Patents by Inventor Jean-Francois Viens
Jean-Francois Viens has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8117898Abstract: A method for sensing gas composition and gas pressure, based on the thermal constants of a variable electrical resistor, is presented. The method for sensing gas composition and pressure includes monitoring a variable electrical resistor whose dynamic thermal response is determined by the thermal conductivity and thermal capacity of the surrounding gas of a given atmospheric environment. In the thermal domain, the sensor has a low-pass characteristic, whose phase delay is determined by the thermodynamic characteristics of the surrounding gas such as composition and pressure. The method can be used for sensing gas composition and can also be used for sensing gas pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Institut National D'OptiqueInventors: Jean François Viens, Loïc Le Noc
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Patent number: 8111965Abstract: A waveguide and resonator are formed on a lower cladding of a thermo optic device, each having a formation height that is substantially equal. Thereafter, the formation height of the waveguide is attenuated. In this manner, the aspect ratio as between the waveguide and resonator in an area where the waveguide and resonator front or face one another decreases (in comparison to the prior art) thereby restoring the synchronicity between the waveguide and the grating and allowing higher bandwidth configurations to be used. The waveguide attenuation is achieved by photomasking and etching the waveguide after the resonator and waveguide are formed. In one embodiment the photomasking and etching is performed after deposition of the upper cladding. In another, it is performed before the deposition. Thermo optic devices, thermo optic packages and fiber optic systems having these waveguides are also taught.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Guy T. Blalock, Howard E. Rhodes, Vishnu K. Agarwal, Gurtej Singh Sandhu, James S. Foresi, Jean-Francois Viens, Dale G. Fried
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Publication number: 20110206332Abstract: A waveguide and resonator are formed on a lower cladding of a thermo optic device, each having a formation height that is substantially equal. Thereafter, the formation height of the waveguide is attenuated. In this manner, the aspect ratio as between the waveguide and resonator in an area where the waveguide and resonator front or face one another decreases (in comparison to the prior art) thereby restoring the synchronicity between the waveguide and the grating and allowing higher bandwidth configurations to be used. The waveguide attenuation is achieved by photomasking and etching the waveguide after the resonator and waveguide are formed. In one embodiment the photomasking and etching is performed after deposition of the upper cladding. In another, it is performed before the deposition. Thermo optic devices, thermo optic packages and fiber optic systems having these waveguides are also taught.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: Guy T. Blalock, Howard E. Rhodes, Vishnu K. Agarwal, Gurtel Singh Sandhu, James S. Foresi, Jean-Francois Viens, Dale G. Fried
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Patent number: 7936955Abstract: A waveguide and resonator are formed on a lower cladding of a thermo optic device, each having a formation height that is substantially equal. Thereafter, the formation height of the waveguide is attenuated. In this manner, the aspect ratio as between the waveguide and resonator in an area where the waveguide and resonator front or face one another decreases (in comparison to the prior art) thereby restoring the synchronicity between the waveguide and the grating and allowing higher bandwidth configurations to be used. The waveguide attenuation is achieved by photomasking and etching the waveguide after the resonator and waveguide are formed. In one embodiment the photomasking and etching is performed after deposition of the upper cladding. In another, it is performed before the deposition. Thermo optic devices, thermo optic packages and fiber optic systems having these waveguides are also taught.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Guy T. Blalock, Howard E. Rhodes, Vishnu K. Agarwal, Gurtej Singh Sandhu, James S. Foresi, Jean-Francois Viens, Dale G. Fried
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Publication number: 20100220958Abstract: A waveguide and resonator are formed on a lower cladding of a thermo optic device, each having a formation height that is substantially equal. Thereafter, the formation height of the waveguide is attenuated. In this manner, the aspect ratio as between the waveguide and resonator in an area where the waveguide and resonator front or face one another decreases (in comparison to the prior art) thereby restoring the synchronicity between the waveguide and the grating and allowing higher bandwidth configurations to be used. The waveguide attenuation is achieved by photomasking and etching the waveguide after the resonator and waveguide are formed. In one embodiment the photomasking and etching is performed after deposition of the upper cladding. In another, it is performed before the deposition. Thermo optic devices, thermo optic packages and fiber optic systems having these waveguides are also taught.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventors: Guy T. Blalock, Howard E. Rhodes, Vishnu K. Agarwal, Gurtej Singh Sandhu, James S. Foresi, Jean-Francois Viens, Dale G. Fried
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Publication number: 20100154554Abstract: An apparatus and method precisely measure gas pressure over a large dynamic range and with good immunity to temperature fluctuations, encompassing applications such as gas sensing, bolometer imaging and industrial process monitoring. The micro-thermistor gas pressure sensor assembly includes a suspended platform micro-thermistor sensor device exposed to the gas pressure of a given atmospheric environment, an electrical readout circuit connected to the suspended platform micro-thermistor sensor device, wherein the suspended platform micro-thermistor sensor device acts as a variable electrical resistance in the readout electrical circuit, a binary-wave voltage source connected to the suspended platform micro-thermistor sensor device, and an ohmmeter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: Institut National D'OptiqueInventors: Loic Le Noc, Bruno Tremblay, Jean Francois Viens
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Publication number: 20100154510Abstract: A method for sensing gas composition and gas pressure, based on the thermal constants of a variable electrical resistor, is presented. The method for sensing gas composition and pressure includes monitoring a variable electrical resistor whose dynamic thermal response is determined by the thermal conductivity and thermal capacity of the surrounding gas of a given atmospheric environment. In the thermal domain, the sensor has a low-pass characteristic, whose phase delay is determined by the thermodynamic characteristics of the surrounding gas such as composition and pressure. The method can be used for sensing gas composition and can also be used for sensing gas pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: Institut National D'OptiqueInventors: Jean Francois Viens, Loic Le Noc
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Patent number: 7720341Abstract: A waveguide and resonator are formed on a lower cladding of a thermo optic device, each having a formation height that is substantially equal. Thereafter, the formation height of the waveguide is attenuated. In this manner, the aspect ratio as between the waveguide and resonator in an area where the waveguide and resonator front or face one another decreases (in comparison to the prior art) thereby restoring the synchronicity between the waveguide and the grating and allowing higher bandwidth configurations to be used. The waveguide attenuation is achieved by photomasking and etching the waveguide after the resonator and waveguide are formed. In one embodiment the photomasking and etching is performed after deposition of the upper cladding. In another, it is performed before the deposition. Thermo optic devices, thermo optic packages and fiber optic systems having these waveguides are also taught.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2008Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Guy T. Blalock, Howard E. Rhodes, Vishnu K. Agarwal, Gurtej Singh Sandhu, James S. Foresi, Jean-Francois Viens, Dale G. Fried
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Patent number: 7566942Abstract: A novel detection pixel micro-structure allowing the simultaneous and continuous detection of several discrete optical frequencies. A focal plane array comprises a plurality of multi-spectral detection pixels and a connecting platform to electrically connect the pixels. Each of the multi-spectral detection pixels form a resonant optical structure that comprises at least two periodic latticed dielectric reflectors, and at least one optical cavity between the said latticed dielectric reflectors. The latticed dielectric reflectors create a plurality of photonic bandgaps in the spectral response of the pixel. In addition, each optical cavity of the pixel comprises at least two optical resonant modes, corresponding to localized Bloch modes supported by the pixel dielectric structure, wherein each optical resonant mode is localized maximally at, and minimally away from, the optical cavity.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Jean Francois Viens, Anuradha M. Agarwal, Lionel C. Kimerling
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Publication number: 20080226247Abstract: A waveguide and resonator are formed on a lower cladding of a thermo optic device, each having a formation height that is substantially equal. Thereafter, the formation height of the waveguide is attenuated. In this manner, the aspect ratio as between the waveguide and resonator in an area where the waveguide and resonator front or face one another decreases (in comparison to the prior art) thereby restoring the synchronicity between the waveguide and the grating and allowing higher bandwidth configurations to be used. The waveguide attenuation is achieved by photomasking and etching the waveguide after the resonator and waveguide are formed. In one embodiment the photomasking and etching is performed after deposition of the upper cladding. In another, it is performed before the deposition. Thermo optic devices, thermo optic packages and fiber optic systems having these waveguides are also taught.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventors: Guy T. Blalock, Howard E. Rhodes, Vishnu K. Agarwal, Gurtej Singh Sandhu, James S. Foresi, Jean-Francois Viens, Dale G. Fried
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Patent number: 7359607Abstract: A waveguide and resonator are formed on a lower cladding of a thermo optic device, each having a formation height that is substantially equal. Thereafter, the formation height of the waveguide is attenuated. In this manner, the aspect ratio as between the waveguide and resonator in an area where the waveguide and resonator front or face one another decreases (in comparison to the prior art) thereby restoring the synchronicity between the waveguide and the grating and allowing higher bandwidth configurations to be used. The waveguide attenuation is achieved by photomasking and etching the waveguide after the resonator and waveguide are formed. In one embodiment the photomasking and etching is performed after deposition of the upper cladding. In another, it is performed before the deposition. Thermo optic devices, thermo optic packages and fiber optic systems having these waveguides are also taught.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Guy T. Blalock, Howard E. Rhodes, Vishnu K. Agarwal, Gurtej Singh Sandhu, James S. Foresi, Jean-Francois Viens, Dale G. Fried
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Patent number: 7006746Abstract: A waveguide and resonator are formed on a lower cladding of a thermo optic device, each having a formation height that is substantially equal. Thereafter, the formation height of the waveguide is attenuated. In this manner, the aspect ratio as between the waveguide and resonator in an area where the waveguide and resonator front or face one another decreases (in comparison to the prior art) thereby restoring the synchronicity between the waveguide and the grating and allowing higher bandwidth configurations to be used. The waveguide attenuation is achieved by photomasking and etching the waveguide after the resonator and waveguide are formed. In one embodiment the photomasking and etching is performed after deposition of the upper cladding. In another, it is performed before the deposition. Thermo optic devices, thermo optic packages and fiber optic systems having these waveguides are also taught.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Guy T. Blalock, Howard E. Rhodes, Vishnu K. Agarwal, Gurtej Singh Sandhu, James S. Foresi, Jean-Francois Viens, Dale G. Fried
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Publication number: 20060013551Abstract: An integrated planar waveguide system including at least two primary waveguides for light propagation and coupling, and two or more mirror-imaged symmetrization structures in close proximity to the primary waveguides in order to provide micro-process-equalization during etch, growth, annealing and reflow processes. The primary waveguides are designed to carry light signals. The symmetrization waveguide structures are designed so that all the trenches between primary waveguides are identical to the desired degree. At the same time, the symmetrization structures are designed to have minimal detrimental impact on the optical performance of the coupler.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2005Publication date: January 19, 2006Inventors: James Foresi, Tairan Wang, Jean-Francois Viens, Dale Fried, Mohammad Khan, Michael Lim, Anuradha Agarwal, Gokhan Ulu
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Patent number: 6912331Abstract: By judicious engineering of grating parameters such as tooth shape, duty cycle and phase offset, the grating strengths and effective indices of the polarization modes of a grated waveguide are adjusted over a wide range of values to achieve a desired level of polarization sensitivity, or insensitivity. In the typical example, the physical geometry of the grating teeth is adjusted so that degenerate behavior (nTE=nTM and ?TE=?TM) is obtained for two polarization modes; the effective refractive indices and grating strengths are matched for the TE and TM polarization modes. In the current embodiment the sidewall gratings are used in which the tooth profile is selected in order to equalize the grating strength for each polarization mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Cambrius Inc.Inventors: Dale G. Fried, Jean-Francois Viens, James S. Foresi, Maksim A Skorobogatiy, Michael H. Lim
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Publication number: 20050031284Abstract: A waveguide and resonator are formed on a lower cladding of a thermo optic device, each having a formation height that is substantially equal. Thereafter, the formation height of the waveguide is attenuated. In this manner, the aspect ratio as between the waveguide and resonator in an area where the waveguide and resonator front or face one another decreases (in comparison to the prior art) thereby restoring the synchronicity between the waveguide and the grating and allowing higher bandwidth configurations to be used. The waveguide attenuation is achieved by photomasking and etching the waveguide after the resonator and waveguide are formed. In one embodiment the photomasking and etching is performed after deposition of the upper cladding. In another, it is performed before the deposition. Thermo optic devices, thermo optic packages and fiber optic systems having these waveguides are also taught.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2004Publication date: February 10, 2005Inventors: Guy Blalock, Howard Rhodes, Vishnu Agarwal, Gurtej Sandhu, James Foresi, Jean-Francois Viens, Dale Fried
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Publication number: 20040042751Abstract: A waveguide and resonator are formed on a lower cladding of a thermo optic device, each having a formation height that is substantially equal. Thereafter, the formation height of the waveguide is attenuated. In this manner, the aspect ratio as between the waveguide and resonator in an area where the waveguide and resonator front or face one another decreases (in comparison to the prior art) thereby restoring the synchronicity between the waveguide and the grating and allowing higher bandwidth configurations to be used. The waveguide attenuation is achieved by photomasking and etching the waveguide after the resonator and waveguide are formed. In one embodiment the photomasking and etching is performed after deposition of the upper cladding. In another, it is performed before the deposition. Thermo optic devices, thermo optic packages and fiber optic systems having these waveguides are also taught.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2002Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventors: Guy T. Blalock, Howard E. Rhodes, Vishnu K. Agarwal, Gurtej Singh Sandhu, James S. Foresi, Jean-Francois Viens, Dale G. Fried
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Publication number: 20030174956Abstract: In a modal field transformer system, a standard single-mode fiber is connected to a high numerical aperture fiber, which is connected to an integrated waveguide mode converter that connects to a high numerical aperture photonic circuit. The modal field transformer combines adiabatic transitions in both the waveguide and the fiber to achieve low-loss and low polarization dependent optical mode conversion between the standard single-mode fiber and the single-mode high numerical aperture waveguide. The modal field transformer of the preferred embodiment can be used for input and output coupling.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventor: Jean-Francois Viens
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Publication number: 20030174945Abstract: By judicious engineering of grating parameters such as tooth shape, duty cycle and phase offset, the grating strengths and effective indices of the polarization modes of a grated waveguide are adjusted over a wide range of values to achieve a desired level of polarization sensitivity, or insensitivity. In the typical example, the physical geometry of the grating teeth is adjusted so that degenerate behavior (nTE=nTM and &kgr;TE=&kgr;TM) is obtained for two polarization modes; the effective refractive indices and grating strengths are matched for the TE and TM polarization modes. In the current embodiment the sidewall gratings are used in which the tooth profile is selected in order to equalize the grating strength for each polarization mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Dale G. Fried, Jean-Francois Viens, James S. Foresi, Maksim A. Skorobogatiy, Michael H. Lim
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Publication number: 20030174946Abstract: A large bandwidth add-drop filter for a planar waveguide device including at least one coupler that receives an input signal and provides an output signal and a least two grating waveguides having a photonic band gap covering at least 4 optical channels. In some embodiments, the gratings have a superstructure grating strength profile to provide a spectral interleaver. In other embodiments, the gratings have a sampled grating strength profile to provide a spectral slicer. Presently, two direction couplers are used. One coupler provides an input port and a drop port and the other provides an add port and a transmission port.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventor: Jean-Francois Viens
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Publication number: 20020186920Abstract: A tunable electromagnetic field frequency filter which includes a bus waveguide that carries a signal having a plurality of frequencies, including at least one desired frequency, and a receiver waveguide. A resonator-system is coupled to the bus and receiver waveguides via couplers, such as directional couplers, and transfers the desired at least one frequency from the bus waveguide to the receiver waveguide while allowing transmission of the remaining frequencies in the bus waveguide. The signal in the bus waveguide is coupled from the bus waveguide to the resonator-system by a first coupler. The first coupler splits the input signal into preferably equal parts and directs each part into the resonator-system. The resonator-system supports at least two system modes, and includes at least three reflectors (G1, G2, G3) with at least two different reflectivity spectra. Two resonators (R1, R2) are defined by the three reflectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: Jean-Francois Viens, Tairan Wang, Pierre Villeneuve, Charles Romaniuk