Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a low cost optical gyro using thin film waveguides to direct light beams among the components of the gyro. The gyro includes a substrate having an insulator layer, a silicon waveguide formed on the insulator layer, and a resonator coupled to the silicon waveguide and configured to circulate a portion of a first light beam in a first counter-propagating direction and circulate a portion of a second light beam in a second counter-propagating direction. The first silicon waveguide propagates the first and second light beams therethrough. Each of the first and second light beams has a resonance frequency when circulating in the resonator.

Abstract: A high density integrated processing and sensing chip includes an integrated signal processing circuit formed on one side of a substrate and a magnetic sensor element formed on an opposing side of the substrate. In one embodiment, the integrated signal processing circuit and the magnetic sensor are able to electrically connected to one another through vias or through metallic trace elements provided by a package frame.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the rotational rate of an optical gyro. An optical gyro comprises at least one substrate, a multi-frequency light source (MFLS) mounted on the substrate, and a resonator coupled to the MFLS. The MFLS is configured to produce a first light beam having a first frequency and a second light beam having a second frequency and phase locked with the first light beam. The resonator comprises an optical fiber coil having a hollow core. The resonator is configured to circulate a portion of each of the first and second light beams through the hollow core. The portion of the first light beam propagates in a first counter-propagating direction, and the portion of the second light beam propagates in a second counter-propagating direction. A measured difference between the first and second frequencies indicates a frequency shift proportional to the rotation rate of the optical gyro.

Abstract: An optoelectronic coupling structure, a method of manufacture, and a method of operation are described. The optical coupling structure includes a waveguide that is formed within a device layer of an SOI substrate. A prism is located on a bottom side of the SOI substrate. A BOX layer of the SOI substrate, which is interposed between the prism and the waveguide, serves as a spacer region, which promotes an optical coupling of the prism to the waveguide. By positioning the prism below the waveguide, an optoelectronic IC may more readily accommodate a prism. The prism may be directly fabricated in a bulk layer of the SOI substrate or directly bonded to a bottom side surface of the BOX layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical waveguide sensor devices. One aspect of the present invention is an optical waveguide sensor device, comprising a substrate; and a device layer disposed on the substrate. The device layer includes one or more sensing optical waveguides, each sensing optical waveguide having a core formed from a polymer material or an organic/silicate hybrid material; and one or more inert inorganic optical waveguides operatively coupled to at least one of the sensing optical waveguides. Another aspect of the present invention is an optical waveguide sensor device, comprising a substrate; and a device layer disposed on the substrate. The device layer includes one or more sensing optical waveguides, each sensing optical waveguide having a core formed from a polymer material or an organic/silicate hybrid material; and one or more electronic devices operatively coupled to at least one of the sensing optical waveguides.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a low cost optical gyro with a free space closed optical path. A ring resonator comprises a substrate and reflectors formed or placed on the substrate. The reflectors comprise a closed optical path and are configured to direct each of first and second light beams in a different counter-propagating direction in the closed optical path. Each of the first and second light beams frequencies are tuned to the resonance frequency of the resonator in the direction of propagation for which the light beam is circulating in the closed optical path.

Abstract: A method of fabrication and a structure for a low-loss optical device. The optical device structure includes a waveguide that is formed within a device layer of an SOI substrate. A cladding region is formed beneath the waveguide and a BOX layer of the SOI substrate. The cladding region may comprise an air cavity or a cavity that is filled or at least partially filled with a dielectric material. Because the cladding region is formed in the bottom side, it supplements the BOX layer cladding. Consequently, a thinner BOX layer may be used for both electronic and optical devices, which facilitates optoelectronic IC processing and design.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a low cost optical gyro using thin film waveguides to direct light beams among the components of the gyro. The gyro includes a substrate having an insulator layer, a silicon waveguide formed on the insulator layer, and a resonator coupled to the silicon waveguide and configured to circulate a portion of a first light beam in a first counter-propagating direction and circulate a portion of a second light beam in a second counter-propagating direction. The first silicon waveguide propagates the first and second light beams therethrough. Each of the first and second light beams has a resonance frequency when circulating in the resonator.

Abstract: An optoelectronic coupling structure, a method of manufacture, and a method of operation are described. The optical coupling structure includes a waveguide that is formed within a device layer of an SOI substrate. A prism is located on a bottom side of the SOI substrate. A BOX layer of the SOI substrate, which is interposed between the prism and the waveguide, serves as a spacer region, which promotes an optical coupling of the prism to the waveguide. By positioning the prism below the waveguide, an optoelectronic IC may more readily accommodate a prism. The prism may be directly fabricated in a bulk layer of the SOI substrate or directly bonded to a bottom side surface of the BOX layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the rotational rate of an optical gyro. An optical gyro comprises at least one substrate, a multi-frequency light source (MFLS) mounted on the substrate, and a resonator coupled to the MFLS. The MFLS is configured to produce a first light beam having a first frequency and a second light beam having a second frequency and phase locked with the first light beam. The resonator comprises an optical fiber coil having a hollow core. The resonator is configured to circulate a portion of each of the first and second light beams through the hollow core. The portion of the first light beam propagates in a first counter-propagating direction, and the portion of the second light beam propagates in a second counter-propagating direction. A measured difference between the first and second frequencies indicates a frequency shift proportional to the rotation rate of the optical gyro.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a low cost optical gyro with a free space closed optical path. A ring resonator comprises a substrate and reflectors formed or placed on the substrate. The reflectors comprise a closed optical path and are configured to direct each of first and second light beams in a different counter-propagating direction in the closed optical path. Each of the first and second light beams frequencies are tuned to the resonance frequency of the resonator in the direction of propagation for which the light beam is circulating in the closed optical path.

Abstract: A dry pressing and slip casting process is provided for the manufacture of glass-ceramic components of the type used in sensors. Both process on starts with a powder composition of SiO2 (42-59 wt. %), Al2O3 (17-35 wt. %), MgO (2-25 wt. %) and also BaO (0-20 wt. %), TiO2 (0-12 wt. %), ZnO (0-10 wt. %), CaO (0-10 wt. %), B2O3 (0-5 wt %), P2O5 (0-5 wt. %), ZrO2 (0-5 wt. %), alkali oxides such as K2O, Na2O (0-3 wt. %) and other small amounts (0-1 wt. %) of additives such as Fe2O3, As2O3. Fe2O3, V2O5, As2O3. Some of the ingredients (e.g. Mg, Ba, Ca) can also be present in the form of fluoride, e.g., MgF2, BaF2, CaF2, to up to 10 wt. %. Additional ceramic additives up to 30 wt. %, which are as second phase (e.g., Al2O3, Y2O3 doped ZrO2, SiO2, mullite, zircon, carbides, nitrides, and a combination of the above), are not part of the glass composition, but are introduced to enhance both the mechanical strength and toughness and to further modify the coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor capsule has a housing with a ceramic cover sealingly attached to a ceramic base that defines an interior chamber. The sensing medium enters the chamber through an inlet port. A glass sensor is attached to an integral pillar that extends from the housing into the chamber. A conducting member extends through the pillar into the housing and carries the signals from the sensor. The combination of the glass sensor and ceramic housing provides high accuracy over a wide range of temperature, because the thermal coefficient of expansion of glass and ceramic are similar. Hermetic sealing of the sensor electrical circuitry ensures long term immunity from the sensed environment.

Abstract: A cabin spray system of an aircraft is supplied with water channeled from the aircraft's environmental control system. The channeled water can be stored in a tank containing potable water. The ECS water would replace the potable water removed.