Abstract: A uni-block optical pulse compressor which acts to manipulate an input beam with a train of pulses in such a way that the pulses returned after a round-trip though the uni-block compressor are temporally compressed as described. The device is comprised of two optically transparent dielectric blocks whose indices of refraction are larger than the ambient, and provides a compact, portable and robust means for temporally compressing long duration pulses.

Abstract: A solar collector energy conversion system has a solar collector apparatus adapted to collect sunlight at a collection location and direct it to one or more light transport guides for transporting the sunlight to a conversion location separate from the collection location, and a solar energy conversion apparatus arranged at the conversion location and adapted to receive sunlight transported by the light transport guides and to convert the transported sunlight to an alternative form of energy.

Abstract: A light box is designed to receive sunlight guided through optical-fibers and to divert it through optics onto a photovoltaic chip which converts sunlight into electrical energy. The optics can be arranged as a prism or a reflective surface. The chip is not integrated with the light box.

Abstract: A photovoltaic chip is designed to receive light energy from a light box arranged above it. The light can be sunlight guided by optical-fibers. For ease of replacement the photovoltaic chips can be supported in a carrier which is movably housed in a block. The blocks are housed on racks and are movable for ease of repair and replacement.

Abstract: A solar collector energy conversion system has a solar collector apparatus adapted to collect sunlight at a collection location and direct it to one or more light transport guides for transporting the sunlight to a conversion location separate from the collection location, and a solar energy conversion apparatus arranged at the conversion location and adapted to receive sunlight transported by the light transport guides and to convert the transported sunlight to an alternative form of energy.

Abstract: A light box is designed to receive sunlight guided through optical-fibers and to divert it through optics onto a photovoltaic chip which converts sunlight into electrical energy. The optics can be arranged as a prism or a reflective surface. The chip is not integrated with the light box.

Abstract: A photovoltaic chip is designed to receive light energy from a light box arranged above it. The light can be sunlight guided by optical-fibers. For ease of replacement the photovoltaic chips can be supported in a carrier which is movably housed in a block. The blocks are housed on racks and are movable for ease of repair and replacement.

Abstract: Thermal energy is derived from sunlight. The system has a heating surface arranged to support microparticles to be heated, and a group of optical-fibers arranged to transport sunlight to irradiate microparticles on the heating surface. The optical-fibers are moved relative to the heating surface to enable the microparticles to be heated by the transported light as the optical-fiber scans the microparticles. Apparatus for storing the heated particles and for using the thermal energy is also discussed.

Abstract: A uni-block optical pulse compressor which acts to manipulate an input beam with a train of pulses in such a way that the pulses returned after a round-trip though the uni-block compressor are temporally compressed as described. The device is comprised of two optically transparent dielectric blocks whose indices of refraction are larger than the ambient, and provides a compact, portable and robust means for temporally compressing long duration pulses.

Abstract: The present invention provides an applications-oriented nitride compound semiconductor substrate, and devices based on it, whose lattice constant can be tuned to closely match that of any nitride thin film or films deposited on it for specific electronic or optoelectronic device applications. Such application-oriented nitride substrates, which can be composed of ternary InxGa1-xN, AlyIn1-yN, AlzGa1-zN, or quaternary AlaInbGa1-a-bN alloy compounds, minimize lattice-mismatch-induced dislocations and defects between the epitaxial films and the substrate on which the device layers are grown, leading to substantially improved device performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides an applications-oriented nitride compound semiconductor substrate, and devices based on it, whose lattice constant can be tuned to closely match that of any nitride thin film or films deposited on it for specific electronic or optoelectronic device applications. Such application-oriented nitride substrates, which can be composed of ternary InxGa1-xN, AlyIn1-yN, AlzGa1-zN, or quaternary AlaInbGa1-a-bN alloy compounds, minimize lattice-mismatch-induced dislocations and defects between the epitaxial films and the substrate on which the device layers are grown, leading to substantially improved device performance.

Abstract: A high speed, metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector includes a pair of generally circular, electrically conductive electrodes formed on an optically active semiconductor layer. Various embodiments of the invention include a spiral, intercoiled electrode geometry and an electrode geometry having substantially circular, concentric electrodes which are interposed. These electrode geometries result in photodetectors with lower capacitances, dark currents and lower inductance which reduces the ringing seen in the optical pulse response.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for phase-locking semiconductor laser arrays is described wherein individual light waves propagating in adjacent waveguides are phase-locked by intercoupling the waveguides in a specific manner. The waveguides are intercoupled in an unguided mode-mixing region wherein various modes of propagation mix by diffraction. The length of this region is fixed at a distance z which produces a phase difference an integral multiple of 2.pi. between adjacent waveguides.