Abstract: A dual-sided biomorphic polymer-based microelectrode array and method of fabricating the same. A measurement probe fabricated from a polymer consisting of two sides each with an array of paired recording sites for the measurement of molecules in an aqueous biological or chemical environment. Enzyme-based coatings are placed on microelectrodes of one measurement probe side specific to analytes of interest, and are coupled with a similar but non-functional protein matrix coating on the microelectrode on the opposite side to yield two distinct recording sites for subtraction of interferents, noise and non-Faradaic background current. Microelectrodes are arranged with variable spacing between each to match a variety of brain structures affording a biomorphic array allowing simultaneous recordings at multiple target depths and coordinates from one measurement probe system.

Abstract: A device, system and method are disclosed for optical communications using beams of light in which a solid state total internal reflection optical switching element is used to switch the optical pathways of optical communications signals inside a node of an optical network. The solid state total internal reflection optical switching element is used in a substantially planar waveguide assembly, and has electro-optically active material which responds to electrical fields greater than a switching electrical field to create a total internal reflection boundary that switches the optical pathway inside the switching element.

Abstract: A switching array comprising a plurality of total internal reflection (TIR) switches can be used to direct optical signals from any one of a plurality of input optical fibers to any one of a plurality of output optical fibers. Free space regions exist between the input optical fibers, the switches, and the output optical fibers. Accordingly, the light from an input optical fiber to an output optical fiber travels through the TIR switch array largely, if not entirely, in free space mode. To provide efficient coupling of light from the input optical fibers to the plurality of switches and ultimately to the output optical fibers, collimators and other coupling elements are employed. Preferably, the collimators have a Rayleigh range longer than the path length that the light will travel from the respective input optical fiber to the respective output optical fiber.

Abstract: A light modulating switch (210) including a switching element (218) having a first portion (226) of electro-optic material to which first and second electrodes (213, 224) are associated. A second portion (228) is composed of material having an index of refraction matching that of the first portion (226) when no voltage is applied to electro-optically activate the first portion (226), but the index of refraction of the second portion (228) is less than the index of refraction of the first portion (226) when the first portion (226) is electro-optically activated by application of voltage to the electrodes (213, 224).

Abstract: A light modulating or switching array (10) having a plurality of discrete protrusions (16) formed of electro-optic material, each of which is electrically and optically isolated from each other. The protrusions (16) have defined a top face (20), a bottom face (30), first and second side faces (22, 24), and front and back faces (26, 28). There are a plurality of electrodes (34) associated with each of the protrusions (16), these electrodes (34) being capable of inducing an electric field in the electro-optic material for independently modulating a plurality of light beams which are incident upon one of the faces (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) of the protrusions (16). The electro-optic material may be of PLZT, or a member of any of the groups of electro-optic crystals, polycrystalline electro-optic ceramics, electro-optic semiconductors, electro-optic glasses and electro-optically active polymers.

Abstract: A device, system and method are disclosed for optical communications using beams of light in which a solid state total internal reflection optical switching element is used to switch the optical pathways of optical communications signals inside a node of an optical network. The solid state total internal reflection optical switching element is used in a substantially planar waveguide assembly, and has electro-optically active material which responds to electrical fields greater than a switching electrical field to create a total internal reflection boundary that switches the optical pathway inside the switching element.

Abstract: An optical system (10) includes an optical switching module (210,300,350) that is adjustable between first and second conditions to selectively direct an incident light signal (240,301,351) between either of at least two optical paths (236,238,304,303). At least one optical switch (218) is integrated into a substantially planar waveguide substrate in order selectively switch light (240,301,351) entering the switch from one waveguide (232,234) to exit the switch along either of at least two other waveguides (236,238). The optical switch (218) includes an electro-optic material (222) that is deposited into a cavity (220) formed within the substrate (214) such that the respectively optically coupled waveguides (232,234,236,238) interface with the switch (218) along the cavity walls.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises an input port for receiving light, an output port for outputting light, and an optical path extending from the input port to the output port. The optical path is at least partially comprised of polycrystalline electro-optic material. The optical apparatus further comprises a field generator that generates a field in the polycrystalline electro-optic material. The polycrystalline electro-optic material is configured with respect to the input port and the output port, and is responsive to the field, to cause at least a substantial portion of light propagating along the optical path to deviate from the optical path along a plurality of deviant optical paths. The plurality of deviant optical paths do not pass through the output port, thereby reducing light output through the output port.

Abstract: An optical system may be formed by including a plurality of discrete protrusions comprising electro-optic material. Each discrete protrusion is electrically and optically isolated from each other. The protrusions further have defined a top face, a bottom face, a first side face or first and second side faces, and front and back faces. A plurality of electrodes are associated with each of the protrusions. The electrodes are capable of inducing an electric field in the electro-optic material for independently modulating one or more light beams which are incident upon one of the faces of the protrusions.

Abstract: An electro-optic arrayed grating comprises an array of waveguides which provide a plurality of optical paths. The array includes a plurality of electro-optic elements disposed along the optical paths. The electro-optic elements control the optical path lengths of the optical paths to multiplex or demultiplex an optical signal.

Abstract: An add/drop apparatus uses a series of switches and at least one Bragg grating. Each switch operates in a first state and a second state. A signal traveling in a first direction passes through each switch from a respective first port to a respective second port without reflection, whether the switch is in the first or in the second state. After passing through the series of switches, the signal interacts with a Bragg grating. The Bragg grating reflects a component of the signal at at least one specific wavelength back in a second direction opposite the first direction. The component of the signal traveling in the second direction propagates from the respective second port to the respective first port, without reflection, in each switch operating in the first state. The component of the signal traveling in the second direction is reflected from the second port to a third port by a switch operating in the second state.

Abstract: A switching array comprising a plurality of total internal reflection (TIR) switches can be used to direct optical signals from any one of a plurality of input optical fibers to any one of a plurality of output optical fibers. The TIR switches comprise electro-optic material which is surrounded by electrodes to enable the application of an electric field which causes the index of refraction of the electro-optic material to be altered. The index can be changed enough to cause a light beam incident on a boundary between the electro-optic material and an optically transmissive medium to be totally internally reflected. Free space regions exist between the input optical fibers, the switches, and the output optical fibers. Accordingly, the light from an input optical fiber to an output optical fiber travels through the TIR switch array largely, if not entirely, in free space mode. Without waveguides as interconnects within the array, fabrication is simplified.

Abstract: A light modulating switch (210) including a switching element (218) having a first portion (226) of electro-optic material to which first and second electrodes (213, 224) are associated. A second portion (228) is composed of material having an index of refraction matching that of the first portion (226) when no voltage is applied to electro-optically activate the first portion (226), but the index of refraction of the second portion (228) is less than the index of refraction of the first portion (226) when the first portion (226) is electro-optically activated by application of voltage to the electrodes (213, 224).

Abstract: A light modulating or switching array (10) having a plurality of discrete protrusions (16) formed of electro-optic material, each of which is electrically and optically isolated from each other. The protrusions (16) have defined a top face (20), a bottom face (30), first and second side faces (22, 24), and front and back faces (26, 28). There are a plurality of electrodes (34) associated with each of the protrusions (16), these electrodes (34) being capable of inducing an electric field in the electro-optic material for independently modulating a plurality of light beams which are incident upon one of the faces (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) of the protrusions (16). The electro-optic material may be of PLZT, or a member of any of the groups of electro-optic crystals, polycrystalline electro-optic ceramics, electro-optic semiconductors, electro-optic glasses and electro-optically active polymers.

Abstract: A light modulating switch (210) including a switching element (218) having a first portion (226) of electro-optic material to which first and second electrodes (213, 224) are associated. A second portion (228) is composed of material having an index of refraction matching that of the first portion (226) when no voltage is applied to electro-optically activate the first portion (226), but the index of refraction of the second portion (228) is less than the index of refraction of the first portion (226) when the first portion (226) is electro-optically activated by application of voltage to the electrodes (213, 224).

Abstract: A light modulating or switching array (10) having a plurality of discrete protrusions (16) formed of electro-optic material, each of which is electrically and optically isolated from each other. The protrusions (16) have defined a top face (20), a bottom face (30), first and second side faces (22, 24), and front and back faces (26, 28). There are a plurality of electrodes (34) associated with each of the protrusions (16), these electrodes (34) being capable of inducing an electric field in the electro-optic material for independently modulating a plurality of light beams which are incident upon one of the faces (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) of the protrusions (16). The electro-optic material may be of PLZT, or a member of any of the groups of electro-optic crystals, polycrystalline electro-optic ceramics, electro-optic semiconductors, electro-optic glasses and electro-optically active polymers.

Abstract: A light modulating or switching array (10) having a plurality of discrete protrusions (16) formed of electro-optic material, each of which is electrically and optically isolated from each other. The protrusions (16) have defined a top face (20), a bottom face (30), first and second side faces (22, 24), and front and back faces (26,28). There are a plurality of electrodes (34) associated with each of the protrusions (16), these electrodes (34) being capable of inducing an electric field in the electro-optic material for independently modulating a plurality of light beams which are incident upon one of the faces (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) of the protrusions (16). The electro-optic material may be of PLZT, or a member of any of the groups of electro-optic crystals, polycrystalline electro-optic ceramics, electro-optic semiconductors, electro-optic glasses and electro-optically active polymers.

Abstract: A light modulating or switching array (10) having a plurality of discrete protrusions (16) formed of electro-optic material, each of which is electrically and optically isolated from each other. The protrusions (16) have defined a top face (20), a bottom face (30), first and second side faces (22, 24), and front and back faces (26,28). There are a plurality of electrodes (34) associated with each of the protrusions (16), these electrodes (34) being capable of inducing an electric field in the electro-optic material for independently modulating a plurality of light beams which are incident upon one of the faces (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) of the protrusions (16). The electro-optic material may be of PLZT, or a member of any of the groups of electro-optic crystals, polycrystalline electro-optic ceramics, electro-optic semiconductors, electro-optic glasses and electro-optically active polymers.

Abstract: A light modulating or switching array (10) having a plurality of discrete protrusions (16) formed of electro-optic material, each of which is electrically and optically isolated from each other. The protrusions (16) have defined a top face (20), a bottom face (30), first and second side faces (22, 24), and front and back faces (26,28). There are a plurality of electrodes (34) associated with each of the protrusions (16), these electrodes (34) being capable of inducing an electric field in the electro-optic material for independently modulating a plurality of light beams which are incident upon one of the faces (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) of the protrusions (16). The electro-optic material may be of PLZT, or a member of any of the groups of electro-optic crystals, polycrystalline electro-optic ceramics, electro-optic semiconductors, electro-optic glasses and electro-optically active polymers.