Abstract: Laser optical sensing systems and methods for detecting object characteristics are disclosed. The system includes a laser source with at least two emission apertures from which laser signals are emitted. The system also includes at least one detector, which is operationally responsive to the laser source. The system can also include a microprocessor that is operationally coupled to the detector(s) for processing signal data, a memory accessible by the microprocessor for storing object characteristics (e.g., unique signals), and a software module accessible by the microprocessor for enabling system training and detection operations. The laser source emits into an environment at least two laser signals, one from each emission aperture. The detector detects the laser signals after the signals pass through the environment, which is occupied by an object, and the microprocessor determines object characteristics based on the matching of laser signals received by the detector(s) and characteristics stored in memory.

Abstract: A semiconductor assembly having a submount with a plurality of conductive traces. A semiconductor array, such as a VCSEL array or a detector array, is attached to the submount. A plurality of conductive vias pass through the submount's body, or a conductive trace is disposed between a lower portion and an upper portion of the submount. Bonding wires electrically connect the individual semiconductor elements to conductive traces, while the conductive vias (or the conductive trace between the lower and upper portions) can provide additional electrical connections. The submount is beneficially of a ceramic material, and the conductive traces can include conductive pads for connecting to a printed circuit board or to a flex board. Locating features can extend from the submount, and an optical element can mount to the locating features. Alternatively, the locating features can be used to arrange the semiconductor assembly relative to an external structure.

Abstract: An optical coupler having two refractive lenses for coupling an optoelectronic element and an optical medium to each other. One lens may be in contact with the optical medium. The refractive index of the one lens may be similar to the index of the optical medium. The optoelectronic element may be a light source or a detector. The light source may be a laser. The lenses may be glass ball lenses. One of the ball lenses may be a half ball lens. If the optical medium is an optical fiber, one of the lenses may a fiber stop for the fiber when inserted in a receptacle of the coupler.

Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) in which a higher order lasing mode produces a Gaussian-like single mode far field beam intensity pattern. Such a VCSEL includes a protective surface deposition on a VCSEL structure, and phase filter elements on the surface deposition. The surface deposition and the phase filter elements implement an optical phase filter that induces optical path difference such that a single mode far field beam intensity pattern results when the VCSEL operates in a higher order lasing mode. The VCSEL can include structures that enhance a selected higher-order operating mode and/or that suppress unwanted operating modes.

Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser with a current guide comprised of an ion implant region and an oxide structure. The oxide structure is beneficially formed first, then, a gain guide ion implant region is formed in or below the oxide structure. The ion implant region extends into an active region. The energy and dosage used when forming the ion implant gain guide can be selected to control the lateral sheet resistance and the active region's non-radiative recombination centers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring the power level of one or more optical emitters are provided. In some embodiments, optical signals from two or more optical emitters are directed at different regions of a photo detector. The photo detector may include two or more spaced contacts that are adapted to receive different contributions of photo current from each of the optical signals. By monitoring the photo currents in the two or more spaced contacts, a measure of the optical power of each of the optical signals may be determined.

Abstract: An optical transceiver for detecting an incoming light beam and for transmitting an outgoing light beam along a common optical axis is provided. Such an optical transceiver provides a compact optical transceiver that is suitable for a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: Multiple laser optical sensing systems and methods for detecting target characteristics are disclosed. The present invention detects the presence of an object in a monitored area using an laser-based object detection system and may selectively cause a controlled response when an object is detected. At least two laser signals may be emitted into a monitored area using a vertical cavity surface emitting laser structure. At least one detector receives any laser signals not blocked by an object. The system determines the presence or absence of an object in the environment using a microprocessor and determines the objects characteristics by comparing received laser signals associated with it to object characteristics stored in a memory. The system may selectively causing a controlled response in accordance with the determination of object characteristics and/or correlating response criteria.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring the power level of a multi-wavelength optical signal are provided. Also provided are methods and apparatus for adjusting the power level of selected optical emitters to compensate for the changes in power levels.

Abstract: A multiband wavelength multiplexed optical device for bidirectional communication over one light path. The device may use dichroic filters or reflectors, or other mechanisms for wavelength or bandwidth separation or discrimination of sent or received light signals. It may have a multitude of light sources and detectors for sending and receiving light signals such as those for optical-based communications, controls and so forth. For instance, the optical device may be utilized in transceiver systems.

Abstract: A multiple laser optical sensing system and method for detecting target characteristics are disclosed. The system includes a laser source with at least two emission apertures from which laser signals are emitted. The system also includes at least one detector, which is operationally responsive to the laser source. Finally, the system includes a microprocessor that is operationally coupled to the detector(s). In operation, the laser source emits into an environment at least two laser signals, one from each emission aperture. The detector detects the laser signals after the signals pass through the environment, which is occupied by a target and the microprocessor determines target characteristics based on the laser signals received by the detector(s).

Abstract: An oxide-confined VCSELs having a distributed Bragg reflector with a heavily doped high Al content oxide aperture forming layer disposed between a low Al content first layer and a medium Al content second layer. Between the first layer and the oxide aperture forming layer there may be a thin transition region wherein the Al content changes from a higher Al content to a lower Al content. In some embodiments, the Al concentration from the oxide aperture forming layer to the second layer may occur in a step. The oxide aperture forming layer may be disposed at or near a null or a node of the electric field produced by resonant laser light. During the oxidization of the oxide aperture forming layer, all or some of the other aluminum bearing DBR layers may also become oxidized, but to a substantially lesser degree. The junction between the oxidized portion and un-oxidized portion of these layers is believed to reduce the stability and/or reliability of the device.

Abstract: MBE nitrogen sources of dimethylhydrazine, tertiarybutlyhydrazine, nitrogentrifloride, and NHx radicals. Those nitrogen sources are beneficial in forming nitrogen-containing materials on crystalline subtrates using MBE. Semiconductor lasers in general, and VCSEL in particular, that have nitrogen-containing layers can be formed using such nitrogen sources.

Abstract: A VCSEL having a metallic heat spreading layer adjacent a semiconductor buffer layer containing an insulating structure. The heat spreading layer includes an opening that enables light emitted by an active region to reflect from a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) top mirror located above the heat spreading layer. A substrate is below the active region. A lower contact provides electrical current to that substrate. The lower contact includes an opening that enables light emitted from the active region to reflect from a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lower mirror. Beneficially, the substrate includes a slot that enables light to pass through an opening in the lower contact. That slot acts as an alignment structure that enables optical alignment of an external feature to the VCSEL.

Abstract: A wavelength selective detector having a first absorbing layer for absorbing light with a wavelength below a lower band cutoff, a second absorbing layer downstream of the first absorbing layer for absorbing light with a wavelength below an upper band cutoff, and a confinement layer situated between the first and second absorbing layers. The lower and upper band cutoffs can be set by controlling the bandgaps and/or thicknesses of the first and second absorbing layers. The wavelength selective detector of the present invention has a good out-of-band rejection, a narrow spectral responsivity, and a high in-band responsivity. In addition, the wavelength selective detector is relatively easy to manufacture using conventional integrated circuit fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A method and system for coupling a laser (e.g., vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL)) to an optical fiber is disclosed. A plurality of optical modes associated with a laser, e.g., a VCSEL, are scrambled, and radiation from the VCSEL can be focused on a fiber facet associated with the optical fiber. Thereafter, the VCSEL can be coupled to the optical fiber to thereby improve coupling repeatability while reducing mode selective coupling of the VCSEL to the optical fiber. The optical modes can be scrambled utilizing an optical scattering surface. Such an optical scattering surface can produce a Lambertian-like scattering source such that optical modes thereof are combinable to form a plurality of optical modes. The VCSEL can be coupled to said optical fiber by butt-coupling said optical fiber to the multimode VCSEL through a receiver formed in a housing for the VCSEL and/or by utilizing at least one lens for imaging radiation/signals onto a particular spot.

Abstract: An optical transceiver for detecting an incoming light beam and for transmitting an outgoing light beam along a common optical axis is provided. Such an optical transceiver provides a compact optical transceiver that is suitable for a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring the power level of a multi-wavelength optical signal are provided. Also provided are methods and apparatus for adjusting the power level of selected optical emitters to compensate for the changes in power levels.

Abstract: A wavelength selective detector having a first absorbing layer for absorbing light with a wavelength below a lower band cutoff, a second absorbing layer downstream of the first absorbing layer for absorbing light with a wavelength below an upper band cutoff, and a confinement layer situated between the first and second absorbing layers. The lower and upper band cutoffs can be set by controlling the bandgaps and/or thicknesses of the first and second absorbing layers. The wavelength selective detector of the present invention has a good out-of-band rejection, a narrow spectral responsivity, and a high in-band responsivity. In addition, the wavelength selective detector is relatively easy to manufacture using conventional integrated circuit fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying and/or removing an oxide-induced dead zone in a VCSEL structure is disclosed herein. In general, a VCSEL structure can be formed having at least one oxide layer and an oxide-induced dead zone thereof. A thermal annealing operation can then be performed upon the VCSEL structure to remove the oxide-induced dead zone, thereby permitting oxide VCSEL structures thereof to be reliably and consistently fabricated. An oxidation operation may initially be performed upon the VCSEL structure to form the oxide layer and the associated oxide-induced dead zone. The thermal annealing operation is preferably performed upon the VCSEL after performing a wet oxidation operation upon the VCSEL structure.