Abstract: A photonic chip. In some embodiments, the photonic chip includes a waveguide; and an optically active device comprising a portion of the waveguide. The waveguide may have a first end at a first edge of the photonic chip; and a second end, and the waveguide may have, everywhere between the first end and the second end, a rate of change of curvature having a magnitude not exceeding 2,000/mm2.

Abstract: A photonic chip. In some embodiments, the photonic chip includes a waveguide; and an optically active device comprising a portion of the waveguide. The waveguide may have a first end at a first edge of the photonic chip; and a second end, and the waveguide may have, everywhere between the first end and the second end, a rate of change of curvature having a magnitude not exceeding 2,000/mm2.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to a time of flight lidar sensor system that uses a coherent detection scheme. The lidar sensor system includes a laser source, a semiconductor optical amplifier, a combiner, and a balanced detector. The laser source emits an input optical signal. The semiconductor optical amplifier receives a first portion of the input optical signal and outputs a modulated optical signal (amplified and modulated). The combiner receives a second portion of the input optical signal and a returned optical signal received responsive to transmission of at least a portion of the modulated optical signal. The combiner coherently mixes the second portion of the input optical signal with the returned optical signal and outputs mixed optical signals. The balanced detector detects the mixed optical signals and generates an output signal (e.g., a differential photocurrent), which can be used to detect a distance to a target.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to injection locking on-chip laser(s) and external on-chip resonator(s). A system includes a first integrated circuit chip and a second integrated circuit chip. The first integrated circuit chip and the second integrated circuit chip are separate integrated circuit chips and can be optically coupled to each other. The first integrated circuit chip includes a laser configured to emit light via a first path and a second path. The second integrated circuit chip includes a resonator formed of an electrooptic material. The resonator can receive the light emitted by the laser of the first integrated circuit chip via the first path and return feedback light to the laser of the first integrated circuit chip via the first path. The feedback light can cause injection locking of the laser to the resonator to control the light emitted by the laser (e.g., via the first and second paths).

Abstract: An optical coupling device is described herein. The optical coupling device comprises a first waveguide and a second waveguide that are formed on a common substrate, and a resonator that is positioned out of plane with the two waveguides. The resonator and waveguides are positioned such that light traveling in each of the waveguides evanescently couples to the resonator but not to the other of the waveguides. The optical coupling device can be used in connection with improving linewidth of a laser source for a lidar sensor. In another example, the optical coupling device can be used in connection with wavelength division multiplexing.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to injection locking on-chip laser(s) and external on-chip resonator(s). A system includes a first integrated circuit chip and a second integrated circuit chip. The first integrated circuit chip and the second integrated circuit chip are separate integrated circuit chips and can be optically coupled to each other. The first integrated circuit chip includes a laser configured to emit light via a first path and a second path. The second integrated circuit chip includes a resonator formed of an electrooptic material. The resonator can receive the light emitted by the laser of the first integrated circuit chip via the first path and return feedback light to the laser of the first integrated circuit chip via the first path. The feedback light can cause injection locking of the laser to the resonator to control the light emitted by the laser (e.g., via the first and second paths).

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to a time of flight lidar sensor system that uses a coherent detection scheme. The lidar sensor system includes a laser source, a semiconductor optical amplifier, a combiner, and a balanced detector. The laser source emits an input optical signal. The semiconductor optical amplifier receives a first portion of the input optical signal and outputs a modulated optical signal (amplified and modulated). The combiner receives a second portion of the input optical signal and a returned optical signal received responsive to transmission of at least a portion of the modulated optical signal. The combiner coherently mixes the second portion of the input optical signal with the returned optical signal and outputs mixed optical signals. The balanced detector detects the mixed optical signals and generates an output signal (e.g., a differential photocurrent), which can be used to detect a distance to a target.

Abstract: A photonic chip. In some embodiments, the photonic chip includes a waveguide; and an optically active device comprising a portion of the waveguide. The waveguide may have a first end at a first edge of the photonic chip; and a second end, and the waveguide may have, everywhere between the first end and the second end, a rate of change of curvature having a magnitude not exceeding 2,000/mm2.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to injection locking on-chip laser(s) and external on-chip resonator(s). A system includes a first integrated circuit chip and a second integrated circuit chip. The first integrated circuit chip and the second integrated circuit chip are separate integrated circuit chips and can be optically coupled to each other. The first integrated circuit chip includes a laser configured to emit light via a first path and a second path. The second integrated circuit chip includes a resonator formed of an electrooptic material. The resonator can receive the light emitted by the laser of the first integrated circuit chip via the first path and return feedback light to the laser of the first integrated circuit chip via the first path. The feedback light can cause injection locking of the laser to the resonator to control the light emitted by the laser (e.g., via the first and second paths).

Abstract: A spill-resistant water pipe, water pipe base, and water pipe assembly for filtering smoldering herbal materials. There is a fluid vessel having a bottom surface, a smoking bowl coupled to the fluid vessel, a neck with a mouthpiece coupled to the fluid vessel, and a base removably coupled to the bottom of the fluid vessel. The base has a rounded/convex bottom with a weight greater than a combined weight of the fluid, the fluid vessel, the smoking bowl, and the neck. There is also an annular bumper member (disc) circumscribing the base and extending laterally outward therefrom, with an exterior wall extending upwardly from a lateral edge of the annular bumper member and a container disposed thereon. There is a power module that powers one or more of: speakers, wireless signal transponders, scent dispensers, clocks, light emitters, light sensors, and position sensors.

Abstract: An optical coupling device is described herein. The optical coupling device comprises a first waveguide and a second waveguide that are formed on a common substrate, and a resonator that is positioned out of plane with the two waveguides. The resonator and waveguides are positioned such that light traveling in each of the waveguides evanescently couples to the resonator but not to the other of the waveguides. The optical coupling device can be used in connection with improving linewidth of a laser source for a lidar sensor. In another example, the optical coupling device can be used in connection with wavelength division multiplexing.

Abstract: A spill-resistant water pipe, water pipe base, and water pipe assembly for filtering smoldering herbal materials. There is a fluid vessel having a bottom surface, a smoking bowl coupled to the fluid vessel, a neck with a mouthpiece coupled to the fluid vessel, and a base removably coupled to the bottom of the fluid vessel. The base has a rounded/convex bottom with a weight greater than a combined weight of the fluid, the fluid vessel, the smoking bowl, and the neck. There is also an annular bumper member (disc) circumscribing the base and extending laterally outward therefrom, with an exterior wall extending upwardly from a lateral edge of the annular bumper member and a container disposed thereon. There is a power module that powers one or more of: speakers, wireless signal transponders, scent dispensers, clocks, light emitters, light sensors, and position sensors.

Abstract: An optical coupling device is described herein. The optical coupling device comprises a first waveguide and a second waveguide that are formed on a common substrate, and a resonator that is positioned out of plane with the two waveguides. The resonator and waveguides are positioned such that light traveling in each of the waveguides evanescently couples to the resonator but not to the other of the waveguides. The optical coupling device can be used in connection with improving linewidth of a laser source for a lidar sensor. In another example, the optical coupling device can be used in connection with wavelength division multiplexing.

Abstract: An method for characterizing a modulator for fabricating a silicon photonics circuit and an apparatus (e.g., a silicon photonics wafer) made via the method are described. The method includes determining an absorption spectrum of a modulator and determining, based at least on the determined absorption spectrum, an operational bandwidth of the modulator. The method further includes selecting a laser for coupling with the modulator using the operational bandwidth of the modulator. In this way, the laser is selected such that it has an emission bandwidth that corresponds to the operational bandwidth of the modulator.

Abstract: The optical device includes a light sensor positioned on a base. The light sensor is configured to receive an input light signal and outputs a passed light signal that includes light from the input light signal. The optical device also includes a return system located on the base. The return system is configured to receive the passed light signal from the light sensor and to return at least a portion of the light from the passed light signal back to the light sensor.

Abstract: An method for characterizing a modulator for fabricating a silicon photonics circuit and an apparatus (e.g., a silicon photonics wafer) made via the method are described. The method includes determining an absorption spectrum of a modulator and determining, based at least on the determined absorption spectrum, an operational bandwidth of the modulator. The method further includes selecting a laser for coupling with the modulator using the operational bandwidth of the modulator. In this way, the laser is selected such that it has an emission bandwidth that corresponds to the operational bandwidth of the modulator.

Abstract: A spill-resistant water pipe, water pipe base, and water pipe assembly for filtering smoldering herbal materials. There is a fluid vessel having a bottom surface, a smoking bowl coupled to the fluid vessel, a neck with a mouthpiece coupled to the fluid vessel, and a base removably coupled to the bottom of the fluid vessel. The base has a rounded/convex bottom with a weight greater than a combined weight of the fluid, the fluid vessel, the smoking bowl, and the neck. There is also an annular bumper member (disc circumscribing the base and extending laterally outward therefrom, with an exterior wall extending upwardly from a lateral edge of the annular bumper member and a container disposed thereon. There is a power module that powers one or more of: speakers, wireless signal transponders, scent dispensers, clocks, light emitters, light sensors, and position sensors.

Abstract: The optical device includes a waveguide positioned on a base and a modulator positioned on the base. The modulator includes a ridge of an electro-absorption medium having a top side and a lateral side. The lateral side is between the top side and the base and the top side has a width. The waveguide is configured to guide a light signal through the modulator such that the light signal is guided through the ridge of electro-absorption medium. A heater is positioned over the lateral side of the electro-absorption medium without being positioned over the entire width of the ridge.

Abstract: There is a water pipe assembly having a water pipe body having water disposed therein secured to a weighted rounded base, wherein the weighted rounded base weighs more than the water pipe body and the water and includes a bumper coupled to a top surface thereof. The base may be removable.

Abstract: The optical device includes a waveguide positioned on a base and a modulator positioned on the base. The modulator includes a ridge of an electro-absorption medium having a top side and a lateral side. The lateral side is between the top side and the base and the top side has a width. The waveguide is configured to guide a light signal through the modulator such that the light signal is guided through the ridge of electro-absorption medium. A heater is positioned over the lateral side of the electro-absorption medium without being positioned over the entire width of the ridge.