Abstract: A III-V semiconductor waveguide is coupled with a Si waveguide to form a hybrid structure. Spatial location of the optical mode (or supermode) of the hybrid structure is controlled by controlling at least one between the geometry and the refractive index of the structure, e.g., varying width of the Si waveguide. Control of such spatial location allows location of the optical mode either almost entirely in the III-V semiconductor waveguide or almost entirely in the Si waveguide, thus allowing various optical arrangements to be obtained according to the location of the optical mode and the proprieties of the waveguides.

Abstract: The invention discloses a semi-ring Fabry-Perot (SRFP) optical resonator structure comprising a medium including an edge forming a reflective facet and a waveguide within the medium, the waveguide having opposing ends formed by the reflective facet. The performance of the SRFP resonator can be further enhanced by including a Mach-Zehnder interferometer in the waveguide on one side of the gain medium. The optical resonator can be employed in a variety of optical devices. Laser structures using at least one SRFP resonator are disclosed where the resonators are disposed on opposite sides of a gain medium. Other laser structures employing one or more resonators on one side of a gain region are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to opto-electronic systems using semiconductor lasers driven by feedback control circuits that control the laser's optical phase and frequency. Feedback control provides a means for coherent phased laser array operation and reduced phase noise. Systems and methods to coherently combine a multiplicity of lasers driven to provide high power coherent outputs with tailored spectral and wavefront characteristics are disclosed. Systems of improving the phase noise characteristics of one or more semiconductor lasers are further disclosed.

Abstract: A resonator structure is presented comprising a closed loop resonator having a distributed Bragg reflector for confining the light within the guiding core. In one embodiment the light is confined from both the internal and the external sides of the device forming a guiding channel (defect) or just by the external side forming a disk resonator. Although the perfectly circular shape is generally preferred, the resonator could be of any closed loop shape such as an ellipse, etc. Although not mentioned explicitly throughout the text, the Bragg reflectors can of any type of distributed reflector such as, for example, a photonic bandgap crystal where the Bragg reflector is constructed by series of holes in a dielectric material. The resonator structure can be used in various applications, such as optical filters, lasers, modulators, spectrum analyzers, wavelockers, interleave filters, and optical add drop multiplexers.

Abstract: The invention discloses a semi-ring Fabry-Perot (SRFP) optical resonator structure comprising a medium including an edge forming a reflective facet and a waveguide within the medium, the waveguide having opposing ends formed by the reflective facet. The performance of the SRFP resonator can be further enhanced by including a Mach-Zehnder interferometer in the waveguide on one side of the gain medium. The optical resonator can be employed in a variety of optical devices. Laser structures using at least one SRFP resonator are disclosed where the resonators are disposed on opposite sides of a gain medium. Other laser structures employing one or more resonators on one side of a gain region are also disclosed.

Abstract: Tunable semiconductor lasers are disclosed requiring minimized coupling regions. Multiple laser embodiments employ ring resonators or ring resonator pairs using only a single coupling region with the gain medium are detailed. Tuning can be performed by changing the phase of the coupling coefficient between the gain medium and a ring resonator of the laser. Another embodiment provides a tunable laser including two Mach-Zehnder interferometers in series and a reflector coupled to a gain medium.

Abstract: The invention discloses a semi-ring Fabry-Perot (SRFP) optical resonator structure comprising a medium including an edge forming a reflective facet and a waveguide within the medium, the waveguide having opposing ends formed by the reflective facet. The performance of the SRFP resonator can be further enhanced by including a Mach-Zehnder interferometer in the waveguide on one side of the gain medium. The optical resonator can be employed in a variety of optical devices. Laser structures using at least one SRFP resonator are disclosed where the resonators are disposed on opposite sides of a gain medium. Other laser structures employing one or more resonators on one side of a gain region are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transverse Bragg resonance waveguide is comprised of a waveguiding channel, and on at least two opposing sides of the channel two periodic index media; and a means for providing gain in the periodic index media. In one embodiment the waveguiding channel is planar and is sandwiched on two opposing sides by the periodic index media. In another embodiment the waveguiding channel is cylindrical and is surrounded by the periodic index media. The means for providing gain in the periodic index media is electrical or optical pumping. The periodic index media comprises a periodic lattice of regions having an index of refraction distinct from the channel, such as an array of transverse holes defined in a planar semiconductor substrate in which the channel is also defined, or an array of longitudinal holes defined in a cylindrical semiconductor fiber in which the channel is also longitudinally defined.

Abstract: A resonator structure is presented comprising a closed loop resonator having a distributed Bragg reflector for confining the light within the guiding core. In one embodiment the light is confined from both the internal and the external sides of the device forming a guiding channel (defect) or just by the external side forming a disk resonator. Although the perfectly circular shape is generally preferred, the resonator could be of any closed loop shape such as an ellipse, etc. Although not mentioned explicitly throughout the text, the Bragg reflectors can of any type of distributed reflector such as, for example, a photonic bandgap crystal where the Bragg reflector is constructed by series of holes in a dielectric material. The resonator structure can be used in various applications, such as optical filters, lasers, modulators, spectrum analyzers, wavelockers, interleave filters, and optical add drop multiplexers.

Abstract: A transverse Bragg resonance waveguide is comprised of a waveguiding channel, and on at least two opposing sides of the channel two periodic index media; and a means for providing gain in the periodic index media. In one embodiment the waveguiding channel is planar and is sandwiched on two opposing sides by the periodic index media. In another embodiment the waveguiding channel is cylindrical and is surrounded by the periodic index media. The means for providing gain in the periodic index media is electrical or optical pumping. The periodic index media comprises a periodic lattice of regions having an index of refraction distinct from the channel, such as an array of transverse holes defined in a planar semiconductor substrate in which the channel is also defined, or an array of longitudinal holes defined in a cylindrical semiconductor fiber in which the channel is also longitudinally defined.

Abstract: The invention discloses a semi-ring Fabry-Perot (SRFP) optical resonator structure comprising a medium including an edge forming a reflective facet and a waveguide within the medium, the waveguide having opposing ends formed by the reflective facet. The performance of the SRFP resonator can be further enhanced by including a Mach-Zehnder interferometer in the waveguide on one side of the gain medium. The optical resonator can be employed in a variety of optical devices. Laser structures using at least one SRFP resonator are disclosed where the resonators are disposed on opposite sides of a gain medium. Other laser structures employing one or more resonators on one side of a gain region are also disclosed.

Abstract: Tunable semiconductor lasers are disclosed requiring minimized coupling regions. Multiple laser embodiments employ ring resonators or ring resonator pairs using only a single coupling region with the gain medium are detailed. Tuning can be performed by changing the phase of the coupling coefficient between the gain medium and a ring resonator of the laser. Another embodiment provides a tunable laser including two Mach-Zehnder interferometers in series and a reflector coupled to a gain medium.

Abstract: An optical wave power control device and method enables signal control, such as modulation and switching, to be effected within an uninterrupted propagation element, e.g. an optical fiber or planar waveguide. The propagation element is configured such that a portion of its wave guided power encompasses the exterior surface of the element, intercepting the periphery of an adjacent high Q volumetric resonator. Power of a chosen resonant wavelength is coupled into the resonator, where it circulates with very low loss in accordance with the principles of a whispering gallery mode device, and returns energy to the propagation element. By introducing loss within the resonator, the propagated power can be varied between substantially full and substantially zero amplitudes. Loss factors can be maintained such that the resonator is overcoupled, i.e.

Abstract: A lens is formed out of semiconductor material. The semiconductor produces light which is coupled to the lens. The lens focuses the light and also minimizes refractive reflection. The lens is formed by a graded aluminum alloy, which is oxidized in a lateral direction. The oxidation changes the effective shape of the device according to the grading.

Abstract: Fiber ring lasers that combine a fiber Fabry-Perot resonator and a fiber grating coupler to produce a single-mode laser output.

Abstract: A Fourier hologram with the distribution of a radial harmonic function creates, in the far field, a pseudo non-diffracting beam. The properties of this pseudo non-diffracting beam can be set by appropriate characterization of the radial harmonic function. Various operations can also be carried out to change the position of the beam relative to the focal point. The beam can be shifted in space, twisted, or tilted.

Abstract: Techniques and devices using a fiber cavity formed of two spaced fiber gratings to construct a laser frequency locker.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for processing an analog signal by using optical pulses at a high sampling rate. Parallel analog-to-digital conversion channels can be implemented to achieve high-speed analog-to-digital conversion.

Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device having one or more depletion regions that are controlled by one or more control electrodes to vary the spatial distribution of the carriers in an active layer. The voltages on the control electrodes can be controlled to modulate the current density in the active layer and the output light intensity. The polarization of a surface emitting diode laser based on this device can be controlled or modulated.

Abstract: A polymer material is exposed to radiation of a type that changes some aspect of the polymer's radiation passing properties. The radiation that caused the property change is then contained by the material. The property change can be self-focusing or self-trapping light can be used. In that case, the same light that causes the photopolymerization is contained by the change in index of refraction that is caused by the polymerization.