Abstract: A variety of types of molecules are detected and/or analyzed using an integrated micro-circuit arrangement. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a micro-circuit arrangement detects excitable target markers in response to an excitation source. The excitation source emits a first electromagnetic radiation to excite one or more target markers into emitting a second electromagnetic radiation. The excitation source and detector combination can be optimized to detect a specific characteristic of a biological specimen. In this manner, an excitation source can be combined with several optical-detectors or detection channels, where each optical-detector is measuring or sensing the same or different characteristic of the biological specimen.

Abstract: Si—Ge quantum wells where the well material has a lowest conduction band energy minimum at k=0 (the ? point of the first Brillouin zone) are provided. Quantum well structures that satisfy this condition have “Kane-like” bands at and near k=0 which can provide physical effects useful for various device applications, especially optical modulators. In the Si1?xGex material system, this condition on the band structure is satisfied for x greater than about 0.7. The quantum well barrier composition may or may not have Kane-like bands. A preferred method of providing such quantum well structures on a substrate (e.g., a silicon substrate) is to grow a first Ge-rich Si—Ge buffer layer on the substrate, and then anneal the resulting layered structure. In many cases it is further preferred to grow a second Ge-rich Si—Ge buffer layer on top of the first buffer layer and anneal the resulting layered structure.

Abstract: SiGe quantum wells where the well material has a lowest conduction band energy minimum at k=0 (the ? point of the first Brillouin zone) are provided. Quantum well structures that satisfy this condition have “Kane-like” bands at and near k=0 which can provide physical effects useful for various device applications, especially optical modulators. In the Si1-xGex material system, this condition on the band structure is satisfied for x greater than about 0.7. The quantum well barrier composition may or may not have Kane-like bands. Optical modulators and/or detectors according to the invention are suitable for inclusion in waveguide-based optical interconnects. Such interconnects can be on-chip interconnects or chip to chip interconnects.

Abstract: SiGe quantum wells where the well material has a lowest conduction band energy minimum at k=0 (the ? point of the first Brillouin zone) are provided. Quantum well structures that satisfy this condition have “Kane-like” bands at and near k=0 which can provide physical effects useful for various device applications, especially optical modulators. In the Si1-xGex material system, this condition on the band structure is satisfied for x greater than about 0.7. The quantum well barrier composition may or may not have Kane-like bands. Optical modulators including such SiGe quantum wells can be operated at temperatures other than room temperature. Such temperature control is preferred for providing optical modulators that operate in the telecommunication C band (˜1530 nm to ˜1565 nm).

Abstract: An optical imaging system having an optical source located between the object being imaged and the sensor is provided. Such positioning of the source enables provision of compact optical imaging systems. In particular, such systems can have image widths significantly larger than the object to sensor separation. The arrangement of source, imaging assembly and sensor is such that an image of the source is not formed at the sensor. Therefore, the effect of this source positioning on the image of the object at the sensor is a reduction of intensity, as opposed to more objectionable imaging artifacts, such as spurious shadows and/or bright spots. Thus compact optical imaging systems having good image quality are provided, which enables high-fidelity imaging of object to sensor for a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A high efficiency triple-junction solar cell and method of manufacture therefor is provided wherein junctions are formed between different types of III-V semiconductor alloy materials, one alloy of which contains a combination of an effective amount of antimony (Sb) with gallium (Ga), indium (In), nitrogen (N, the nitride component) and arsenic (As) to form the dilute nitride semiconductor layer GaInNAsSb which has particularly favorable characteristics in a solar cell. In particular, the bandgap and lattice matching promote efficient solar energy conversion.

Abstract: SiGe quantum wells where the well material has a lowest conduction band energy minimum at k=0 (the ? point of the first Brillouin zone) are provided. Quantum well structures that satisfy this condition have “Kane-like” bands at and near k=0 which can provide physical effects useful for various device applications, especially optical modulators. In the Si1-xGex material system, this condition on the band structure is satisfied for x greater than about 0.7. The quantum well barrier composition may or may not have Kane-like bands. Optical modulators and/or detectors according to the invention are suitable for inclusion in waveguide-based optical interconnects. Such interconnects can be on-chip interconnects or chip to chip interconnects.

Abstract: SiGe quantum wells where the well material has a lowest conduction band energy minimum at k=0 (the ? point of the first Brillouin zone) are provided. Quantum well structures that satisfy this condition have “Kane-like” bands at and near k=0 which can provide physical effects useful for various device applications, especially optical modulators. In the Si1-xGex material system, this condition on the band structure is satisfied for x greater than about 0.7. The quantum well barrier composition may or may not have Kane-like bands. Embodiments of the invention having a surface parallel configuration are especially suitable for use in fiber coupled devices. Such surface parallel devices have light propagating in the plane of the quantum wells, in a device geometry that is preferably not single-mode waveguided.

Abstract: SiGe quantum wells where the well material has a lowest conduction band energy minimum at k=0 (the ? point of the first Brillouin zone) are provided. Quantum well structures that satisfy this condition have “Kane-like” bands at and near k=0 which can provide physical effects useful for various device applications, especially optical modulators. In the Si1-xGex material system, this condition on the band structure is satisfied for x greater than about 0.7. The quantum well barrier composition may or may not have Kane-like bands. Embodiments of the invention having a surface parallel configuration are especially suitable for use in fiber coupled devices. Such surface parallel devices have light propagating in the plane of the quantum wells, in a device geometry that is preferably not single-mode waveguided.

Abstract: Group III-nitride quaternary and pentenary material systems and methods are disclosed for use in semiconductor structures, including laser diodes, transistors, and photodetectors, which reduce or eliminate phase separation and provide increased emission efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment the semiconductor structure includes a first ternary, quaternary or pentenary material layer using BInGaAlN material system of a first conduction type formed substantially without phase separation, and a quaternary or pentenary material active layer using BInGaAlN material system substantially without phase separation, and a third ternary, quaternary or pentenary material layer using BInGaAlN material system of an opposite conduction type formed substantially without phase separation.

Abstract: Group III-nitride quaternary and pentenary material systems and methods are disclosed for use in semiconductor structures, including laser diodes, transistors, and photodetectors, which reduce or eliminate phase separation and provide increased emission efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment the semiconductor structure includes a first ternary, quaternary or pentenary material layer using BlnGaAlN material system of a first conduction type formed substantially without phase separation, and a quaternary or pentenary material active layer using BlnGaAlN material system substantially without phase separation, and a third ternary, quaternary or pentenary material layer using BlnGaAlN material system of an opposite conduction type formed substantially without phase separation.

Abstract: In connection with an optical-electronic semiconductor device, improved photoluminescent output is provided at wavelengths beyond 1.3 m. According to one aspect, Sb is used in, e.g. the active region of a GaInNAs-based quantum well laser diode with GaNAs-based barrier layers. Adding a small amount of Sb increases photoluminescence of the device while increasing the wavelength. Sb is used both as a surfactant, improving N and In incorporation into the active region, and an alloy constituent for red-shifting the wavelength of the device. In example implementations, both edge emitting laser devices and vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) devices can be grown with room temperature emission from 1.3 to 1.6 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A high efficiency optical interconnect (OI) deposited directly on a silicon based IC by a low temperature process that utilizes a heterogeneous crystalline structure of a III-V compound material to convert light pulses into electrical signals. The high efficiency is established by pulsing the light beams with a shorter duration than the life time of the generated carriers and by reducing the structural volume and consequently the internal capacitance of the III-V compound to a functional height of approximately 1 micron. The analog MSM characteristic of the OI is bypassed by differential two-beam signal processing, wherein the intensity difference of two synchronous light beams is transformed in two parallel OI's into two electrical signals that compensate in a central node. The resulting polarity in the node switches either a PMOS or a NMOS transistor, which connect either a positive or negative voltage to the output node.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated, mode-locked vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) for emitting ultrafast high power pulses. The resonator of the VCSEL has an active medium for emitting a radiation, a spacer for extending the resonator to a length L at which a significant number N of axial modes of the radiation are supported in the resonator and a saturable absorber for mode-locking. The VCSEL has an arrangement for stabilizing the resonator such that one transverse mode of the radiation is supported within the resonator. The VCSEL also has an arrangement for compensating dispersion of the radiation occurring in the resonator.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated, mode-locked vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) for emitting ultrafast high power pulses. The resonator of the VCSEL has an active medium for emitting a radiation, a spacer for extending the resonator to a length L at which a significant number N of axial modes of the radiation are supported in the resonator and a saturable absorber for mode-locking. The VCSEL has an arrangement for stabilizing the resonator such that one transverse mode of the radiation is supported within the resonator. The VCSEL also has an arrangement for compensating dispersion of the radiation occurring in the resonator.

Abstract: A spectrometer for determining a spectrum of a light by using a mirror to reflect the light so that the light forms an intensity standing wave pattern through superposition of an incident portion of the light and a reflected portion of the light. The spectrometer is equipped with an intensity detector whose thickness is less than a shortest wavelength of the light being examined and which is semitransparent over the spectrum. The spectrometer has a mechanism to provide relative movement between the mirror and the intensity detector such that the intensity detector registers a variation of the intensity standing wave pattern. An analyzer, such as a Fourier transform analyzer, is employed to determine the spectrum of the light from that variation of the intensity standing wave pattern.

Abstract: A group III-nitride quaternary material system and method is disclosed for use in semiconductor structures, including laser diodes, transistors, and photodetectors, which reduces or eliminates phase separation and provides increased emission efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment the semiconductor structure includes a first InGaAlN layer of a first conduction type formed substantially without phase separation, an InGaAlN active layer substantially without phase separation, and a third InGaAlN layer of an opposite conduction type formed substantially without phase separation.

Abstract: Group III-nitride quaternary and pentenary material systems and methods are disclosed for use in semiconductor structures, including laser diodes, transistors, and photodetectors, which reduces or eliminates phase separation and provides increased emission efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment the semiconductor structure includes a first ternary, quaternary or pentenary material layer using an InGaAlNP layer of a first conduction type formed substantially without phase separation, a quaternary or pentenary material active layer using an InGaAlNP active layer substantially without phase separation, and a third ternary, quaternary or pentenary InGaAlNP material layer of an opposite conduction type formed substantially without phase separation.

Abstract: Group III-nitride quaternary and pentenary material systems and methods are disclosed for use in semiconductor structures, including laser diodes, transistors, and photodetectors, which reduce or eliminate phase separation and provide increased emission efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment the semiconductor structure includes a first ternary, quaternary or pentenary material layer using an InGaAlNAs material system of a first conduction type formed substantially without phase separation, a quaternary or pentenary material active layer using an InGaAlNAs material system substantially without phase separation, and a third ternary, quaternay or pentenary an InGaAlNAs material system of an opposite conduction type formed substantially without phase separation.

Abstract: A spectrometer for determining a spectrum of a light by using a mirror to reflect the light so that the light forms an intensity standing wave pattern through superposition of an incident portion of the light and a reflected portion of the light. The spectrometer is equipped with an intensity detector whose thickness is less than a shortest wavelength of the light being examined and which is semitransparent over the spectrum. The spectrometer has a mechanism to provide relative movement between the mirror and the intensity detector such that the intensity detector registers a variation of the intensity standing wave pattern. An analyzer, such as a Fourier transform analyzer, is employed to determine the spectrum of the light from that variation of the intensity standing wave pattern.