Abstract: Techniques related to optical connectors are described herein. In some examples, an optical connector is illustrated including a ferrule and a mating arrangement to mechanically attach the ferrule to an optical device. The mating element defines an insertion direction. The ferrule includes an optical pathway for light transmission through the ferrule. An end longitudinal section of the optical pathway is to optically couple the optical pathway to the optical device. The end longitudinal section is angled with respect to the insertion direction.

Abstract: An integrated sub-wavelength grating element includes a transparent layer formed over an optoelectronic substrate layer and a sub-wavelength grating element formed into a grating layer disposed on said transparent layer. The sub-wavelength grating element is formed in alignment with an active region of an optoelectronic component within the optoelectronic substrate layer. The sub-wavelength grating element affects light passing between said grating element and said active region. A method for forming an integrated sub-wavelength grating element is also provided.

Abstract: Grating couplers that enable efficient coupling between waveguides and optical fibers are disclosed. In one aspect, a grating coupler includes a transition region that includes a wide edge and tapers away from the edge toward a waveguide disposed on a substrate. The coupler also includes a sub-wavelength grating disposed on the substrate adjacent to the edge. The grating is composed of a series of non-uniformly distributed, approximately parallel lines and separated by grooves with a depth to output light from the grating with TM polarization.

Abstract: Techniques related to optical devices are described herein. In an example, an optical device includes (a) an input optical channel and a corresponding output optical channel, and (b) an assembly of sub-wavelength grating layers aligned to optically couple the input optical channel to the output optical channel.

Abstract: A directional backlight is disclosed. The directional backlight has a directional backplane that has a plurality of directional pixels to scatter a plurality of input planar lightbeams into a plurality of directional lightbeams. Each directional lightbeam has a direction and angular spread controlled by characteristics of a directional pixel in the plurality of directional pixels. A modulation layer having a plurality of modulators modulates the plurality of directional lightbeams. The directional backlight can be used to generate a 3D image with multiple views by specifying the characteristics of the directional pixels in the directional backplane.

Abstract: A directional pixel for use in a display screen is disclosed. The directional pixel receives a planar lightbeam and includes a light propagating layer and a grating to scatter a portion of the planar lightbeam into a directional lightbeam having a direction and angular spread controlled by the grating.

Abstract: A directional backlight is disclosed. The directional backlight has a plurality of light sources to generate a plurality of input planar lightbeams. The plurality of input planar lightbeams illuminates a directional backplane that has a plurality of directional pixels to scatter the plurality of input planar lightbeams into a plurality of directional lightbeams. Each directional lightbeam has a direction and angular spread controlled by characteristics of a directional pixel in the plurality of directional pixels. The directional backlight can be used to generate a 3D image by specifying the characteristics of the directional pixels in the directional backplane.

Abstract: Techniques related to optical connectors are described. A ferrule includes an optical pathway for light transmission through the ferrule. In examples, a sub-wavelength grating (SWG) assembly is integrated in the ferrule, aligned with an end of the optical pathway.

Abstract: A multiview 3D wrist watch is disclosed. The wrist watch has clock circuitry to determine a time and a plurality of light sources to generate a plurality of input planar lightbeams. A directional backplane having a plurality of directional pixels scatters the plurality of input planar lightbeams into a plurality of directional lightbeams, each directional lightbeam having a direction and angular spread controlled by characteristics of a directional pixel in the plurality of directional pixels. A shutter layer receives the time from the clock circuitry and modulates the plurality of directional lightbeams to generate a 3D time view.

Abstract: A configurable grating based on collapsing nano-fingers includes a substrate; and a plurality of bendable nano-fingers supported on the substrate. The nano-fingers may be formed in a regular first array and the nano-fingers may be formed in a spacing that, upon closing at their tops, forms a second array to act as an optical grating or a diagnostic tool. A method of fabricating a configurable optical grating based on collapsing nano-fingers is also disclosed, as well as a method of determining an open or closed state for a plurality of nano-fingers.

Abstract: A backlight to emit light from a surface thereof includes a light guide to guide light, first and second collimating reflectors and a light source to produce light. The first collimating reflector is at a first edge of the light guide to collimate the light from the light source in a vertical direction and to direct the collimated light into the light guide. The second collimating reflector is at a second edge of the light guide to further collimate the collimated light in a horizontal direction and to redirect the further collimated light back into the light guide.

Abstract: A display is disclosed. The display has a backplane with a top surface and an edge surface. The edge surface makes an angle ? with respect to the top surface. An optical system is used to create a collimated light beam that is coupled to the edge surface. The collimated light beam makes an angle ? with respect to the top surface. The optical axis of the light beam has a refracted angle ?? with respect to the top surface. Angles ? and ? are selected such that ?? is no smaller than ?.

Abstract: Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (“VCSELs”) and VCSEL arrays are disclosed. In one aspect, a surface-emitting laser includes a grating layer having a sub-wavelength grating to form a resonant cavity with a reflective layer for a wavelength of light to be emitted from a light-emitting layer and an aperture layer disposed within the resonant cavity. The VCSEL includes a charge carrier transport layer disposed between the grating layer and the light-emitting layer. The transport layer has a gap adjacent to the sub-wavelength grating and a spacer region between the gap and the light-emitting layer. The spacer region and gap are dimensioned to be substantially transparent to the wavelength. The aperture layer directs charge carriers to enter a region of the light-emitting layer adjacent to an aperture in the aperture layer and the aperture confines optical modes to be emitted from the light-emitting layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to optical waveguide-to-fiber interconnects. In one aspect, an optical fiber-to-waveguide interconnect includes a grating coupler (102) located at the end of a waveguide, and a grating layer (110) disposed on the end of an optical fiber (112). The optical fiber includes a core (118) and the grating layer includes a planar, non-periodic, sub-wavelength grating (116). Light carried by the waveguide into the grating coupler is output and coupled into the core via the sub-wavelength grating, and light transmitted along the core to the grating layer is directed by the sub-wavelength grating into the grating coupler for transmission in the waveguide.

Abstract: A handheld device includes: a transmitter or receiver of a signal beam for quantum key distribution; and a source of alignment beams that diverge from each other in a pattern that matches sensors on a station containing a receiver or transmitter for the quantum key distribution. The alignment beams from the handheld device are of sufficient intensity to produce on the station visible spots that facilitate manual alignment of the handheld device. The station can measure a position and a direction of respective alignment beams and dynamically steer the signal beam according to the measurements.

Abstract: An energy collection system is provided. The system can include an energy collection device and an energy concentration device disposed proximate at least a portion of the energy collection device. The energy concentration device includes a non-periodic, sub-wavelength, dielectric grating.

Abstract: A photodetector receiver circuit for an optical communication system includes an optical photodetector which receives optical signals and converts them into an electrical current. In one illustrative embodiment, a dynamic impedance module which switches the receiver circuit between a high impedance state and a low impedance state and a buffer stage which receives the electrical current and converts the electrical current into a voltage signal compatible with a digital circuit. A method for receiving an optical signal includes, receiving the optical signal and converting it into an electrical pulse train, switching a dynamic impedance module between a high impedance state and a low impedance state, transforming the electrical pulse train into an output voltage signal using a buffer stage, and receiving the output voltage signal by a digital circuit.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to fiber-optic modulators that can be integrated in optical fibers to encode data in optical signals. In one aspect, a fiber-optic modulator includes a weak planar, sub-wavelength grating disposed between an end of a first optical fiber and an end of a second optical fiber. A first electrode is disposed on an edge of the grating and connected to an electronic signal source, and a second electrode is disposed on the edge of the grating opposite the first electrode and connected to the electronic signal source. The grating includes a grating pattern to reflect a channel input to the first optical fiber when a low or no current portion of an electronic signal to be generated by the electronic signal source is applied to the grating and to transmit the channel when a high current portion of the electronic signal is applied to the grating.

Abstract: A light field display for providing continuous 3D images to viewers at multiple views is provided. The light field display includes a pixel layer having a plurality of pixel layer elements, a resonant subwavelength lens layer having a plurality of resonant subwavelength lenses and a circuit board connected to the pixel layer and the resonant subwavelength lens layer. Each resonant subwavelength lens in the resonant subwavelength lens layer is integrated with an element in the pixel layer. The element may be either a pixel or a subpixel, such that each image view may be provided per pixel or subpixel in the pixel layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to nanowire-based systems for performing surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. In one embodiment, a system comprises a substrate having a surface and a plurality of tapered nanowires disposed on the surface. Each nanowire has a tapered end directed away from the surface. The system also includes a plurality of nanoparticles disposed near the tapered end of each nanowire. When each nanowire is illuminated with light of a pump wavelength, Raman excitation light is emitted from the tapered end of the nanowire to interact with the nanoparticles and produce enhanced Raman scattered light from molecules located in close proximity to the nanoparticles.