Abstract: A fiber optic conversion method is provided that includes receiving a first electrical signal. A second electrical signal is received. The first and second electrical signals are compared. A float signal is generated when the first and second electrical signals comprise substantially a same electrical signal. A determination is made regarding whether optical signals are being received. A light signal is generated while optical signals are being received. A driver mode is entered in response to the float signal and the light signal being generated simultaneously. The driver mode is remained in while the light signal is being generated.

Abstract: A diffraction grating coupled infrared photodetector for providing high performance detection of infrared radiation is described. The photodetector includes a three-dimensional diffractive resonant optical cavity formed by a diffraction grating that resonates over a range of infrared radiation wavelengths. By placing a limited number of p/n junctions throughout the photodetector, the photodetector thermal noise is reduced due to the reduction in junction area. By retaining signal response and reducing the noise, the sensitivity increases at a given operating temperature when compared to traditional photovoltaic and photoconductive infrared photodetectors up to the background limit. The photodetector device design can be used with a number of semiconductor material systems, can form one- and two-dimensional focal plane arrays, and can readily be tuned for operation in the long wavelength infrared and the very long wavelength infrared where sensitivity and noise improvements are most significant.