Abstract: A microscope objective is disclosed comprising; a lens; a housing; a lens holder that is arranged to couple the lens to the housing; a first conductor and a second conductor, the first conductor and the second conductor extending along a sidewall of the housing, the first conductor and the second conductor being arranged to form at least one loop that is that is disposed about at least a portion of a perimeter of a field of view of the lens.

Abstract: A system for optically modulating a plurality of optical channels includes a power delivery module adapted to convert a coherent light beam into a plurality of optical channels, at least one optical modulator, optically coupled to the power delivery module, the at least one optical modulator adapted to optically modulate each of the plurality of the optical channels, and a vacuum chamber having a trapping plane therein, the vacuum chamber adapted to generate an addressable array of trapped particles at the trapping plane, wherein each of the plurality of optical channels is optically coupled to at least one of the trapped particles of the addressable array.

Abstract: A method of generating uniform large-scale optical focus arrays (LOT As) with a phase spatial light modulator includes identifying and removing undesired phase rotation in the iterative Fourier transform algorithm (IFTA), thereby producing computer-generated holograms of highly uniform LOT As using a reduced number of iterations as compared to a weighted Gerch-berg-Saxton algorithm. The method also enables a faster compensation of optical system-induced LOT A intensity inhomogeneity than the conventional IFTA.

Abstract: A microscope objective is disclosed comprising; a lens; a housing; a lens holder that is arranged to couple the lens to the housing; a first conductor and a second conductor, the first conductor and the second conductor extending along a sidewall of the housing, the first conductor and the second conductor being arranged to form at least one loop that is that is disposed about at least a portion of a perimeter of a field of view of the lens.

Abstract: A programmable photonic integrated circuit implements arbitrary linear optics transformations in the spatial mode basis with high fidelity. Under a realistic fabrication model, we analyze programmed implementations of the CNOT gate, CPHASE gate, iterative phase estimation algorithm, state preparation, and quantum random walks. We find that programmability dramatically improves device tolerance to fabrication imperfections and enables a single device to implement a broad range of both quantum and classical linear optics experiments. Our results suggest that existing fabrication processes are sufficient to build such a device in the silicon photonics platform.

Abstract: A programmable photonic integrated circuit implements arbitrary linear optics transformations in the spatial mode basis with high fidelity. Under a realistic fabrication model, we analyze programmed implementations of the CNOT gate, CPHASE gate, iterative phase estimation algorithm, state preparation, and quantum random walks. We find that programmability dramatically improves device tolerance to fabrication imperfections and enables a single device to implement a broad range of both quantum and classical linear optics experiments. Our results suggest that existing fabrication processes are sufficient to build such a device in the silicon photonics platform.

Abstract: A programmable photonic integrated circuit implements arbitrary linear optics transformations in the spatial mode basis with high fidelity. Under a realistic fabrication model, we analyze programmed implementations of the CNOT gate, CPHASE gate, iterative phase estimation algorithm, state preparation, and quantum random walks. We find that programmability dramatically improves device tolerance to fabrication imperfections and enables a single device to implement a broad range of both quantum and classical linear optics experiments. Our results suggest that existing fabrication processes are sufficient to build such a device in the silicon photonics platform.

Abstract: Techniques for hyperspectral imaging, including a device for hyperspectral imaging including at least one tunable interferometer including a thin layer of material disposed between two or more broadband mirrors. Electrodes placed on either side of the tunable interferometer can be coupled to a voltage control circuit, and upon application of a voltage across the tunable interferometer, the distance between the mirrors can be modulated by physically altering the dimensions of the thin layer of material, which can uniformly load the broadband mirrors. Physically altering the dimensions of the thin layer of material can include one or more of deformation of a soft material, piezostrictrive actuation of a piezostrictrive material, or electrostrictive actuation of an electrostrictive material.

Abstract: Techniques for deterministic switch microscopy include resolving at least one nitrogen vacancy center in a diamond structure. A magnetic field can be applied across the diamond structure and the nitrogen vacancy centers can be optically excited. The nitrogen vacancy centers can be switched from a dark state to a bright state or a bright state by a dark state by applying at least one microwave pulse. A fluorescent response of each nitrogen vacancy center can be detected and a nitrogen vacancy center can be resolved based on the fluorescent response of each nitrogen vacancy center as it corresponds to the orientation of the nitrogen vacancy center relative to the applied magnetic field.

Abstract: Techniques for imaging a characteristic of a sample with a plurality of conjugates of diamond-metallic nanoparticles having a nitrogen vacancy center. The plurality of conjugates can be exposed to a sample and the nitrogen vacancy centers can be optically pumped. One or more microwave pulses can be applied to the nitrogen vacancy center, and a fluorescent response can be detected.

Abstract: Techniques for coupling light into graphene using a planar photonic crystal having a resonant cavity characterized by a mode volume and a quality factor and at least one graphene layer positioned in proximity to the planar photonic crystal to at least partially overlap with an evanescent field of the resonant cavity. At least one mode of the resonant cavity can couple into the graphene layer via evanescent coupling. The optical properties of the graphene layer can be controlled, and characteristics of the graphene-cavity system can be detected. Coupling light into graphene can include electro-optic modulation of light, photodetection, saturable absorption, bistability, and autocorrelation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for precision optical imaging of electrical currents and temperature in integrated circuits are disclosed herein. In one aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a method for detecting a characteristic of an integrated circuit can include depositing at least one diamond structure, having at least one color center therein, onto a side of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: Techniques for temporal quantum key distribution between at least a first entity and a second entity include measuring an arrival time of each of a plurality of photons within each of a set of time frames. The arrival time can correspond to one of the plurality of time bins within the time frame. Measuring can occur in a randomly selected one of at least two mutually unbiased bases. The mutually unbiased bases can include a basis corresponding to a measurement with dispersion and a basis corresponding to a measurement without dispersion. The randomly selected basis for each time frame can be communicated, via a classical communications channel. A quantum key can be generated from the time bins corresponding to the arrival time of photons within at least some of the time frames for which the randomly selected basis is consistent between the first and the second entity.

Abstract: A programmable photonic integrated circuit implements arbitrary linear optics transformations in the spatial mode basis with high fidelity. Under a realistic fabrication model, we analyze programmed implementations of the CNOT gate, CPHASE gate, iterative phase estimation algorithm, state preparation, and quantum random walks. We find that programmability dramatically improves device tolerance to fabrication imperfections and enables a single device to implement a broad range of both quantum and classical linear optics experiments. Our results suggest that existing fabrication processes are sufficient to build such a device in the silicon photonics platform.

Abstract: Techniques for temporal quantum key distribution between at least a first entity and a second entity include measuring an arrival time of each of a plurality of photons within each of a set of time frames. The arrival time can correspond to one of the plurality of time bins within the time frame. Measuring can occur in a randomly selected one of at least two mutually unbiased bases. The mutually unbiased bases can include a basis corresponding to a measurement with dispersion and a basis corresponding to a measurement without dispersion. The randomly selected basis for each time frame can be communicated, via a classical communications channel. A quantum key can be generated from the time bins corresponding to the arrival time of photons within at least some of the time frames for which the randomly selected basis is consistent between the first and the second entity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling electromagnetic radiation from fiber arrays into waveguides and photonic chips are disclosed. In one aspect of the disclosed subject matter, systems for coupling electromagnetic radiation from an optical fiber into a waveguide are provided. In some embodiments, the system can include at least one optical fiber having a distal portion adapted for allowing a portion of an electromagnetic field to exist outside of the fiber. At least one waveguide can have a surface adapted to receive the distal portion of the fiber and be shaped such that the fiber presses against the waveguide creating a repeatable interface. The fiber and the waveguide are arranged so at least part of the portion of the field existing outside the fiber extends into the waveguide. In another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, methods for coupling electromagnetic radiation from the fiber to a photonic integrated chip are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for suspended polymer photonic crystal (SPPC) cavities and waveguides are disclosed. In one aspect, photonic crystal cavities are provided. An exemplary photonic crystal cavity can include a substrate having a trench. A polymer film can be suspended above the trench thereby forming a gap between the polymer film and the substrate. The polymer film can include a plurality of holes to thereby form at least one optical cavity. The plurality of holes can have a lattice spacing, and each hole can have a radius. The radius and lattice spacing of the plurality of holes can be adapted to increase a gap-midgap ratio. In another aspect, photonic waveguides are provided. In another, methods for fabricating an SPPC are provided. In another, methods for sensing using a polymer photonic crystal ladder cavity are disclosed. In another, methods for optical filtering using an SPPC waveguide-coupled cavity drop filter are disclosed.

Abstract: An interferometer module for quantum processing is described including a substrate having two or more input ports and two or more output ports; multiple photonic pathways embedded in the substrate for conveying photons from the two or more input ports and the two or more output ports; and one or more partial beam splitters embedded in the substrate in a photonic pathway for generating spatial and polarization entanglement.

Abstract: Techniques for obtaining a frequency standard using the crystal field splitting frequency of nitrogen vacancy center in diamond are disclosed. In certain exemplary embodiments, a microwave field is applied to the diamond and optically exciting the diamond under green light. The photoluminescent response of the diamond is measured by a photodetector. The intensity of the photoluminescent response can be used to determine the phase shift between the microwave and the crystal field splitting frequency. The microwave field frequency can be adjusted until the phase shift is below a predetermined threshold, and the microwave frequency can then be output for use as a standard.

Abstract: Techniques for coupling light into graphene using a planar photonic crystal having a resonant cavity characterized by a mode volume and a quality factor and at least one graphene layer positioned in proximity to the planar photonic crystal to at least partially overlap with an evanescent field of the resonant cavity. At least one mode of the resonant cavity can couple into the graphene layer via evanescent coupling. The optical properties of the graphene layer can be controlled, and characteristics of the graphene-cavity system can be detected. Coupling light into graphene can include electro-optic modulation of light, photodetection, saturable absorption, bistability, and autocorrelation.