Patents by Inventor Mark D. Downie

Mark D. Downie has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6847748
    Abstract: A recessed area formed on a substrate surface is filled with heat sink material to form a heat sink. The heat sink material has thermal conductivity greater than that of the substrate. The heat sink may have a substantially flat surface substantially flush with the substrate surface. The substrate may further include: a planar optical waveguide formed thereon positioned for optical coupling with an optical device mounted on the substrate in thermal contact with the heat sink; and/or an electrical contact layer formed thereon positioned for establishing electrical continuity with an optical device mounted on the substrate in thermal contact with the heat sink. The electrical contact may also provide thermal contact between the device and heat sink. The substrate may further include a low-index optical buffer layer formed on its surface. Materials for the substrate, buffer layer, and heat sink may include silicon, silica, and diamond, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Xponent Photonics Inc
    Inventors: Albert M. Benzoni, Mark D. Downie
  • Publication number: 20040071388
    Abstract: A recessed area formed on a substrate surface is filled with heat sink material to form a heat sink. The heat sink material has thermal conductivity greater than that of the substrate. The heat sink may have a substantially flat surface substantially flush with the substrate surface. The substrate may further include: a planar optical waveguide formed thereon positioned for optical coupling with an optical device mounted on the substrate in thermal contact with the heat sink; and/or an electrical contact layer formed thereon positioned for establishing electrical continuity with an optical device mounted on the substrate in thermal contact with the heat sink. The electrical contact may also provide thermal contact between the device and heat sink. The substrate may further include a low-index optical buffer layer formed on its surface. Materials for the substrate, buffer layer, and heat sink may include silicon, silica, and diamond, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Albert M. Benzoni, Mark D. Downie