Abstract: A fiber-based optical amplifier is assembled in a compact configuration by utilizing a flexible substrate to support the amplifying fiber as flat coils that are “spun” onto the substrate. The supporting structure for the amplifying fiber is configured to define the minimal acceptable bend radius for the fiber, as well as the maximum diameter that fits within the overall dimensions of the amplifier package. A pressure-sensitive adhesive coating is applied to the flexible substrate to hold the fiber in place. By using a flexible material with an acceptable insulative quality (such as a polyimide), further compactness in the final assembly is achieved by locating the electronics in a space underneath the fiber enclosure.

Abstract: An optical network element for a hardware configured optical network includes a first optical port that receives an input optical signal comprising receive control information from the hardware configured optical network. A demodulator optically coupled to the first optical port decodes the receive control information for configuring the optical network element. A modulator having an electrical modulation input that receives transmit control information imparts a modulation onto an optical carrier thereby generating a transmit optical control signal representing the transmit control information. A second optical port transmits the transmit optical control signal representing the transmit control information to the hardware configured optical network.

Abstract: In a method of forming a diamond film, diamond substrate, or diamond window, a silicon substrate is provided and the diamond film, diamond substrate, or diamond window is CVD grown on a surface of the silicon substrate. The grown diamond film, diamond substrate, or diamond window has an aspect ratio ?100, wherein the aspect ratio is a ratio of a largest dimension of the diamond film, diamond substrate, or diamond window divided by a thickness of the diamond film, diamond substrate, or diamond window. The silicon substrate has a thickness greater than or equal to 2 mm. The silicon substrate can optionally be removed or separated from the grown diamond film, diamond substrate, or diamond window.

Abstract: In a method of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of a polycrystalline diamond film in a CVD reactor, a gas mixture of gaseous hydrogen and a gaseous hydrocarbon is introduced into the CVD reactor. A plasma formed from the gas mixture is maintained above a surface of a conductive substrate disposed in the CVD reactor and causes a polycrystalline diamond film to grow on the surface of the conductive substrate. A temperature T at the center of the polycrystalline diamond film is controlled during growth of the polycrystalline diamond film. The CVD grown polycrystalline diamond film includes diamond crystallites that can have a percentage of orientation along a [110] diamond lattice direction?70% of the total number of diamond crystallites forming the polycrystalline diamond film.

Abstract: Disclosed is method of preparing a selenium carbon composite material and a use of the selenium carbon composite material in a cathode of a lithium selenium secondary battery. A battery formed with a cathode of the disclosed selenium carbon composite material has high energy density and stable electrochemical performance. The disclosed selenium carbon composite material can effectively shorten the migration distance of lithium ions during charging and discharging of the battery and improve conductivity and utilization of selenium after compounding carbon and selenium. Multiple batteries formed with cathodes of the disclosed selenium carbon composite material can be assembled into a lithium selenium pouch-cell battery having stable electrochemical performance and high energy density.

Abstract: A physical vapor transport growth system includes a growth chamber charged with SiC source material and a SiC seed crystal in spaced relation and an envelope that is at least partially gas-permeable disposed in the growth chamber. The envelope separates the growth chamber into a source compartment that includes the SiC source material and a crystallization compartment that includes the SiC seed crystal. The envelope is formed of a material that is reactive to vapor generated during sublimation growth of a SiC single crystal on the SiC seed crystal in the crystallization compartment to produce C-bearing vapor that acts as an additional source of C during the growth of the SiC single crystal on the SiC seed crystal.

Abstract: A micro splice protector for a fusion connection between a pair of optical fibers takes the form of a cylindrical sleeve of dimensions similar to that of the fusion splice itself, with an epoxy material used to encase the fusion splice within the sleeve. The sleeve is formed to exhibit an inner diameter only slightly greater than the outer diameter of the fibers, with the length of the sleeve typically formed to be only slightly longer than the stripped end terminations of the pair of fibers being spliced together. The cylindrical sleeve is formed of a rigid (but lightweight) material. An epoxy is injected into the configuration to fill any gaps between the fusion connection and the inner surface of the sleeve. The result is a relatively stiff fusion splice protector that is small in size and well-suited for use in optical packages where space is at a minimum.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor includes a resonating cavity configured to receive microwaves. A microwave transparent window positioned in the resonating cavity separates the resonating cavity into an upper zone and a plasma zone. Microwaves entering the upper zone propagate through the microwave transparent window into the plasma zone. A substrate is disposed proximate a bottom of the plasma zone opposite the microwave transparent window. A ring structure, positioned around a perimeter of the substrate in the plasma zone, includes a lower section that extends from the bottom of the resonating cavity toward the microwave transparent window and an upper section on a side of the lower section opposite the bottom of the resonating cavity. The upper section extends radially toward a central axis of the ring structure. A method of microwave plasma CVD growth of a diamond film on the substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plasmon-based optical modulator comprises a substrate, a layer of high reflectivity material disposed over the substrate, a relatively thin dielectric layer disposed over a top major surface of the layer of high reflectivity material and a plurality of graphene strips disposed in parallel across a top major surface of the relatively thin dielectric layer, each graphene strip exhibiting a predetermined width w, with adjacent strips separated by a predetermined spacing s. A first electrical contact is coupled to the plurality of graphene strips and a second electrical contact is coupled to the layer of high reflectivity material, where the values of w, s, and voltage applied between the first and second electrical contacts determines a resonant wavelength of the plasmon-based optical modulator, with changes in the applied voltage changing between absorption and non-absorption of an applied optical input signal.

Abstract: An integrated optical tap monitor takes the form of a highly-reflective outer coating disposed over the active region of an associated photodetector. The coating is of a material that allows for a majority of the impinging optical signal to be re-directed into an output path, while passing a small portion of the signal into the photodetector's active region for monitoring purposes. The integrated configuration is small enough to be housed within a standard TO can, and additional optical components (filters, attenuators, etc.) may be co-located with the integrated tap monitor. By virtue of incorporating the monitoring function with a reflective surface, the integrated tap monitor may be substituted for a turning mirror at any place along a signal path and provide the benefit of power monitoring while also performing signal re-direction.

Abstract: A micro splice protector for a fusion connection between a pair of optical fibers takes the form of a cylindrical sleeve of dimensions similar to that of the fusion splice itself, with an epoxy material used to encase the fusion splice within the sleeve. The sleeve is formed to exhibit an inner diameter only slightly greater than the outer diameter of the optical fibers, with the length of the sleeve typically formed to be only slightly longer than the stripped end terminations of the pair of fibers being spliced together. The cylindrical sleeve is formed of a rigid, but lightweight, material (e.g., stainless steel, fused silica) and an epoxy material is injected into the configuration to fill any gaps between the fusion connection and the inner surface of the sleeve. The result is relatively stiff fusion splice protector that is extremely small in size and well-suited for use in optical component packages where space is at a minimum.

Abstract: A densely-spaced single-emitter laser diode configuration is created by using a laser bar (or similar array configuration) attached to a submount component of a size sufficient to adequately support the enter laser structure. The surface of the submount component upon which the laser structure is attached is metallized and used to form the individual electrical contacts to the laser diodes within the integrated laser structure. Once attached to each other, the laser structure is singulated by creating vertical separations between adjacent light emission areas. The submount metallization is similarly segmented, creating separate electrodes that are used to individually energize their associated laser diodes.

Abstract: A compact, wavelength-stabilized laser source is provided by utilizing a specialty gain element (i.e., formed to include a curved waveguide topology), where a separate wavelength stabilization component (for example, a fiber Bragg grating (FBG)) is used one of the mirrors for the laser cavity. That is, the FBG takes the place of the physical “front facet” of the gain element, and functions to define the laser cavity in the first instance, while also utilizing the grating structure to impart the desired wavelength stability to the output from the packaged laser source. As a result, the FBG is disposed within the same package used to house the gain element and provides a wavelength-stabilized laser source in a compact form.

Abstract: A multiport optical switch is used to controllably select a specific incoming optical signal that is to be processed by an associated optical channel monitor (OCM). The OCM includes a tunable optical filter and photodetector arrangement, and is configured to measure the optical spectrum of the incoming optical signal and extract information associated with the various optical channels forming the incoming optical signal (i.e., power, wavelength, OSNR, etc., per channel in the signal). The OCM also includes a processor that generates a pair of output control signals, a first signal to control the wavelength scanning process of the tunable optical filter and a second signal to control the setting of the multiport optical switch. The second signal may also be used to perform “detuning” of a selected input of the multiport optical switch, providing the ability to adjust the power level of an input signal prior to entering the OCM.

Abstract: A housing used for electronic devices includes a structural frame element formed of a metal matrix composite (MMC) for providing improved stiffness over other materials currently in use. The MMC is a metal matrix (formed of a material such as aluminum), with a reinforcing material (such as a glass fiber or ceramic) dispersed within the metal matrix. The composition of the reinforcing material, as well as the ratio of reinforcing material to metal, define the stiffness (resistance to bending) and/or strength (resistance to breaking) achieved, and various compositions may be used for different housings, depending on the use of the electronic device. The element may be configured as a structural frame member, or may be embedded within another material forming the structural frame element. In another embodiment, the MMC may be used to form various components of the complete housing, including the enclosure itself.

Abstract: A free space variable optical attenuator (VOA) utilizes a beamsplitter to create tap beams (of both the input signal and the beam-steered output signal) that are directed into monitoring photodiodes. The beamsplitter is configured to exhibit a non-equal splitting ratio such that the tap beams are only a relatively small portion of the input/output beams. The free space configuration eliminates the need for fiber-based couplers, splices and connections to external monitors, as required in prior art VOA monitoring systems. The VOA utilizes a voltage-controlled, MEMS-based tilt mirror to provide beam steering of the propagating, free space beam in a known manner to introduce attenuation (power reduction) in the output signal.

Abstract: A method of extracting rare metals from ore including: providing an aqueous acid-leached ore slurry; adding an organic extractive solvent to the aqueous acid-leached ore slurry; mixing an organic extractive solvent with the aqueous acid-leached ore slurry to form a mixture; and separating the mixture into at least an aqueous phase and a solvent phase. The aqueous acid-leached ore slurry may have a viscosity of less than 400 centipoise, a Newtonian or near Newtonian rheology, and a pH of less than 4.0. The organic extractive solvent may comprise an extractant, a solvent, and a modifier. Separation of the aqueous acid-leached ore slurry/organic extractive solvent mixture may result in an emulsion phase, a crud, or both in addition to the aqueous phase and the solvent phase. The emulsion phase, the crud or both may be further treated by adding a low-carbon-number alcohol.

Abstract: An integrated optical tap monitor takes the form of a highly-reflective outer coating disposed over the active region of an associated photodetector. The coating is of a material that allows for a majority of the impinging optical signal to be re-directed into an output path, while passing a small portion of the signal into the photodetector's active region for monitoring purposes. The integrated configuration is small enough to be housed within a standard TO can, and additional optical components (filters, attenuators, etc.) may be co-located with the integrated tap monitor. By virtue of incorporating the monitoring function with a reflective surface, the integrated tap monitor may be substituted for a turning mirror at any place along a signal path and provide the benefit of power monitoring while also performing signal re-direction.

Abstract: An optical amplifier assembly for determining a parameter of an optical fiber configured to amplify an optical signal being propagated therethrough, the assembly comprising: at least one amplifier pump light source assembly configured to transmit light at a plurality of wavelengths into the optical fiber; a receiver configured to receive light that has propagated through at least part of the optical fiber; and a processor configured to determine the parameter of the optical fiber based on the received light.

Abstract: A two-dimensional (2D) optical fiber array component takes the form of a (relatively inexpensive) fiber guide block that is mated with a precision output element. The guide block and output element are both formed to include a 2D array of through-holes that exhibit a predetermined pitch. The holes formed in the guide block are relatively larger than those in precision output element. A loading tool is used to hold a 1×N array of fibers in a fixed position that exhibits the desired pitch. The loaded tool (holding the pre-aligned 1×N array of fibers) is then inserted through the aligned combination of the guide block and output element, and the fiber array is bonded to the guide block. The tool is then removed, re-loaded, and the process continued until all of the 1×N fiber arrays are in place. By virtue of using a precision tool to load the fibers, the guide block does not have to be formed to exhibit precise through-hole dimensions, allowing for a relatively inexpensive guide block to be used.