Electro-optic Patents (Class 385/8)
  • Patent number: 11940708
    Abstract: Provided is an optical modulator that can be driven at lower voltage through the use of differential signal output. An optical modulator includes a substrate 1 and optical waveguides (21, 22) and a control electrode that are formed on the substrate, in which the optical waveguide includes Mach-Zehnder type optical waveguide, the control electrode is provided with two ground electrodes sandwiching three signal electrodes; the three signal electrodes are constituted by second and third signal electrodes that sandwich a first signal electrode, and have a wiring structure in which one modulation signal of the differential signal is applied to the first signal electrode, and the other modulation signal of the differential signal is applied to the second and third signal electrodes; and one branched waveguide (21) out of two Mach-Zehnder type optical waveguides is disposed between the first and second signal electrodes, and the other branched waveguide (22) is disposed between the first and third signal electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO OSAKA CEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norikazu Miyazaki, Kosuke Okahashi, Masayuki Motoya
  • Patent number: 11550171
    Abstract: An interferometer comprises a plurality of waveguide branches comprising a plurality of bus waveguides and a plurality of photonic resonators. A first waveguide branch of the plurality of waveguide branches comprises a first photonic resonator coupled to a first bus waveguide. The first photonic resonator is disposed to couple and circle a first portion of an optical beam at the first photonic resonator to generate a first phase shift of the first portion of the optical beam, where the first phase shift is the same as a second phase shift of a second photonic resonator coupled to a second bus waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Aeva, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Roxworthy, Pradeep Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 11243450
    Abstract: A light field generator system including a leaky-mode SAW modulator is disclosed. The modulator incorporates at least one optical power component, such as a concave mirror or volume grating having a non-zero diopter rating. In some embodiments, the system incorporates the at least one optical power component by embedding the optical power component within a substrate of the SAW modulator and/or by placing the optical power component upon a surface of the SAW modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg E. Favalora, Michael G. Moebius, Steven J. Byrnes
  • Patent number: 11106038
    Abstract: The invention relates to a minimalistic pair of AR glasses having very high resolution, any field of view, total transparency, continuously variable object focal length, minimal eye lights and a projector unit behind the ear without any socially harmful indications of technology around the user's face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Konstantin Roggatz
  • Patent number: 11086149
    Abstract: An electro-optic device is provided with a substrate, an optical waveguide formed of a lithium niobate film with a ridge shape on the substrate, and an electrode that applies an electric field to the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide includes a first waveguide section provided at least in an electric field application region applied with the electric field and having a thickness of 1 ?m or larger and a second waveguide section provided in a region other than the electric field application region and having a thickness of 0.3 ?m or larger and less than 1 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: TDK CORPORATION, FUJITSU OPTICAL COMPONENTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Shinji Iwatsuka, Kenji Sasaki, Hiroki Hara, Yasuhiro Ohmori, Masaharu Doi, Shintaro Takeuchi, Yoshihiko Yoshida, Yoshinobu Kubota
  • Patent number: 11048011
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a signal arithmetic processor includes a fiber optic cable including a fiber optic input and a fiber optic output and two or more electro-optical transducers coupled to the fiber optic cable between the fiber optic input and output and having at least a first electrode and second electrode, the two or more electro-optical transducers configured to modify an optical signal in the fiber optic cable based on a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode of the two or more electro-optical transducers. The signal arithmetic processor can also include an interferometer coupled to the fiber optic cable and configured to sense a phase difference of a fiber optic signal between the fiber optic input and the fiber optic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilker R. Capoglu, Burkay Donderici
  • Patent number: 11019415
    Abstract: A front left speaker cover for a front left speaker includes a first hole forming portion in which holes each having a bottom are formed. The first hole forming portion is a section including a first edge of the front left speaker cover. The holes include a first hole and a second hole. The first hole is formed in the first edge of the front left speaker cover and opens in a surface direction of the front left speaker cover. The second hole is formed in a section different from the first edge and a fourth edge. The distance from the surface of the front left speaker cover to the bottom of the first hole is shorter than the distance from the surface of the front left speaker cover to the bottom of the second hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Nagai, Hiroki Takada, Atsushi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10886324
    Abstract: A detection panel and a detection device are provided. The detection panel includes: a base substrate, a photoelectric conversion layer and a first insulating layer which are sequentially stacked on the base substrate; wherein the detection panel further comprises a plurality of interdigital electrodes located on a surface of a side of the first insulating layer away from the base substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kui Liang, Chiachiang Lin, Xiaohui Liu, Liye Duan, Chunqian Zhang, Mengjun Hou
  • Patent number: 10641878
    Abstract: An illustrative example device for controlling a direction of radiation includes a source of at least one beam of radiation. A plurality of optical components in a pathway of the at least one beam of radiation establish a first direction of the at least one beam of radiation. The plurality of optical components includes at least one adjustable optical component that includes at least one portion that is moveable relative to the source. A positional feedback feature on a portion of at least one of the optical components deflects at least some of the at least one beam of radiation in a second direction that is different than the first direction. A detector is situated to detect at least some of the deflected radiation and provides an output indicative of the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Kok Wee Yeo, Yew Kwang Low, Chee Keng Yeo
  • Patent number: 10630393
    Abstract: An optical cavity is formed to have a circuitous configuration. The optical cavity is configured to receive light coupled from a waveguide. At least two photodetector sections are formed over respective portions of the optical cavity. Each of the at least two photodetector sections is configured to detect light present within the optical cavity. Each of the at least two photodetector sections is configured for separate and independent control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ayar Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Wade, Chen Sun, Nandish Mehta
  • Patent number: 10572707
    Abstract: A transparent sensor pattern suitable for sensing fingerprint information in a display area is disclosed. The sensor pattern includes a receiver electrode extending in a first direction and a transmitter electrode extending in a second direction different from the first direction. The receiver electrode includes a conductive trace made from an opaque metal material and the receiver electrode is substantially free of transparent conductive material. The transmitter electrode includes a conductive segment made from a transparent conductive material. A dielectric material is disposed between the receiver electrode and the transmitter electrode, and the dielectric material electrically insulates the receiver electrode from the transmitter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Guozhong Shen, Patrick Smith, Yongqian Tang, Jim Aroyan, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Patent number: 10551715
    Abstract: An optical signal modulator (modulator) includes, in part, a first multitude of diodes coupled in parallel and disposed along an outer periphery of the optical ring of the modulator, a second multitude of diodes coupled in parallel and disposed along the outer periphery of the optical ring, and a doped region adapted to supply heat to the optical ring. A pair of current sources supply substantially constant currents to the first and second multitude of diodes to generate a pair of electrical signals. The modulator further includes, in part, a control circuit adapted to control the temperature of the optical ring in accordance with the pair electrical signals. To achieve this, the control circuit varies the voltage applied to the doped region to vary the supplied heat. Alternatively, the control circuit applies a voltage to the optical ring to maintain a substantially constant resonant wavelength in the optical ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Saman Saeedi, Azita Emami
  • Patent number: 10170445
    Abstract: A method for electrically coupling a pad and a front face of a pillar, including shaping the front face pillar, the front face having at least partially a convex surface, applying a suspension to the front face or to the pad, wherein the suspension includes a carrier fluid, electrically conducting microparticles and electrically conducting nanoparticles, arranging the front face of the pillar opposite to the pad at a distance such that the carrier fluid bridges at least partially a gap between the front face of the pillar and the pad, evaporating the carrier fluid thereby confining the microparticles and the nanoparticles, and thereby arranging the nanoparticles and the microparticles as percolation paths between the front face of the pillar and the pad, and sintering the arranged nanoparticles for forming metallic bonds at least between the nanoparticles and/or between the nanoparticles and the front face of the pillar or the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET CHEMNITZ, SINTEF, INTRINSIQ MATERIALS LTD.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Brunschwiler, Richard Dixon, Maaike M. Visser Taklo, Bernhard Wunderle, Kerry Yu, Jonas Zuercher
  • Patent number: 10136515
    Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board is disclosed. In one aspect, the flexible printed circuit board includes a plurality of signal-transmitting lines formed in a signal-transmitting area and a plurality of first pads formed in a pad area adjacent to the signal-transmitting area and electrically connected to the signal-transmitting lines. The flexible printed circuit board also includes an adhesive-penetrating groove formed between two adjacent ones of the first pads. The adhesive-penetrating groove is formed in a length direction extending from the pad area to at least a portion of the signal-transmitting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-Jin Lee, Seong-Joon Lee
  • Patent number: 9921295
    Abstract: A radar device is provided that includes a timing control component operable to generate, for each chirp of a sequence of chirps according to a set of chirp configuration parameters and a chirp profile for the chirp, chirp control signals to cause the radar device to transmit the chirp, the timing control component having chirp configuration parameter inputs, chirp profile parameter inputs, a chirp address output, and chirp control signal outputs, a chirp configuration storage component having chirp configuration parameter outputs coupled to corresponding inputs of the configuration parameter inputs of the timing control component, a chirp profile address output, and a chirp address input coupled to the chirp address output, and a chirp profile storage component having chirp profile parameter outputs coupled to the chirp profile parameter inputs of the timing control component; and a chirp profile address input coupled to the chirp profile address output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tom Altus, Jasbir Singh Nayyar, Karthik Ramasubramanian, Brian Paul Ginsburg
  • Patent number: 9645502
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a modulator configured to expose an exposure area of the substrate to a plurality of beams modulated according to a desired pattern and a projection system configured to project the modulated beams onto the substrate. The modulator includes a deflector to displace the plurality of beams with respect to an exposure area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Willem Herman De Jager, Vadim Yevgenyevich Banine, Johannes Onvlee, Lucas Henricus Johannes Stevens, Sander Frederik Wuister, Nikolay Nikolaevich Iosad
  • Patent number: 9310561
    Abstract: Embodiments describe optical devices including a first waveguide, comprising a first cross-sectional area, to receive a light comprising a first optical mode, and a second waveguide, adjacent to the first waveguide, to receive a light comprising a second optical mode orthogonal to the first optical mode. The second waveguide comprises a second cross-sectional area different than the first waveguide such that an absorption/gain coefficient of the second waveguide for light comprising the second optical mode is equal to an absorption/gain coefficient of the first waveguide for light comprising the first optical mode. The optical devices may comprise modulators, photodetectors, or semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Aurrion, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Edgar Roth
  • Patent number: 9274354
    Abstract: A polarization control device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a first polarization converter for converting a polarization angle of an input optical signal in response to first control voltages, a second polarization converter for converting a polarization angle of an input optical signal in response to second control voltages, and a third polarization converter for converting an optical signal received from the first polarization converter or the second polarization converter into a first output optical signal having a linear polarization state and outputting the first output optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Sun Hyok Chang, Hwan Seok Chung
  • Patent number: 9261717
    Abstract: Electro-optic modulator includes a substrate, a waveguide formed in a top surface of the substrate, a pair of first modulating electrodes and a pair of second modulating electrodes. The waveguide includes a Y-shaped incident member, a Y-shaped output member, first and second connection members. The Y-shaped incident member includes an incident portion, first and second incident branches. The Y-shaped output member includes an output portion, a first and second output branches. The first connection member includes a first non-modulated branch and a first modulated branch. The second connection member includes a second non-modulated branch and a second modulated branch. The first non-modulated branch and the first modulated branch are interconnected between the first incident branch and the first output branch in parallel. The second non-modulated branch and the second modulated branch are interconnected between the second incident branch and the second output branch in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsin-Shun Huang
  • Patent number: 9150413
    Abstract: A resonator structure is disclosed. In some embodiments, the resonator structure may include a metal-insulator-metal waveguide comprising a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and an insulating layer between the first metal layer and the second metal layer, wherein the insulating layer comprises a resonating cavity. The resonator structure may further include a mirror formed in the resonating cavity, wherein the mirror comprises at least one nanoscale metallic reflector positioned at least partly in the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: IMEC, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U. Leuven R&D
    Inventors: Pol Van Dorpe, Pieter Neutens
  • Patent number: 9142698
    Abstract: An integrated optical device includes an electro-absorption modulator disposed on a top surface of an optical waveguide. The electro-absorption modulator includes germanium disposed in a cavity between an n-type doped silicon sidewall and a p-type doped silicon sidewall. By applying a voltage between the n-type doped silicon sidewall and the p-type doped silicon sidewall, an electric field can be generated in a plane of the optical waveguide, but perpendicular to a propagation direction of the optical signal. This electric field shifts a band gap of the germanium, thereby modulating the optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Cunningham, Jin Yao, Ivan Shubin, Guoliang Li, Xuezhe Zheng, Shiyun Lin, Hiren D. Thacker, Stevan S. Djordjevic, Ashok V. Krishnamoorthy
  • Patent number: 9116261
    Abstract: Illumination converters that are capable of converting light from one geometrical format to another is provided. In particular, the described illumination converters are capable of converting a circular source such as an LED to a linear source useful in an edgelit waveguide, which can be used in a backlight for a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 9036951
    Abstract: An electro-optic structure, which may comprise an acousto-optic modulator for use in an opto-acoustic oscillator, comprises a plurality of rigidly connected resonator core components located movably separated over a substrate and anchored to the substrate at an anchor point. An actuator electrode is located separated from a first one of the rigidly connected resonator core components and an optical waveguide is located separated from a second one of the rigidly connected resonator core components. Radio frequency and direct current actuation of the actuator electrode provides a mechanical vibration in the first rigidly connected resonator core component that is mechanically coupled to the second rigidly connected resonator core component which serves to optically modulate light transported through the wave guide. Reverse operation is also contemplated. Embodiments also contemplate a third rigidly connected resonator core component as a radiation pressure driven detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: CORNELL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Sunil Bhave, Suresh Sridaran
  • Patent number: 9025926
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for decreasing optical loss in a waveguide of a modulator device. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a substrate, and a waveguide of a modulator device formed on the substrate, the waveguide having a first portion that is configured to receive light for propagation along the waveguide, a second portion that includes two slots formed in the waveguide that merge into a single slot, the second portion being coupled with the first portion, a third portion that includes the single slot formed in the waveguide, the third portion being coupled with the second portion, a fourth portion that includes another two slots formed in the waveguide, the another two slots branching from the single slot, the fourth portion being coupled with the third portion, and a fifth portion that is configured to output the propagated light, the fifth portion being coupled with the fourth portion. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Peter L. Chang, Jia-Hung Tseng
  • Publication number: 20150117867
    Abstract: An optical modulator includes: a substrate that having an optical waveguide that includes a split section that splits light into two light waves, a pair of arms through which the light waves propagate, and a combining section that combines the light waves from the pair of arms with each other; and an electrode that overlaps part of the optical waveguide and generates an electric field by a voltage applied to the electrode. The optical waveguide has a narrow portion that is narrower than another portion of the optical waveguide and is arranged so that the electrode does not overlap with the narrow portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: FUJITSU OPTICAL COMPONENTS LIMITED
    Inventor: Masaki SUGIYAMA
  • Patent number: 9008470
    Abstract: Apparatus and method embodiments are provided for implementing a wavelength selective switch (WSS). The embodiments use combinations of switchable polarization grating (SPG) and LC cells and combinations of polymer polarization grating (PPG) and LC cells to achieve 1×N WSS systems. An embodiment optical switch includes a liquid crystal cell and a SPG cell adjacent to the liquid crystal cell. The SPG includes liquid crystal material between two photo-alignment layers, an electrode layer overlying each photo-alignment layer, and a glass substrate overlying each electrode layer. An embodiment method includes polarizing an incident light beam at a circular polarization before diffracting, at a polarization grating, the polarized incident light beam in a determined angle that corresponds to a diffraction order in accordance to the circular polarization of the incident light beam and a hologram pattern direction formed inside the polarization grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chongchang Mao, Minchun Li, Bo Chen, Yang Fang
  • Patent number: 9002143
    Abstract: A tunable Radio Frequency (RF) filter device includes a tunable optical source configured to generate an optical carrier signal, and a modulator coupled to the tunable optical source and configured to modulate the optical carrier signal with an RF input signal. The tunable RF filter device may also include first and second optical waveguides coupled to the modulator and having first and second dispersion slopes of opposite sign, and an optical-to-electrical converter coupled to the first and second optical waveguides and configured to generate an RF output signal with a frequency notch therein based upon the tunable optical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Desalvo, Charles Franklin Middleton, IV
  • Publication number: 20150086152
    Abstract: Various embodiments include systems and methods to communicate along pipes using a conductive waveguide at quasioptical frequencies. The communication can be conducted as propagation to and from a tool at the quasioptical frequencies. A communication architecture may include a transmitter and receiver at one end of the conductive waveguide and a modulation device at an opposite end of the conductive waveguide. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Etienne Samson, John Maida, David Andrew Barfoot
  • Patent number: 8989525
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a light deflecting element includes a dielectric body, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The second electrode is configured to sandwich the dielectric body with the first electrode so as to apply a voltage to the dielectric body. The second electrode includes orthogonal portions that are substantially orthogonal to an incident direction of a light beam passing through the dielectric body, parallel portions that are substantially parallel to the incident direction of the light beam. The orthogonal portions and the parallel portions are formed in an alternate manner on the light beam incident side of the dielectric body. The second electrode includes a linear sloping portion that slopes in a direction toward intersection with the incident direction of the light beam. The orthogonal portions, the parallel portions, and the linear sloping portion are formed integrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yuuzo Kamiguchi, Katsuya Sugawara, Masahiro Kanamaru, Keiichiro Yusu, Masatoshi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8971671
    Abstract: A tunable Radio Frequency (RF) filter device includes a tunable optical source generating an optical carrier signal, and a modulator coupled to the tunable optical source and modulating the optical carrier signal with an RF input signal. The tunable RF filter device may include first and second optical waveguide paths coupled to the modulator and having first and second dispersion slopes of opposite sign from each other, one or more of the first and second optical waveguide paths comprising an optical splitter and combiner pair therein, and an optical-to-electrical converter coupled to the first and second optical waveguide paths and generating an RF output signal with a frequency notch therein based upon the tunable optical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Richard DeSalvo, Charles Middleton
  • Patent number: 8965146
    Abstract: In a nest MZI modulator in which each arm includes a child MZI, the power consumption is reduced. The hybrid integrated-type nest MZI modulator of the embodiment 1a is configured so that, instead of placing a relative phase adjusting section in a parent MZI, a bias electrode Bias 90° in which an electric field is applied in the same direction to the polarization direction in both of the upper and lower arms is placed in each child MZI (see FIG. 4B). The bias electrode Bias 90° provided in each child MZI constitute the entirety of a relative phase adjusting section. The optical signals are subjected to a phase change after the output from the child MZI (see FIG. 1A), because such relative phase adjusting section can subject the optical signals of the upper and lower arms of the child MZI to a shift change in the same direction, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Goh, Yoshiyuki Doi, Shinji Mino, Ken Tsuzuki, Hiroshi Yamazaki, Takashi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20150049979
    Abstract: An optical deflection element is provided with a substrate; an optical waveguide film made of an electro-optic medium, and constituting an optical waveguide formed on the substrate; a first electrode pair disposed on an incident side of the optical waveguide film at a position facing a film thickness direction of the optical waveguide film, and configured to deflect a light beam transmitting through the optical waveguide film in an in-plane direction of the optical waveguide film in accordance with a first applied voltage; and a second electrode pair disposed on an output side of the optical waveguide film at a position facing the film thickness direction of the optical waveguide film, and configured to deflect the light beam deflected in the in-plane direction of the optical waveguide film by the first electrode pair in the film thickness direction of the optical waveguide film in accordance with a second applied voltage. The second electrode pair includes a first electrode and a second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Norihito Fujinoki
  • Patent number: 8938141
    Abstract: Mechanically tunable electromagnetic and photonic devices featuring enhanced spectral tunability with minimal mechanical movement are provided. These nano/micro-electromechanically (N/MEMS) tunable elements, including filters and pixels, rely on leaky-mode resonance effects in subwavelength photonic lattices that constitute periodic wavelengths. Such elements can operate in reflection (bandstop) or transmission (bandpass) modes, and can be arranged in one-dimensional or two-dimensional arrays, or operated as single units, and their spectral regions are controlled by the element design. Input electromagnetic radiation illuminates the element and is then filtered, modulated, analyzed or tuned by the element. Mechanical motion alters the structural symmetry, and therefore, the tuning properties, of the nanostructured subwavelength resonance elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: University of Connecticut
    Inventor: Robert Magnusson
  • Patent number: 8923657
    Abstract: An electro-optic modulator includes a substrate including a top surface, a Y-shaped waveguide embedded into the top surface and including a first branch dedicated for transmitting transverse electric wave and a second branch dedicated for transmitting transverse magnetic wave, a ground electrode, a first modulating electrode, and a second modulating electrode. The top surface defines a first groove separating the first branch and the second branch, a second groove, and a third groove at a side of the second branch opposite to the first groove. The first modulating electrode and the ground electrode are located two sides of the first branch. The first modulating electrode covers a first sidewall of the second groove adjacent to the first branch. The ground electrode entirely covers the first groove and the second branch. The second modulating electrode covers a bottom surface of the third groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Shun Huang
  • Patent number: 8909000
    Abstract: An optical waveguide for transmitting an optical signal input to the optical waveguide with a first frequency. The optical waveguide includes a plurality of modulator circuits configured along an optical transmission channel. Each modulator circuit includes at least one resonant structure that resonates at the first frequency when the modulator circuit that includes the at least one resonant structure is at a resonant temperature. Each modulator circuit has a different resonant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Meade, Gurtej Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8897614
    Abstract: An electro-optical element includes a core layer made of an electro-optical material, a clad structure disposed on each of opposite sides of the core layer and configured to form an optical waveguide together with the core layer, and a pair of electrode layers, one of which being disposed on one side of the clad structure and another being disposed on another side of the clad structure. The clad structure includes a first clad layer and a second layer. The second clad layer has a dielectric permittivity larger than that of the first clad layer, and the second clad layer has a thickness thicker than that of the first clad layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Suzuki, Atsushi Sakai, Koichiro Nakamura, Jun Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8897607
    Abstract: A tunable Radio Frequency (RF) filter device includes a tunable optical source configured to generate an optical carrier signal, and a modulator coupled to the tunable optical source and configured to modulate the optical carrier signal with an RF input signal. The tunable RF filter device may also include first and second optical waveguides coupled to the modulator and having first and second dispersion slopes of opposite sign, and an optical-to-electrical converter coupled to the first and second optical waveguides and configured to generate an RF output signal with a frequency notch therein based upon the tunable optical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Richard DeSalvo, Charles Middleton
  • Publication number: 20140294338
    Abstract: Optical devices that include one or more structures fabricated from polar-dielectric materials that exhibit surface phonon polaritons (SPhPs), where the SPhPs alter the optical properties of the structure. The optical properties lent to these structures by the SPhPs are altered by introducing charge carriers directly into the structures. The carriers can be introduced into these structures, and the carrier concentration thereby controlled, through optical pumping or the application of an appropriate electrical bias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James Peter Long, Joshua D. Caldwell, Jeffrey C. Owrutsky, Orest J. Glembocki
  • Patent number: 8842945
    Abstract: Three dimensionally integrated semiconductor systems include a photoactive device operationally coupled with a current/voltage converter on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SeOI) substrate. An optical interconnect is operatively coupled to the photoactive device. A semiconductor device is bonded over the SeOI substrate, and an electrical pathway extends between the current/voltage converter and the semiconductor device bonded over the SeOI substrate. Methods of forming such systems include forming a photoactive device on an SeOI substrate, and operatively coupling a waveguide with the photoactive device. A current/voltage converter may be formed over the SeOI substrate, and the photoactive device and the current/voltage converter may be operatively coupled with one another. A semiconductor device may be bonded over the SeOI substrate and operatively coupled with the current/voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Soitec
    Inventors: Bich-Yen Nguyen, Mariam Sadaka
  • Patent number: 8842943
    Abstract: An electro-optic modulator includes a substrate comprising a surface, a pair of transmission lines formed in the surface and extending substantially in parallel with each other, a pair of first strip electrodes formed on the surface and covering the respective transmission lines, and a pair of second strip electrodes positioned at two sides of the first strip electrodes and parallel with the first strip electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Shun Huang
  • Publication number: 20140270619
    Abstract: In an optical modulator directional measurement system embodiment, one or more modulation waves may be measured and directionally discriminated by measuring the modulations of one or more lightwaves. The optical modulator transmission function magnitude for a most phase-matched modulation may be substantially greater than that for other modulations. At sufficiently high modulation frequency, the most phase-matched modulation magnitude may be substantially greater than the other modulation magnitudes. Accordingly, a modulation wave may be distinctly measured by measuring the modulation of the most phase-matched lightwave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Kirk S. Giboney
  • Patent number: 8824836
    Abstract: An optical waveguide formed in a substrate including: a curved waveguide; and a splitter that is coupled to the curved waveguide and branches, wherein a low refraction index portion having an effective refraction index that is lower than that of a start point of the curved waveguide on an opposite side of the splitter is provided in a waveguide extending from the start point of the curved waveguide to the splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Optical Components Limited
    Inventor: Masaki Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20140241660
    Abstract: A monolithic semiconductor device that includes a waveguide structure optically coupled to an optical resonator. The optical resonator is adapted to process light at a predetermined wavelength. The optical resonator includes a closed loop waveguide having a plurality of straight sections that are optically coupled together by bend sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Geoff W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8805136
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for tunable on-fiber Bragg gratings for DWDM and other applications on a small section of the core of single mode communication of an optical fiber. The method comprises etching most of the cladding on a small section of the fiber; coating the etched portion with a metallic electrode material and then with a layer of an electrooptic material; coating the electrooptic material with a photoresist; producing the Bragg grating pattern using a holographic process or on-axis interferometry; dissolving the non-exposed photoresist,; etching the grating pattern into the electrooptic material, and coating the Bragg gratings with a metallic material constructing the outer electrode. The presence of an electric signal on the electrodes will change the optical properties of the electrooptic material, as well as the diffraction/reflection properties of the Bragg gratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Photonics On-Fiber Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Mahmoud A. El-Sherif
  • Patent number: 8792752
    Abstract: Provided is an optical waveguide element module which suppresses reflection of a modulation signal and attenuation of a modulation signal, even when an impedance of a modulation electrode of an optical waveguide element and an impedance of a transmission line for inputting the modulation signal from the external of the optical waveguide element are different from each other. The optical waveguide element module is provided with an optical waveguide element, which has a substrate (1) composed of a material having electro-optical effects, an optical waveguide (2) formed on the substrate, and a modulation electrode (3) which modules optical waves propagating in the optical waveguide; a connector (8), wherein an external signal line which inputs the modulation signal to the modulation electrode is connected to the modulation electrode; and a relay line which connects the connector and the modulation electrode and is formed on a relay substrate (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Shimizu, Toru Sugamata
  • Patent number: 8787708
    Abstract: Endless phase shifting apparatus, structures, and methods useful—for example—in MIMO optical demultiplexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Christopher Doerr
  • Patent number: 8774569
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device including a passive high confinement waveguide, such as of silicon-rich silicon nitride, on an electro-optic substrate, like lithium niobate, optically coupled to a waveguide in the electro-optic substrate. A wide range of electro-optic devices are enabled by this high confinement waveguide structure, including: directional couplers, compact tap couplers, folded electro-optic devices, electro-optic modulators including ring resonators, electro-optic gratings. Further applications enabled by the present invention include hybrid passive planar lightwave circuits (PLC) integrated with electro-optically active waveguides, using the high confinement waveguide as an intermediary waveguide to transfer optical power between the passive and active components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Dougherty, Karl Kissa
  • Patent number: 8749866
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for modulating light of a wavelength of interest. The modulator assembly includes a plasmonic layer that supports surface plasmon polaritons at the wavelength of interest and a layer of solid-state phase change material having a first phase in which it is substantially transparent to light of the wavelength of interest and a second phase in which it is substantially opaque to light of the wavelength of interest. A control mechanism is configured to alter the phase of the solid-state phase change material between the first phase and the second phase. Each of the plasmonic layer and the layer of solid-state phase change material are configured as to provide a plasmonic mode of transmission for light of the wavelength of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Luke Sweatlock, Kenneth Diest, James Ma, Vladan Jankovic, Imogen Pryce, Ryan Briggs, Harry Atwater
  • Patent number: 8712204
    Abstract: An optical modulation device 1 includes a supporting body 2 including a pair of grooves 2b, 2c and a protrusion 2d between the grooves, a ridge par 6 including a channel type optical waveguide capable of multi mode propagation, a first side plate part 3A formed in a first side of the ridge part 6, a second side plate part 3B formed in a second side of the ridge part, a first adhesive layer 4A adhering the first side plate part 3A and the supporting body 2, a second adhesive layer 4B adhering the second side plate part 3B and the supporting body 2, and a third adhesive layer 4C adhering the ridge part 6 and the protrusion 2d. The device 1 further includes a first electrode 7A provided on a side face 6b of the ridge part on the first groove side, and a side face 3b and an upper face 3c of the first side plate part, and a second electrode 7B provided on a side face 6c of the ridge part 6 in the second groove side, the second groove 2c and a side face 3b and an upper face 3c of the second side plate part 3B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jungo Kondo, Yuichi Iwata, Tetsuya Ejiri
  • Patent number: 8682113
    Abstract: An electro-optic waveguide polarization modulator includes cladding layers, and a waveguide core sandwiched between the cladding layers, wherein the waveguide core has a higher refractive index than the cladding layers. The modulator further includes primary electrodes arranged on the opposite side of one cladding layer to the core and a secondary electrode arranged on the opposite side of another cladding layer to the core. The electrodes are arranged to provide an electric field having field components in perpendicular directions within the waveguide core so as to modulate the refractive index such that electromagnetic radiation propagating through the core is converted from a first polarization state to a second polarization state. The modulator further includes a grading layer sandwiched between the cladding layers and the core, the grading layer having an effective refractive index intermediate between that of the waveguide core and the cladding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: U2T Photonics UK Limited
    Inventor: John Heaton