Abstract: The present invention provides an approach to control the generation and grow of nanocrystal with membrane diffusion method and related apparatuses to produce inorganic oxide nanopowders and metal nanoparticles. With this method, the size and size distribution of inorganic oxide nanopowders and metal nanoparticles can be tuned. It overcomes the shortcomings possessed by the common chemical and physical method of preparing nanoparticles.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, lightwave device for use in a dispersion compensator, includes a light coupler configured to direct light toward a grating structure. The light coupler includes a first strip including a first material and a second strip attached to the first strip. The second strip includes a second material, and the second material has an expansion coefficient different than the first material. The first and second strips form a deformable reflector. A thermoelectric unit is coupled to the light coupler and is configured to adjust a shape of the deformable reflector based on a temperature of the thermoelectric unit. A support member is connected to the light coupler and is configured to position the deformable reflector so to receive light for transmission to the grating structure. Another embodiment provides a dispersion compensator using the lightwave device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an approach to control the generation and grow of nanocrystal with membrane diffusion method and related apparatuses to produce inorganic oxide nanopowders and metal nanoparticles. With this method, the size and size distribution of inorganic oxide nanopowders and metal nanoparticles can be tuned. It overcomes the shortcomings possessed by the common chemical and physical method of preparing nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention provides an approach to control the generation and grow of nanocrystal with membrane diffusion method and related apparatuses to produce inorganic oxide nanopowders and metal nanoparticles. With this method, the size and size distribution of inorganic oxide nanopowders and metal nanoparticles can be tuned. It overcomes the shortcomings possessed by the common chemical and physical method of preparing nanoparticles.

Abstract: An eye piece (403) for use in a tunable chromatic dispersion compensator comprises a first strip (4031) made of a first metal, a second strip (4032) made of a second metal, a heater/cooler (4033), and a tunable positioning bar (4034). The second strip (4032) is attached to the first strip (4031), the heater/cooler (4033) is attached to the second strip (4032) for heating/cooling the first and second strips (4031, 4032), the tunable positioning bar (4034) is attached to the heater/cooler (4033) for keeping the position of the eye piece (403) in the tunable chromatic dispersion compensator, and the first metal and the second metal have different expanding coefficients from each other, so that in response to a change in temperature, the shape of the eye piece (403) is changed from a first shape to a second shape. A tunable chromatic dispersion compensator uses the eye piece (403).

Abstract: A pulse reshaper for reshaping and re-amplifying optical signals in a communications network by adjusting threshold and amplification characteristics of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) having first and second reflective regions optically cooperating at each of an input signal wavelength (?s) and an offset wavelength (?C) proximate the input signal wavelength (?s). In one embodiment, a vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifier (VCSOA) device, comprising dual mode reflectors optically cooperating at each of an input signal wavelength (?s) and an offset wavelength (?C) proximate the input signal wavelength (?s) to provide thereby non-linear amplification of input signal (?s).

Abstract: The present invention provides an approach to control the generation and grow of nanocrystal with membrane diffusion method and related apparatuses to produce inorganic oxide nanopowders and metal nanoparticles. With this method, the size and size distribution of inorganic oxide nanopowders and metal nanoparticles can be tuned. It overcomes the shortcomings possessed by the common chemical and physical method of preparing nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method and system includes a pulse reshaper for reshaping and re-amplifying optical signals in a communications network. In one embodiment, a vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifier (VCSOA) device, comprising dual mode reflectors optically cooperating at each of an input signal wavelength (?s) and an offset wavelength (?C) proximate the input signal wavelength (?s) to provide thereby non-linear amplification of input signal (?s).

Abstract: A system includes a pulse reshaper for reshaping and re-amplifying optical signals in a communications network. In one embodiment, a vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifier (VCSOA) device, comprising dual mode reflectors optically cooperating at each of an input signal wavelength (?s) and an offset wavelength (?c) proximate the input signal wavelength (?s) to provide thereby non-linear amplification of input signal (?s).

Abstract: A method and system includes a pulse reshaper for reshaping and re-amplifying optical signals in a communications network. In one embodiment, a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) device, including first and second reflective regions optically cooperating at each of an input signal wavelength (?s) and an offset wavelength (?s±n) proximate the input signal wavelength (?s) to provide thereby non-linear amplification of input signal (?s).

Abstract: A performance monitoring system for an all-optical network utilizes a multi-port optical switch and measuring instruments, such as an optical spectrum analyzer and a combination of a tunable optical filter and a quality factor calculator, to provide various signal quality parameters for each optical channel in the network. Quality factor calculations for the optical channels are based upon probability density distribution parameters. Performance monitoring is conducted for an all-optical network during normal operations without having to disconnect any of the optical components from the network.

Abstract: Quasi-phase matched (QPM) second-harmonic (SH) generation in the reflection geometry is described. The SH intensity can be strongly enhanced by spatially modulating the optical properties of the nonlinear medium. This type of quasi-phase matching is demonstrated using an Al.sub.0.8 Ga.sub.0.2 As/GaAs heterostructure designed for .lambda.=1.06 .mu.m incident light. The SH light intensity generated in reflection from the heterostructure is enhanced 70 times relative to the SH response of a homogeneous GaAs wafer. A Fabry-Perot resonant cavity design employs this structure to make thin films with extremely high SH generation efficiencies. This is of particular interest used in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs).

Abstract: A plurality of signals are mixed in a non-linear waveguide for generating a near field sum frequency output pattern. The near field output pattern is monitored for changes which correspond to changes in the phase relationship between the plurality of signals. A grating provides a mask through which the near field pattern may propagate. Detectors positioned above the grating at predetermined locations measure the intensity of the near field pattern and a change in the phase relationship between the input signals is determined from a change in the intensity of the near field output pattern.

Abstract: An active surface-emitting harmonic generator based on a multilayer Al.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As non linear waveguide integrated monlithically with a tunable InGaAs single quantum well laser is provided. Controlling the difference in frequency between a signal provided by the tunable laser and another input optical signal allows an output signal to be directed to any of a plurality of directions in space. Positioning detectors near the monolithic device allows spatial addressing. The controllable monolithic device may also be used to scan and thus to read data stored on holographic media.