Abstract: An apparatus and method for optically detecting the presence of an analyte in a solution is presented. An embodiment comprises a waveguide resonator that is optically coupled to a fluid in a fluidic conduit so that the resonant wavelength of the waveguide resonator is based on the refractive index of the fluid.

Abstract: A system having an optical-coupling region for evanescently coupling light between first and second optical-waveguiding structures is disclosed. Within the optical-coupling region, the first and second optical-waveguiding structures exhibit mirror symmetry with respect to each other across or about at least one of a plane and an axis and include a segment that is not straight.

Abstract: A scanning projector for projecting an image comprising multiple wavelength signals is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention include a beam combiner comprising a planar lightwave circuit having a plurality of surface waveguides arranged to define a plurality of input ports, a mixing region, and an output port. Each input port receives a different wavelength signal and provides it to the mixing region. The mixing region combines the plurality of wavelength signals into a single composite output beam that is scanned over a region to create an image in a region. In some embodiments, the projector (1) interrogates image points in the region using a first wavelength signal to determine a measurand and (2) projects an image over the image points of the region using a second wavelength signal, wherein each image point is illuminated with the second wavelength signal based on a measurand at that image point.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing a target chemical with high signal-to-noise ratio is disclosed. In some embodiments, the sensor comprises a sensing region that is optically coupled with an attenuation region. The sensing region receives optical stimulation that comprises light characterized by an excitation wavelength. In response to exposure to the target chemical, the sensing region fluoresces at a fluorescence wavelength. The attenuation region receives light from the fluorescing sensing region that includes light characterized by the fluorescence wavelength (i.e., signal) and light characterized by the excitation wavelength (i.e., noise). The attenuation region conveys the light to a detector that provides an electrical output signal based on the target chemical. While conveying the light, however, the attenuation region improves the signal-to-noise ratio by attenuating light characterized by the excitation wavelength more than light characterized by the fluorescence region.

Abstract: An image projection system having a laser projector that projects two differently polarized images on a display region is disclosed. The laser projector enables viewing the two differently polarized images as a three-dimensional image. The image projection system includes a planar lightwave circuit-based beam combiner that enables multiple colors of laser light having different polarization modes to be combined in a single output beam that is scanned over the display region at video rates to produce the two polarized images.

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.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing a target chemical with high signal-to-noise ratio is disclosed. In some embodiments, the sensor comprises a sensing region that is optically coupled with an attenuation region. The sensing region receives optical stimulation that comprises light characterized by an excitation wavelength. In response to exposure to the target chemical, the sensing region fluoresces at a fluorescence wavelength. The attenuation region receives light from the fluorescing sensing region that includes light characterized by the fluorescence wavelength (i.e., signal) and light characterized by the excitation wavelength (i.e., noise). The attenuation region conveys the light to a detector that provides an electrical output signal based on the target chemical. While conveying the light, however, the attenuation region improves the signal-to-noise ratio by attenuating light characterized by the excitation wavelength more than light characterized by the fluorescence region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optically detecting the presence of an analyte in a solution is presented. An embodiment comprises a waveguide resonator that is optically coupled to a fluid in a fluidic conduit so that the resonant wavelength of the waveguide resonator is based on the refractive index of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for decreasing the spectral bandwidth of a semiconductor laser, such as a vertical cavity surface emitting laser.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optically detecting the presence of an analyte in a solution is presented. An embodiment comprises a waveguide resonator that is optically coupled to a fluid in a fluidic conduit so that the resonant wavelength of the waveguide resonator is based on the refractive index of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optically detecting the presence of an analyte in a solution is presented. An embodiment comprises a waveguide resonator that is optically coupled to a fluid in a fluidic conduit so that the resonant wavelength of the waveguide resonator is based on the refractive index of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for decreasing the spectral bandwidth of a semiconductor laser, such as a vertical cavity surface emitting laser.

Abstract: A method for forming a microfluidic channel with improved flow characteristics for one or more analytes is disclosed. A microfluidic channel having modified surfaces is formed in fused silica. The fused silica surfaces are modified by the addition of a layer of borophosphosilicate glass. The addition of the borophosphosilicate glass results in an improved flow velocity profile of the analyte. As a result, control over the position and movement of analytes within the solution is improved.

Abstract: An integrated capillary electrophoresis system comprising a universal interface is disclosed. The universal interface includes one or more of the following structural elements: a chip assembly that receives a capillary electrophoresis CE chip; a fluidic interface for coupling fluids between the chip assembly and external sources or destinations; a first electrical interface for coupling power from an external source to the chip assembly; a second electrical interface for coupling electrical signals from the chip assembly to external analysis electronics; an optical interface for coupling optical signals between the chip assembly and external sources or destinations; and a docking station for uniting and spatially locating the various other structural elements.

Abstract: An integrated capillary electrophoresis system comprising a universal interface is disclosed. The universal interface includes one or more of the following structural elements: a chip assembly that receives a capillary electrophoresis CE chip; a fluidic interface for coupling fluids between the chip assembly and external sources or destinations; a first electrical interface for coupling power from an external source to the chip assembly; a second electrical interface for coupling electrical signals from the chip assembly to external analysis electronics; an optical interface for coupling optical signals between the chip assembly and external sources or destinations; and a docking station for uniting and spatially locating the various other structural elements.