Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to compact, sub-wavelength optical resonators. In one aspect, an optical resonator comprises two approximately parallel reflective structures positioned and configured to form a resonant cavity. The resonator also includes a fishnet structure disposed within the cavity and oriented approximately parallel to the reflective structures. The resonant cavity is configured with a cavity length that can support resonance with electromagnetic radiation having a fundamental wavelength that is more than twice the cavity length.

Abstract: An optical device includes a substantially planar substrate and a lens array disposed on the substantially planar substrate. The lens array is formed of a plurality of distinct sub-wavelength gratings, in which the sub-wavelength gratings are selected to produce a desired phase change in beams of light that are at least one of reflected and refracted by the sub-wavelength gratings of the lens array.

Abstract: A system for performing Raman spectroscopy comprises a waveguide layer configured with at least one array of features, the at least one array of features being configured to provide guided-mode resonance for at least one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation; and at least one fluid channel disposed in the waveguide layer. An analyte sensor comprises an electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit a range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, the system for performing Raman spectroscopy, and at least one photodetector configured to detect Raman scattered light.

Abstract: An autonomous light amplifying device for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy includes a dielectric layer, at least one laser cavity defined by at least one light confining mechanism formed in the dielectric layer, at least one nano-antenna established on the dielectric layer in proximity to the at least one laser cavity, and a gain region positioned in the dielectric layer or adjacent to the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A metamaterial inclusion structure (MIS), a metamaterial and a method of producing an optical magnetic response employ interspersed plasmonic and dielectric materials. The MIS includes first petals of a plasmonic material and second petals of a dielectric material that alternate at a surface and along a periphery of the MIS. The MIS exhibits the magnetic resonance when illuminated by an optical signal at an optical wavelength. The optical signal has a magnetic field component that is parallel with an interface between the first petals and the second petals. The metamaterial includes a plurality of the MIS arranged in an array and provides an optical magnetic susceptibility at the optical wavelength. The method forms the MIS with the alternating petals and includes illuminating the MIS with the optical signal.

Abstract: A lens and a method of forming a lens are included. A lens can include a plurality of concentric rings formed from a dielectric material interleaved by a plurality of gaps separating the plurality of concentric rings.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting at least one species using Raman light detection includes at least one laser source for illuminating a sample containing the at least one species. The apparatus also includes a modulating element for modulating a spatial relationship between the sample and the light beams to cause relative positions of the sample and the light beams to be oscillated, in which Raman light at differing intensity levels are configured to be emitted from the at least one species based upon the different wavelengths of the light beams illuminating the sample. The apparatus also includes a Raman light detector and a post-signal processing unit configured to detect the at least one species.

Abstract: A light amplifying structure 100 for Raman spectroscopy includes a a resonant cavity 108. A distance between a first portion 102B and a second portion 102A of the structure 100 forming the resonant cavity 108 is used to amplify excitation light emitted from a light source 420 into the resonant cavity 108 at a first resonant frequency of the resonant cavity 108. Also, the resonant cavity 108 amplifies radiated light radiated from a predetermined molecule excited by the excitation light in the resonant cavity at a second resonant frequency of the resonant cavity 108.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to planar optical devices composed of one or more sub-wavelength diffraction grating layers. In one embodiment, an optical device includes a first substantially planar reflective structure (104,1904), a second substantially planar reflective structure (106,1906), and a substantially planar sub-wavelength grating layer (102,1902) disposed between the first reflective structure and the second reflective structure. The grating layer is configured with lines (208-211, 214-217) having line widths, line thicknesses, and line period spacing selected to control phase changes in different portions of a beam of light transmitted through the optical device.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting at least one molecule using Raman light detection includes a substrate for supporting a sample containing the at least one molecule, a laser source for emitting a laser beam to cause Raman light emission from the at least one molecule, a modulating element for modulating a spatial relationship between the laser beam and the substrate at an identified frequency to cause the Raman light to be emitted from the at least one molecule at the identified frequency, at least one detector for detecting the Raman light emitted from the at least one molecule, and a post-signal processing unit configured to process the detected Raman light emission at the identified frequency to detect the at least one molecule.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to external, electronically controllable modulators. In one embodiment, a modulating device (100,400) includes a first electrode (104,404), a second electrode (106,406), and an active region (102,402). The active region is configured so that at least a portion of the active region is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. Applying a voltage of an appropriate magnitude and polarity to the electrodes changes the conductivity of the active region which in turn shifts the phase and/or amplitude of electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the active region.

Abstract: A light amplifying device for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy is disclosed herein. The device includes a dielectric layer having two opposed surfaces. A refractive index of the dielectric layer is higher than a refractive index of a material or environment directly adjacent thereto. At least one opening is formed in one of the two opposed surfaces of the dielectric layer, and at least one nano-antenna is established on the one of the two opposed surfaces of the dielectric layer. A gain region is positioned in the dielectric layer or adjacent to another of the two opposed surfaces of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to nanowire-based systems for performing surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. In one embodiment, a system comprises a substrate (102) having a surface and a plurality of tapered nanowires (104) disposed on the surface. Each nanowire has a tapered end directed away from the surface. The system also includes a plurality of nanoparticles (110) disposed near the tapered end of each nanowire. When each nanowire is illuminated with light of a pump wavelength, Raman excitation light is emitted from the tapered end of the nanowire to interact with the nanoparticles and produce enhanced Raman scattered light from molecules located in close proximity to the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to flat sub-wavelength dielectric gratings that can be configured to operate as mirrors and other optical devices. In one aspect, a grating layer (102) has a planar geometry and is configured with lines (206,207). The lines widths, line thicknesses and line period spacings (208) are selected to control phase changes in different portions of a beam of light reflected from the grating such that the phase changes collectively produce a desired wavefront shape in the beam of light reflected from the grating.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to planar sub-wavelength dielectric gratings that can be configured to control the beam profile of reflected and transmitted light. In one embodiment, a grating (200) includes a planar structure having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. The grating includes a non-periodic grating (201-203,210,212,216,218) formed within the first surface. For light incident on the first surface, a first portion of the light is reflected with a first wavefront shape and a first irradiance profile and a second portion of the light is transmitted with a second wavefront shape and a second irradiance profile.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for realizing multi-person conversation are disclosed. The method includes: a multi-person conversation window includes a searching window, and a client end receives a searching command and searching information through the conversation window in a multi-person conversation process. The searching information is passed to a server by the client end when the client end receives the searching command. The searching result information matched by the server based on the searching information and sent by the server is received by the client end. The received searching result information is displayed on the searching window of the conversation window by the client end. The method enables the combination between multi-person conversation and webpage searching, so that the switching between a searching webpage and a conversation window can be avoided, and the conversation among multiple persons can be facilitated.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to optical devices comprising planar lenses. In one aspect, an optical device includes two or more planar lenses (208,209), and one or more dielectric layers (210-212). Each planar lens includes a non-periodic, sub-wavelength grating layer (1110), and each dielectric layer is disposed adjacent to at least one planar lens to form a solid structure. The two or more planar lenses are substantially parallel and arranged to have a common optical axis (214) so that light transmitted through the optical device substantially parallel to the optical axis is refracted by the two or more planar lenses.

Abstract: Dynamically reconfigurable holograms with electronically erasable programmable intermediate layers are disclosed. An example apparatus includes first nanowires, each of the first nanowires having protuberances along a length thereof. The example apparatus also includes second nanowires arranged approximately perpendicular to the first nanowires, the protuberances of the first nanowires being approximately parallel to corresponding ones of the second nanowires. In addition, a layer is disposed between the first and second nanowires. The layer is to control refractive indices at nanowire intersections at intersecting ones of the first and second nanowires.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) (101). The LED (101) includes a plurality of portions including a p-doped portion (112), an intrinsic portion (114), and a n-doped portion (116). The intrinsic portion (114) is disposed between the p-doped portion (112) and the n-doped portion (116) and forms a p-i junction (130) and an i-n junction (134) The LED (101) also includes a metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) structure (104) including a first metal layer (140), a second metal layer (144), and a dielectric medium disposed between the first metal layer (140) and the second metal layer (144). The metal layers of the MDM structure (104) are disposed about orthogonally to the p-i junction (130) and the i-n junction (134); the dielectric medium includes the intrinsic portion (114); and, the MDM structure (104) is configured to enhance modulation frequency of the LED (101) through interaction with surface plasmons that are present in the metal layers.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an optical fiber formed of a core surrounded by cladding, in which the optical fiber includes an end portion. In addition, an optical layer composed of a material having a relatively high refractive index is positioned on the end portion, in which the optical layer includes a non-periodic sub-wavelength grating positioned in optical communication with the core.