Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a reconfigurable hybrid metal-dielectric metasystem having a phase change material configured to reversibly transform between an amorphous state and a crystalline state upon a triggering event. The phase change material can be abutting a dielectric material on a first surface of the phase change material and a plasmonic material on an opposing second surface of the phase change material. An additional embodiment of the system includes when light travels through the system, the phase change material in the amorphous state can be configured to absorb a range of light, whereas the phase change material in the crystalline state can be configured to reflect the same range of light.

Abstract: An optical co-processor architecture using array of weak optical perceptron is disclosed in a computing architecture for a neuro-inspired computing platform. The use of weak optical perceptron in this architecture facilitates the manufacturability and use of an exemplary computing microchips having an array of weak-learners in which a plurality of weak-learners of the array are selectively grouped and their outputs are aggregated to provide a coprocessing output for a given computing and decision-making task in an integrated photonic system.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system and method for identifying a first plurality of data points comprising a design space and a response space, the method including computing a first convex hull of all data points in the plurality of data points, merging the first convex hull with previous convex hulls to form an optimized convex hull, the previous convex hulls comprising a second plurality of data points comprising previous design spaces and previous response spaces, and determining, by the optimized convex hull, a feasible optical response performance within an electromagnetic nanostructure.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and method for enhanced engineering design and optimization incorporating double-step dimensionality-reduction in order to provide customized, automated solutions to the design and optimization of electromagnetic nanostructures. The system can train a multi-stage neural network reduce the response space of a design problem. The system can train a second neural network to reduce the design space of the design problem. As a result of these reductions, the system can generate a one-to-one relationship between the design and response spaces of complex design problems. The system can subsequently solve both the forward design and the inverse problem. Additionally, the system can utilize the generated neural networks to determine a plurality of analytical relationships between the design space and the response space. The system can then utilize the determined relationship to arrive at optimal design solutions.

Abstract: Devices for producing localized surface plasmon resonances are described having a plasmonic resonator and a photonic structure electromagnetically coupled to the plasmonic resonator. The device can include a hybrid photonic plasmonic resonator that contains plasmonic and photonic resonators, and are optionally coupled to a photonic waveguide, or a plasmonic resonator coupled directly to a photonic waveguide. The plasmonic resonator can be one or more nanoparticles. The devices can produce substantial increases in coupling efficiencies and sensitivity for use in several applications, including SERS and refractive index sensing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing spectral-spatial mapping in (one and two dimensions) and coded spectroscopy are described. At least one embodiment includes a system for performing spectral-spatial mapping and coded spectroscopy comprising a cylindrical beam volume hologram (CBVH), the CBVH configured to receive input beams and generate diffracted beams in a first direction to perform spectral-spatial mapping, the CBVH further configured to allow input beams to pass in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction unaffected. The system further comprises a first lens configured to receive the diffracted beams and perform a Fourier transform on the input beams in the first direction, a second lens configured to receive the diffracted beams and focus the beams in the second direction to generate output beams, and a charged coupled device (CCD) configured to receive the outputs beams, the output beams used to provide spectral analysis of the input beams.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing two-dimensional (2D) high resolution spectral-spatial mapping are described. At least one embodiment includes a spectrometer for performing two-dimensional (2D) high resolution spectral-spatial mapping comprising a Fabry-Perot component configured to receive a diffuse input beam and provide a high resolution spectral mapping of the diffuse input beam in a first direction. The spectrometer further comprises a volume hologram for increasing a spectral operating range, the volume hologram configured to perform spectral mapping in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction to increase the spectral operating range. The spectrometer further comprises a charged coupled device (CCD) configured to receive output beams, the output beams used to provide spectral analysis of the input beams.

Abstract: Phononic crystal wave structures and methods of making same are discussed in this application. According to some embodiments, an acoustic structure can generally comprise a phononic crystal slab configured as a micro/nano-acoustic wave medium. The phononic crystal slab can define an exterior surface that bounds an interior volume, and the phononic crystal slab can be sized and shaped to contain acoustic waves within the interior volume of the phononic crystal slab. The phononic crystal slab can comprise at least one defect portion. The defect portion can affect periodicity characteristics of the phononic crystal slab. The defect portion can be shaped and arranged to enable confinement and manipulation of acoustic waves through the defect portion(s) of phononic crystal slab. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: Disclosed are various devices and methods employing photonic crystals to facilitate spatial separation of frequency components of a beam. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a preconditioning waveguide facilitating a predefined amount of diffraction of a beam comprising a plurality of wavelengths. A photonic crystal is optically coupled to an output of the preconditioning waveguide. The photonic crystal is configured to spatially separate a plurality of frequency components of the beam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing spectral-spatial mapping in (one and two dimensions) and coded spectroscopy are described. At least one embodiment includes a system for performing spectral-spatial mapping and coded spectroscopy comprising a cylindrical beam volume hologram (CBVH), the CBVH configured to receive input beams and generate diffracted beams in a first direction to perform spectral-spatial mapping, the CBVH further configured to allow input beams to pass in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction unaffected. The system further comprises a first lens configured to receive the diffracted beams and perform a Fourier transform on the input beams in the first direction, a second lens configured to receive the diffracted beams and focus the beams in the second direction to generate output beams, and a charged coupled device (CCD) configured to receive the outputs beams, the output beams used to provide spectral analysis of the input beams.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing two-dimensional (2D) high resolution spectral-spatial mapping are described. At least one embodiment includes a spectrometer for performing two-dimensional (2D) high resolution spectral-spatial mapping comprising a Fabry-Perot component configured to receive a diffuse input beam and provide a high resolution spectral mapping of the diffuse input beam in a first direction. The spectrometer further comprises a volume hologram for increasing a spectral operating range, the volume hologram configured to perform spectral mapping in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction to increase the spectral operating range. The spectrometer further comprises a charged coupled device (CCD) configured to receive output beams, the output beams used to provide spectral analysis of the input beams.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system includes a volume hologram for dispersing a general diffuse beam of light provided as input; a detector for receiving and detecting light dispersed by the volume hologram; and a Fourier transforming lens for forming the Fourier transform of the light dispersed from the volume hologram onto the detector. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A sophisticated volume hologram for dispersing an incident optical signal with uniform spectrum over an input plane to an output pattern with non-uniform spatial-spectral information, where the sophisticated volume hologram includes a plurality of holograms that map different input wavelengths into different locations on an output plane. The system further includes a detector for receiving and detecting light dispersed by the sophisticated volume hologram.

Abstract: Phononic crystal wave structures and methods of making same are discussed in this application. According to some embodiments, an acoustic structure can generally comprise a phononic crystal slab configured as a micro/nano-acoustic wave medium. The phononic crystal slab can define an exterior surface that bounds an interior volume, and the phononic crystal slab can be sized and shaped to contain acoustic waves within the interior volume of the phononic crystal slab. The phononic crystal slab can comprise at least one defect portion. The defect portion can affect periodicity characteristics of the phononic crystal slab. The defect portion can be shaped and arranged to enable confinement and manipulation of acoustic waves through the defect portion(s) of phononic crystal slab. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: Disclosed are various devices and methods employing photonic crystals (103, 126) to facilitate spatial separation of frequency components of a beam. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a preconditioning waveguide (106, 306) facilitating a predefined amount of diffraction of a beam comprising a plurality of wavelengths. A photonic crystal (103, 126) is optically coupled to an output of the preconditioning waveguide (106, 306). The photonic crystal is configured to spatially separate a plurality of frequency components of the beam.

Abstract: A lens-less system for analyzing an optical spectrum includes a sophisticated volume hologram for separating an incident diffuse optical signal into wavelength channels without aid of an external collector lens and a detector for receiving and detecting light dispersed by the sophisticated volume hologram. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system includes a sophisticated volume hologram for dispersing an incident optical signal with uniform spectrum over an input plane to an output pattern with non-uniform spatial-spectral information, where the sophisticated volume hologram includes a plurality of holograms that map different input wavelengths into a diverse spatial pattern. The system further includes a detector for receiving and detecting light dispersed by the sophisticated volume hologram. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of a lens-less system for analyzing an optical spectrum includes a sophisticated volume hologram for separating an incident diffuse optical signal into wavelength channels without aid of an external collector lens and a detector for receiving and detecting light dispersed by the sophisticated volume hologram. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system includes a volume hologram for dispersing a general diffuse beam of light provided as input; a detector for receiving and detecting light dispersed by the volume hologram; and a Fourier transforming lens for forming the Fourier transform of the light dispersed from the volume hologram onto the detector. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A three dimensional adiabatic taper provides a funnel for light to be coupled into high index material. The taper is formed by shadow deposition or sputtering from polysilicon, which can be used to match the refractive index of waveguiding material to which the taper is optically coupled. When designed with the correct shape and adequate smoothness, such tapers form efficient waveguide couplers. Once the light has been coupled through the adiabatic coupler into an index guide on a wafer or chip, an integral design of the transition between the index guide and photonic crystal ensures low loss coupling with a minimum of diffraction and back reflection.