Abstract: A system is provided for emulating return optical pulses from at least one emulated target in response to a time of flight (TOF) lidar signal. The system includes an optical blocker configured to partially reflect or guide emitted optical pulses emitted by a TOF lidar sensor; a detector configured to detect the partially reflected or guided optical pulses, and to output corresponding electrical pulses; an electrical delay circuit configured to delay the electrical pulses to indicate distance to the at least one emulated target relative to the TOF lidar sensor; at least one laser configured to reemit return optical pulses in response to the delayed electrical pulses; a collimator configured to collimate the return optical pulses; and a diffuser configured to diffuse the collimated return optical pulses over a predetermined range of azimuthal angles toward the TOF lidar sensor.

Abstract: Various illustrative embodiments disclosed herein generally pertain to detecting defects by using a radio-frequency debugging signal transmitted by a transmitting antenna array towards a receiving antenna located in a far-field region of the transmitting antenna array. The radio-frequency debugging signal, which is configured to provide information pertaining to a signal radiation distribution of the transmitting antenna array, is received in the receiving antenna and conveyed to a test unit. The test unit digitizes the received radio-frequency debugging signal to obtain a digital dataset and applies a back-propagation algorithm to the digital dataset for deriving a reconstructed near-field representation of the transmitting array.

Abstract: Various illustrative embodiments disclosed herein generally pertain to detecting defects by using a radio-frequency debugging signal transmitted by a transmitting antenna array towards a receiving antenna located in a far-field region of the transmitting antenna array. The radio-frequency debugging signal, which is configured to provide information pertaining to a signal radiation distribution of the transmitting antenna array, is received in the receiving antenna and conveyed to a test unit. The test unit digitizes the received radio-frequency debugging signal to obtain a digital dataset and applies a back-propagation algorithm to the digital dataset for deriving a reconstructed near-field representation of the transmitting array.

Abstract: A tunable laser comprises a first tuner configured to select an emission wavelength of the laser; a second tuner configured to adjust a cavity mode of the laser by modifying the cavity optical path length. The second tuner is constrained by a finite tuning range. The tunable laser also comprises a controller configured to control the first and second tuners to select the emission wavelength and adjust the cavity mode in synchronization to perform phase-continuous tuning across a range larger than supported by the finite tuning range of the second tuner.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the extracorporeal ablation of target cells circulating in blood of an organism. Exogenous material introduced into the blood preferentially associates with target cells (e.g. cancer cells, bacteria, viruses) in the blood. An extracorporeal continuous flow pathway accesses the patient's blood to apply an external energy source to the blood at an ex vivo ablation device in a portion of the extracorporeal continuous flow pathway. The exogenous material interact with the applied energy so as to result in the damage or death of the target cells. The blood is then returned to the body in a continuous-flow pattern. By applying the energy while the blood is in the ex vivo ablation device, shielding of the target cells by the body is reduced and detrimental effects on the organs and tissues of the body are avoided or mitigated.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices and methods for forming an hermetic seal between a lid and a submount for an electronics module or package. At least one thieving pad is connected to a metallized ring formed about or near the circumference of an upper surface of the submount. A corresponding metallized ring is disposed about the lower perimeter of the lid. Solder paste is placed between the two metallized rings and melted, preferably under a reducing atmosphere. Excess molten solder controllably flows towards the at least one thieving pattern while the lid is being hermetically sealed and soldered, avoiding the formation of undesired wayward solder balls inside the package.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the extracorporeal ablation of target cells circulating in blood of an organism. Exogenous material introduced into the blood preferentially associates with target cells (e.g. cancer cells, bacteria, viruses) in the blood. An extracorporeal continuous flow pathway accesses the patient's blood to apply an external energy source to the blood at an ex vivo ablation device in a portion of the extracorporeal continuous flow pathway. The exogenous material interact with the applied energy so as to result in the damage or death of the target cells. The blood is then returned to the body in a continuous-flow pattern. By applying the energy while the blood is in the ex vivo ablation device, shielding of the target cells by the body is reduced and detrimental effects on the organs and tissues of the body are avoided or mitigated.

Abstract: An optoelectronic package or sub-assembly includes an edge-emitting laser and a reflector that directs a beam from the laser through a sub-mount. The sub-mount contains passive or active circuit elements that are electrically connected to the laser. The laser can be protected from the environment using either a cap in which the reflector is integrated or using an encapsulant encasing the laser. An alignment post that is sized to fit into a sleeve is mounted where the optical signal emerges from the sub-mount. Plugging the post into one end of the sleeve and inserting an optical fiber into the other end of the sleeve so that the optical fiber abuts the post will then align the optical fiber to receive the optical signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for launching high-transmission-rate optical communication signals into legacy fiber optic cables. At least one aperture is provided on a proximal end of single-mode fiber optic stub so as to block or otherwise control the propagation of unwanted light into and through the stub. In one embodiment, a low-cost spheroidal lens is mounted between the optical transmitter and the proximal end of the fiber optic stub to focus and direct light emitted by the optical transmitter towards the fiber optic stub. The relatively broad light beam formed by the low-cost lens, in combination with the aperture, removes the requirement to precisely align the transmitter, lens and stub with one another, and further does away with the conventional requirement to attenuate the amount of signal power provided to the fiber optic stub.

Abstract: Compactness is preserved while enabling beam monitoring of optical properties of an output beam by employing a combination of reflection and diffraction. An input beam is reflected, divided using reflection/diffraction, and re-reflected. As a consequence, both a light source and one or more beam monitoring detectors may be disposed along a single side of an optical module. In one embodiment, an input beam is introduced from a first side of an optical module, is reflected by a 45 degree mirror, and is divided by a diffraction grating which redirects a minor portion of the beam energy back to the 45 degree mirror. Following the second reflection from the mirror, the returned portion of the beam is used to measure one or more optical properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices and methods for forming an hermetic seal between a lid and a submount for an electronics module or package. At least one thieving pad is connected to a metallized ring formed about or near the circumference of an upper surface of the submount. A corresponding metallized ring is disposed about the lower perimeter of the lid. Solder paste is placed between the two metallized rings and melted, preferably under a reducing atmosphere. Excess molten solder controllably flows towards the at least one thieving pattern while the lid is being hermetically sealed and soldered, avoiding the formation of undesired wayward solder balls inside the package.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for launching high-transmission-rate optical communication signals into legacy fiber optic cables. At least one aperture is provided on a proximal end of single-mode fiber optic stub so as to block or otherwise control the propagation of unwanted light into and through the stub. In one embodiment, a low-cost spheroidal lens is mounted between the optical transmitter and the proximal end of the fiber optic stub to focus and direct light emitted by the optical transmitter towards the fiber optic stub. The relatively broad light beam formed by the low-cost lens, in combination with the aperture, removes the requirement to precisely align the transmitter, lens and stub with one another, and further does away with the conventional requirement to attenuate the amount of signal power provided to the fiber optic stub.

Abstract: An optical coupler converts a light distribution from a light source into a small angle distribution that extends over a volume larger than the variations in the alignment of an optical fiber. In one embodiment, a diffractive or hybrid diffractive/refractive bifocal lens forms first and second images of the light source respectively in first and second image planes. An input face of the optical fiber is between the first and second image planes and receives light diverging from the first image plane and light converging toward the second image plane. The net optical power coupling into the fiber is uniform over a large range of fiber positions and provides the optical coupler with a relaxed tolerance for misalignment of the fiber or the light source. The relaxed alignment tolerance facilitates low cost manufacture of multi-channel optical transmitters using single-mode optical fibers.

Abstract: A self-monitoring light source is provided. The self-monitoring light source includes a light source that generates light and a light monitor that receives a portion of the generated light. The light source and the light monitor are manufactured on the same semiconductor die.

Abstract: An optical coupler converts a light distribution from a light source into a small angle distribution that extends over a volume larger than the variations in the alignment of an optical fiber. In one embodiment, a diffractive or hybrid diffractive/refractive bifocal lens forms first and second images of the light source respectively in first and second image planes. An input face of the optical fiber is between the first and second image planes and receives light diverging from the first image plane and light converging toward the second image plane. The net optical power coupling into the fiber is uniform over a large range of fiber positions and provides the optical coupler with a relaxed tolerance for misalignment of the fiber or the light source. The relaxed alignment tolerance facilitates low cost manufacture of multi-channel optical transmitters using single-mode optical fibers.

Abstract: A light transmission system includes a laser, an optical fiber, and a transfer lens. The transfer lens transfers light emitted by the laser into the optical fiber. The transfer lens includes a diffractive surface for receiving and collimating the light originating form the laser. The diffractive surface is defined by a surface function that includes a first phase function having angular symmetry and a second phase function having radial symmetry. The second phase function includes a cusp region with a discontinuous slope therein. The transfer lens provides reflection management so that light reflected from the end of the optical fiber is not focused at a location at which light is emitted by the laser and also favorable launch conditions so that light launched into the optical fiber avoids index anomalies along the axis of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes a substrate having a surface relief pattern formed on a first side thereof. The diffractive optical element includes an anti-reflection coating formed on the surface relief pattern, thereby forming a coated surface relief pattern with substantially the same dimensions as the surface relief pattern formed on the substrate.

Abstract: A light transmission system includes a laser, an optical fiber, and a transfer lens. The transfer lens transfers light emitted by the laser into the optical fiber. The transfer lens includes a diffractive surface for receiving and collimating the light originating form the laser. The diffractive surface is defined by a surface function that includes a first phase function having angular symmetry and a second phase function having radial symmetry. The second phase function includes a cusp region with a discontinuous slope therein. The transfer lens provides reflection management so that light reflected from the end of the optical fiber is not focused at a location at which light is emitted by the laser and also favorable launch conditions so that light launched into the optical fiber avoids index anomalies along the axis of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A light transmission system includes a laser, an optical fiber, and a transfer lens. The transfer lens transfers light emitted by the laser into the optical fiber. The transfer lens includes a diffractive surface for receiving and collimating the light originating form the laser. The diffractive surface is defined by a surface function that includes a first phase function having angular symmetry and a second phase function having radial symmetry. The second phase function includes a cusp region with a discontinuous slope therein. The transfer lens provides reflection management so that light reflected from the end of the optical fiber is not focused at a location at which light is emitted by the laser and also favorable launch conditions so that light launched into the optical fiber avoids index anomalies along the axis of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical signal coupling system including an optical source, beam shaping lens system, and a waveguide is disclosed. The beam shaping lens system converges the optical signal from the optical source into a focal area that is larger than the cross sectional area of the waveguide. The converged optical signal has a predetermined power distribution profile at the focal area such as a uniform distribution. Accordingly, misalignments of the waveguide and the optical signal source have minimal impact on the coupling efficiency of the optical signal from the optical source to the waveguide.