Abstract: A process for fabricating AlGaInN-based photonic devices, such as lasers, capable of emitting blue light employs etching to form device waveguides and mirrors, preferably using a temperature of over 500° C. and an ion beam in excess of 500 V in CAIBE.

Abstract: A laser and electroabsorption modulator (EAM) are monolithically integrated through an etched facet process. Epitaxial layers on a wafer include a first layer for a laser structure and a second layer for an EAM structure. Strong optical coupling between the laser and the EAM is realized by using two 45-degree turning mirrors to route light vertically from the laser waveguide to the EAM waveguide. A directional angled etch process is used to form the two angled facets.

Abstract: An electronic video game apparatus is configured to facilitate simultaneous play of at least first and second independent games of chance that generate independent outcomes. The electronic video game apparatus includes a video display and at least one electronic random number generator that randomly selects values for the independent games of chance and preferably displays the values in a superimposed manner on the video display. For example, the first game can be a card game while the second game is a dice game. Video representations of the card suit and value for each card in the card game are displayed along with dice values shown on the cards. The outcomes of the second game of chance are preferably employed to determine an outcome, such as a payout or award, for example, of the first game of chance.

Abstract: A method and structure for producing lasers having good optical wavefront characteristics, such as are needed for optical storage includes providing a laser wherein an output beam emerging from the laser front facet is essentially unobstructed by the edges of the semiconductor chip in order to prevent detrimental beam distortions. The semiconductor laser structure is epitaxially grown on a substrate with at least a lower cladding layer, an active layer, an upper cladding layer, and a contact layer. Dry etching through a lithographically defined mask produces a laser mesa of length lc and width bm. Another sequence of lithography and etching is used to form a ridge structure with width w on top of the mesa. The etching step also forming mirrors, or facets, on the ends of the laser waveguide structures. The length ls and width bs of the chip can be selected as convenient values equal to or longer than the waveguide length lc and mesa width bm, respectively.

Abstract: A process for fabricating AlGaInN-based photonic devices, such as lasers, capable of emitting blue light employs dry etching to form device waveguides and mirrors. The dry etching is preferably performed using a Chemically Assisted Ion Beam Etching (CAIBE) system.

Abstract: An etched-facet single lateral mode semiconductor photonic device is fabricated by depositing an anti reflective coating on the etched facet, and depositing a reflectivity modifying coating in a spatially controlled manner to modify the spatial performance of the emitted beam.

Abstract: This invention relates to opto-electronic systems using semiconductor lasers driven by optical phase-locked loops that control the laser's optical phase and frequency. Feedback control provides a means for precise, wideband control of optical frequency and phase, augmented further by four wave mixing stages and digitally stitched independent optical waveforms for enhanced tunability.

Abstract: A single-mode, etched facet distributed Bragg reflector laser includes an AlGaInAs/InP laser cavity, a front mirror stack with multiple Fabry-Perot elements, a rear DBR reflector, and a rear detector. The front mirror stack elements and the rear reflector elements include input and output etched facets, and the laser cavity is an etched ridge cavity, all formed from an epitaxial wafer by a two-step lithography and CAIBE process.

Abstract: A chirped-pulse fiber amplification method and system operates with large nonlinear phase shifts (as large as ˜20? or more). In this regime, the pulse spectrum is modified by strong self-phase modulation and gain shaping. With large-enough nonlinear phase shift, substantial spectral broadening occurs. The amplified spectrum can therefore be much broader than the spectrum that is obtained with small nonlinear phase shifts. The broader spectrum enables the formation of a shorter pulse, and the bandwidth generated in nonlinear chirped-pulse amplification can in fact be exploited to generate shorter pulses. Ultimately, this allows the generation of pulses shorter than the gain-narrowing limit of a fiber amplifier.

Abstract: A process for fabricating lasers capable of emitting blue light wherein a GaN wafer is etched to form laser waveguides and mirrors using a temperature of over 500° C. and an ion beam in excess of 500 V in CAIBE.

Abstract: A pulse compressor for compressing many-cycle femtosecond-duration high-energy pulses to near-single-cycle durations uses a single quadratic nonlinear crystal. A pulsed laser beam is controlled and its passage is aligned through the quadratic nonlinear crystal such that the detrimental effects of group-velocity mismatch are avoided, while still allowing enough nonlinear phase accumulation for compression to near-single-cycle pulse durations. To do so, the perturbation to nonlinear Schrödinger-type soliton compression due to group-velocity mismatch is minimized which requires that the soliton order must not exceed an optimal value set by the amount of group-velocity mismatch.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the creation of optical waveguiding devices from standard optical fibers by the creation of zones of permanently altered refractive index characteristics therein. A high intensity femtosecond laser beam is focused at a predetermined target region in the fiber so as to soften the glass material at the target region. After aligning the focal region with the target region in the fiber there will be relative movement between the focal region and the fiber, which has the effect of sweeping the focal region across the fiber in a predetermined path, so as to create a secondary waveguide path. A portion of the light traveling along the core is removed from the core along the secondary waveguide path such that the device can be utilized as an attenuator, an optical tap, or a polarimeter.

Abstract: A short-pulse fiber amplifier system (10) is designed so that nonlinear phase shifts and third-order dispersion are purposely introduced that compensate each other. In particular, the nonlinear phase shift accumulated in the amplifier is compensated by the third-order dispersion of the combination of a fiber stretcher (12) and a grating compressor (16). In the presence of third-order dispersion, an optimal nonlinear phase shift reduces the pulse duration, and enhances the peak power and pulse contrast compared to the pulse produced in linear propagation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the creation of optical waveguiding devices from standard optical fibers by the creation of zones of permanently altered refractive index characteristics therein. A high intensity femtosecond laser beam is focused at a predetermined target region in the fiber so as to soften the glass material at the target region. After aligning the focal region with the target region in the fiber there will be relative movement between the focal region and the fiber, which has the effect of sweeping the focal region across the fiber in a predetermined path, so as to create a secondary waveguide path. A portion of the light traveling along the core is removed from the core along the secondary waveguide path such that the device can be utilized as an attenuator, an optical tap, or a polarimeter.

Abstract: A golf practice apparatus provides recording and instant playback of video images of a golfer's swing. A plurality of color video cameras are preferably employed to obtain video images of a swing from different angles. A video processing and storage unit digitally stores the images in memory for instant replay. Image processing and recording is automatically initiated when a golf ball is placed on a designated hitting area through the use of an infrared camera and image processing software that detects a golf ball in the IR camera's image. The IR camera is also used in conjunction with an IR flash unit to obtain snapshot images of a club head and ball just before and just after the golf club hits the ball. An optical sensor array is positioned adjacent the hitting area to detect the passage of a golf club toward the ball. The signals generated by the optical sensor array are employed by the image processing and storage unit to both calculate the club speed and control triggering of the flash unit.

Abstract: Presented is a dynamic apparatus for measuring and recording the range of angulation of an articular joint of the human body. The apparatus includes two separate assemblies for mounting on two relatively angularly articulable members on opposite sides of the joint between them. The two assemblies are interconnected across the joint in a manner to measure and record the extent of angulation of one member in relation to the other when the members are articulated.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis method and apparatus (10) are disclosed in which pressure or vacuum is selectively applied to an outlet end (16) of the capillary tube (12) during sample loading, sample separation and sample mobilization past a detector (34). The vacuum can be used to load a sample mixture from the reservoir (20) quickly into the capillary tube (12), and then also move the sample quickly toward a detector (34) once it has been separated. When a voltage is applied across the capillary tube (12) to effect separation of analytes in the mixture sample, the pressure or vacuum can be selectively controlled as desired to either augment or oppose the effects of electroosmotic flow, and thereby enhance the sample separation. The pressure or vacuum can be adjusted during any phase of the operation and feedback circuitry (110) can be employed to control the flow rate of a sample through the capillary tube automatically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for successively interrupting the transmission of light through a transparent body at a frequency such that a scene viewed through the transparent body by a human eye is perceived as a continuous image that is less bright than actually, and is viewed with minimal color distortion. In one aspect of the invention, the lenses of spectacles are provided with a layer of liquid crystal material that is normally transparent, but which responds to the application of an electrical charge to render the liquid crystal layer non-transparent. By adjusting the frequency of application of successive electrical charges, the lenses admit light at full brightness for small increments of time, with minimal color distortion, and interrupt the transmission of light for small increments of time, so that the light admitted at full brightness is perceived as being less bright or dimmed.

Abstract: Presented is a permanent wave rod formed from an elongated elastically flexible synthetic resinous body devoid of embedded bendable wire and symmetrical about its longitudinal axis and having push-to-engage and pull-to-disengage cooperable fastener elements associated with opposite ends whereby a tress of hair may be spirally wound on the elongated body and the opposite ends engaged to form the elongated body into an ovate configuration to retain the tress of hair on the rod body.

Abstract: An electronic switching unit for use with a product comprising and/or connected to a power source and at least one energy consuming load comprises a microchip, connected to a user interface switch structure. The microchip is configured to implement at least one function selected from the group consisting of an automatic delayed deactivation of a function a predetermined period after the function was activated in response to an activation signal from the switch structure; a visible indicator, and a mode selection function. The switch structure comprises a body at least a part of which is constructed from a compressible material which is deformed under pressure, so that it becomes thinner in a direction in which the pressure is exerted and in becoming thinner affects the operation of the switch structure.