Abstract: A power balanced photonic RF phase shifter includes: a microwave drive; a phase controller operably connected to the microwave drive; and a linearizing arm connected in parallel with the microwave drive, the linearizing arm operating under a bias voltage, Vlin, that is controlled such that power variations of the photonic RF phase shifter are mitigated. In a preferred embodiment, the bias voltage, Vlin, is controlled to keep an optical phase of the photonic RF phase shifter at a constant value. In a preferred embodiment, the microwave drive, the phase controller and the linearizing arm comprise (three) Mach-Zehnder modulators.

Abstract: A structure for effecting a transition from a passive waveguide to an active waveguide or from an active waveguide to a passive waveguide of the present invention. The inventive device comprises a first cladding; a first core disposed within the first cladding; and a ground plane disposed over the first cladding and the core. A second cladding is disposed on the ground plane. A second core is disposed on the second cladding. A third cladding is disposed on the second cladding and the second core and an electrode is disposed on top of the third cladding. The inventive structure enables the construction of a novel an advantageous switch comprising an input port; an output port; and plural waveguides disposed between the input port and the output port. Each waveguide includes a first cladding; a first core disposed within the first cladding; and a ground plane disposed over the first cladding and the core. A second cladding is disposed on the ground plane. A second core is disposed on the second cladding.

Abstract: A tapered electrooptic (EO) polymer waveguide interconnection structure coupling an EO polymer waveguide and a passive polymer waveguide and a method of fabricating the same.

Abstract: A method for suppressing distortion in a multi-wavelengths system which uses a Mach Zehnder optical modulator includes adjusting an internal path length mismatch of the modulator and changing an applied voltage, Vb, such that the combination biases the modulator to the required &pgr;/2 phase bias.

Abstract: An electro-optical modulator and a method for biasing a Mach-Zehnder modulator. The inventive modulator includes a layer of material at least partially transparent to electromagnetic energy. A first conductive layer is disposed on a first surface of the layer of at least partially transparent material. A second conductive layer is disposed on a second surface of the layer of at least partially transparent material. A layer of insulating material is disposed on the second conductive layer and a third conductive layer is disposed on the layer of insulating material. In the illustrative application, the modulator is a Mach-Zehnder modulator. A biasing potential is applied to the second conductive layer of the modulator and a modulating voltage is applied across the first and the third conductive layers.

Abstract: A frequency shifting device. The present invention provides a device and method for shifting a frequency of an optical signal comprising the steps of providing a layer of optically refractive material having a moving refractive boundary responsive to an application of an electrical signal. The inventive device includes a layer of optically refractive material having a refractive boundary responsive to an application of an electrical signal and an arrangement for providing an electrical signal to the layer to effect a predetermined frequency shift of an optical signal passing therethrough. In an illustrative embodiment, the device includes an active polymer layer, an optically conductive first cladding disposed beneath the active polymer layer, and a second cladding layer disposed above the active polymer layer, a microstrip line disposed over the second cladding layer and a ground plane beneath the first cladding layer.

Abstract: Polymers containing polyene-bridged second-order nonlinear optical chromophores and devices incorporating the same are disclosed. The chromophores are functionalized and incorporated into a series of polymers ranging from linear polyesters, linear poly[ester-imide]s, chain-crosslinked polyesters/poly[ester-imide]s, to crosslinked star-shaped/dendritic macromolecules. An exemplary preferred polymer is a linear chain polymer formed from a dihydroxy-functionalized polyene-bridged chromophore, a diacid or diacid dichloride, and a diol. In a preferred embodiment, the diol structure also includes at least one imide group. Another exemplary preferred polymer is a crosslinked polymer comprised of a linear chain polymer formed from a dihydroxy-functionalized polyene-bridged chromophore, a diacid or diacid dichloride and a diol.

Abstract: A structure for effecting a transition from a passive waveguide to an active waveguide or from an active waveguide to a passive waveguide of the present invention. The inventive device comprises a first cladding; a first core disposed within the first cladding; and a ground plane disposed over the first cladding and the core. A second cladding is disposed on the ground plane. A second core is disposed on the second cladding. A third cladding is disposed on the second cladding and the second core and an electrode is disposed on top of the third cladding. The inventive structure enables the construction of a novel an advantageous switch comprising an input port; an output port; and plural waveguides disposed between the input port and the output port. Each waveguide includes a first cladding; a first core disposed within the first cladding; and a ground plane disposed over the first cladding and the core. A second cladding is disposed on the ground plane. A second core is disposed on the second cladding.

Abstract: Sterically stabilized second-order nonlinear optical chromophores and devices incorporating the same are embodied in a variety of chromophore materials. An exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a ring-locked bridge structure therebetween, with the bridge structure being directly connected to the electron donor via a single bond. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a ring-locked bridge structure between the electron donor group and the electron acceptor group, with two free double bonds, one located between the donor and the bridge and the other located between the (fused) ring bridge and the acceptor. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group, and a bridge structure therebetween, with the chromophores having no carbon-carbon double bond between the donor and the (fused) ring bridge.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an electro-optic polymer waveguide device including the step of electrode poling an electro-optic polymer material of the device in an oxygen-free environment. In a preferred embodiment, the electrode poling is performed at a temperature close to a glass transition temperature of the electro-optic polymer material.

Abstract: Second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) polyene-based chromophores sterically stabilized with a dioxine ring and NLO chromophores containing bithiophene derivatives, and devices incorporating the same, are disclosed. An exemplary preferred chromophore includes an aminophenyl electron donor group and a dioxine-containing bridge structure. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes a ring-locked bridge structure with a dioxine unit and a bithiophene unit. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes a bridge structure with a bithiophene unit and an isophorone-derived cyclohexene unit.

Abstract: A method of batch fabrication of ultraminiature fiber optic pressure transducers including the steps of: providing a first substrate with a first sacrificial layer formed thereover; forming a plurality of light reflective diaphragm structures on the first sacrificial layer; forming a plurality of fiber stopper structures on the light reflective diaphragm structures; forming a plurality of fiber alignment cavity structures on the fiber stopper structures, the light reflective diaphragm structures, fiber stopper structures and fiber alignment cavity structures providing a plurality of fiber alignment assemblies; providing a second substrate with a second sacrificial layer formed thereover; forming a plurality of ferrule structures over the second sacrificial layer; inputting a plurality of fibers into the ferrule structures and sealing each of the ferrule structures to the fiber inserted therein, the ferrule structures and the fibers providing a plurality of fiber-ferrule assemblies; etching the second sacrific

Abstract: Sterically stabilized second-order nonlinear optical chromophores and devices incorporating the same are embodied in a variety of chromophore materials. An exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a bridge structure therebetween, with the electron acceptor group being double bonded to the bridge structure. In a preferred embodiment, the bridge structure also includes at least one bulky side group. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a ring-locked bridge structure between the electron donor group and the electron acceptor group. The bridge structure comprises, for example, two protected alicyclic rings or ring-locked trienone. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, a ring-locked tricyano electron acceptor group, and a bridge structure therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the electron acceptor group comprises an isophorone structure.

Abstract: Sterically stabilized polyene-bridged second-order nonlinear chromophores and devices incorporating the same are embodied in a variety of chromophore materials, and particularly in chromophore materials are configured within an oxygen-free operating environment. An exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a &pgr;-conjugate bridge structure therebetween. The bridge is a polyene structure having a five-, six- or seven-membered ring to lock one carbon-carbon double bond. The bridge contains an unlocked conjugate diene unit which connects the bridge ring and the acceptor. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a ring-locked bridge structure between the electron donor group and the electron acceptor group. The bridge structure includes a fused double-or triple-ring structure which functions to lock two or three double bonds.

Abstract: A new class of high hyperpolarizability organic chromophores and a process for synthesizing the same. The chromophores incorporate at least one organic substituent and are formed in consideration of molecular shapes and a spatial anisotropy of intermolecular interactions. The chromophores are processed into hardened material lattices to lock-in poling induced electric-optic activity. Preferred organic substituents are alkyl, aryl, and isophorone groups. A composite including the organic chromophore, in a preferred embodiment, includes a polymer such as a poly(methylmethacrylate), polyimide, polyamic acid, polystyrene, polycarbonate or polyurethane. The optimized chromophores result in hardened electro-optic polymers suitable for electro-optic modulators and other devices such as optical switches. These modulators can be configured to work at high frequencies and in arrays for applications in communications and network connections.