Patents Assigned to Photon, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7269317
    Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a substrate, first and second transmission optical elements on the substrate, and an optical component (such as an isolator) and focusing optical element(s) on the substrate between the transmission elements. Transmission elements may include planar waveguide(s) formed on the substrate and/or optical fiber(s) mounted in groove(s) on the substrate. The focusing element(s) may include: gradient-index (GRIN) segment(s) mounted on the substrate or spliced onto a fiber, a focusing segment(s) of a planar waveguide, ball lens(es), aspheric lens(es), and/or Fresnel lens(es). A dual-lens optical assembly comprises a pair of GRIN segments secured to a substrate in one or more grooves, and may be formed from a common length of GRIN optical medium. An optical component (such as an isolator) is positioned between the paired GRIN segments, and optical power is transmitted by the dual-lens assembly between planar waveguide(s) and/or fiber(s) through the optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Xponent Photonics Inc
    Inventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, David W. Vernooy, Joel S. Paslaski
  • Patent number: 7263253
    Abstract: A wavelength selective switch architecture for ROADMs for switching the spectral channels of a multi-channel, multi-wavelength optical signal between input and output ports employs a biaxial MEMS port mirror array for optimal coupling efficiency and ITU grid alignment, an anamorphic beam expander for expanding input optical signals to create an elongated beam profile, a diffraction grating for spatially separating the spectral channels, an anamorphic focusing lens system, an array of biaxial elongated channel MEMS micromirrors, a built-in Optical Channel Monitor, and an electronic feedback control system. The bi-axial channel micromirrors are rotatable about one axis to switch spectral channels between ports, and are rotatable about an orthogonal axis to vary the coupling of the spectral channel to an output port and control attenuation of the spectral signal for complete blocking or for a predetermined power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Davis, Mark H. Garrett, Brian Tremaine, Michael Darling
  • Publication number: 20070166034
    Abstract: Methods for adjusting dither amplitude for MEMS mirrors in optical switches and optical switches employing such a method are disclosed. A dither amplitude of one or more MEMS mirrors may be adjusted in an optical switch having an input port, and an array of one or more MEMS mirrors that can be selectively optically coupled to one or more of N?3 optical input/output (I/O) ports. The MEMS mirrors are aligned mirrors to achieve nominal peak coupling at each of the N collimators. Digital-to-analog (DAC) settings for positioning mirrors in an open control loop as a function of the selected collimator are stored to a non-volatile memory. The DAC settings are used to determine a dither amplitude DITHER(x) for one of the MEMS mirrors positioned to couple optical signals to an output port at a position x.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Tremaine
  • Patent number: 7245415
    Abstract: A high contrast spatial light modulator for display and printing is fabricated by coupling a high active reflection area fill-ratio and non-diffractive micro mirror array with a high electrostatic efficiency and low surface adhesion control substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Spatial Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Shaoher X. Pan
  • Patent number: 7242702
    Abstract: Lasing at the edge of the reflection band or at a defect state within the reflection band of a thin one-dimensional feedback structure is used to create a large-area, thin-film laser source with transverse dimensions that can be much greater than the film thickness. Angular confinement of radiation propagating perpendicular to the layers leads to a spreading of the beam inside the medium which is much greater than the diffraction divergence. This enhances the spatial extent of correlation at the output surface of the thin film. When a pump source induces gain at the lasing threshold in a wide region, a spatially coherent monochromatic light beam is emitted perpendicular to the film surface from the entire gain region. Alternate embodiments of the present invention include a passive spatial filter and an active amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Chiral Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Il'ich Kopp, Zhao-Qing Zhang, Azriel Zelig Genack
  • Patent number: 7239771
    Abstract: A free space optical switch that uses both an open loop control mode and a closed loop control mode. The open loop control mode is used to transition to a state where at least some light is sensed at a destination port. A closed loop control mode is then used, whereby a series of controlled dither signals are adjusted for system dynamics. Modifying the dither signals in this matter allows moving actuators at a rate that is much closer to the natural frequency of the underlying system, and hence speeds up the system convergence process. Variable modulation amplitudes may be employed on the dither signals to maximize convergence speed. In particular, changes in the dither signal can be made in accordance with the change in amplitude as a function of a gradient along a parabola that models the optical system response. According to still further aspects, the dither signals may be compensated for a desired and selectable attenuation level of output optical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Polatis Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamyar Ghandi, Nesbitt Ward Hagood, IV, Timothy Scott Glenn
  • Patent number: 7233713
    Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a semiconductor optical device waveguide formed on a semiconductor substrate, and an integrated end-coupled waveguide formed on the semiconductor substrate. The integrated waveguide may comprise materials differing from those of the device waveguide and the substrate. Spatially selective material processing may be employed for first forming the optical device waveguide on the substrate, and for subsequently depositing and forming the integrated end-coupled waveguide on the substrate. Spatially selective material processing enables accurate spatial mode matching and transverse alignment of the waveguides, and multiple device waveguides and corresponding integrated end-coupled waveguides may be fabricated concurrently on a common substrate on a wafer scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Xponent Photonics Inc.
    Inventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, David W. Vernooy, Joel S. Paslaski, Charles I. Grosjean, Hao Lee, Franklin G. Monzon, Katrina H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7231102
    Abstract: Optical devices are provided for optical signal modulation under the control of an electrical signal propagating along a traveling wave electrode structure. The electrode structure comprises a coplanar stripline including a control signal electrode interposed between a pair of ground plane electrodes. Each of the ground plane electrodes defines a positively or negatively biased elevated ground plane portion isolated from the control signal input and the control signal output. The present invention also contemplates provision of a coplanar stripline as described and claimed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Optimer Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Ridgway
  • Patent number: 7227880
    Abstract: A grating-stabilized semiconductor laser comprises a semiconductor laser gain medium, an integrated low-index waveguide, and a waveguide grating segment providing optical feedback for laser oscillation. The laser may be adapted for multi-mode or single-mode operation. A multiple-mode laser may oscillate with reduced power and/or wavelength fluctuations associated with longitudinal mode wavelength shifts, relative to Fabry-Perot lasers lacking gratings. A single-mode laser may include a compensator, wavelength reference, and detector for generating an error signal, and a feedback mechanism for controlling the compensator for maintaining the laser wavelength locked to the reference. The laser may include means for altering, enhancing, tuning, and/or stabilizing the waveguide grating reflectivity spectral profile. The laser may be adapted for optical transverse-coupling to another waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Xponent Photonics Inc.
    Inventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, David W. Vernooy, Joel S. Paslaski
  • Patent number: 7228032
    Abstract: The launch conditions (injected beam size/shape, radial/angular offset from the multimode fiber axis) may be varied to preferentially excite certain transverse modes of multimode optical fiber. To reduce multimode dispersion in the fiber, modes are excited having smaller amplitudes near fiber index defects. Launch conditions may be controlled using a substrate with grooves for launching and receiving fibers, a planar waveguide formed on a substrate along with a groove for aligning the multimode fiber and waveguide, or free-space optical components. A waveguide may provide the desired injected beam size/shape. Spatially selective material processing enables accurate alignment of the groove(s) (and hence the fiber(s) therein), yielding the desired radial/angular offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Xponent Photonics Inc.
    Inventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, David W. Vernooy
  • Patent number: 7223025
    Abstract: An optical device assembly comprises a substrate with a component and fiber groove thereon. A segment of optical fiber is engaged with the fiber groove, which positions the fiber segment for optical coupling with a component on the substrate. A fiber retainer maintains the fiber segment in engagement with the groove. The fiber retainer may be secured to the substrate with adhesive means. Recessed regions formed on the substrate/retainer are filled with adhesive means, forming retaining members. Alternatively, the fiber retainer comprises a resilient member engaged with the device substrate and biased so as to urge the fiber segment into the groove. The resilient member may be variously configured and/or adapted for enhancing engagement of the fiber segment with the fiber groove. Either embodiment may include a housing, which may be variously configured and/or adapted for engaging a mating fiber-optic connector, providing fiber pigtail(s), mechanical splicing, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Xponent Photonics Inc.
    Inventors: Albert M. Benzoni, Joel S. Paslaski, Peter C. Sercel
  • Patent number: 7224508
    Abstract: A MEMS-based optical steering apparatus for free space optical transmitters, receivers, and transceivers is disclosed. The MEMS device comprises actuators linked to an optic fiber, the actuators operable to maneuver the optical fiber in the X-Y plane at the focal point of the transmitter, receiver, or transceiver. The MEMS device may thus be used to replace gimbals for beam steering applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Space Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuck H. Chalfant, III, Fred J. Orlando, Jeffrey T. Gregory, Chad B. O'Neal
  • Patent number: 7217959
    Abstract: A single-chip white light emitting device, including: a substrate, a buffer layer, a first conductive cladding layer, a second conductive cladding layer, at least one broad-spectrum blue-complimentary light quantum dot emitting layer and at least one blue light emitting layer. The buffer layer is disposed over the substrate. The first conductive cladding layer is disposed over the buffer layer. The broad-spectrum blue-complimentary light quantum dot emitting layer is disposed between the first conductive cladding layer and the second conductive cladding layer. The blue-complimentary light quantum dot emitting layer includes plural quantum dots with an uneven character distribution, so as to increase FWHM of emission wavelength of the quantum dot emitting layer. The blue light emitting layers is disposed between the first and second conductive cladding layers, such that mixing of blue light and blue-complimentary light would generate white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Genesis Photonics Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 7215851
    Abstract: Methods of attenuating, delaying the phase, and otherwise controlling an optical signal propagating along a waveguide are provided. According to one method, a variable optical attenuator structure is provided comprising a waveguide core, a cladding, an electrooptic polymer, and a set of control electrodes. The core, the cladding, and the electrooptic polymer are configured such that an increase in the index of refraction of the polymer causes a substantial portion of an optical signal propagating along the waveguide core to couple into a relatively high index region of the electrooptic polymer above the waveguide core, so as to inhibit return of the coupled signal to the waveguide core. Another embodiment of the present invention introduces a phase delay in the coupled optical signal and permits return of the coupled signal to the waveguide core. An additional embodiment contemplates the use of a ridge waveguide structure to enable control of the optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Optimer Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Nippa, Richard W. Ridgway, Steven M. Risser, Dirk Schoellner, Louis P. Vassy
  • Patent number: 7211821
    Abstract: A photonic device includes a silicon semiconductor based superlattice. The superlattice has a plurality of layers that form a plurality of repeating units. At least one of the layers in the repeating unit is an optically active layer with at least one species of rare earth ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Translucent Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Petar B. Atanackovic, Larry R. Marshall
  • Patent number: 7209274
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a MEMS apparatus having a device layer with an optical surface that is supported by a pedestal on a planar support layer that is suspended for movement with respect to a base support by hinge elements disposed in a different plane from the planar support layer. The surface area of the optical surface is maximized with respect to the base support to optimized the fill factor of the optical surface and afford a high passband. The height of the pedestal is selected to position the device layer sufficiently above the base support to afford an unobstructed predetermined angular rotation about each axis. The hinges may be made of thin-film material, fabricated by way of surface micromachining techniques. The hinges are disposed underneath the device layer enabling the optical surface to be maximized so that the entire surface becomes usable (e.g., for optical beam manipulation). MEMS devices afford an array of MEMS mirrors with a high optical fill factor and high passband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bert P. Van Drieenhuizen, Joseph E. Davis
  • Patent number: 7200295
    Abstract: The present invention provides a self-contained optical hybrid IC (OHIC) package for optical side-coupling to an optical waveguide of a printed wiring board (PWB). The OHIC package comprises an integrated circuit (IC) package. It also comprises a self-contained optical subassembly (OSA) having an optical coupling facet and being adapted to be bonded to the integrated circuit (IC) package, wherein the OSA comprises an optoelectronic device and an optical channel, the optoelectronic device being optically coupled to the optical channel, the optical channel relaying light between the optoelectronic device and the optical coupling facet, wherein the OSA is mechanically and electrically bonded to the IC package to thereby provide an electrical coupling between the optoelectronic device and the IC package and enable the optical side-coupling to the optical waveguide via the optical coupling facet. The invention also provides a method for creating the OHIC package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Reflex Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Rolston, Tomasz Maj, Richard Mainardi, Shao-Wei Fu, Gary Moskovitz
  • Patent number: 7199015
    Abstract: Atomic layer epitaxy (ALE) is applied to the fabrication of new forms of rare-earth oxides, rare-earth nitrides and rare-earth phosphides. Further, ternary compounds composed of binary (rare-earth oxides, rare-earth nitrides and rare-earth phosphides) mixed with silicon and or germanium to form compound semiconductors of the formula RE-(O, N, P)—(Si,Ge) are also disclosed, where RE=at least one selection from group of rare-earth metals, O=oxygen, N=nitrogen, P=phosphorus, Si=silicon and Ge=germanium. The presented ALE growth technique and material system can be applied to silicon electronics, opto-electronic, magneto-electronics and magneto-optics devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Translucent Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Petar B. Atanackovic
  • Patent number: 7197224
    Abstract: An optical connector and a manufacturing method are disclosed. The method for manufacturing an optical connector achieving a mechanical coupling comprises embedding a length of at least one optical fiber in a body to form an assembly. It also comprises to remove, at a first end of the assembly, a portion to provide a beveled surface on a corresponding first end of the optical fiber at which light is reflected for a side coupling. Also, at a portion of a side of the assembly near the first end, the method comprises creating an optical surface to provide a flat coupling surface for said side coupling. The method also comprises removing, at a second end of the assembly, a portion to provide a flat abutment surface including a corresponding second end of the at least one optical fiber. The method also comprises providing at the second end of the assembly a mating structure for precision connecting with a complementary connector in which an optical waveguide is end-coupled with at least one of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Reflex Photonics Inc.
    Inventors: David Robert Cameron Rolston, Tomasz Maj
  • Patent number: RE39525
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are then focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports, thereby constituting a dynamic optical drop module (RODM). By operating an RODM in reverse, a dynamic optical add module (ROAM) is also provided. The RODM (or ROAM) of the present invention may be further equipped with servo-control and power-management capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Wilde, Joseph E. Davis