Abstract: An optical sensor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a sample holder, configured to hold a sample, in operation; a probe, comprising an arrangement of luminescent quantum dots; an optical source, configured to optically excite the luminescent quantum dots; an optical detector, configured to read optical signals from the quantum dots; and a circuit. The circuit is connected to the optical detector and configured to determine correlations between optical signals read by the optical detector. The probe is positioned or positionable relatively to, e.g., at a distance from, the sample, such that optical signals transmitted by each of the quantum dots are influenced by the sample, in operation. The present invention is further directed to related methods of operation and fabrication methods.

Abstract: An optical sensor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a sample holder, configured to hold a sample, in operation; a probe, comprising an arrangement of luminescent quantum dots; an optical source, configured to optically excite the luminescent quantum dots; an optical detector, configured to read optical signals from the quantum dots; and a circuit. The circuit is connected to the optical detector and configured to determine correlations between optical signals read by the optical detector. The probe is positioned or positionable relatively to, e.g., at a distance from, the sample, such that optical signals transmitted by each of the quantum dots are influenced by the sample, in operation. The present invention is further directed to related methods of operation and fabrication methods.

Abstract: An optical sensor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a sample holder, configured to hold a sample, in operation; a probe, comprising an arrangement of luminescent quantum dots; an optical source, configured to optically excite the luminescent quantum dots; an optical detector, configured to read optical signals from the quantum dots; and a circuit. The circuit is connected to the optical detector and configured to determine correlations between optical signals read by the optical detector. The probe is positioned or positionable relatively to, e.g., at a distance from, the sample, such that optical signals transmitted by each of the quantum dots are influenced by the sample, in operation. The present invention is further directed to related methods of operation and fabrication methods.

Abstract: Optically pumpable waveguide amplifier with amplifier having tapered input and output. The present invention provides for a optically pumpable waveguide amplification device that includes: a cladding material; a passive optical waveguide embedded in the cladding material that has no optical amplification functionality; and an active optical waveguide having an input portion, a middle portion and an output portion, including: a gain material with a higher refractive index than the passive optical waveguide, wherein the middle portion of the active optical waveguide is embedded in the cladding material, and faces the passive wave guide, such that a lower surface of the middle portion is an upper surface of the passive optical waveguide. There is also provided a device for optically pumpable waveguide amplification and a method for signal radiation amplification.

Abstract: Optically pumpable waveguide amplifier with amplifier having tapered input and output. The present invention provides for a optically pumpable waveguide amplification device that includes: a cladding material; a passive optical waveguide embedded in the cladding material that has no optical amplification functionality; and an active optical waveguide having an input portion, a middle portion and an output portion, including: a gain material with a higher refractive index than the passive optical waveguide, wherein the middle portion of the active optical waveguide is embedded in the cladding material, and faces the passive wave guide, such that a lower surface of the middle portion is an upper surface of the passive optical waveguide. There is also provided a device for optically pumpable waveguide amplification and a method for signal radiation amplification.

Abstract: An optical sensor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a sample holder, configured to hold a sample, in operation; a probe, comprising an arrangement of luminescent quantum dots; an optical source, configured to optically excite the luminescent quantum dots; an optical detector, configured to read optical signals from the quantum dots; and a circuit. The circuit is connected to the optical detector and configured to determine correlations between optical signals read by the optical detector. The probe is positioned or positionable relatively to, e.g., at a distance from, the sample, such that optical signals transmitted by each of the quantum dots are influenced by the sample, in operation. The present invention is further directed to related methods of operation and fabrication methods.

Abstract: Optically pumpable waveguide amplifier with amplifier having tapered input and output. The present invention provides for a optically pumpable waveguide amplification device that includes: a cladding material; a passive optical waveguide embedded in the cladding material that has no optical amplification functionality; and an active optical waveguide having an input portion, a middle portion and an output portion, including: a gain material with a higher refractive index than the passive optical waveguide, wherein the middle portion of the active optical waveguide is embedded in the cladding material, and faces the passive wave guide, such that a lower surface of the middle portion is an upper surface of the passive optical waveguide. There is also provided a device for optically pumpable waveguide amplification and a method for signal radiation amplification.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is described containing a deflector between a first nanoscale device and a second nanoscale device. The deflector is designed to deflect near-field radiation from emanating from the first nanoscale device to the second nanoscale device. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished using at least one nanoscale element located between the first and second nanoscale device, where the nanoscale element is tuned to the proper plasmon-polariton frequency to deflect the near field radiation.

Abstract: Optically pumpable waveguide amplifier with amplifier having tapered input and output. The present invention provides for a optically pumpable waveguide amplification device that includes: a cladding material; a passive optical waveguide embedded in the cladding material that has no optical amplification functionality; and an active optical waveguide having an input portion, a middle portion and an output portion, including: a gain material with a higher refractive index than the passive optical waveguide, wherein the middle portion of the active optical waveguide is embedded in the cladding material, and faces the passive wave guide, such that a lower surface of the middle portion is an upper surface of the passive optical waveguide. There is also provided a device for optically pumpable waveguide amplification and a method for signal radiation amplification.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is described containing a deflector between a first nanoscale device and a second nanoscale device. The deflector is designed to deflect near-field radiation from emanating from the first nanoscale device to the second nanoscale device. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished using at least one nanoscale element located between the first and second nanoscale device, where the nanoscale element is tuned to the proper plasmon-polariton frequency to deflect the near field radiation.