Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method of producing a low contaminant, stoichiometrically controlled semiconductor material, the method comprising providing a colloidal suspension of a plurality of colloidally grown semiconductor nanocrystals, providing an inorganic ligand structure around a surface of the semiconductor nanocrystals of the plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals, drying the colloidal suspension into a powder, and pre-annealing the powder into a semiconductor material.

Abstract: A system and method for distinguishing a first light source from other light sources utilizes an image receiver that can selectively engage and disengage a filter. The filter can be configured to either block bands of light corresponding to the light being emitted by either the first source or the other sources. By sequentially engaging and disengaging the filter from the image receiver, the first light source may be distinguished from other light sources.

Abstract: A system and method for distinguishing a first light source from other light sources utilizes an image receiver that can selectively engage and disengage a filter. The filter can be configured to block bands of light corresponding to the light being emitted by either the first source or the other sources. By alternately engaging and disengaging the filter from the image receiver, the first light source may be distinguished from other light sources.

Abstract: A system and method for distinguishing a first light source from other light sources utilizes an image receiver that can selectively engage and disengage a filter. The filter can be configured to block bands of light corresponding to the light being emitted by either the first source or the other sources. By alternately engaging and disengaging the filter from the image receiver, the first light source may be distinguished from other light sources.

Abstract: A method and system of retro-emission include a microlens array to focus light of a first wavelength on a layer of luminescent material configured to emit light of a second wavelength when excited by a light of the first wavelength.

Abstract: A system and method for distinguishing a first light source from other light sources utilizes an image receiver that can selectively engage and disengage a filter. The filter can be configured to either block bands of light corresponding to the light being emitted by either the first source or the other sources. By sequentially engaging and disengaging the filter from the image receiver, the first light source may be distinguished from other light sources.

Abstract: An optical filter includes a first mirror, a cavity coupled to the first mirror, and a second mirror coupled to the cavity. The first and second mirrors are formed of periodic trenches etched into the surface of a waveguide.

Abstract: An optical filter that includes a resonator cavity comprised of a saturable absorber material is provided. An input signal waveguide, a non-resonant wavelengths output waveguide, and a resonant wavelength output waveguide are coupled to the cavity. A refractive index of the saturable absorber material is altered so that a resonant wavelength output is directed down the resonant wavelength output waveguide and non-resonant wavelengths are directed down the non-resonant wavelengths output waveguide.

Abstract: A multiplexing/demultiplexing system has a multiplexor that includes a first plurality of optical switches having a plurality of outputs and a first plurality of optical delay elements coupled to the optical switches. A source of optical light is coupled to the delay elements, and an optical combiner is coupled to the plurality of outputs and a source of framing pulses. A demultiplexor includes a first and second splitter, and a threshold detector coupled to the first splitter. The demultiplexor further includes a second plurality of optical delay elements coupled to the threshold detector, and a second plurality of optical switches coupled to the second splitter and the second plurality of delay elements.

Abstract: An optical wavelength converter converts an optical input signal having a first wavelength into an optical output signal having a second wavelength. The wavelength converter includes a saturable absorber switch having a control beam waveguide and an input waveguide. The converter further includes a first input coupled to the control beam waveguide and adapted to receive the optical input signal, and a second input coupled to the input waveguide and adapted to receive a second optical signal having the second wavelength from an optical source.

Abstract: A Fabry-Perot optical switch includes a saturable absorber surrounded by a pair of mirrors. Coupled to the saturable absorber is an input waveguide, an output waveguide, and a control beam waveguide. In the absence of light input to the control beam waveguide, the saturable absorber prevents an input signal on the input waveguide from passing through and being output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “off” state. In the presence of light input to the control beam waveguide and incident on the saturable absorber, the saturable absorber allows the input signal to pass through and be output on the output waveguide, or be reflected and output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “on” state.

Abstract: An optical filter includes a first mirror, a cavity coupled to the first mirror, and a second mirror coupled to the cavity. The first and second mirrors are formed of periodic trenches etched into the surface of a waveguide.

Abstract: An optical dispersion compensator includes a saturable absorber. Coupled to the saturable absorber is a pre-amplifier and a post-amplifier. The saturable absorber compresses optical pulse signals based upon the amplitude envelope of the optical pulse in order to prevent optical dispersion.

Abstract: An optical switch includes a saturable absorber. Coupled to the saturable absorber is an input waveguide, an output waveguide, and a control beam waveguide. In the absence of light input to the control beam waveguide, the saturable absorber prevents an input signal on the input waveguide from passing through and being output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “off” state. In the presence of light input to the control beam waveguide and incident of the saturable absorber, the saturable absorber allows the input signal to pass through and be output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “on” state.

Abstract: An optical switch includes a saturable absorber. Coupled to the saturable absorber is an input waveguide, an output waveguide, and a control beam waveguide. In the absence of light input to the control beam waveguide, the saturable absorber prevents an input signal on the input waveguide from passing through and being output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “off” state. In the presence of light input to the control beam waveguide and incident of the saturable absorber, the saturable absorber allows the input signal to pass through and be output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “on” state.

Abstract: An optical filter that includes a resonator cavity comprised of a saturable absorber material. An input signal waveguide, a non-resonant wavelengths output waveguide, and a resonant wavelength output waveguide are coupled to the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a device and method for detecting genetic material. The device includes at least one hairpin sensor or, preferably two or more hairpin sensors, spatially and/or spectrally multiplexed on a conductive or semi-conductive substrate or particle. The at least one hairpin sensor includes a quenchable fluorescing agent bound to a hairpin loop assembly and the hairpin loop assembly includes a probe complementary to a nucleotide sequence of interest. The method includes providing at least one hairpin sensor, exposing the at least one hairpin sensor to a sample of interest, and detecting fluorescence produced by the quenchable fluorescing agent. The fluorescence indicates the binding of a target nucleotide sequence to the complementary probe of the hairpin loop assembly.

Abstract: A multiplexing/demultiplexing system has a multiplexor that includes a first plurality of optical switches having a plurality of outputs and a first plurality of optical delay elements coupled to the optical switches. A source of optical light is coupled to the delay elements, and an optical combiner is coupled to the plurality of outputs and a source of framing pulses. A demultiplexor includes a first and second splitter, and a threshold detector coupled to the first splitter. The demultiplexor further includes a second plurality of optical delay elements coupled to the threshold detector, and a second plurality of optical switches coupled to the second splitter and the second plurality of delay elements.

Abstract: An optical wavelength converter converts an optical input signal having a first wavelength into an optical output signal having a second wavelength. The wavelength converter includes a saturable absorber switch having a control beam waveguide and an input waveguide. The converter further includes a first input coupled to the control beam waveguide and adapted to receive the optical input signal, and a second input coupled to the input waveguide and adapted to receive a second optical signal having the second wavelength from an optical source.

Abstract: A Fabry-Perot optical switch includes a saturable absorber surrounded by a pair of mirrors. Coupled to the saturable absorber is an input waveguide, an output waveguide, and a control beam waveguide. In the absence of light input to the control beam waveguide, the saturable absorber prevents an input signal on the input waveguide from passing through and being output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “off” state. In the presence of light input to the control beam waveguide and incident on the saturable absorber, the saturable absorber allows the input signal to pass through and be output on the output waveguide, or be reflected and output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “on” state.