioned at an edge of the substrate and a second end positioned at an interior region of the substrate, and a lens disposed on the top surface of the substrate adjacent to the second end of the trench. The apparatus further includes a top holder having a longitudinal indentation in a bottom surface thereof for mounting an optical fiber. The longitudinal indentation is sized to fit a top portion of the optical fiber such that a bottom portion of the optical fiber extends below the bottom surface of the top holder when the optical fiber is mounted therein. One or both of the substrate and the top holder include one or more spacer features configured for three-dimensional (3D) alignment of the lens with the optical fiber when the top holder is brought into contact with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Optonet Inc.
    Inventors: Seng-Tiong Ho, Yingyan Huang
  • Patent number: 8968987
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for implementing an enhanced optical mirror coupling and alignment mechanism utilizing two-photon resist. An initial placement is provided for one or more vias on a printed circuit board. A via is filled with a resist. A series of tightly focused light beams suitably exposes the resist at varying depths in the via, the varying depths defining a sloped polymer in the via after removing resist that had not been at the focus of the light beam. The sloped polymer is coated with reflective material to reflect light into or out of the via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Emmanuel Atta, Darcy Berger, John R. Dangler, Matthew S. Doyle, Jesse Hefner, Thomas W. Liang
  • Patent number: 8971678
    Abstract: Spacer resin pattern layer which precisely aligns a light-emitting element or a light-receiving element relative to both a waveguide pattern layer and electrical circuit pattern layer from the semiconductor wafer level. A substratum of resin having a through-hole provided for electrical communication with an electrical circuit pattern layer is formed on a semiconductor wafer. A truncated cone-shaped three-dimensional reflective surface is formed to guide the emitted light towards or received light from a waveguide pattern layer. A metal film is deposited planarly in a predetermined range from the center when positioned relative to the position of the through-hole. A truncated cone-shaped mold is stamped in the center. By modifying the direction of the light using this tapered structure, the precision tolerance is increased and optical loss is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daiju Nakano, Masao Tokunari, Kazushige Toriyama, Yutaka Tsukada
  • Patent number: 8971677
    Abstract: An optical 90-degree hybrid circuit includes: first and second optical splitters for receiving and splitting a first and second light beam into two, respectively; a first optical coupler for generating an interfering light beam by multiplexing one of the light beams split by the first optical splitter and the second optical splitter; and a second optical coupler for generating an interfering light beam by multiplexing another one of the light beams split by the first optical splitter and the second optical splitter. The first optical splitter includes an optical coupler configured to output two light beams having equal phases, and the second optical splitter includes an optical coupler configured to output two light beams having a phase difference of 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Yohei Sakamaki, Toshikazu Hashimoto, Yusuke Nasu, Kuninori Hattori, Hiroshi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20150055915
    Abstract: Light-coupling apparatus and methods for light-diffusing optical fibers are disclosed. The light-coupling apparatus includes a light-diffusing fiber bundle having an end section made up of tightly packed cores by removing the claddings. The spaces between the cores are filled with a material having a refractive index equal to or less than that of the cores. A light-emitting diode light source can be butt-coupled to the bundled-core end of the light-diffusing fiber bundle or can be coupled thereto via a reflective concentrator. A method of forming a flat and smooth end on a cleaved fiber that has a rough end is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephan Lvovich Logunov, Nikolay Timofeyevich Timofeev
  • Patent number: 8961038
    Abstract: An opto-electronic device includes an optical engine module and an electrical socket. The optical engine module includes an optical engine, an optical transmission interface for coupling with an optical device and an electrical transmission interface, the electrical transmission interface having electrical pads. The electrical socket includes a plurality of BGA terminals, each terminal having a module-connecting end and a board-connecting end. The electrical transmission interface is removeably assembled in the electrical socket and the electrical pads contact the module-connecting ends of the electrical socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jim Zhao, Yuan-Chieh Lin, An-Jen Yang, Pei Tsao, Yin-Tse Kao, Ashish Raheja
  • Patent number: 8965156
    Abstract: A beam combiner is disclosed that comprises a planar lightwave circuit that is based on undoped silicon nitride-based surface waveguides, wherein the planar lightwave circuit comprises a plurality of input ports, a mixing region, and an output port, and wherein the mixing region comprises a plurality of directional couplers that are arranged in a tree structure. Embodiments of the present invention are capable of combining a plurality of light signals characterized by disparate wavelengths on irregular spacings with low loss. Further, the present invention enables high-volume, low cost production of beam combiners capable of combining three or more light signals into a single composite output beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Octrolix BV
    Inventors: Edwin Jan Klein, Ronald Dekker, Hindrik F. Bulthuis
  • Patent number: 8965161
    Abstract: A decohered laser light production system is provided. The decohered laser light system comprises a laser source. The system further comprises a multi-mode fiber having an input face, an output face and a body for propagating light from the input face to the output face, the input face arranged to accept laser light from the laser source, the body comprising a length such that laser light is generally decohered when exiting the output face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Christie Digital Systems Inc.
    Inventor: John Domm
  • Publication number: 20150049984
    Abstract: A multimoded interference coupler may include: first and second inputs to receive first and second optical signals such that light is not supplied through any portion of a first gap extending between the first and second inputs; first and second outputs to provide first and second components associated with the first and second optical signals, such that light is not output through any portion of a second gap extending between the first and second outputs. The first and second inputs may be separated by a first distance. The first and second outputs may be separated by the first distance. The first input and the second output may be separated by a second distance being different than a third distance separating the second input and the first output. The first and second components may have a phase difference based on a difference between the second and third distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Infinera Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki KATO
  • Patent number: 8958667
    Abstract: An optical bus (130) of an integrated circuit (100) comprises: a polymer waveguide (112), a micromirror (114, 116), and an optical coupler (120). The polymer waveguide (112) is disposed in a via (110) formed through at least one die layer (102, 104, 106) of the integrated circuit (100) comprising an active circuit (210). The micromirror (114) is disposed adjacent to the via (110) and optically coupled to the polymer waveguide (112). The optical coupler (120) is connected to the polymer waveguide (112) to couple the active circuit (210) to the optical bus (130). A stacked integrated circuit (100) is described comprising such an optical bus (130). A method (800) of fabricating a rear 45° micromirror on a silicon substrate that can be used in the optical bus (130) is also described. Furthermore, alignment/lock mechanisms for use in a stacked integrated circuit comprising first and second silicon substrates are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventors: Chee Yee Kwok, Aron Michael, Yiwei Xu
  • Patent number: 8958669
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing end microlenses of individual optical fibers which are part of a bundle or a multi-core fiber, including depositing a drop of a photopolymerizable solution on a first end of the bundle; adapting the size of the drop; applying light centered on a predetermined wavelength onto a second end of the bundle in order to selectively polymerize the drop; rinsing the first end using a methanol solution in order to obtain a network of individual optical fibers, each one of which is provided with a microlens at the first end of the multi-core fiber, the microlenses being physically separated from one another. The disclosure additionally relates to a bundle of microlensed fibers obtained by the method, as well as to the use of such a bundle, for example in medical or multiplexed imaging and/or in the coupling of optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Universite de Technologie de Troyes
    Inventors: Jérôme Plain, Renaud Bachelot, Pascal Royer, Xinhua Zeng, Safi Jradi
  • Patent number: 8958668
    Abstract: A plasmonic transducer includes at least two metal elements with a gap therebetween. The metal elements are elongated along a plasmon-enhanced, near-field radiation delivery axis. Cross sections of the metal elements in a plane normal to the delivery axis vary in shape along the delivery axis. A waveguide is disposed along an elongated side of the plasmonic transducer. The waveguide is optically coupled to the plasmonic transducer along the elongated side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Chubing Peng, Yongjun Zhao
  • Patent number: 8953911
    Abstract: In part, the invention relates to a single clad fiber to multi-clad optical fiber connector for use in applying excitation light to a sample and obtaining reflected light from the sample. The connector can include a dual clad optical fiber portion and a single clad optical fiber portion in optical communication with the dual clad optical fiber portion. In one embodiment, a core of the dual clad optical fiber portion and a core of the single clad optical fiber portion have substantially similar indices of refraction. In one embodiment, excitation light is propagated by the core of the dual clad optical fiber. Further, in one embodiment, light reflected by the sample is propagated by the first cladding layer of the dual clad optical fiber portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Lightlab Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Chenyang Xu, Joseph M. Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20150036976
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solar concentrator made of a transparent material, wherein the solar concentrator comprises a light incoupling surface that may be spherical or non-spherical, a light outcoupling surface, and a light guide component arranged between the light incoupling surface and the light outcoupling surface, the light guide component being delimited between the light incoupling surface and the light outcoupling surface by a light guide component surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Wolfram Wintzer, Lars Arnold, Hagen Goldammer
  • Publication number: 20150036977
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products illuminate display devices. An image is injected into a waveguide. The image propagates at total internal reflectance within the waveguide. A frustrator withdraws a frustrated image from the waveguide, and the frustrated image may be displayed to a viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Li
  • Patent number: RE45390
    Abstract: A transceiver comprising a CMOS chip and a laser coupled to the chip may be operable to communicate an optical source signal from a semiconductor laser into the CMOS chip. The optical source signal may be used to generate first optical signals that are transmitted from the CMOS chip to optical fibers coupled to the CMOS chip. Second optical signals may be received from the optical fibers and converted to electrical signals via photodetectors in the CMOS chip. The optical source signal may be communicated from the semiconductor laser into the CMOS chip via optical fibers in to a top surface and the first optical signals may be communicated out of a top surface of the CMOS chip. The optical source signal may be communicated into the CMOS chip and the first optical signals may be communicated from the CMOS chip via optical couplers, which may comprise grating couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Luxtera, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter De Dobbelaere, Thierry Pinguet, Mark Peterson, Mark Harrison, Alexander G. Dickinson, Lawrence C. Gunn, III
  • Patent number: RE45512
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for transmitting at least one electro-magnetic radiation is provided. In particular, at least one optical fiber having at least one end extending along a first axis may be provided. Further, a light transmissive optical arrangement may be provided in optical cooperation with the optical fiber. The optical arrangement may have a first surface having a portion that is perpendicular to a second axis, and a second surface which includes a curved portion. The first axis can be provided at a particular angle that is more than 0° and less than 90° with respect to the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Guillermo J. Tearney, Milen Shishkov, Brett E. Bouma