Abstract: The techniques herein are directed generally to a hospitality connection platform that connects travel consumers with resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, and destinations in a collaborative manner to create a dream booking and travel experience. In one embodiment, a device of a hospitality connection service maintains a traveler profile for a user that comprises travel preferences and travel history data for that user. The device predicts, based on the traveler profile, trip parameters for a recommended trip for the user and an associated likelihood of the user booking the recommended trip. The device obtains bids from a plurality of systems associated with potential destinations for the recommended trip for the user, in part by sending the trip parameters and the associated likelihood to the plurality of systems. The device provides one or more of the bids from the plurality of systems associated with the potential destinations for display to the user.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a server can include processing circuitry configured to receive a virtual modeling file encoded with an orthodontic treatment plan such that the encoded information of the virtual modeling file format allows all steps of the orthodontic treatment plan to be displayed without a separate file for each treatment step. Additionally, the processing circuitry can be configured to download a first treatment step of the virtual modeling file format, receive gingiva and teeth geometries corresponding to the first treatment step, and display the first treatment step. Further, a selected treatment step can be displayed based on information encoded into the orthodontic virtual modeling file format.

Abstract: An optical device may include an optical coupling structure to couple a silicon-germanium photodetector to an integrated optics circuit. The optical coupling structure may comprise a silicon waveguide. The silicon waveguide may be tapered such that a thickness of the silicon waveguide at a first end of the optical coupling structure is smaller than a thickness of the silicon waveguide at a second end of the optical coupling structure, and may be tapered such that a width of the silicon waveguide at the first end is smaller than a width of the silicon waveguide at the second end. The optical coupling structure may include a silicon-nitride waveguide that covers the silicon waveguide, and is tapered such that a width of the silicon-nitride waveguide at the first end is smaller than a width of the silicon-nitride waveguide at the second end. The optical coupling structure may include a silica waveguide.

Abstract: A system and method for processing X-ray fluorescence data in a hand-held X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer are provided. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer includes a radiation source assembly including a first centerline axis and configured to direct an X-ray beam to impinge on a sample to be tested. The XRF analyzer also includes a radiation detector assembly including a second centerline axis configured to sense X-ray fluorescence (XRF) emitted from the sample in response to the X-ray beam. The XRF analyzer further includes a processor configured to determine a property of the sample to be tested from the emitted XRF, and a proximity sensor configured to continuously measure a distance between the XRF analyzer and the sample to be tested, the distance being at least one of displayed to a user and used by the processor to determine the property.

Abstract: An optical device may include an optical coupling structure to couple a silicon-germanium photodetector to an integrated optics circuit. The optical coupling structure may comprise a silicon waveguide. The silicon waveguide may be tapered such that a thickness of the silicon waveguide at a first end of the optical coupling structure is smaller than a thickness of the silicon waveguide at a second end of the optical coupling structure, and may be tapered such that a width of the silicon waveguide at the first end is smaller than a width of the silicon waveguide at the second end. The optical coupling structure may include a silicon-nitride waveguide that covers the silicon waveguide, and is tapered such that a width of the silicon-nitride waveguide at the first end is smaller than a width of the silicon-nitride waveguide at the second end. The optical coupling structure may include a silica waveguide.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a server can include processing circuitry configured to receive a virtual modeling file encoded with an orthodontic treatment plan such that the encoded information of the virtual modeling file format allows all steps of the orthodontic treatment plan to be displayed without a separate file for each treatment step. Additionally, the processing circuitry can be configured to download a first treatment step of the virtual modeling file format, receive gingiva and teeth geometries corresponding to the first treatment step, and display the first treatment step. Further, a selected treatment step can be displayed based on information encoded into the orthodontic virtual modeling file format.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a server can include processing circuitry configured to receive a virtual modeling file encoded with an orthodontic treatment plan such that the encoded information of the virtual modeling file format allows all steps of the orthodontic treatment plan to be displayed without a separate file for each treatment step. Additionally, the processing circuitry can be configured to download a first treatment step of the virtual modeling file format, receive gingiva and teeth geometries corresponding to the first treatment step, and display the first treatment step. Further, a selected treatment step can be displayed based on information encoded into the orthodontic virtual modeling file format.

Abstract: A system and method for processing X-ray fluorescence data in a hand-held X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer are provided. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer includes a radiation source assembly including a first centerline axis and configured to direct an X-ray beam to impinge on a sample to be tested. The XRF analyzer also includes a radiation detector assembly including a second centerline axis configured to sense X-ray fluorescence (XRF) emitted from the sample in response to the X-ray beam. The XRF analyzer further includes a processor configured to determine a property of the sample to be tested from the emitted XRF, and a proximity sensor configured to continuously measure a distance between the XRF analyzer and the sample to be tested, the distance being at least one of displayed to a user and used by the processor to determine the property.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a server can include processing circuitry configured to receive a virtual modeling file encoded with an orthodontic treatment plan such that the encoded information of the virtual modeling file format allows all steps of the orthodontic treatment plan to be displayed without a separate file for each treatment step. Additionally, the processing circuitry can be configured to download a first treatment step of the virtual modeling file format, receive gingiva and teeth geometries corresponding to the first treatment step, and display the first treatment step. Further, a selected treatment step can be displayed based on information encoded into the orthodontic virtual modeling file format.

Abstract: A wavelength monitor monolithically integrated with a tunable LD is disclosed. The wavelength monitor includes at least two filters, each filter having a different periodic transmission spectrum. A transmittance of the first filter, and another transmittance of the second filter at a grid wavelength attributed to a WDM system forms a combination which is specific to the grid wavelength but different from other combinations at other grid wavelengths.

Abstract: A wavelength monitor monolithically integrated with a tunable LD is disclosed. The wavelength monitor includes at least two filters, each having a periodic transmission sptectrum but a period between nearest neighbor periods is different from the other. A transmittance of the first filter and another transmittance of the second filter at a grid wavelength attributed to the WDM system forms a combination which is specific to the grid wavelength bur different from other combinations at other grid wavelengths.

Abstract: A wavelength monitor monolithically integrated with a tunable LD is disclosed. The wavelength monitor includes at least two filters, each having a periodic transmission spectrum but a period between nearest neighbor periods is different from the other. A transmittance of the first filter and another transmittance of the second filter at a grid wavelength attributed to the WDM system forms a combination which is specific to the grid wavelength bur different from other combinations at other grid wavelengths.

Abstract: An optical transmitter subassembly of one embodiment includes a temperature controller, first to third bases, a laser diode, and an optical system. The temperature controller includes first and second plates, and temperature controlling elements put between the first and second plates. The first base has first and second regions, and is supported by the first plate. The second base is mounted on the first region. The third base is mounted on the second region. The laser diode is a tunable laser diode integrated with a Mach-Zehnder type optical modulator, and is mounted on the second base. The optical system is capable of fixing a wavelength of the laser diode and is mounted on the third base. Only a portion of the first base is mounted on the first plate. The portion of the first base includes the first region.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic carrier for an optical element includes a terraced cavity for retaining a vertically receiving or vertically emitting optical element. The multilayer ceramic carrier includes conductive traces interposed between the ceramic layers and which extend into the terraced cavity along the trenches formed in the cavity. A vertical cavity surface emitting laser or vertically receiving optical element is wire bonded to the conductive traces which extend into the cavity. In one embodiment, the terraced cavity of the multilayer ceramic carrier includes a VCSEL and photodetector therein, the photodetector capable of monitoring the output optical power of the VCSEL. The method for forming the multilayer ceramic carrier includes forming a plurality of layers of ceramic tape, joining the layers, then co-firing the stacked layers. The multilayer ceramic carrier is joined to a plastic optical housing which includes an aperture for securing an optical fiber.