Patents by Inventor Henry A. Blauvelt
Henry A. Blauvelt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20070237456Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises segments of a GRIN optical medium mounted on a substrate in at least one groove thereon. The GRIN segments are longitudinally spaced apart from one another on the substrate, and are arranged so that a free-space optical beam received through the distal end face of the first GRIN segment is transmitted through the proximal end face of the first GRIN segment, propagates to the proximal end face of the second GRIN segment, is received through the proximal end face of the second GRIN segment, and is transmitted as a free-space optical beam through the distal end face of the second GRIN segment. The GRIN segments can be derived from a single GRIN optical medium mounted on the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2007Publication date: October 11, 2007Applicant: XPONENT PHOTONICS INCInventors: Henry Blauvelt, David Vernooy, Joel Paslaski
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Publication number: 20070237450Abstract: An optical component may comprise a horizontal member with two side walls and a substantially transparent end wall protruding from the horizontal member. The end wall, side walls and horizontal member may partially enclose an interior volume, and optical functionality is imparted in any suitable manner on at least a portion of the end wall. An optical assembly may comprise such an optical component mounted on a waveguide substrate along with a planar waveguide and a second waveguide, which are end-coupled by either reflection from the optical component end wall or transmission through the optical component end wall. An end portion of a planar waveguide may be received within the interior volume of the mounted component. Proper positioning of the optical component relative to the waveguides may be facilitated by alignment surfaces and/or alignment marks on the component and/or waveguide substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2006Publication date: October 11, 2007Applicant: XPONENT PHOTONICS INCInventors: Henry Blauvelt, Joel Paslaski, David Vernooy
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Publication number: 20070211989Abstract: Discrete first and second optical transmission subunits are formed each having a corresponding transmission optical waveguide with a corresponding optical junction region. The first transmission optical waveguide is a planar optical waveguide formed on a substrate. The first transmission optical waveguide or the second transmission optical waveguide is adapted for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power between the optical waveguides at the respective optical junction regions. The first and second optical transmission subunits are assembled together to form an optical apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2006Publication date: September 13, 2007Inventors: Henry Blauvelt, Kerry Vahala, David Vernooy, Joel Paslaski
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Patent number: 7269317Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a substrate, first and second transmission optical elements on the substrate, and an optical component (such as an isolator) and focusing optical element(s) on the substrate between the transmission elements. Transmission elements may include planar waveguide(s) formed on the substrate and/or optical fiber(s) mounted in groove(s) on the substrate. The focusing element(s) may include: gradient-index (GRIN) segment(s) mounted on the substrate or spliced onto a fiber, a focusing segment(s) of a planar waveguide, ball lens(es), aspheric lens(es), and/or Fresnel lens(es). A dual-lens optical assembly comprises a pair of GRIN segments secured to a substrate in one or more grooves, and may be formed from a common length of GRIN optical medium. An optical component (such as an isolator) is positioned between the paired GRIN segments, and optical power is transmitted by the dual-lens assembly between planar waveguide(s) and/or fiber(s) through the optical component.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Xponent Photonics IncInventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, David W. Vernooy, Joel S. Paslaski
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Publication number: 20070206902Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises: an optical fiber, an optical device on a substrate, a circuit board, and an electrical connection therebetween. The substrate has a groove for positioning the fiber for optical coupling with the optical device. A proximal segment of the fiber is secured to the substrate in the groove. The substrate is mounted on the circuit board, and a second segment of the fiber is secured to the circuit board. A method comprises: mounting on the circuit board the substrate with the optical device; establishing the electrical connection; securing the proximal fiber segment to the substrate in the groove; and securing the second fiber segment to the circuit board. Multiple substrates can be secured to a single piece of circuit board material, which can be divided into individual circuit boards after establishing electrical connections and securing optical fibers to the corresponding substrates and to the circuit board material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2007Publication date: September 6, 2007Inventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, Albert M. Benzoni, Gerald C. Byrd
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Patent number: 7233713Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a semiconductor optical device waveguide formed on a semiconductor substrate, and an integrated end-coupled waveguide formed on the semiconductor substrate. The integrated waveguide may comprise materials differing from those of the device waveguide and the substrate. Spatially selective material processing may be employed for first forming the optical device waveguide on the substrate, and for subsequently depositing and forming the integrated end-coupled waveguide on the substrate. Spatially selective material processing enables accurate spatial mode matching and transverse alignment of the waveguides, and multiple device waveguides and corresponding integrated end-coupled waveguides may be fabricated concurrently on a common substrate on a wafer scale.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2006Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Xponent Photonics Inc.Inventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, David W. Vernooy, Joel S. Paslaski, Charles I. Grosjean, Hao Lee, Franklin G. Monzon, Katrina H. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20070133934Abstract: A multiple-core planar optical waveguide comprises: a substantially planar waveguide substrate; a lower waveguide core; an upper waveguide core; lower cladding between the substrate and the lower waveguide core; middle cladding between the waveguide cores; and upper cladding above the upper waveguide core. Overlapping portions of the waveguide cores are positioned one above the other and substantially parallel. The lower, middle, and upper claddings have refractive indices less than refractive indices of the lower and upper waveguide cores. The widths of the waveguide cores are substantially larger their thicknesses along their overlapping portions. The overlapping portions of the waveguide cores jointly support a propagating optical mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2007Publication date: June 14, 2007Applicant: XPONENT PHOTONICS INCInventors: Henry Blauvelt, David Vernooy, Joel Paslaski
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Patent number: 7227880Abstract: A grating-stabilized semiconductor laser comprises a semiconductor laser gain medium, an integrated low-index waveguide, and a waveguide grating segment providing optical feedback for laser oscillation. The laser may be adapted for multi-mode or single-mode operation. A multiple-mode laser may oscillate with reduced power and/or wavelength fluctuations associated with longitudinal mode wavelength shifts, relative to Fabry-Perot lasers lacking gratings. A single-mode laser may include a compensator, wavelength reference, and detector for generating an error signal, and a feedback mechanism for controlling the compensator for maintaining the laser wavelength locked to the reference. The laser may include means for altering, enhancing, tuning, and/or stabilizing the waveguide grating reflectivity spectral profile. The laser may be adapted for optical transverse-coupling to another waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2005Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Xponent Photonics Inc.Inventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, David W. Vernooy, Joel S. Paslaski
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Patent number: 7228032Abstract: The launch conditions (injected beam size/shape, radial/angular offset from the multimode fiber axis) may be varied to preferentially excite certain transverse modes of multimode optical fiber. To reduce multimode dispersion in the fiber, modes are excited having smaller amplitudes near fiber index defects. Launch conditions may be controlled using a substrate with grooves for launching and receiving fibers, a planar waveguide formed on a substrate along with a groove for aligning the multimode fiber and waveguide, or free-space optical components. A waveguide may provide the desired injected beam size/shape. Spatially selective material processing enables accurate alignment of the groove(s) (and hence the fiber(s) therein), yielding the desired radial/angular offsets.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Xponent Photonics Inc.Inventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, David W. Vernooy
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Publication number: 20070116419Abstract: A multiple-core optical waveguide comprises: a substrate; lower and upper waveguide core layers; a waveguide core between the upper and lower waveguide core layers; upper and lower cladding; and middle cladding between the upper and lower waveguide core layers substantially surrounding the waveguide core. Each of the lower, middle, and upper claddings has a refractive index less than refractive indices of the lower waveguide core layer, the upper waveguide core layer, and the waveguide core. Along at least a given portion of the optical waveguide, the upper and lower waveguide core layers extend bilaterally substantially beyond the lateral extent of a propagating optical mode supported by the optical waveguide, the lateral extent of the supported optical mode being determined at least in part by the width of the waveguide core along the given portion of the optical waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2007Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: XPONENT PHOTONICS INCInventors: Henry Blauvelt, David Vernooy
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Publication number: 20070110369Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises an optical device fabricated on a substrate, an external-transfer optical waveguide fabricated on the substrate and/or on the optical device, and a transmission optical waveguide. The optical device and/or the external-transfer waveguide are adapted for and positioned for transfer of optical power therebetween (end-transfer or transverse-transfer). The external-transfer waveguide and/or the transmission waveguide are adapted for transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween (mode-interference-coupled or adiabatic). The transmission waveguide is initially provided as a component mechanically separate from the substrate, device, and external-transfer waveguide. Assembly of the transmission waveguide with the substrate, device, and/or external-transfer waveguide results in relative positioning of the external-transfer waveguide and the transmission waveguide for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2007Publication date: May 17, 2007Applicant: XPONENT PHOTONICS INCInventors: Henry Blauvelt, Kerry Vahala, David Vernooy, Joel Paslaski
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Publication number: 20070081781Abstract: A substantially flat upper cladding surface over a waveguide core facilitates transverse-coupling between assembled waveguides, and/or provides mechanical alignment and/or support. An embedding medium may be employed for securing optical assemblies and protecting optical surfaces thereof. Structural elements fabricated with a low-profile core may be employed for providing mechanical alignment and/or support, aiding in the encapsulation process, and so forth.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2006Publication date: April 12, 2007Applicant: XPONENT PHOTONICS INCInventors: Henry Blauvelt, David Vernooy, Joel Paslaski, Guido Hunziker
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Patent number: 7184643Abstract: A multiple-core planar optical waveguide comprises: a substantially planar waveguide substrate; a lower waveguide core; an upper waveguide core; lower cladding between the substrate and the lower waveguide core; and upper cladding above the upper waveguide core. At least a portion the upper waveguide core is positioned above and substantially parallel to at least a portion of the lower waveguide core. The lower and upper claddings have refractive indices less than refractive indices of the lower and upper waveguide cores. The width of the lower waveguide core is substantially larger than its thickness along at least a portion of its length, and is substantially flat along that portion of its length, thereby yielding a substantially flat surface for forming at least a portion of the upper waveguide core.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Xponent Photonics IncInventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, David W. Vernooy, Joel S. Paslaski
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Publication number: 20070013020Abstract: An apparatus comprises: a substrate; a photodetector formed on an area of a surface of the substrate; an electrical contact formed on a portion of the photodetector; and a reflector formed over a portion of the photodetector distinct from the portion of the photodetector having the electrical contact formed thereon. The substrate, the photodetector, and the reflector are arranged so that an optical signal to be detected is incident on the photodetector from within the substrate, and at least a portion of the optical signal incident on the photodetector and transmitted thereby on a first pass is reflected by the reflector to propagate through the photodetector for a second pass.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2006Publication date: January 18, 2007Inventors: Henry Blauvelt, Joel Paslaski, Rolf Wyss
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Patent number: 7164838Abstract: A multiple-core optical waveguide comprises: a substrate; lower and upper waveguide core layers; a waveguide core between the upper and lower waveguide core layers; upper and lower cladding; and middle cladding between the upper and lower waveguide core layers substantially surrounding the waveguide core. Each of the lower, middle, and upper claddings has a refractive index less than refractive indices of the lower waveguide core layer, the upper waveguide core layer, and the waveguide core. Along at least a given portion of the optical waveguide, the upper and lower waveguide core layers extend bilaterally substantially beyond the lateral extent of a propagating optical mode supported by the optical waveguide, the lateral extent of the supported optical mode being determined at least in part by the width of the waveguide core along the given portion of the optical waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2005Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Xponent Photonics IncInventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, David W. Vernooy
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Patent number: 7164825Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises an optical device fabricated on a substrate, an external-transfer optical waveguide fabricated on the substrate and/or on the optical device, and a transmission optical waveguide. The optical device and/or the external-transfer waveguide are adapted for and positioned for transfer of optical power therebetween (end-transfer or transverse-transfer). The external-transfer waveguide and/or the transmission waveguide are adapted for transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween (mode-interference-coupled or adiabatic). The transmission waveguide is initially provided as a component mechanically separate from the substrate, device, and external-transfer waveguide. Assembly of the transmission waveguide with the substrate, device, and/or external-transfer waveguide results in relative positioning of the external-transfer waveguide and the transmission waveguide for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2006Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Xponent Photonics Inc.Inventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, Kerry J. Vahala, David W. Vernooy, Joel S. Paslaski
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Patent number: 7158702Abstract: Discrete first and second optical transmission subunits are formed each having a corresponding transmission optical waveguide with a corresponding optical junction region. The first transmission optical waveguide is a planar optical waveguide formed on a substrate. The first transmission optical waveguide or the second transmission optical waveguide is adapted for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power between the optical waveguides at the respective optical junction regions. The first and second optical transmission subunits are assembled together to form an optical apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2006Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Xponent Photonics Inc.Inventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, Kerry J. Vahala, David W. Vernooy, Joel S. Paslaski
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Patent number: 7148465Abstract: A photodetector comprises a semiconductor substrate with entrance and reflecting faces formed at the substrate upper surface. The reflecting face forms an acute angle with the substrate surface and is positioned so that an optical beam transmitted through the entrance face into the substrate is internally reflected from the reflecting face toward the substrate upper surface. A photodetector active region is formed on the substrate upper surface and is positioned so that the reflected optical beam impinges on the active region. The photodetector may be mounted on a second substrate for receiving an optical beam from a planar waveguide formed on the second substrate or an optical fiber mounted in a groove on the second substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Xponent Photonics IncInventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, David W. Vernooy, Hao Lee
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Patent number: 7142772Abstract: An optical component may comprise a horizontal member with two side walls and a substantially transparent end wall protruding from the horizontal member. The end wall, side walls and horizontal member may partially enclose an interior volume, and optical functionality is imparted in any suitable manner on at least a portion of the end wall. An optical assembly may comprise such an optical component mounted on a waveguide substrate along with a planar waveguide and a second waveguide, which are end-coupled by either reflection from the optical component end wall or transmission through the optical component end wall. An end portion of a planar waveguide may be received within the interior volume of the mounted component. Proper positioning of the optical component relative to the waveguides may be facilitated by alignment surfaces and/or alignment marks on the component and/or waveguide substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2006Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Xponent Photonics IncInventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, Joel S. Paslaski, David W. Vernooy
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Patent number: 7136564Abstract: Formation of a substantially flat upper cladding surface over a waveguide core facilitates transverse-coupling between assembled waveguides, and/or provides mechanical alignment and/or support. An embedding medium may be employed for securing optical assemblies and protecting optical surfaces thereof. Structural elements fabricated with a low-profile core may be employed for providing mechanical alignment and/or support, aiding in the encapsulation process, and so forth.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2005Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Xponent Photonics IncInventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, David W. Vernooy, Joel S. Paslaski, Guido Hunziker