Patents Examined by John D. Lee
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Patent number: 7194167Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for a fiber optic housing and aligning device. In one embodiment, a fiber optic housing and aligning device is provided. The device includes a housing having an opening in a wall thereof, the wall having a curved surface; a tubular casing comprising a ring therearound, the ring having a curved surface which mates with the curved surface of the housing so that the casing is directionally adjustable relative to the housing; and a collimator disposed within the casing, wherein the ring and the wall are configured to be permanently fixed to one another.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Avanex CorporationInventors: Giovanni Barbarossa, Xingzhong Zhao, William Z. Guan, Ming Li, Di Yang, Xiaojun Wang
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Patent number: 7194180Abstract: A fiber detector apparatus includes a hub having one or more electrical contacts. The hub is configured to be placed against a connector, which is disposed on an electromagnetic energy source, such that electrical continuity is established between the electrical contacts of the hub and electrical contacts on a connector plate of the electromagnetic energy source. The number and positions of the electrical contacts correlate with the presence and characteristics of one or more fibers extending through the hub toward the electromagnetic energy source. A data storage microcircuit may also be provided within the hub to store identification information about the fibers being used. Knowing the physical characteristics of the fibers being used in a particular procedure can permit a user of the apparatus to improve the effectiveness of a procedure using the electromagnetic energy.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2006Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Biolase Technology, Inc.Inventor: Richard Becker
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Patent number: 7190877Abstract: Methods of fabricating nanoclusters, e.g., germanium nanoclusters, and/or a dielectric layer having the same are provided. The method may include forming a first silicon oxide layer on a silicon substrate; forming a germanium (GeO) layer on the silicon oxide layer; altering the germanium oxide (GeO) layer into a germanium dioxide (GeO2) layer and/or a first group of germanium (Ge) nanoclusters; and/or altering germanium dioxide (GeO2) into silicon dioxide (SiO2) such that a second group of germanium (Ge) nanoclusters may be formed. The nanoclusters, e.g., germanium nanoclusters, may have more homogeneous sizes and/or may be more evenly arranged the dielectric layer such that the nanoclusters, e.g., germanium nanoclusters, may be easily used in a semiconductor device.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoon-ho Khang, Anatoly V. Dvurechenskiy
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Patent number: 7190870Abstract: A composite including a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals distributed in a metal oxide matrix can be used as an optical amplifier, a waveguide or a laser.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Vikram C. Sundar, Hans J. Eisler, Moungi G. Bawendi
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Patent number: 7190849Abstract: A display device is provided having a light-emitter for emitting light depending upon predetermined display data, and a display panel having a plurality of elongated optical waveguides for conducting light entering from the light-emitter, and an addresser for extracting light from a predetermined region within the optical waveguide depending upon the predetermined display data. The addresser has column electrodes separately provided respectively for the plurality of optical waveguides and a plurality of elongated row electrodes provided to cross the column electrodes at an opposite side through the optical waveguides. Light is emitted at the predetermined region by applying a voltage to a crossing point of the column electrodes and the row electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Makoto Katase
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Patent number: 7187821Abstract: A method and system for suppression of the optical carrier of an optically modulated digital signal, the method comprising the steps of: modulating the amplitude of an optical carrier with digital input data to generate an amplitude modulated optical signal; and modulating the frequency of the optical carrier of the resulting optical signal with the same digital input data. A fiber optic system comprising: an optical source adapted to produce an adiabatically chirped amplitude modulated optical signal; an optical fiber adapted to receive the optical signal; and an optical receiver; wherein the optical power of the signal launched into the fiber exceeds the stimulated Brillouin threshold of the transmission fiber for a single frequency, continuous wave signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Inventors: Yasuhiro Matsui, Daniel Mahgerefteh
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Patent number: 7187838Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus and system for managing and radially distributing optical fibers from a first location, such as a central office, to a plurality of destination locations, such as homes within a neighborhood. The apparatus includes a distribution panel having a central hub or ring, and both a plurality of optical input elements and a plurality of optical output elements disposed radially around the central hub. The optical input elements split the fibers coupled from the first location into a plurality of individual fibers that are routed to the central hub. The central hub radially distributes the plurality of fibers to appropriate optical output elements, which are coupled to destination fibers routed to the plurality of destination locations. The radial configuration of the apparatus provides a central breakout point for fiber distribution, thus improving fiber organization and routing management compared to conventional routing and distribution systems.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2005Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Furukawa Electric North America, Inc.Inventors: Clay A. Feustel, Daniel Hendrickson, Hongbo Zhang
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Patent number: 7184614Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving bodily safety during exposure to an eye hazardous monochromatic treatment light source by diverging the light, such as with a diffusing unit attached to the light source distal end so that the radiance of the light exiting the distal end is an eye safe level. At a first position of the light source distal end substantially in contact with an outer surface of a target, the energy density of an exit beam from the distal end is suitable for effecting a desired treatment, and at a second non-contact position of the distal end the exit beam energy density is significantly less than a value suitable for effecting the treatment. In an additional embodiment, the diverging or diffusing unit has a device for evacuating vapors or particles from the target.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Inolase 2002 Ltd.Inventor: Michael Slatkine
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Patent number: 7184203Abstract: Up-conversion and down-conversion photo-luminescence in rare earth compounds are disclosed. Broadband, super-radiant, and discrete line emissions are observed. The rare earth compounds include a rare earth element and at least one other element selected from chalcogens, halogens, nitrogen, and phosphorus. The rare earth compounds include, but are not limited to, rare earth oxides, fluorides, and oxyfluorides. Doping and co-doping of rare earth compounds in an optical host material is not required. The compounds are irradiated with incident light having an incident wavelength that is selected to be highly absorbed by the rare earth compound. The up-conversion and down-conversion luminescence have been observed which may be caused by unknown electron transitions, particularly in the case of ytterbia.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventors: Robert H. Burgener, II, Roger L. Felix, Gary M. Renlund
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Patent number: 7184629Abstract: An optical microresonator includes microcylinder and spiral resonant waveguide formed on the microcylinder that optically couples light from an optical source waveguide to the microcylinder and slows light propagating along the microcylinder. A coupling element, for example, a diffraction grating can be operative with the resonant waveguide structure and configured to meet a desired phase matching. A second microcylinder having a spiral resonant waveguide formed thereon can be positioned adjacent to the spiral resonant waveguide formed on the first microcylinder for coupling therewith. The spiral resonant waveguides on first and second microcylinders can be configured for slowing light propagating along the microcylinder.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: Robert M. Montgomery, Michael R. Lange, Michael DeRoy
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Patent number: 7184618Abstract: An apparatus for routing a plurality of optical input signals to a plurality of optical output connections. In one embodiment, a plurality of optical switches are combined to route a number of optical signals that exceed the number of optical inputs for a single switch. The switch array includes a plurality of input switches optically connected to a plurality of intermediate switches, which are optically connected to a plurality of output switches. In the embodiments in which the number of input switches exceed the number of optical outputs of a single input switch, the input switches, intermediate switches, and output switches are arranged in groups or sets.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Neptec Optical Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Donald A. Kenagy, Roy Guynn, John Carberry, Reddy Urimindi
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Patent number: 7181106Abstract: Affords efficiently and at low cost optical fibers capped at the end with a working, tiny optically diffractive film. An optical fiber includes a diffractive film formed onto an endface thereof, or onto the endface of a collimator joined to the endface of the fiber; the diffractive film includes a transparent DLC (diamond-like carbon) layer; and the DLC layer includes a modulated-refractive-index diffraction grating containing local regions of relatively high refractive index and local regions of relatively low refractive index.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2003Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Toshihiko Ushiro, Soichiro Okubo, Takashi Matsuura
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Patent number: 7177071Abstract: A terahertz wave-generating semiconductor crystal includes a zincblende-type III-V compound semiconductor crystal that generates terahertz wave pulses upon application of an ultrashort light pulse in the optical communication band serving as a pump beam.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideyuki Ohtake, Toshiharu Sugiura, Toshiaki Bessho, Koichiro Tanaka, Masaya Nagai, Yutaka Kadoya
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Patent number: 7177491Abstract: Generally, and in one form of the present invention, is a polarization-maintaining fiber-based polarization sensitive optical low coherence reflectometer for depth resolved birefringence measurement. With the present invention, linear birefringence of a sample may be measured from data recorded in a single A-Scan. In addition, the present invention provides for the simultaneous measurement of retardation and orientation of birefringent axes, wherein measured retardation is insensitive to sample rotation in the plane perpendicular to ranging.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Board of Regents the University of Texas SystemInventors: Digant P. Dave, Thomas E. Milner, Taner Akkin
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Patent number: 7177072Abstract: A photosensitive resist layer is formed on one surface of a single-polarized ferroelectric substance having nonlinear optical effects. The resist layer has properties such that, when light is irradiated to the resist layer, only exposed areas of the resist layer or only unexposed areas of the resist layer become soluble in a developing solvent. The resist layer is then exposed to near-field light in a periodic pattern with a device, which receives exposure light and produces the near-field light in the periodic pattern. The resist layer is then developed to form a periodic pattern. A periodic electrode is then formed on the one surface of the ferroelectric substance by utilizing the periodic pattern of the resist layer as a mask, the periodic electrode being formed at positions corresponding to opening areas of the mask.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasukazu Nihei, Masayuki Naya
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Patent number: 7177514Abstract: The invention provides an optical waveguide material whose refractive index can be tailored without changing the ratio of Ta and Nb. An optical waveguide of this invention comprising an under-clad layer 1 and a core 2 that is formed on the under-clad layer 1 and has a higher refractive index than that of the under-clad layer 1 is shown. For example, KTN (KTa1?xNbxO3) is used as the core 2, and a material that is obtained by substituting at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf, and Sn for a portion of one element of the constituent elements of KTN and has the same perovskite type crystal structure as KTN is used as the clad. The refractive index of KTN can be reduced considerably, and this controllability widens the degree of freedom in the design of optical waveguide devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone CorporationInventors: Tadayuki Imai, Kazuo Fujiura, Makoto Shimokozono, Seiji Toyoda, Masahiro Sasaura, Tohru Matsuura
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Patent number: 7177070Abstract: Two grooves 10 are diced in parallel along the light passage direction in a quartz quasi-phase matching element 1. Consequently, as is shown in (b) and (c), a protruding part 11 which is positioned between the two grooves 10 is formed on the upper surface side (in the figures), and a ridge type waveguide 9 is formed inside this protruding part. Accordingly, if light is caused to pass through this ridge type waveguide 9, the light can be caused to pass through the portions with inverted crystal axes (polarization inversion regions) 4, and can be subjected to a wavelength conversion, in a state in which the light is confined into the ridge type wavelength guide 9. As a result, a state can be produced in which the energy of the light is high inside the wavelength conversion region, so that a high wavelength conversion efficiency can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: National Institute for Materials ScienceInventors: Sunao Kurimura, Masaki Harada
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Patent number: 7177069Abstract: A white light source has a light emission device, in particular an IR laser diode, whose emitted radiation beam is converted, in a nonlinear-optical element and a conversion element, into a radiation beam with wavelengths ?1, . . . ?n which can be perceived as white light and can have a higher power rating.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbHInventors: Werner Späth, Rüdiger Müller
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Patent number: 7174075Abstract: An electrical conductor and in particular a conductor bar of an electrical machine, particularly a generator or transformer, in which an optical measuring device can be integrally arranged. A measuring unit includes an electrical conductor and an optical measuring device arranged in the conductor, and a production method for producing such an electrical conductor is described. The electrical conductor (10), having a conductor cross section and also an extent in the conductor longitudinal direction, includes a recess (11, 12, 13) in the conductor longitudinal direction at least along a section of the conductor, for integrated arrangement of a signal conductor, in particular an optical waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.Inventors: Oliver Drubel, Alberto Izquierdo, Gunter Scherf
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Patent number: 7173755Abstract: A high-efficiency multiple-pass nonlinear wavelength converter and amplitude modulator employs a variable dispersion element between adjacent passes of a nonlinear wavelength conversion process in a single nonlinear optical material substrate. When controlled by a voltage via the electro-optic effect, the variable dispersion element dynamically alters the phase matching condition of the multiple-pass nonlinear wavelength conversion process and thus modulates the laser output amplitude. When the phase mismatch between passes is completely compensated by the variable dispersion element, the multiple-pass nonlinear wavelength converter achieves its maximum efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: National Tsing Hua UniversityInventors: Yen-Chien Huang, Yen-Hung Chen, An-Chung Chiang, Ko-Wei Chang