Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a hyperpolarizable organic chromophore. The chromophore is a nonlinear optically active compound that includes a ?-donor conjugated to a ?-acceptor through a ?-electron conjugated bridge. In other aspects of the invention, donor structures and acceptor structures are provided. In another aspect of the invention, a chromophore-containing polymer is provided. In one embodiment, the chromophore is physically incorporated into the polymer to provide a composite. In another embodiment, the chromophore is covalently bonded to the polymer, either as a side chain polymer or through crosslinking into the polymer. In other aspects, the present invention also provides a method for making the chromophore, a method for making the chromophore-containing polymer, and methods for using the chromophore and chromophore-containing polymer.

Abstract: An automatic optical coupling device that uses liquid to couple focused light into a light-guide is described. The liquid moves within a chamber or layer via the thermocapillary effect in order to automatically track and couple a moving spot of focused light. Also provided is the application of these coupling devices in an array feeding into a common light-guide, optical designs to improve the performance of these arrays, and the application of such arrays to light collection.

Abstract: A laser glass fiber with a core of the fiber composition, comprising a silicate glass host, one or more glass network modifiers, one or more glass network intermediators, and Thulium ions, Holmium ions, or a combination of Thulium ions and Holmium ions. The fiber emits laser light from 1.7 micron to 2.2 micron.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical crystal can be mounted to a mounting block configured to receive the crystal. The crystal can be mounted to the mounting block with a face of the crystal abutting a surface of the mounting block. An adhesive secures the crystal to the mounting block by adhering to the bottom and/or sidewall of the channel and to at least corresponding a portion of the bottom and/or side face of the crystal proximate an edge of the crystal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an encapsulated ?? particle emitter that comprises a sol-gel derived core that comprises a ??-emitting radioisotope and an encapsulant enclosing the core through which at least some of the ?? emissions from the ??-emitting radioisotope pass, wherein the encapsulant comprises a substrate and a cover and at least a portion of the encapsulant is electrically conductive, and a method for making the same. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a capacitor comprising such an encapsulated ?? particle emitter and a method of performing work with such a capacitor.

Abstract: Optical devices for guiding illumination are provided each having a body of optical material with staircase or acutely angled ramp structures on its top surface for distributing light inputted from one end of the device from the front exit faces of such structures along certain angular orientations, while at least a substantial portion of the light is totally internally reflected within the body until distributed from such front exit faces. Optical devices are also provided each have a body of optical material having a bottom surface with acutely angled ramp structures and falling structures which alternate with each other, such that light is totally internally reflected within the device until reflected by such ramp structures along the bottom surface to exit the top surface of the device or transmitted through the ramp structures to an adjacent falling structure back into the device.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a thin-film photovoltaic device. The method includes forming on a substrate a first thin-film absorber layer using a first deposition process. A second thin-film absorber layer is formed on the first thin-film absorber layer using a second deposition process different from the first deposition process. The first and second thin-film absorber layers are each photovoltaically active regions and the second thin-film absorber layer has a smaller concentration of defects than the first thin-film absorber layer.

Abstract: A hybrid photovoltaic device comprising a plurality of nanostructures embedded in a matrix of a photosensitive material including one or more layers. A combination of innovative structural aspects of the hybrid photovoltaic device results in significant improvements in collection of incident light from the solar spectrum, better absorption of light, and better collection of the photo-carriers generated in response to the incident light, thereby improving efficiency of the hybrid photovoltaic device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supplying power to an electrical line or grid by using high-frequency alternating current (HFAC) are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for collecting and transmitting electrical power to an AC line operating at a line frequency may include a plurality of high frequency AC power sources; a high frequency AC bus, connected to each of the high frequency AC sources; and a line frequency converter, the input of which is connected to the high frequency AC bus and the output of which is connectable to the AC line.

Abstract: Novel structures of the photodetector having broad spectral ranges detection capability are provided. The photodetector offers high quantum efficiency>95% over wide spectral ranges, high frequency response>10 GHz (@3 dB). The photodiode array of N×N (or M×N) elements is also provided. The array also offers wide spectral detection ranges ultraviolet to 2500 nm with high quantum efficiency>95% and high frequency response of >10 GHz, cross-talk of <0.1%. In the array, each photodiode is independently addressable and is made either as top-illuminated or as bottom illuminated type detector. The photodiode and its array provided in this invention, could be used in multiple purpose applications such as telecommunication, imaging, and sensing applications including surveillance, satellite tracking, advanced lidar systems, etc. The advantages of this photodetectors are that they are uncooled and performance will not be degraded under wide range of temperature variation.

Abstract: The apparatus and methods herein provide quantitatively controllable light sources and expanded dynamic range endoscopy systems that can improve the quality of images and the ability of users to distinguish desired features when viewing tissues by providing methods and apparatus that improve the dynamic range of images from endoscopes, in particular for example with endoscopes that have dynamic range limited because of small image sensors and small pixel electron well capacity, and other optical system constraints. The apparatus and methods herein, for example, combine light sources with quantitatively variable spectral output and quantitatively variable wavelength dependent intensity distribution with image sensors and controllers to create an expanded dynamic range endoscopy system.

Abstract: A system may include one or more devices that may be used to simultaneously measure and modulate phases of a many-channel optical system relative to a high frequency optical carrier. This device may be constructed using analog-to-digital converters, comparators, and distributed timers. A digital processor may be used to recover phase information from the measurements and to calculate an error compared to desired phase. The processor may then apply feedback to a phase modulator to correct the phase.

Abstract: The invention describes an integrated-photonics arrangement, implementable in a multi-guide vertical integration (MGVI) structure composed from III-V semiconductors and grown in one epitaxial growth run, allowing for the integration of semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and PIN photodetector (PIN) structures within a common wavelength-designated waveguide of the plurality of the vertically integrated wavelength-designated waveguides forming the MGVI structure. The integration includes a wavelength filter integrated between the SOA and PIN to reduce noise within the PIN arising from ASE generated by the SOA. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the wavelength filter is integrated into MGVI structure either within a common wavelength designated waveguide or within the wavelength-designated waveguide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for using a renewable source of energy such as solar, wind or geothermal energy. The method includes generating electric energy from a renewable form of energy at a plurality of locations at which reside an electric power line associated with an electric power grid. The electric energy generated at each location is transferred to the electric power line to thereby supply electric energy to the electric power grid.

Abstract: A light emitter includes a first mirror that is an epitaxially grown metal mirror, a second mirror, and an active region that is epitaxially grown such that the active region is positioned at or close to, at least, one antinode between the first mirror and the second mirror.

Abstract: There are provided a signal transmission device capable of improving a production efficiency and reducing a production cost, and a manufacturing method thereof. A spacer 4 is interposed between peripheral surface portions 101a of optical waveguides 101 exposed by an optical waveguide exposure section 5 and a rear surface 115 of an optical module substrate 105. A height of the spacer 4 alone allows an optical element 103 of the optical module substrate 105 to be positioned so high that this optical element 103 can actually face optical waveguide end surfaces 109. Therefore, it is not required that the spacer be individually manufactured per signal transmission device. Further, there can be avoided individual length measurements of distances such as a distance L2 between a surface 2a of a base platform 2 and the peripheral surface portions 101a of the optical waveguides 101, or the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for maximizing performance of an electronic device, such as a display device. Aspects of the exemplary embodiments include operating the electronic device by adjusting power to the device to maintain a predetermined junction temperature of the device independent of the ambient temperature at which the device is operating.

Abstract: An optical amplifier for amplifying an optical signal (1002), the optical amplifier comprising: an optical fibre, the optical fibre including a doped core, an inner cladding extending substantially radially outwardly from the doped core and an outer cladding extending substantially radially outwardly from the inner cladding; a signal coupler for receiving the optical signal and guiding the optical signal into the doped core; a first pump light source for producing a first pump light having a first power, the first pump light source being optically coupled to the optical fibre at a first location therealong for guiding the first pump light into the inner cladding at the first location; and a second pump light source for producing a second pump light having a second power, the second power being larger than the first power, the second pump light source being optically coupled to the optical fibre at a second location therealong for guiding the second pump light into the inner cladding at the second location; wh

Abstract: A tunable laser cavity for selectively emitting laser light having a first wavelength and a second wavelength using pump light emitted by a pump light source.

Abstract: A fingerprint reader is described. The fingerprint reader includes an illumination source that produces light and a camera. An optical window is also part of the reader. The window is positioned so that light from the illumination source passes through the optical window and then is reflected to the camera for imaging a person's fingerprint. A filter may be positioned on or proximate to the optical window. The filter prevents ambient light from reaching the camera. In some situations, the filter will be a dielectric mirror, a dielectric filter, a holographic mirror, a holographic filter, a dichroic mirror or a dichroic filter.