Abstract: A multi-section filter is provided for use in processing optical signals and other signals that can be readily projected from one filter section to another. Filters of the invention can be configured in numerous forms, including IIR and FIR filters and both linear and 2D active optical lattice filters. Filter sections are coupled together by means of four direction couplers and surface grating couplers, and may be implemented as GSE photonic integrated circuit devices.

Abstract: A multi-section filter is provided for use in processing optical signals and other signals that can be readily projected from one filter section to another. Filters of the invention can be configured in numerous forms, including IIR and FIR filters and both linear and 2D active optical lattice filters. Filter sections are coupled together by means of four direction couplers and surface grating couplers, and may be implemented as GSE photonic integrated circuit devices.

Abstract: The invention provides for optical circulators which redirect light from port to port sequentially in one direction used to separate traffic in a bidirectional optical fiber transmission system. The invention provides for using two optical circulators in each span of bidirectional fiber so that the OSC channel can be transmitted in one direction opposite to the WDM channels.

Abstract: The present invention is an optical signal processing apparatus which centers around an active optical filter. The active optical lattice filter permits ultra-high bandwidth signal processing of optical signals. The filter utilizes a lattice arrangement of optical amplifiers and interfaces which feed and reinforce each other. The lattice sections are constructed of a semiconductive material so that the device may be used as an optoelectronic component of an optical communications system. A control voltage is applied to each optical amplifier thereby enabling a user to electronically control and tune the optical transfer function of the device. The lattice parameters may be adjusted to produce an tunable oscillation to produce a precision optical line frequency. Precision optical line frequencies are useful in dense wavelength division multiplexers. Also, the lattice parameters may be adjusted to produce very high-Q optical filters are needed to construct dense wavelength division demultiplexers.

Abstract: A system (200) for transmitting and focusing surface acoustic waves (208) along a substrate (206) is disclosed. The system (200) comprising a curved transmission element (202) that is disposed upon the substrate (206). The curved transmission element (202) is adapted to propagate an acoustic wave (212). The system (200) also comprises a curved receiving element (206) that is disposed upon the substrate in relation to the curved transmission element (202). The curved receiving element (206) is adapted to receive the acoustic wave (212) and match the acoustic wave's size and shape.

Abstract: A three-dimensional computer monitor is provided for displaying information and representations of objects in three dimensions. In a preferred embodiment, the monitor comprises a three dimensional array of optical voxels that are individually activated by energy transmitted through optical fibers coupled to each voxel. The energy, such as visible or ultraviolet light, may be conducted into selected optical fibers using a two dimensional shutter array or a plurality of controllable energy sources, under the direction of a digital computer. The voxels may be made of polymethylmethacrylate doped with a dye that fluoresces when energy, such as ultraviolet light, is introduced into a voxel. A color monitor may be constructed by selecting a plurality of dyes to produce voxels that emit different colors. The intensity of each of, for example, adjacent red, green and blue voxels can be controlled to produce a variety of colors.

Abstract: We describe a device for aligning optical beams that uses either an elliptically curved or a parabolically curved mirror arranged in the reflected beam path between a rotatable mirror, which is placed at the focus of the curved mirror, and the desired target. With the elliptical mirror, the device provides variable angle, fixed position of incidence of the reflected beam upon a target placed at the second focus of the ellipse. With the parabolic mirror, the device provides variable position, fixed angle of incidence of the reflected beam upon a target. Combinations of these devices may be used to solve a variety of beam steering and/or beam alignment problems. These devices are particularly useful for experiments and applications involving ultrashort optical pulses since the time of flight through either of these devices is a constant independent of the angle of incidence and the position of incidence.