Abstract: An optical power divider includes a body having a first side and a second side. The first side includes at least one cylindrical input lens and the second side includes an array of output lenses. The at least one cylindrical input lens is configured to expand input light along a first axis to be directed to a plurality of the output lenses arranged along the first axis and the output lenses are configured to focus the light received from the input lenses into respective output beams of light.

Abstract: Systems and methods employ a layer having a pattern that provides multiple discrete guided mode resonances for respective couplings of separated wavelengths into the layer. Further, a structure including features shaped to enhance Raman scattering to produce light of the resonant wavelengths can be employed with the patterned layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to external, electronically controllable, negative index material-based modulators. In one aspect, an external modulator comprises a negative index material in electronic communication with an electronic signal source. The negative index material receives an electronic signal encoding data from the electronic signal source and an unmodulated carrier wave from an electromagnetic radiation source. Magnitude variations in the electronic signal produce corresponding effective refractive index changes in the negative index material encoding the data in the amplitude and/or phase of the carrier wave to produce an electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems for performing surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. In one embodiment, a system (100, 400, 600, 800, 900, 950) for performing Raman spectroscopy comprises a substrate (102) substantially transparent to a range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation and a plurality of nanowires (104, 602) disposed on a surface of the substrate. The nanowires are substantially transparent to the range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a material disposed on each of the nanowires. The electromagnetic radiation is transmitted within the substrate, into the nanowires, and emitted from the ends of the nanowires to produce enhanced Raman scattered light from molecules located on or in proximity to the material.

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: An analyzer is disclosed herein. The analyzer encompasses a substrate having a surface with a plurality of distinct V-grooves formed therein. An input flow channel is configured to intersect and fluidly communicate with each of the plurality of distinct V-grooves at respective input points, and an output flow channel is configured to intersect and fluidly communicate with each of the plurality of distinct V-grooves at respective output points.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to systems that can be used as holograms and can be electronically controlled and dynamically reconfigured to generate three-dimensional motion picture images. In one embodiment, a dynamically reconfigurable hologram (1200) comprises a phase-control layer (1202) including a two-dimensional array of phase-modulation pixels (1212). The hologram also comprises an intensity-control layer (1204) including a two-dimensional array of intensity-control pixels (1214). One or more three-dimensional motion pictures can be produced by electronically addressing the individual phase-modulation pixels and intensity-control pixels in order to phase and control the intensity of light emanating from pixels of the hologram.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to dynamically reconfigurable hologram comprising a phase-modulation layer and an intensity-control layer. The phase modulation layer comprises an electronically programmable erasable negative index material crossbar. The crossbar includes a first layer of approximately parallel nanowires (502) and a second layer of approximately parallel nanowires (504) that overlay the nanowires in the first layer. The nanowires in the first and second layers have substantially regularly spaced fingers. The crossbar also includes resonant elements (812) comprising a chalcogenide-based layer (1000) sandwiched between the nanowire in the first layer and the nanowire in the second layer.

Abstract: A scattering spectroscopy apparatus, system and method employ guided mode resonance (GMR) and a GMR grating. The apparatus includes a GMR grating having a subwavelength grating, and an optical detector configured to receive a portion of a scattered signal produced by an interaction between an excitation signal and an analyte associated with a surface of the GMR grating. A propagation direction of the received portion of the scattered signal is substantially different from a propagation direction of a GMR-coupled portion of the excitation signal within the GMR grating. The system includes the apparatus and an optical source. The method includes exciting a GMR in a GMR grating, interacting a GMR-coupled portion of the excitation signal with an analyte to produce a scattered signal and detecting a portion of the scattered signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for obtaining images of objects with higher resolution than the diffraction limit. In one aspect, a method for collecting evanescent waves scattered from an object comprises electronically configuring a reconfigurable device to operate as a grating for one or more lattice periods using a computing device. Propagating waves scattered from the object pass through the reconfigurable device and a portion of evanescent waves scattered from the object are projected into the far field of the object. The method includes detecting propagating waves and detecting the portion of evanescent waves projected into the far field for each lattice period using an imaging system.

Abstract: A waveguide intersection includes an input waveguide and an output waveguide; a crossing waveguide intersecting the input waveguide and the output waveguide to form an intersection; and a block that is optically joined to the intersection such that a guided mode is produced within the intersection. A method of reducing optical losses within a waveguide intersection includes increasing a cross-sectional height of an intersection such that optical energy passing through the intersection is laterally confined.

Abstract: A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) apparatus, system and method employ a plurality of nanorods configured to vibrate. The apparatus includes the nanorods having tips at free ends opposite an end attached to a substrate. The tips are configured to adsorb an analyte and to vibrate at a vibration frequency. The apparatus further includes a vibration source configured to vibrate the free ends of the nanorods at the vibration frequency in a back-and-forth motion. Vibration of the nanorods is configured to facilitate detection of a Raman scattering signal emitted by the analyte adsorbed on the nanorod tips. The system further includes a synchronous detector configured to receive the Raman signal and to be gated cooperatively with the vibration of the nanorods. The method includes inducing a vibration of the nanorods, illuminating the vibrating tips to produce a Raman signal, and detecting the Raman signal using the detector.

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: An apparatus for dynamically varying an optical characteristic of a light beam includes an optical element configured to receive a beam of light. The optical element includes at least one sub-wavelength grating formed of a plurality of lines. The apparatus includes at least one actuator connected to at least one component of the optical element and a controller for controlling the at least one actuator to dynamically vary a characteristic of the beam of light that is at least one of emitted through and reflected from the optical element.

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: A type and polarization selective device for Raman spectroscopy includes a set of at least two antennas and a gap at their intersection. First antenna geometry is such that it is configured to resonate, for first or second (different from the first) polarization, at a predetermined stimulation frequency of a material for which Raman scattering is to be studied, or at a Stokes or anti-Stokes frequency corresponding with the material when excited at stimulation frequency. Second antenna geometry is such that it is configured to resonate, for the other of second or first polarization, at the Stokes frequency when the first antenna is configured to resonate at the stimulation or anti-Stokes frequency, or at the anti-Stokes frequency when the first antenna is configured to resonate at the stimulation or Stokes frequency, or at the stimulation frequency when the first antenna is configured to resonate at the Stokes or anti-Stokes frequency.

Abstract: A type and polarization selective device for Raman spectroscopy includes a set of at least two antennas and a gap at their intersection. First antenna geometry is such that it is configured to resonate, for first or second (different from the first) polarization, at a predetermined stimulation frequency of a material for which Raman scattering is to be studied, or at a Stokes or anti-Stokes frequency corresponding with the material when excited at stimulation frequency. Second antenna geometry is such that it is configured to resonate, for the other of second or first polarization, at the Stokes frequency when the first antenna is configured to resonate at the stimulation or anti-Stokes frequency, or at the anti-Stokes frequency when the first antenna is configured to resonate at the stimulation or Stokes frequency, or at the stimulation frequency when the first antenna is configured to resonate at the Stokes or anti-Stokes frequency.

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: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for obtaining images of objects with higher resolution than the diffraction limit. In one aspect, a method for collecting evanescent waves scattered from an object comprises electronically configuring a reconfigurable device to operate as a grating for one or more lattice periods using a computing device. Propagating waves scattered from the object pass through the reconfigurable device and a portion of evanescent waves scattered from the object are projected into the far field of the object. The method includes detecting propagating waves and detecting the portion of evanescent waves projected into the far field for each lattice period using an imaging system.

Abstract: This invention relates to polypeptides which bind to IGF-1R and to applications of those polypeptides in medicine, veterinary medicine, diagnostics and imaging.