Abstract: A tunable optical directional coupler includes a first waveguide and a second waveguide proximal to the first waveguide, the first and second waveguides defining a light-coupling coefficient. The tunable optical directional coupler also includes a doped junction having a refractive index that is responsive to an applied bias voltage wherein the refractive index is changeable to enable tuning of the light-coupling coefficient. The tunable optical directional coupler may be used to split power, tune the phase, split polarizations or to tune a ratio of a tap-monitor.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical coupling device, comprising forming a waveguide mask layer on a substrate platform, wherein the waveguide mask layer comprises an array of openings comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, immersing the substrate platform into a salt melt comprising ions to form an array of waveguides in the substrate platform through an ion diffusion process, and controlling a rate of immersion such that a diffusion depth of the ions varies as a function of a distance in a direction from the first end to the second end, wherein the array of waveguides extends in the direction from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: An optical coupler has a plastic optical fiber and a curved support member for mechanically supporting the plastic optical fiber at a predetermined bend radius. The plastic optical fiber can be made of perfluorinated polymer. The plastic optical fiber can be curved at a bend radius of less than 10 mm. This enables compact packaging of the coupler.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical coupling device, comprising forming a waveguide mask layer on a substrate platform, wherein the waveguide mask layer comprises an array of openings comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, immersing the substrate platform into a salt melt comprising ions to form an array of waveguides in the substrate platform through an ion diffusion process, and controlling a rate of immersion such that a diffusion depth of the ions varies as a function of a distance in a direction from the first end to the second end, wherein the array of waveguides extends in the direction from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for a waveguide polarizer comprising a series of bends. The waveguide polarizer is suitable for used in optical waveguide devices or circuits, where a polarized light is required, such as for single polarization output. The polarizer design is independent of the function of the optical devices. In an embodiment, an optical polarizer comprises an optical waveguide configured to propagate light at a designated polarization mode, and comprising a bend in a same plane of the propagated light. The bend has a geometry configured to contain in the optical waveguide the designated polarization mode of the propagated light and radiate outside the optical waveguide a second polarization mode of the propagated light.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for a waveguide polarizer comprising a series of bends. The waveguide polarizer is suitable for used in optical waveguide devices or circuits, where a polarized light is required, such as for single polarization output. The polarizer design is independent of the function of the optical devices. In an embodiment, an optical polarizer comprises an optical waveguide configured to propagate light at a designated polarization mode, and comprising a bend in a same plane of the propagated light. The bend has a geometry configured to contain in the optical waveguide the designated polarization mode of the propagated light and radiate outside the optical waveguide a second polarization mode of the propagated light.

Abstract: A bidirectional optical tap-monitor is described for detecting an optical signal power carried by a through waveguide. The tap-monitor comprises a tap waveguide placed near the through waveguide, and a single waveguide-type photodetector for detecting a fraction of the optical signal power coupled from the tap waveguide. The tap waveguide includes two ports at opposite ends of the tap waveguide and the waveguide-type photodetector includes two ports that are connected respectively to the two ports of the tap waveguide. When light travels through the through waveguide in one direction, the coupled fraction of the optical signal power is fed to the photodetector via one of the two ports of the tap waveguide, and when light travels through the through waveguide in the opposite direction, the coupled fraction of the optical signal power is fed to the photodetector via the other one of the two ports of the tap waveguide.

Abstract: An optical coupling adaptor couples an optical fiber to a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip. The adaptor once connected to the PIC chip forms a chip-adaptor assembly. The photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip has a plurality of inverted taper waveguides having an enlarged optical mode. The optical coupling adaptor has a first section having a plurality of ridge waveguides between layers of cladding and also separated laterally by cladding and a second section abutting the first section, the second section having a plurality of trenches each filled with an optical polymer that Once cured has a refractive index that matches that of the ridge waveguides. The optical coupling adaptor is adhered to the PIC chip using the optical polymer as an adhesive such that the optical polymer in the trenches once cured form polymer waveguides that confine the enlarged mode of the inverted taper waveguides.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical coupling device, comprising forming a waveguide mask layer on a substrate platform, wherein the waveguide mask layer comprises an array of openings comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, immersing the substrate platform into a salt melt comprising ions to form an array of waveguides in the substrate platform through an ion diffusion process, and controlling a rate of immersion such that a diffusion depth of the ions varies as a function of a distance in a direction from the first end to the second end, wherein the array of waveguides extends in the direction from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for an optical coupler created by bonded photonic chip coupler for Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) chip-fiber coupling. System and apparatus embodiments for a bonded photonic chip coupler for SOI chip-fiber coupling provide for reduced mismatch between fiber and chip, increased coupling efficiency, and lower photonics device insertion loss.

Abstract: An optical device comprising an optical interface comprising an optical waveguide disposed on a surface of a substrate, wherein the optical waveguide comprises a wide middle portion that tapers to two opposite narrow ends along a first direction and a second direction of light propagation opposite to the first direction, a diffraction grating disposed at about the wide middle portion of the optical waveguide, and an optical fiber in optical communication with the optical waveguide and the diffraction grating, wherein the optical fiber is positioned at about perpendicular to the surface and directed towards the diffraction grating to cause an incoming light signal from the optical fiber to split into a first portion and a second portion through a diffraction at the diffraction grating, and wherein the diffraction causes the first portion to propagate along the first direction and the second portion to propagate along the second direction.

Abstract: A bidirectional optical tap-monitor is described for detecting an optical signal power carried by a through waveguide. The tap-monitor comprises a tap waveguide placed near the through waveguide, and a single waveguide-type photodetector for detecting a fraction of the optical signal power coupled from the tap waveguide. The tap waveguide includes two ports at opposite ends of the tap waveguide and the waveguide-type photodetector includes two ports that are connected respectively to the two ports of the tap waveguide. When light travels through the through waveguide in one direction, the coupled fraction of the optical signal power is fed to the photodetector via one of the two ports of the tap waveguide, and when light travels through the through waveguide in the opposite direction, the coupled fraction of the optical signal power is fed to the photodetector via the other one of the two ports of the tap waveguide.

Abstract: A polarization-splitting and wavelength filter comprising an input waveguide for receiving an optical input with both a Transverse Electric (TE) polarization and a Transverse Magnetic (TM) polarizations. The polarization-splitting and wavelength filter includes a first ring/racetrack resonator disposed along the input waveguide wherein the first ring/racetrack resonator includes a first coupler for coupling the TE polarization of a first wavelength. The polarization-splitting and wavelength filter also includes a second ring/racetrack resonator disposed along the input waveguide, wherein the second ring/racetrack resonator includes a second coupler for coupling the TM polarization of a second wavelength.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for an optical coupler created by bonded photonic chip coupler for Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) chip-fiber coupling. System and apparatus embodiments for a bonded photonic chip coupler for SOI chip-fiber coupling provide for reduced mismatch between fiber and chip, increased coupling efficiency, and lower photonics device insertion loss.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for photonic chip waveguides with improved coupling efficiency to optical fibers. In an embodiment, a photonic chip comprises a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer on the substrate, and a tapered silicon or semiconductor waveguide embedded in the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has lower optical refractive index than the tapered waveguide and serves as a cladding for the tapered waveguide. The chip further includes, on the substrate, a dielectric waveguide adjacent to the dielectric layer. The tip of the tapered waveguide is embedded in the dielectric waveguide. The dielectric waveguide serves to couple the tapered waveguide to an optical fiber, enlarge and better confine the light propagation mode from the taper waveguide to the fiber.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for a waveguide polarizer comprising a series of bends. The waveguide polarizer is suitable for used in optical waveguide devices or circuits, where a polarized light is required, such as for single polarization output. The polarizer design is independent of the function of the optical devices. In an embodiment, an optical polarizer comprises an optical waveguide configured to propagate light at a designated polarization mode, and comprising a bend in a same plane of the propagated light. The bend has a geometry configured to contain in the optical waveguide the designated polarization mode of the propagated light and radiate outside the optical waveguide a second polarization mode of the propagated light.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring one or more objects by an electronic device are provided. The method includes defining a distance threshold between the electronic device and an object having a RFID tag, calculating a distance between the electronic device and the object, and generating alerts upon detecting that the distance is greater than the distance threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring one or more objects by an electronic device are provided. The method includes defining a distance threshold between the electronic device and an object having a RFID tag, calculating a distance between the electronic device and the object, and generating alerts upon detecting that the distance is greater than the distance threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula I: x+y+z=1 and x=0 to 1, y=0 to 1, z=0 to 1 and R is CH3 or CF3 and R1 and R2 each represent H or a functional group. These compounds show promise in films and as optical waveguide materials as well as bimodal interference coupler and arrayed waveguide grating demultiplexer materials.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of obesity in an animal such as a human, comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of a peptide which comprises the carboxyl-terminal sequence of a growth hormone, particularly the carboxyl-terminal sequence of human growth hormone containing amine acid residues 177-191. A pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of obesity is also disclosed.