Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a photonic IC (PIC) with an optical probe having an out-of-plane edge coupler to convey test signals between the out-of-plane probe and an edge coupled photonic waveguide within a plane of the PIC. To accommodate dimensions of the optical probe, a test trench may be fabricated in the PIC near an edge coupler of the waveguide. The optical probe may be displaced along one or more axes relative to a prober to position a free end of the prober within the test trench and to align the probe's out-of-plane edge coupler with an edge coupler of a PIC waveguide. Accordingly, a PIC may be probed at the wafer-level, without first dicing a wafer into PIC chips or bars. The optical probe may be physically coupled to a prober through a contact sensor to detect and/or avoid physical contact between probe and PIC.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a photonic IC (PIC) with an optical probe having an out-of-plane edge coupler to convey test signals between the out-of-plane probe and an edge coupled photonic waveguide within a plane of the PIC. To accommodate dimensions of the optical probe, a test trench may be fabricated in the PIC near an edge coupler of the waveguide. The optical probe may be displaced along one or more axes relative to a prober to position a free end of the prober within the test trench and to align the probe's out-of-plane edge coupler with an edge coupler of a PIC waveguide. Accordingly, a PIC may be probed at the wafer-level, without first dicing a wafer into PIC chips or bars. The optical probe may be physically coupled to a prober through a contact sensor to detect and/or avoid physical contact between probe and PIC.

Abstract: A sensing device having: a bottom electrode, a dielectric on the bottom electrode, a grid of nanoelectrodes on the dielectric, and a top electrode in electrical contact with the grid. A method of chemical or biological sensing comprising: providing a grid of nanoelectrodes; exposing the grid to fluid suspected of containing a chemical or biological analyte; and measuring a change in the capacitance and conductance of the grid.

Abstract: A miniature antenna which is rugged, extremely light-weight and which is especially adapted for reception across the entire FM band comprising an omnidirectional half-wave dipole having feed structure comprised of curved overlapping dipole element points connected to a solid state amplifier having staggered tuned input and output circuits. The input to the amplifier is maintained essentially balanced to preserve the omnidirectional pattern of the dipole.The physical location of the solid state amplifier is such that it is directly connected to the feed point of the dipole eliminating transmission line losses.The coaxial cable is employed in a diplexed manner for connecting the DC power supply to the solid state amplifier and for connecting the amplified output signal to an impedance converter which is to provide proper impedance match for the antenna input signals of an FM tuner/receiver.