Abstract: An optical imaging system and method that reconstructs RF sources in k-space by utilizing interference amongst modulated optical beams. The system and method involves recording with photodetectors the interference pattern produced by RF-modulated optical beams conveyed by optical fibers having unequal lengths. The photodetectors record the interference, and computational analysis using known tomography reconstruction methods is performed to reconstruct the RF sources in k-space.

Abstract: An apparatus and method may be used to create images, e.g., three-dimensional images, based on received radio-frequency (RF), e.g., millimeter wave, signals carrying image data. The RF signals may be modulated onto optical carrier signals, and the resulting modulated optical signals may be cross-correlated. The resulting cross-correlations may be used to extract image data that may be used to generate three-dimensional images.

Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.

Abstract: An optical modulation apparatus for modulating an electromagnetic (e.g., radio frequency (RF)) signal onto an optical carrier signal may be arranged to feed back at least a portion of the optical carrier signal, while excluding first-order sidebands, which may help increase modulation efficiency and improve output power, while retaining high modulation bandwidth. Such arrangements may be implemented, for example, using a Fabry-Perot resonator or a ring resonator in combination with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer or a Michelson interferometer.

Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.

Abstract: An optical modulation apparatus for modulating an electromagnetic (e.g., radio frequency (RF)) signal onto an optical carrier signal may be arranged to feed back at least a portion of the optical carrier signal, while excluding first-order sidebands, which may help increase modulation efficiency and improve output power, while retaining high modulation bandwidth. Such arrangements may be implemented, for example, using a Fabry-Perot resonator or a ring resonator in combination with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer or a Michelson interferometer.

Abstract: An optical modulation apparatus for modulating an electromagnetic (e.g., radio frequency (RF)) signal onto an optical carrier signal may use carrier recycling to increase modulation efficiency. Such an arrangement may be implemented, e.g., using a Fabry-Perot topology and/or using a travelling-wave modulator.

Abstract: Signal generating systems and methods are described. One signal generation system includes first and second lasers configured to generate first and second laser beams having respective frequencies wherein a difference in the respective frequencies corresponds to an output frequency, a photodetector configured to produce a signal at the output frequency, and first and second electro-optic modulators configured to respectively electro-optically modulate the first and second laser beams using the signal to produce respective first and second modulated optical signals, each of the first and second modulated optical signals having a respective sideband corresponding to the frequency of the other one of the first and second laser beams. The first laser is seeded with the respective sideband of the second modulated optical signal and the second laser is seeded with the respective sideband of the first modulated optical signal to phase-lock the first and second laser beams to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regenerating a received radio frequency (RF) signal may mix the received RF signal with a first laser signal, and the result, or a filtered version thereof, may be used to injection-seed a second laser. The result may be mixed with the first laser signal, and the result may be detected to provide a regenerated version of the received RF signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and/or method may be used for distributed synchronization of oscillators at non-collocated stations by means of transmitting and receiving optical signals having frequencies related to a desired oscillator frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method may be used to create images, e.g., three-dimensional images, based on received radio-frequency (RP), e.g., millimeter wave, signals carrying image data. The RF signals may be modulated onto optical carrier signals, and the resulting modulated optical signals may be cross-correlated. The resulting cross-correlations may be used to extract image data that may be used to generate three-dimensional images.

Abstract: Signal generating systems and methods are described. One signal generation system includes first and second lasers configured to generate first and second laser beams having respective frequencies wherein a difference in the respective frequencies corresponds to an output frequency, a photodetector configured to produce a signal at the output frequency, and first and second electro-optic modulators configured to respectively electro-optically modulate the first and second laser beams using the signal to produce respective first and second modulated optical signals, each of the first and second modulated optical signals having a respective sideband corresponding to the frequency of the other one of the first and second laser beams. The first laser is seeded with the respective sideband of the second modulated optical signal and the second laser is seeded with the respective sideband of the first modulated optical signal to phase-lock the first and second laser beams to each other.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, the design and fabrication of a binary superimposed grating (BSG) results in better performing devices that may be fabricated using existing technology. The fabrication process includes forming grating features based upon repeating features of the desired superposition function. The design process also relaxes the processing requirement for equivalently performing devices.

Abstract: Described herein are electromagnetic traps or tweezers. Desired results are achieved by combining two recently developed techniques, 3D negative refraction flat lenses (3DNRFLs) and optical tweezers. The very unique advantages of using 3DNRFLs for electromagnetic traps have been demonstrated. Super-resolution and short focal distance of the flat lens result in a highly focused and strongly convergent beam, which is a key requirement for a stable and accurate electromagnetic trap. The translation symmetry of 3DNRFL provides translation-invariance for imaging, which allows an electromagnetic trap to be translated without moving the lens, and permits a trap array by using multiple sources with a single lens.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of producing an optoelectronic nanostructure includes preparing a substrate; providing a quantum well layer on the substrate; etching a volume of the substrate to produce a photonic crystal. The quantum dots are produced at multiple intersections of the quantum well layer within the photonic crystal. Multiple quantum well layers may also be provided so as to form multiple vertically aligned quantum dots. In another embodiment, an optoelectronic nanostructure includes a photonic crystal having a plurality of voids and interconnecting veins; a plurality of quantum dots arranged between the plurality of voids, wherein an electrical connection is provided to one or more of the plurality of quantum dots through an associated interconnecting vein.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing optical components in a three-dimensional photonic crystal lattice. A first resist (9) is coated on a substrate (10) and exposed to an e-beam (11), to produce an imaged area (12). Another resist coating is applied to thicken the resist (13) and an interference exposure (15) is used to image the result. This is developed to form periodic voids (16), which may be filled with a materials having a high refractive index to form a pattern (18 and 12) when the resist (13) is removed.

Abstract: Described herein are electromagnetic traps or tweezers. Desired results are achieved by combining two recently developed techniques, 3D negative refraction flat lenses (3DNRFLs) and optical tweezers. The very unique advantages of using 3DNRFLs for electromagnetic traps have been demonstrated. Super-resolution and short focal distance of the flat lens result in a highly focused and strongly convergent beam, which is a key requirement for a stable and accurate electromagnetic trap. The translation symmetry of 3DNRFL provides translation-invariance for imaging, which allows an electromagnetic trap to be translated without moving the lens, and permits a trap array by using multiple sources with a single lens.

Abstract: A process for making photonic crystal circuit and a photonic crystal circuit consisting of regularly-distributed holes in a high index dielectric material, and controllably-placed defects within this lattice, creating waveguides, cavities, etc. for photonic devices. The process is based upon the discovery that some positive ultraviolet (UV) photoresists are electron beam sensitive and behave like negative electron beam photoresists. This permits creation of photonic crystal circuits using a combination of electron beam and UV exposures. As a result, the process combines the best features of the two exposure methods: the high speed of UV exposure and the high resolution and control of the electron beam exposure. The process also eliminates the need for expensive photomasks.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of producing an optoelectronic nanostructure includes preparing a substrate; providing a quantum well layer on the substrate; etching a volume of the substrate to produce a photonic crystal. The quantum dots are produced at multiple intersections of the quantum well layer within the photonic crystal. Multiple quantum well layers may also be provided so as to form multiple vertically aligned quantum dots. In another embodiment, an optoelectronic nanostructure includes a photonic crystal having a plurality of voids and interconnecting veins; a plurality of quantum dots arranged between the plurality of voids, wherein an electrical connection is provided to one or more of the plurality of quantum dots through an associated interconnecting vein.

Abstract: A planar photonic bandgap structure includes a substrate and a suspended membrane with holes. A waveguiding film is applied directly on and registered with the membrane so as to avoid the holes. The film has an index of refraction which is higher than an index of refraction of the membrane to allow a waveguiding function to occur within the film. A method of forming a planar photonic bandgap structure includes applying first and second films on a substrate and exposing a pattern of a plurality of holes on the second film. The exposed pattern is developed using a solvent where the dissolution rate of the first film is greater than a dissolution rate of the second film. A waveguiding layer is applied onto a top surface of a suspended membrane such that the layer has an index of refraction greater than an index of refraction of the suspended membrane.