Abstract: A grating (18) couples the waveguide region (36) of a semiconductor laser (11) to a dielectric waveguide (26). The waveguide region of the laser includes a mirror (15) at one end thereof and an absorber (19) at the other end thereof. The dielectric waveguide includes a reflector (24) therein to reflect a portion of the light coupled from the laser to the dielectric waveguide back into the laser waveguide region.

Abstract: A grating (461) coupling the output of a semiconductor laser (410) in a semiconductor waveguide to a dielectric waveguide (451) having a core (458) which may be efficiently butt-coupled to the core of an optical fiber (470); the laser and semiconductor waveguide, coupling grating, and dielectric waveguide are integrated on a single substrate. Further, multiple lasers (410, 420, 430, 440) with differing lasing frequencies may be integrated and their outputs grating coupled into a single dielectric waveguide (450) for wavelength division multiplexing.

Abstract: An improved cut plant watering apparatus for detecting and indicating a predetermined water fill level to prevent overfilling and spillage when watering a cut plant, such as a Christmas tree, mounted in a container comprising a conduit for carrying water from a fill location to the container, an indicator in communication with and responsive to a detector that, when used to fill the container with water, indicates that the predetermined water level has been reached so that a person does not inadvertently overfill the container, thereby eliminating water damage to surrounding objects or to the carpet and floor.

Abstract: A grating (461) coupling the output of a semiconductor laser (410) in a semiconductor waveguide to a dielectric waveguide (451) having a core (458) which may be efficiently butt-coupled to the core of an optical fiber (470); the laser and semiconductor waveguide, coupling grating, and dielectric waveguide are integrated on a single substrate. Further, multiple lasers (410, 420, 430, 440) with differing lasing frequencies may be integrated and their outputs grating coupled into a single dielectric waveguide (450) for wavelength division multiplexing.

Abstract: An adjustable seat post assembly for a bicycle includes a movable seat for a rider of the bicycle and an adjustable mounting device for mounting the seat on the bicycle so as to enable the seat to be moved between a first, normal riding position and a second position upwardly and rearwardly of the first position wherein the lumbar spine of a rider sitting on the seat passively assumes a protective curvature. A braking assembly enables the seat to be stopped at any selected position along a linear path of movement between the first and second positions. In one embodiment, a pair of parallel elongate arms are secured to the seat and are movable axially to provide movement of the seat, and a mount through which the arms slide is secured to the bicycle. In another embodiment, the seat is affixed to a sliding block which is received in an elongate slot formed in a body member secured to the bicycle so that the seat can be moved to different positions along the body member under the control of the rider.

Abstract: An optical amplifier comprising a substrate of a semiconductor material having a pair of opposed surfaces and a body of semiconductor material on one of the surfaces. The body includes a pair of clad layers of opposite conductivity types having an intermediate quantum wall region therebetween. The clad layers are of a semiconductor material which form a heterojunction with the material of the quantum well region. The clad layers and quantum well region forms a waveguide which extends along the body. A gain section is in the body along the waveguide. The gain section includes a capping layer over the outermost clad layer, a contact on the capping layer and a contact on the other surface of the substrate to allow a voltage to be applied across the gain section. The gain section is adapted to generate light in the active region when a voltage is applied thereacross. A light input section having a grating extending across the body is at one end of the gain section.

Abstract: A diode laser array comprises a substrate of a semiconductor material having first and second opposed surfaces. On the first surface is a plurality of spaced gain sections and a separate distributed Bragg reflector passive waveguide at each end of each gain section and optically connecting the gain sections. Each gain section includes a cavity therein wherein charge carriers are generated and recombine to generate light which is confined in the cavity. Also, the cavity, which is preferably a quantum well cavity, provides both a high differential gain and potentially large depth of loss modulation. Each waveguide has a wavelength which is preferably formed by an extension of the cavity of the gain sections and a grating. The grating has a period which provides a selective feedback of light into the gain sections to supporting lasing, which allows some of the light to be emitted from the waveguide normal to the surface of the substrate and which allows optical coupling of the gain sections.

Abstract: A superluminescent diode has one end coupled to a DBR having a grating and the other end has a reflective coating. A broadlight spectrum is emitted for reduced speckle interference and phase noise when used in applications such as a gyroscope. The diode can be of the "P side down" type for good heat dissipation during continuous wave operation. Two gratings can be used in order to reduce beam divergence.

Abstract: A first array of laser diode devices are optically coupled by a diffraction grating comprising a plurality of spaced diffraction nodules in a grid array optically coupled to the devices. The light emitted from a device of the first array can pass through the grid array to a second device, reflect back to the emitting device in a Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) mode and deflect orthogonal to the emitted light optical axis to a third device in a Distributed Bragg Deflector (DBD) mode. The light from the second and third devices can be coupled to other laser diode devices by still further diffraction nodule arrays to produce phased-locked beams; beam steering of portions of the light and other effects.

Abstract: Disclosed is a GaA1As laser diode wherein an abrupt etch step in the waveguide layer forms a third mirror. The structure is a large optical cavity double heterostructure laser having a relatively long active cavity and a relatively short passive cavity. Output is temperature and current sensitive for single mode operation, widely-spaced dual mode operation, and narrow-band multimode operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a representative average weight reading is disclosed, based on a series of weight readings from a scale subject to vibrations. Signals are generated at regular intervals, representative of the weight readings from said scale. Each new weight signal is compared with the previous weight signal, and one of two alternative labels is assigned to each new weight signal according to whether it is greater or less than the previous weight signal, and the opposite of the previous label is assigned if the signals are equal. The weight signals occurring in a weight averaging interval, which extends from a label change in one direction to the next label change in the same direction, are then averaged.