Abstract: A method is given for aligning an optical package comprising a laser, a wavelength conversion device, at least one adjustable optical component, and at least one actuator. The adjustable optical component may be moved to a command position by applying a pulse width modulated signal to the actuator. The command position represents an optimized alignment of the laser and wavelength conversion device. The actual position of the adjustable may be measured by measuring an output of a position measuring circuit, which may measure the voltage amplitude of an oscillation in a resonator tank circuit during an “off” period of the pulse-width modulated signal. The resonator tank circuit may comprise a capacitive element electrically coupled to the electrically conductive coil. The pulse-width modulated signal may then be adjusted to compensate for any difference in the actual position and the command position of the adjustable optical component. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention relate generally to altering the effective conversion efficiency curve of an optical package employing a semiconductor laser and an SHG crystal or other type of wavelength conversion device. For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling an optical package is provided where the optical package is tuned such that ascending portions of a transmission curve representing a spectral filter are aligned with descending portions of a conversion efficiency curve representing a wavelength conversion device. With the filter and wavelength conversion device so aligned, the optical package is further tuned such that the wavelength of the fundamental laser signal lies within a wavelength range corresponding to aligned portions of the ascending and descending portions of the transmission and conversion efficiency curves. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of quantum well intermixing (QWI) comprise providing a wafer comprising upper and lower epitaxial layers, which each include barrier layers, and a quantum well layer disposed between the upper and lower epitaxial layers, applying at least one sacrificial layer over the upper epitaxial layer, and forming a QWI enhanced region and a QWI suppressed region by applying a QWI enhancing layer over a portion of the sacrificial layer, wherein the portion under the QWI enhancing layer is the QWI enhanced region, and the other portion is the QWI suppressed region. The method further comprises the steps of applying a QWI suppressing layer over the QWI enhanced region and the QWI suppressed region, and annealing at a temperature sufficient to cause interdiffusion of atoms between the quantum well layer and the barrier layers of the upper epitaxial layer and the lower epitaxial layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reading a RFID-tag signal in the presence of noise and other propagation and circuit impairments using a RFID-tag reader are disclosed. The method includes receiving with a RFID-tag reader multiple copies of an original RFID-tag signal from a RFID tag. The original RFID-tag signal comprises an original bit sequence representative of information stored in the RFID tag. At least some of the received RFID-tag signal copies differ from one another due to noise or other signal impairments. The received multiple copies are processed on a sample-by-sample basis in the RFID-tag reader using digital signal processing techniques to obtain an improved received digitized RFID tag signal that substantially removes the noise and other impairments. This improved signal is used to recover the original bit sequence and thus the information stored in the RFID tag.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to wavelength conversion devices and laser projection systems incorporating the same. According to one embodiment of the present invention, wavelength conversion devices are provided without limitation of their field of use to laser projection systems. For example, the wavelength conversion device may comprise a waveguide region comprising a relatively linear waveguide portion and a pair of lateral planar waveguide portions. The output face of the wavelength conversion device comprises a multi-component output face comprising a core portion and a pair of lateral portions. The lateral portions of the output face are configured to be relatively non-transmissive and the waveguide region is structured such that an optical signal propagating along the waveguide region will define relatively low intensity laterally distributed parasitic light in substantial alignment with the lateral planar waveguide portions along the lateral, non-transmissive portions of the output face.

Abstract: Ga(In)N-based laser structures and related methods of fabrication are proposed where Ga(In)N-based semiconductor laser structures are formed on AlN or GaN substrates in a manner that addresses the need to avoid undue tensile strain in the semiconductor structure. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a Ga(In)N-based semiconductor laser is provided on an AlN or GaN substrate provided with an AlGaN lattice adjustment layer where the substrate, the lattice adjustment layer, the lower cladding region, the active waveguiding region, the upper cladding region, and the N and P type contact regions of the laser form a compositional continuum in the semiconductor laser. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention relate generally to wavelength monitoring in frequency doubling and other optical applications. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for monitoring the wavelength of a light source is provided. The system comprises a light directing section, an optical vector generator, and one or more position sensitive detectors. The optical vector generator comprises a grating coupled waveguide configured to exhibit a reflective or transmissive optical resonance effect in response to variable wavelength input light. The optical resonance effect comprises a wavelength-dependent output vector that is generated from a localized output vector area of the grating coupled waveguide in response to variable wavelength input light. The position of the localized output vector area along a dimension of the grating coupled waveguide varies with the wavelength of the variable wavelength input light.

Abstract: There are provided connectors, cables, cable assemblies, network components, and systems wherein optically addressed RFID functionality is incorporated. Also provided are optically addressed RFID elements in general. The RFID elements utilize an optical tap to direct a portion of the optical signal traveling through an optical fiber to a transducer. The transducer creates an electrical signal which may be used to write information to an integrated circuit of, transmit an RF signal to, and/or provide power to the RFID element.

Abstract: Methods of controlling semiconductor lasers are provided where the semiconductor laser generates an output beam that is directed towards the input face of a wavelength conversion device. Particular aspects of the present invention relate to alignment and/or intentional misalignment of a beam spot of an output beam on an input face of a wavelength conversion device. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a programmable light source comprises one or more semiconductor lasers, a wavelength conversion device, and a laser controller. The controller is programmed to operate the semiconductor laser using a modulated feedback control signal. The wavelength control signal is adjusted based on the results of a comparison of a detected intensity signal with a feedback signal to align the lasing wavelength with the conversion efficiency peak of the wavelength conversion device. Laser controllers and projections systems operating according to the control concepts of the present invention are also provided.