Abstract: An article comprising a slab generating scintillation light in response to ionization event and formed with at least two sides. The ionization event is resulted from interaction of high-energy particles within a material of the slab between these sides. A photoreceiver sensitive to the scintillation light is integrated on each side of the slab in an optically-tight fashion. An arrangement is provided for analyzing signals resulted from the ionization event and generated by the photoreceivers. The photoreceivers and the analyzing arrangement are adapted for extracting a position of the ionization event within the slab material relative to the slab sides. A correcting arrangement is provided for correcting the signals and to provide attenuation of the scintillation light.

Abstract: An article comprising a slab generating scintillation light in response to ionization event and formed with at least two sides. The ionization event is resulted from interaction of high-energy particles within a material of the slab between these sides. A photoreceiver sensitive to the scintillation light is integrated on each side of the slab in an optically-tight fashion. An arrangement is provided for analyzing signals resulted from the ionization event and generated by the photoreceivers. The photoreceivers and the analyzing arrangement are adapted for extracting a position of the ionization event within the slab material relative to the slab sides. A correcting arrangement is provided for correcting the signals and to provide attenuation of the scintillation light.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to an atomic-based frequency reference that includes an architecture that eliminates the need for local oscillator components and instead is implemented with a “photonic local oscillator,” that provides for a relatively low power consumption, compact, atomic clock/frequency reference. Such a system is based on a laser cavity which contains an alkali-vapor-cell within the laser cavity. The laser cavity is designed to oscillate in two or more optical wavelengths, with the frequency difference of these lasing wavelengths equal to the atomic hyperfine resonance frequency. Embodiments of the system can include relatively few elements, namely: a) an optical gain element with an emission band centered at the atomic absorption band; b) collimating optics; c) an atomic vapor cell; and d) a cavity end mirror. Optionally, specific polarization optics may be used depending on the specifics of the optical pumping.

Abstract: A high power laser system including: a plurality of emitters each including a large area waveguide and a plurality of quantum well regions optically coupled to the large area waveguide, wherein each of the quantum well regions exhibits a low modal overlap with the large area waveguide; a collimator optically coupled to the emitters; a diffraction grating optically coupled through the collimator to the emitters; and, an output coupler optically coupled through the diffraction grating to the emitters.

Abstract: A cell suitable for use with an atomic clock and a method for making the same, the cell including: a silicon wafer having a recess formed therein; at least one amorphous silicate member having an ion mobility and temperature expansion coefficient approximately that of silicon sealing the recess; and, an alkali metal containing component and buffer gas contained in the recess. The method includes: providing a silicon wafer; forming a cavity through the silicon wafer; introducing an alkali metal containing component and buffer gas into the cavity; and, anodically bonding at least one amorphous silicate member having an ion mobility and temperature expansion coefficient approximately that of silicon to the wafer to close the cavity.

Abstract: A cell suitable for use with an atomic clock and a method for making the same, the cell including: a silicon wafer having a recess formed therein; at least one amorphous silicate member having an ion mobility and temperature expansion coefficient approximately that of silicon sealing the recess; and, an alkali metal containing component and buffer gas contained in the recess. The method includes: providing a silicon wafer; forming a cavity through the silicon wafer; introducing an alkali metal containing component and buffer gas into the cavity; and, anodically bonding at least one amorphous silicate member having an ion mobility and temperature expansion coefficient approximately that of silicon to the wafer to close the cavity.

Abstract: A monolithic light amplification system including: an un-doped waveguide; a ridge waveguide positioned over the un-doped waveguide; and, at least a doped layer between the un-doped waveguide and ridge waveguide; wherein, the un-doped waveguide and ridge waveguide cooperate to amplify light input to the un-doped waveguide.

Abstract: A low-jitter optical pulse source including: a monolithic waveguide including a first section substantially perpendicular to a first facet and a second section being curved and substantially non-perpendicular to a second facet; and, an optical circulator coupled to the monolithic waveguide and forming a sigma cavity in combination with the monolithic waveguide, wherein the first facet forms a sole reflector for the sigma cavity.

Abstract: An RF-photonics integrated communications module including: a plurality of RF input channels; a plurality of modulators each being responsive to one of the RF input channels; and, a plurality of photonic output channels coupled to the modulators via a switching network. The switching network includes a plurality of resonating elements coupled between the modulators and the output channels to selectively apply outputs of the modulators to the output channels.

Abstract: An optical system including: a substrate having a recess; and, a substantially planar, semiconductor waveguiding membrane suspended over the recess and having a thickness less than about 200 nm; wherein, the optical system supports a propagating optical mode having a majority of its energy external to the semiconductor waveguiding membrane.

Abstract: A photonic device suitable for being optically coupled to at least one optical fiber having a first spot-size, the device including: at least one photonic component; and, a graded index lens optically coupled between the at least one photonic component and the at least one optical fiber; wherein, the graded index lens is adapted to convert optical transmissions from the at least one photonic component to the first spot size.

Abstract: A modulator including: a plurality of branches; first and second RF electrodes; a first plurality of RF delay elements coupled to the first RF electrode and a second plurality of RF delay elements coupled to the second electrode; and, a plurality of electro-refractive resonant elements. Each of the electro-refractive resonant elements is respectively coupled to a corresponding one of the RF delay elements and evanescently coupled to at least one of the branches.

Abstract: A closed-loop ring resonator including a closed loop formed on a substrate and including at least one coupling region having a first effective depth and at least one other region having a second effective depth, wherein the first and second depths are different.

Abstract: A photonic device suitable for being optically coupled to at least one optical fiber having a first spot-size, the device including: at least one photonic component; and, a graded index lens optically coupled between the at least one photonic component and the at least one optical fiber; wherein, the graded index lens is adapted to convert optical transmissions from the at least one photonic component to the first spot size.

Abstract: A modulator including: a plurality of branches; first and second RF electrodes; a first plurality of RF delay elements coupled to the first RF electrode and a second plurality of RF delay elements coupled to the second electrode; and, a plurality of electro-refractive resonant elements. Each of the electro-refractive resonant elements is respectively coupled to a corresponding one of the RF delay elements and evanescently coupled to at least one of the branches.

Abstract: An RF-photonics integrated communications module including: a plurality of RF input channels; a plurality of modulators each being responsive to one of the RF input channels; and, a plurality of photonic output channels coupled to the modulators via a switching network. The switching network includes a plurality of resonating elements coupled between the modulators and the output channels to selectively apply outputs of the modulators to the output channels.

Abstract: A wavelength-selective module for use in a telecommunications network, having an enclosure and a wavelength tunable optical switch disposed in the enclosure. The switch includes an array of wavelength-selective optical switch elements defining a plurality of switch cross-point junctions. A fiber optic input connection of the module receives multiple optical carriers which are separated at the switch cross-point junctions for transmission at the fiber optic output.

Abstract: A closed-loop ring resonator including a closed loop formed on a substrate and including at least one coupling region having a first effective depth and at least one other region having a second effective depth, wherein the first and second depths are different.

Abstract: A master oscillator, vertical emission (MOVE) laser includes an oscillator, a coupling region, and vertical-cavity amplifier region formed on a common substrate. The coupling region may include separately defined expansion and grating regions. Single-mode radiation of the oscillator passes through the expansion region, which is a passive region that provides spatial expansion of the propagating single-mode radiation wavefront with little or no gain. The expanded single-mode radiation from the expansion region passes through the grating region, which provides coupling of the relatively broad wavefront from the expansion region into the cavity of the vertical-cavity amplifier. The expansion and grating regions may be configured to reduce or eliminate reflection of single-mode radiation propagating within the vertical-cavity amplifier back toward the oscillator. The cavity of the vertical-cavity amplifier is relatively broad when compared to the cavity of the oscillator.

Abstract: A master oscillator, vertical emission (MOVE) laser includes an oscillator, a coupling region, and vertical-cavity amplifier region formed on a common substrate. The coupling region may include separately defined expansion and grating regions. Single-mode radiation of the oscillator passes through the expansion region, which is a passive region that provides spatial expansion of the propagating single-mode radiation wavefront with little or no gain. The expanded single-mode radiation from the expansion region passes through the grating region, which provides coupling of the relatively broad wavefront from the expansion region into the cavity of the vertical-cavity amplifier. The expansion and grating regions may be configured to reduce or eliminate reflection of single-mode radiation propagating within the vertical-cavity amplifier back toward the oscillator. The cavity of the vertical-cavity amplifier is relatively broad when compared to the cavity of the oscillator.