Abstract: A method of creating a bulk product that includes a surface layer of specialized content is based upon the use of an excipient with a different surface tension such that self-differentiating of the excipient from the bulk during drying/curing transports the specialized material to the surface of the bulk product. When the excipient has a lower surface tension than the bulk material, the difference in surface tension causes the low surface tension material to rise to the top surface, bringing the specialized material along. Alternatively, if the excipient has a higher surface tension than the bulk material, it will transport the specialized material to the bottom surface of the product.

Abstract: A method of creating a bulk product that includes a surface layer of specialized content is based upon the use of an excipient with a different surface tension such that self-differentiating of the excipient from the bulk during drying/curing transports the specialized material to the surface of the bulk product. When the excipient has a lower surface tension than the bulk material, the difference in surface tension causes the low surface tension material to rise to the top surface, bringing the specialized material along. Alternatively, if the excipient has a higher surface tension than the bulk material, it will transport the specialized material to the bottom surface of the product.

Abstract: A method of forming permanent bonds is disclosed. The method allows components with in-situ surface hydroxyl bonds to be approximated, then illuminated with ultra-violet (UV) radiation to permit bonding, as well as filling an uneven or porous surface with a UV-catalyzing mixture to reduce infiltration and enable surface generation of radicals. The method envisions illuminating a photocatalyst material placed on one or both surfaces to create hydroxide (OH?) and superoxide anion (O2?) or other radicals, from in-situ H2O or other species including organics, at a low enough temperature to prevent phase changes and interdiffusion between bonded species; these radicals network bond both with the surfaces and surrounding complexes. Nanometer-sized complexes are transparent, with large surface areas and allow for effective chemical catalysis.

Abstract: The invention is a semiconductor device and method of fabricating the device. The device includes a semiconductor substrate with an active region, and a low dielectric constant insulating layer formed over the substrate. An additional insulating layer is formed over the low dielectric constant layer by a low temperature deposition, such as ion beam assistance deposition. A metal layer can then be formed over the additional layer using lift-off techniques. The metal layer can be patterned to form a bond pad which may be displaced from the area over the active region. Wire bonds can be made on the bond pad using ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: An electrooptic device and method for making the same, including one or more of substrate, a buffer layer, a charge dissipation layer, and electrodes. An F− containing active trapping layer is deposited at the substrate/buffer interface, within the buffer layer, and/or on top of the buffer layer. The active F− ions in the F− containing active trapping layer react with positive ions, such as Li+ from the substrate to form stable compounds such as LiF. Porous material such as carbon nanotubes may be used in place of or in addition to the F− containing active trapping layer. The reduced number of Li+ ions reduces the DC drift of the associated electrooptic device. The profile of the implanted ions may be adjusted to control and/or optimize the properties of the electrooptic device. Fluorine is particularly advantageous because it also lowers the dielectric constant thereby facilitating higher frequency operation.

Abstract: The invention is an optical waveguide device and method of fabrication, where the device includes a pyroelectric substrate such as lithium niobate, a waveguide formed in the substrate, a buffer layer formed over the substrate, and at least one electrode formed over the buffer layer. The device further includes a dielectric diffusion barrier layer formed between the substrate and the buffer layer. The dielectric material is preferably a fluorine-doped nitride or a deuterated nitride.

Abstract: The invention is a semiconductor device and method of fabricating the device. The device includes a semiconductor substrate with an active region, and a low dielectric constant insulating layer formed over the substrate. An additional insulating layer is formed over the low dielectric constant layer by a low temperature deposition, such as ion beam assistance deposition. A metal layer can then be formed over the additional layer using lift-off techniques. The metal layer can be patterned to form a bond pad which may be displaced from the area over the active region. Wire bonds can be made on the bond pad using ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: The invention is a semiconductor device and method of fabricating the device. The device includes a semiconductor substrate with an active region, and a low dielectric constant insulating layer formed over the substrate. An additional insulating layer is formed over the low dielectric constant layer by a low temperature deposition, such as ion beam assistance deposition. A metal layer can then be formed over the additional layer using lift-off techniques. The metal layer can be patterned to form a bond pad which may be displaced from the area over the active region. Wire bonds can be made on the bond pad using ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: Fabry-Perot filters are disclosed. having micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) parts operable for tuning of the filters. The filters of the present invention are particularly useful in WDM and DWDM optical communication systems for multiplexing and demultiplexing channels of electromagnetically-carried data traversing the system. The filter can be miniaturized by etching or photolithographing the filter on silicon wafers utilizing MEMS technology. A MEMS device fabricated on the wafer is operative for moving a variably positioned mirror to change the length of the cavity or etalon of the Fabry-Perot filter, thereby tuning the filter to multiplex or demultiplex the channels.

Abstract: A birefringent wedge is used to multiplex beams of the same or similar wavelength. The multiplexing system has a compact construction and does not require beam splitters or right angle prisms. The birefringent wedge may also be used to polarization demultiplex an incoming multiplexed communication beam. The invention may be used to increase the data-carrying capacity of optical fiber.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator includes a lens, first and second optical waveguides, and a semiconductor micro-electro-mechanical device positioned on a side of the lens opposite the first and second optical waveguides. The semiconductor micro-electro-mechanical device may be, for example, a digital micromirror device or a silicon micro-electro-mechanical system. The device has a reflecting surface. The reflecting surface has a normal position in which light from the first waveguide reflects off of the reflecting surface and passes through the lens into the second waveguide. The reflecting surface has a plurality of respectively different attenuating positions in which light from the first waveguide reflects off of the reflecting surface and passes through the lens, but an amount of light entering the second optical waveguide is attenuated by respectively different amounts corresponding to the respectively different positions. By pivoting the reflecting surface about 0.

Abstract: A three port filter device is formed from a thin film filter element and a pair of lensing devices. A focusing lensing device is used, with a dual-fiber termination disposed at the object plane of the focusing lensing device. A collimating lensing device is disposed between the focusing lens image plane and the thin film filter element. The third optical port is coupled to the collimated signal passing through the filter element. The focusing lens may be moved along the optical axis to modify the spacing of the dual-fiber termination image appearing at the image plane. The change in spacing results in changing the angle of incidence of the optical signal propagating toward the thin film optical element. Since the pass wavelength of the thin film element is a function of the angle of incidence, the movement of the focusing lens may be used to "tune" the pass wavelength of the thin film optical device.

Abstract: An optical tap is disclosed that may be utilized with bulk optic devices. The optical tap utilizes any pre-existing reflected optical signal that is present in the conventional bulk optic device. The tap includes a beveled fiber stub that is inserted in the path of the reflected optical signal and thus captures this reflected signal, where the bevel is utilized to allow for the reflected signal to be re-directed through the fiber stub. A convention photodetector is coupled to the fiber stub and used to generate an electrical control signal from the captured reflected optical signal.