Abstract: A nanocluster source constituted of: a cooled aggregation chamber; a magnetron arranged to sputter a target, the magnetron in communication with the cooled aggregation chamber such that sputtered atoms of the target are received within the cooled aggregation chamber; a vacuum source in communication with the cooled aggregation chamber; a source of at least one noble aggregation gas in communication with the cooled aggregation chamber; and a source of hydrogen gas in communication with the cooled aggregation chamber. Advantageously, the hydrogen gas prevents oxidation of the target and silicon film covering a cooled inner surface of the aggregation chamber, and reduces the surface tension of the formed nanoclusters.

Abstract: A photo-detector comprising: a p-doped semiconductor layer; an n-doped semiconductor layer juxtaposed with the p-doped semiconductor layer; one of an intrinsic amorphous silicon layer sandwiched between the p-doped semiconductor layer and the n-doped semiconductor layer and a depletion region formed between the p-doped semiconductor layer juxtaposed with the n-doped semiconductor layer; a plurality of mesoscopic sized particles within the one of the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer sandwiched between the p-doped semiconductor layer and the n-doped semiconductor layer and the depletion region formed between the p-doped semiconductor layer juxtaposed with the n-doped semiconductor layer. A source of pumping light is provided and arranged to be received at the mesoscopic sized particles thereby generating free carriers confined in the mesoscopic sized particles. Received light of a target waveband releases the carriers from confinement which is detected as a flow of current.

Abstract: A method of measuring dispersion in an optical fiber from one end is disclosed. An optical measurement signal comprising timed pulses is input into one end of the fiber, and a small loop is formed at the point to which total dispersion is to be measured. In one embodiment the loop is formed so as to increase the amount of detectable light that escapes the fiber at the loop, and the escaping light pulses are monitored by a free space detector. The wavelength of the optical measurement signal is varied, and the change in propagation delay of the detected optical pulses is measured, thus indicating the dispersion. In a second embodiment the loop is formed so as to increase the amount of loss in the optical measurement signal, and an OTDR is utilized.

Abstract: A method of measuring dispersion in an optical fiber from one end is disclosed. An optical measurement signal comprising timed pulses is input into one end of the fiber, and a small loop is formed at the point to which total dispersion is to be measured. In one embodiment the loop is formed so as to increase the amount of detectable light that escapes the fiber at the loop, and the escaping light pulses are monitored by a free space detector. The wavelength of the optical measurement signal is varied, and the change in propagation delay of the detected optical pulses is measured, thus indicating the dispersion. In a second embodiment the loop is formed so as to increase the amount of loss in the optical measurement signal, and an OTDR is utilized.