Abstract: An acoustic resonator includes a piezoelectric stack including a piezoelectric layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, a top electrode layer disposed above the top surface, and a bottom electrode layer disposed below the bottom surface. A number of acoustic wave reflectors are disposed on a side of the bottom electrode layer opposite the piezoelectric layer. Each acoustic wave reflector includes a high acoustic impedance layer and may include a low acoustic impedance layer. The acoustic resonator may include a tether that extends laterally to a stacking direction of the layers of the piezoelectric stack. A supporting structure may be coupled to the tether opposite the acoustic resonator for anchoring the acoustic resonator. A mirror, one or more phononic crystals, or both may be positioned on proximate the tether opposite the acoustic resonator to avoid resonant waves from exiting the acoustic resonator in use.

Abstract: A high-power electro-optic modulator (EOM) is formed to use specialized electrodes of a material selected to have a CTE that matches the CTE of the modulator's crystal. Providing CTE matching reduces the presence of stress-induced birefringence, which is known to cause unwanted modulation of the propagating optical signal. The specialized electrodes are preferably formed of a CuW metal matrix composite having a W/Cu ratio selected to create the matching CTE value. Advantageously, the CuW-based electrodes also exhibit a thermal conductivity about an order of magnitude greater than conventional electrode material (brass, Kovar) and thus provide additional thermal stability to the EOM's performance.

Abstract: A high-power electro-optic modulator (EOM) is formed to use specialized electrodes of a material selected to have a CTE that matches the CTE of the modulator's crystal. Providing CTE matching reduces the presence of stress-induced birefringence, which is known to cause unwanted modulation of the propagating optical signal. The specialized electrodes are preferably formed of a CuW metal matrix composite having a W/Cu ratio selected to create the matching CTE value. Advantageously, the CuW-based electrodes also exhibit a thermal conductivity about an order of magnitude greater than conventional electrode material (brass, Kovar) and thus provide additional thermal stability to the EOM's performance.

Abstract: A high-power electro-optic modulator (EOM) is formed to use specialized electrodes of a material selected to have a CTE that matches the CTE of the modulator's crystal. Providing CTE matching reduces the presence of stress-induced birefringence, which is known to cause unwanted modulation of the propagating optical signal. The specialized electrodes are preferably formed of a CuW metal matrix composite having a W/Cu ratio selected to create the matching CTE value. Advantageously, the CuW-based electrodes also exhibit a thermal conductivity about an order of magnitude greater than conventional electrode material (brass, Kovar) and thus provide additional thermal stability to the EOM's performance.

Abstract: An acoustic resonator includes a piezoelectric stack including a piezoelectric layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, a top electrode layer disposed above the top surface, and a bottom electrode layer disposed below the bottom surface. A number of acoustic wave reflectors are disposed on a side of the bottom electrode layer opposite the piezoelectric layer. Each acoustic wave reflector includes a high acoustic impedance layer and may include a low acoustic impedance layer. The acoustic resonator may include a tether that extends laterally to a stacking direction of the layers of the piezoelectric stack. A supporting structure may be coupled to the tether opposite the acoustic resonator for anchoring the acoustic resonator. A mirror, one or more phononic crystals, or both may be positioned on proximate the tether opposite the acoustic resonator to avoid resonant waves from exiting the acoustic resonator in use.

Abstract: A high-power electro-optic modulator (EOM) is formed to use specialized electrodes of a material selected to have a CTE that matches the CTE of the modulator's crystal. Providing CTE matching reduces the presence of stress-induced birefringence, which is known to cause unwanted modulation of the propagating optical signal. The specialized electrodes are preferably formed of a CuW metal matrix composite having a W/Cu ratio selected to create the matching CTE value. Advantageously, the CuW-based electrodes also exhibit a thermal conductivity about an order of magnitude greater than conventional electrode material (brass, Kovar) and thus provide additional thermal stability to the EOM's performance.

Abstract: An acoustic resonator includes a piezoelectric stack including a piezoelectric layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, a top electrode layer disposed above the top surface, and a bottom electrode layer disposed below the bottom surface. A number of acoustic wave reflectors are disposed on a side of the bottom electrode layer opposite the piezoelectric layer. Each acoustic wave reflector includes a high acoustic impedance layer and may include a low acoustic impedance layer. The acoustic resonator may include a tether that extends laterally to a stacking direction of the layers of the piezoelectric stack. A supporting structure may be coupled to the tether opposite the acoustic resonator for anchoring the acoustic resonator. A mirror, one or more phononic crystals, or both may be positioned on proximate the tether opposite the acoustic resonator to avoid resonant waves from exiting the acoustic resonator in use.

Abstract: A charging station including a “reservoir” energy supply is proposed. The reservoir supply is formed of one or more rapid charge/discharge batteries that are also able to hold their charge for an extended period of time (as compared to conventional supercapacitors, for example). The reservoir supply is contemplated to accommodate transient increases in power demand when a given charging station has to re-charge several vehicles (for example) at the same time. The rechargeable batteries forming the reservoir are advantageously configured to thereafter be re-charged at a fast rate as well, making them ideal candidates for re-charging from secondary sources (such as, but not limited to, solar, fuel cells, wind, and the like).

Abstract: An acoustic resonator includes a piezoelectric stack including a piezoelectric layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, a top electrode layer disposed above the top surface, and a bottom electrode layer disposed below the bottom surface. A number of acoustic wave reflectors are disposed on a side of the bottom electrode layer opposite the piezoelectric layer. Each acoustic wave reflector includes a high acoustic impedance layer and may include a low acoustic impedance layer. The acoustic resonator may include a tether that extends laterally to a stacking direction of the layers of the piezoelectric stack. A supporting structure may be coupled to the tether opposite the acoustic resonator for anchoring the acoustic resonator. A mirror, one or more phononic crystals, or both may be positioned on proximate the tether opposite the acoustic resonator to avoid resonant waves from exiting the acoustic resonator in use.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator for high voltage applications exhibits reduced corona and arcing by utilizing dielectric-coated electrodes in conjunction with a non-centrosymmetric crystal. The inclusion of an insulative coating (i.e., a dielectric material) on at least a portion of the electrodes reduces the possibility of arcing or corona, without requiring the application of any type of coating material directly on the crystal itself. Thus, the birefringent response of the crystal is not impacted by this coated electrode configuration of the present invention. In one configuration, the exposed surfaces of the electrodes are coated with an insulative material, while maintaining a direct contact between the electrodes and the surface of the crystal.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator for high voltage applications exhibits reduced corona and arcing by utilizing dielectric-coated electrodes in conjunction with a non-centrosymmetric crystal. The inclusion of an insulative coating (i.e., a dielectric material) on at least a portion of the electrodes reduces the possibility of arcing or corona, without requiring the application of any type of coating material directly on the crystal itself. Thus, the birefringent response of the crystal is not impacted by this coated electrode configuration of the present invention. In one configuration, the exposed surfaces of the electrodes are coated with an insulative material, while maintaining a direct contact between the electrodes and the surface of the crystal.

Abstract: A method of making a single crystals of lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT). The method includes providing a crucible containing PMN-PT starting material, and placing the crucible into a furnace having at least two temperature zones, which is subsequently pressured with an inert gas. The crucible then descends into the temperature zones of the vertical. The temperature zones of the furnace include a first temperature zone having a temperature higher than a melting temperature of the PMN-PT material and a second temperature zone having a temperature less than the melting temperature of the PMN-PT material. The single crystals of PMN-PT prepared using the above-described method exhibits a [110] crystal orientation and may be used in electroacoustic transducers. The electroacoustic transducers are useful in devices that detect or generate acoustic waves.