Abstract: In a method of fabricating a traveling wave optical modulator, an optical waveguide structure having an optical waveguide and a signal electrode path extending from a signal input to a termination output is formed. The signal electrode path is modified to include a customized signal electrode having a transmission line characteristic substantially matching a target transmission line parameter value. In another aspect, a traveling wave optical waveguide structure includes an optical waveguide and a signal electrode path. The signal electrode path extends from a signal input to a termination output and is defined by an electrode seed structure. The electrode seed structure is exposed for subsequent electrode formation and has a transmission line characteristic detrimental to proper propagation of an electrical modulation signal.

Abstract: Digital optical sources and methods of operating the same are described. In one aspect, a digital optical source includes a laser, an optical intensity modulator, and a drive circuit. The laser is operable to generate light of higher output optical power in a high output power mode and to generate light of lower output optical power in a low output power mode. The optical intensity modulator is coupled to receive light from the laser and is operable to intensity modulate the received laser light less in a high output power mode and to intensity modulate the received laser light more in a low output power mode. The drive circuit is coupled to the laser and the optical intensity modulator and is configured so that the laser and the optical intensity modulator are operated synchronously in high output power modes and in low output power modes.

Abstract: Optical switches and optical switching methods are provided. One such optical switch includes a waveguide located in a substrate that is at least partially of a non-linear optical material, the waveguide structured to receive an input optical signal, a grating located at least partially in the non-linear optical material, and a first output port optically aligned to a first radiative mode of the grating. The grating exhibits a first radiative mode corresponding to a first intensity of the input optical signal, and a second radiative mode corresponding to a second intensity of the input optical signal. The optical switch may further include a second output port optically aligned to the second radiative mode.

Abstract: Optical systems and methods for optical wavelength conversion are provided. One such exemplary optical system includes a waveguide located in a substrate at least partially of a non-linear optical material, the waveguide structured to receive a continuous-wave optical signal. Also included is a grating located at least partially in the non-linear optical material section of the waveguide. The grating has a period “d,” and the waveguide produces a photonic bandgap when a forward propagating state of photonic energy of the continuous wave signal is separated from a backward propagating state of photonic energy of the continuous wave optical signal by a wavenumber (kz) equal to (2?/d), at a first photonic energy level in the waveguide.

Abstract: A method for power plane splitting. The method enables the traces on a power plane to be organized so that the conductor area is expanded while still ensuring that components with similar power supply requirements are coupled to the same trace. A potential field of a power plane of a printed circuit board is calculated by assigning one or more potential values to one or more components coupled to the printed circuit board and solving for a plurality of potential field values at a plurality of locations between the one or more components. One or more boundaries between the one or more components are defined by selecting contours of constant potential within the calculated potential field. One or more traces on the power plane are created using the one or more boundaries, wherein the one or more traces connect a corresponding one or more pluralities of components and each plurality of components of the one or more.

Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting peripheral points of reflected radiation beam spots for topographically mapping a surface are described. In one aspect, a radiation beam is directed toward a target location on the surface. An image of a beam spot is captured at a location in an image plane intersecting at least a portion of the radiation beam reflected from the target location on the surface. At least one image plane coordinate for a peripheral point of the beam spot image is identified. A relative height value is assigned to the target location based on a mapping of the at least one image plane coordinate identified for the peripheral beam spot point to the relative height value.

Abstract: A method for power plane splitting. The method enables the traces on a power plane to be organized so that the conductor area is expanded while still ensuring that components with similar power supply requirements are coupled to the same trace. A potential field of a power plane of a printed circuit board is calculated by assigning one or more potential values to one or more components coupled to the printed circuit board and solving for a plurality of potential field values at a plurality of locations between the one or more components. One or more boundaries between the one or more components are defined by selecting contours of constant potential within the calculated potential field. One or more traces on the power plane are created using the one or more boundaries, wherein the one or more traces connect a corresponding one or more pluralities of components and each plurality of components of the one or more.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a traveling wave optical modulator, an optical waveguide structure having an optical waveguide and a signal electrode path extending from a signal input to a termination output is formed. The signal electrode path is modified to include a customized signal electrode having a transmission line characteristic substantially matching a target transmission line parameter value. In another aspect, a traveling wave optical waveguide structure includes an optical waveguide and a signal electrode path. The signal electrode path extends from a signal input to a termination output and is defined by an electrode seed structure. The electrode seed structure is exposed for subsequent electrode formation and has a transmission line characteristic detrimental to proper propagation of an electrical modulation signal.

Abstract: Optical systems and methods for optical wavelength conversion are provided. One such optical system includes a waveguide located in a substrate at least partially of a non-linear optical material, the waveguide structured to receive a continuous-wave optical signal, a grating located at least partially in the non-linear optical material section of the waveguide, the grating structured to receive an input optical signal, and an output port optically aligned to receive the continuous wave optical signal propagated through the grating when the input optical signal is incident on the grating. The optical system incorporates a grating with a period “d,” and the waveguide produces a photonic bandgap when a forward propagating state of photonic energy of the continuous wave signal is separated from a backward propagating state of photonic energy of the continuous wave optical signal by a wavenumber (kZ) equal to (2&pgr;/d), at a first photonic energy level in the waveguide.

Abstract: Optical switches and optical switching methods are provided. One such optical switch includes a waveguide located in a substrate that is at least partially of a non-linear optical material, the waveguide structured to receive an input optical signal, a grating located at least partially in the non-linear optical material, and a first output port optically aligned to a first radiative mode of the grating. The grating exhibits a first radiative mode corresponding to a first intensity of the input optical signal, and a second radiative mode corresponding to a second intensity of the input optical signal. The optical switch may further include a second output port optically aligned to the second radiative mode.

Abstract: Device interconnects and methods of making the same are described. In one aspect, a device interconnect system includes a bonding pad portion and a transmission line portion. The bonding pad portion is disposed on a device substrate and is constructed and arranged for electrical connection to a bond wire. The transmission line portion is disposed on the device substrate and is constructed and arranged to electrically couple the bonding pad portion to a device formed on the device substrate. The transmission line portion has a width dimension that is substantially parallel to the device substrate and a height dimension that is substantially perpendicular to the device substrate. The width dimension and the height dimension of the transmission line portion both vary from the bonding pad portion to the device.

Abstract: Device interconnects and methods of making the same are described. In one aspect, a device interconnect system includes a bonding pad portion and a transmission line portion. The bonding pad portion is disposed on a device substrate and is constructed and arranged for electrical connection to a bond wire. The transmission line portion is disposed on the device substrate and is constructed and arranged to electrically couple the bonding pad portion to a device formed on the device substrate. The transmission line portion has a width dimension that is substantially parallel to the device substrate and a height dimension that is substantially perpendicular to the device substrate. The width dimension and the height dimension of the transmission line portion both vary from the bonding pad portion to the device.

Abstract: Digital optical sources and methods of operating the same are described. In one aspect, a digital optical source includes a laser, an optical intensity modulator, and a drive circuit. The laser is operable to generate light of higher output optical power in a high output power mode and to generate light of lower output optical power in a low output power mode. The optical intensity modulator is coupled to receive light from the laser and is operable to intensity modulate the received laser light less in a high output power mode and to intensity modulate the received laser light more in a low output power mode. The drive circuit is coupled to the laser and the optical intensity modulator and is configured so that the laser and the optical intensity modulator are operated synchronously in high output power modes and in low output power modes.