Abstract: An apparatus for modulating information bearing symbols onto an optical carrier includes a polybinary coder that operates on a binary information signal to produce an envelope compatible polybinary signal; and an optical single sideband modulator that modulates an optical carrier with the envelope compatible polybinary signal to produce a single sideband optical signal. This provides an improvement over both polybinary signaling and optical single sideband. This action combines the chromatic dispersion advantages of SSB modulation with the DC level and bandwidth reduction of duo-binary coding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a projection display device comprising an illumination system having a light source and an optical guiding means for providing an illumination beam, an image display system comprising a display panel for modulating the illumination beam with image information and projecting the image on a screen, and color filter means provided on a wheel, rotatably mounted at its hub, for transmitting colored portions of the illumination beam for illuminating the display panel. In order to simplify the manufacture of the projection display device, the color filter wheel is provided with one or more cholesteric layers for reflecting a portion of the illumination beam not having a predetermined color and having a circular polarization corresponding to a first direction.

Abstract: A drop-in aperture 20, which improves the performance and lowers the cost of electro-optical SLM packages. The disclosed package provides a separate metal light shield (aperture) 20 and antireflective coated cover 33, and positions the aperture 20 inside the package 40 in close proximity to the SLM's 41 surface. This approach further uses an on-chip SLM light shield to define the projected screen border, thereby making the edge definition of the metal drop-in aperture less critical. Therefore, the cover can be mounted well away from the plane of the SLM, which relaxes the defect requirements of the cover and lowers the cost of the overall package. The package of this invention improves the performance and lifetime and lowers the cost of projection display systems.

Abstract: An electroabsorption semiconductor optical modulator includes a light absorption layer for generating a modulated light beam by absorbing an incident light beam. A well layer in the light absorption layer, accumulates charge carriers generated by the light absorption layer. The charge carriers are guided and released from the well layer upon receipt of an incident excitation light beam having a wavelength corresponding to the bandgap energy of the well layer. The incident light beam is modulated by changes in absorption coefficient in response to an externally applied voltage. The modulator responds to a high-intensity incident light beam at high frequency, free from deterioration of extinction characteristics, and has good transmission characteristics.

Abstract: An optical polarization modulator (OPM) for use in an optical communication system includes two polarizing beam splitters (PBSs) and an adjusting stage coupled between the PBSs. One PBS receives an input optical signal with an arbitrary state of polarization (SOP) and splits it into its TE and TM components. The adjusting stage can change the amplitude and/or relative phase between the TE and TM components to help achieve a desired state of polarization (SOP). The ACS and PCS may include MZIs to both adjust the amplitude and the relative phase difference between the TE and TM components. Alternatively, the OPM may include an amplifier and a phase shifter for each component. The second PBS combines the adjusted components to form the output signal with a desired SOP. Another embodiment of the OPM includes an Y-junction coupler, two plasma optical-effect silicon phase shifter stages, a 2×2 3-dB coupler and a PBS.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a sample cell through which a fluid flows, an optical sensor formed by an optical emitter and an optical detector. The sample cell and the optical sensor use light refraction to determine the presence and size of a bubble passing through the sample cell. A housing may also be included to provide better control over light refraction and to protect the optical sensor.

Abstract: An exposure system (8) for fabricating optical film (40) by exposing a pattern such as for photoalignment, where the optical film (40) has a photosensitive layer (20) and a substrate (10). The exposure system (8) directs an exposure beam from a light source (1) to a reflective polarization modulation device (88). The modulated exposure beam is then reflected onto the photosensitive medium (20) for forming a pattern onto the optical film (40).

Abstract: A reflective display system is disclosed that utilizes four overlapping layers of colored dye injected into channels so as to provide a pixel assembly operatively responsive to present an image for human viewing. Each of the four layers contains one color of the CMYK color method. The reflective display system injects packets of colored liquid or transparent fluid into the channels made of transparent material and each channel carries one of the colored liquids. Each of the pixel assemblies is defined by the width of the channel in one direction and the size of the liquid colored packet within the channel in the orthogonal direction. The color of the pixel is defined by the stacking of the liquid dyed colored packets at a particular location when viewed against a white substrate.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator and an optical attenuator using the Faraday rotator in which both a fixed magnetic field parallel to and a valuable magnetic field perpendicular to the optical axis are applied to Faraday elements, said optical axis being in the <111> direction of single crystal of garnet, characterized in that three single crystals of garnet of substantially the same thickness having the Faraday effect are used to form Faraday elements and the Faraday elements are arranged in such a manner that a variable magnetic field is applied to one of the Faraday elements, over a range extending 5 deg. each to the left and right of the line connecting the (111) plane in the center of the stereographic projection chart with the (−1−12) plane on the outermost circumference or a plane equivalent thereto in the chart, whereas a variable magnetic field is applied to the remaining two elements, over a range extending 5 deg.

Abstract: An optical waveguide probe is disclosed which is used for a scanning near-field optical microscope, has a low light propagation loss, and is capable of performing an AFM operation, and a manufacturing method thereof is disclosed. The vicinity of the tip of an optical waveguide 2 is bent toward a side of a probe portion 9 through a plurality of surfaces symmetrical with respect to a plane including an optical axis of the optical waveguide 2. By this, a loss of a propagated light 7 at a bent portion 10 is reduced, and the propagated light 7 can be condensed to a minute aperture 5, so that near-field light can be efficiently emitted from the minute aperture 5.

Abstract: An array of MEMS devices having column lines and row lines, such as a light modulator array, is controlled in response to an input signal by providing a number of discrete voltages, multiplexing from the discrete voltages a selected voltage to be applied to each MEMS device of the array, and enabling application of the selected discrete voltage to each MEMS device of the array.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for examining a body part. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for immobilizing and compressing the body part. The apparatus also comprises a mechanism for providing an internal anatomical image of the body part and a mechanism for detecting single gamma-rays emitted by a radiotracer infiltrated into the body part. The detecting mechanism is disposed in an adjacent relationship with the mechanism for providing an internal anatomic image so that the body part remains in the same position during and between anatomic and radiotracer imaging. In one embodiment, the detecting mechanism includes a detector module disposed on one side of the immobilizing mechanism. The detector module preferably has at least one array of gamma ray sensitive material in communication with a position detector. In another embodiment, the detecting mechanism includes a pair of detector modules disposed one on each side of the immobilizing mechanism.

Abstract: The snapped-down position of an optical element is defined by its contact with a plurality of kinematic supports on an associated platform, or on electrodes placed on that platform. Compliant flexures may be provided in association with one or more kinematic supports, such that fine adjustments of the optical element can be made by deflecting the optical element to cause compression of one or more flexures.

Abstract: A resonance-type semiconductor optical modulator has an asymmetrical electrode structure in which the microwave power is applied to the semiconductor optical modulation element via a resonator. The resulting higher modulation voltage provides high modulation efficiency while controlling the amount of power consumption. The semiconductor optical modulation element includes an open-ended stub, a short-ended stub connected to the open-ended stub, a feeding line connected to both stubs and common electrodes. The stubs are formed in contact and the semiconductor optical modulation element is connected to the open-ended stub.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display having a protective electrode that reduces the degradation of the display caused by mechanical or electrochemical action. The electrode can include a protective layer that reduces the mechanical or electrochemical damage to a transparent conductive electrode. The protective electrode can be a vapor permeable electrode that is a reticulated electrically conductive structure, such as a metal screen or wire mesh, or a reticulated structure coated or impregnated with a conductive material. The protective electrode can include a layer that protects the display media from physical abrasion or removal by mechanical action, while allowing the application of an electric field to cause the display to be addressed.

Abstract: An electrophoretic device is composed of a pair of electrodes that are arranged opposite to each other with a prescribed space therebetween, which contains an electrophoretic dispersion liquid containing electrophoretic particles which are dispersed in a liquid phase dispersion medium. At least one ferroelectric substance layer is arranged at a prescribed position within the space between the electrodes, and at least one of the electrodes is made of a transparent material. Applying a drive voltage between the electrodes, the electrophoretic particles are deposited on one electrode while ions of reverse polarity move towards another electrode, thus establishing the polarized state of the electrophoretic dispersion liquid, which is maintained for a long time due to the residual polarization characteristics of the ferroelectric substance layer.

Abstract: An electromechanical conformal grating device including: at least two sets of elongated ribbon elements; a pair of end supports for supporting each elongated ribbon element at both ends over a substrate; a plurality of intermediate supports placed under each elongated ribbon element; and at least two inputs for selectively applying a force to the at least two sets of elongated ribbon elements; wherein the force causes selected elongated ribbon elements to deform between first and second operating states, wherein during the second operating state the elongated ribbon elements mechanically conform to the intermediate supports.

Abstract: Reversible electrochemical mirror (REM) devices typically comprise a conductive oxide mirror electrode that is substantially transparent to radiation of some wavelengths, a counter electrode that may also be substantially transparent, and an electrolyte that contains ions of an electrodepositable metal. A voltage applied between the two electrodes causes electrodeposition of a mirror deposit on the mirror electrode and dissolution of the mirror deposit on the counter electrode, and these processes are reversed when the polarity of the applied voltage is changed. Such REM devices provide precise control over the reflection and transmission of radiation and can be used for a variety of applications, including smart windows and automatically adjusting automotive mirrors.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for maintaining the focal point of a laser beam used for laser machining relative to a workpiece, including an optical distance measuring sensor having a measurement beam, a mirror for combining the measurement and laser beams into a predetermined optical path having a common axis for both beams, and a focusing element which may be in the form of a refractive lens or a reflective parabolic mirror located in the optical path, and a control means for controlling the location of the focal point of the laser beam based on the distance sensed by measurement beam. In drilling, once the hole breaks through the workpiece, the application of the laser beam can be stopped by observing a departure from the incremental distance measurement change.

Abstract: A device (16) in a system (10) modulates an optical signal (13) and tunes the duty cycle of the optical signal (13) for optimizing system performance as a response of the duty cycle. The device (16) includes a tunable duty-cycle Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) acting as a pulse-width shaper (160) for modulating the optical signal (13) and tuning the duty cycle of the optical signal (13). The MZI (160) has a transmittance transfer function of the interferometer (160). At least one electrode structure (163) generates a DC voltage and an AC voltage for biasing and controlling the swing of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer (160) with the respective amplitudes of the DC and AC voltages such that the maximum power transmittance point on the transfer function is less than 100% for tuning the duty cycle of the optical signal (13) such that system performance is optimized.