Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for fabricating and operating superconducting photon detectors. In one aspect, a photon detector includes: (1) a first waveguide configured to guide photons from a photon source; (2) a second waveguide that is distinct and separate from the first waveguide and optically-coupled to the first waveguide; and (3) a superconducting component positioned adjacent to the second waveguide and configured to detect photons within the second waveguide.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product utilize digital signatures to efficiently identify objects of interest within images and cause graphical presentation data to be accurately displayed for the objects of interest. The method receives one or more images generated by an image capture device. The method determines one or more digital signatures associated with one or more objects within the one or more images. Based on the one or more digital signatures, the method also determines graphical data placement information comprising one or more graphical data placement regions for the one or more objects. The method also receives graphical presentation data comprising one or more graphical assets. The method also causes display of the graphical presentation data that includes overlaying at least one graphical asset of the one or more graphical assets on the at least one graphical data placement region.

Abstract: A method of resolving a number of photons received by a photon detector includes optically coupling a waveguide to a superconducting wire having alternating narrow and wide portions; electrically coupling the superconducting wire to a current source; and electrically coupling an electrical contact in parallel with the superconducting wire. The electrical contact has a resistance less than a resistance of the superconducting wire while at least one narrow portion of the superconducting wire is in a non-superconducting state. The method includes providing to the superconducting wire, from the current source, a current configured to maintain the superconducting wire in a superconducting state in the absence of incident photons; receiving one or more photons via the waveguide; measuring an electrical property of the superconducting wire, proportional to a number of photons incident on the superconducting wire; and determining the number of received photons based on the electrical property.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for automatic subscription-based ordering of product components. During display of media content, the system receives a voice input and determines that the voice input indicates interest in a product. The system identifies the components required to create the product and identifies a subscription to an automated shopping service. Upon identifying the subscription, the system determines whether required components are available via the automated shopping service. Further, the system excludes components that were previously purchased via the automated shopping service, and the system automatically places an order through the automated shopping service for the remaining components.

Abstract: A device includes a first semiconductor layer; a portion of a second semiconductor layer disposed on the first semiconductor layer; and a third semiconductor layer including a first region disposed on the portion of the second semiconductor layer and a second region disposed on the first semiconductor layer. A thickness of the first region is less than a predefined thickness. The device also includes an etch stop layer disposed on the third semiconductor layer; a plurality of distinct portions of a fourth semiconductor layer disposed on the etch stop layer and exposing one or more distinct portions of the etch stop layer over the portion of the second semiconductor layer; and a plurality of distinct portions of a superconducting layer disposed on the plurality of distinct portions of the fourth semiconductor layer and the exposed one or more distinct portions of the etch stop layer.

Abstract: A photonic switch includes a first waveguide including a first region extending between a first coupler section and a second coupler section and a second region extending between the second coupler section and a third coupler section. The photonic switch also includes a second waveguide including a first portion extending between the first coupler section and the second coupler section, the first portion including at least two first compensation sections each having a different waveguide width, and a second portion extending between the second coupler section and the third coupler section, the second portion including at least two second compensation sections each having a different waveguide width. The photonic switch further includes at least one variable phase-shifter disposed in at least one of the first waveguide or the second waveguide.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a crystalline magnesium oxide (MgO) seed layer directly on an amorphous insulating cladding layer by a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process, and depositing a crystalline electro-optic layer directly on the crystalline MgO seed layer.

Abstract: An optical delay device includes a multi-mode waveguide for propagating first light through at least a portion of the multi-mode waveguide. The multi-mode waveguide has a first width. The optical delay device also includes a first waveguide having a second width that is less than the first width and a first coupler connected to the multi-mode waveguide and the first waveguide for coupling the first light from the multi-mode waveguide to the first waveguide. The first waveguide includes a first portion connected to the first coupler for receiving the first light from the first coupler; and a second portion connected to the first portion for receiving the first light from the first portion and positioned adjacent to the multi-mode waveguide for coupling of the first light to the multi-mode waveguide as second light so that the second light propagates through at least the portion of the multi-mode waveguide.

Abstract: A method of resolving a number of photons received by a photon detector includes optically coupling a waveguide to a superconducting wire having alternating narrow and wide portions; electrically coupling the superconducting wire to a current source; and electrically coupling an electrical contact in parallel with the superconducting wire. The electrical contact has a resistance less than a resistance of the superconducting wire while at least one narrow portion of the superconducting wire is in a non-superconducting state. The method includes providing to the superconducting wire, from the current source, a current configured to maintain the superconducting wire in a superconducting state in the absence of incident photons; receiving one or more photons via the waveguide; measuring an electrical property of the superconducting wire, proportional to a number of photons incident on the superconducting wire; and determining the number of received photons based on the electrical property.

Abstract: A directional solidification casting assembly includes a directional solidification mold having an interior chamber with a shape of an object to be cast using directional solidification of molten metal in a growth direction of the mold and a feed line conduit. The conduit is fluidly coupled with a container source of the molten metal and is coupled with the mold at a gating. The feed line conduit conveys the molten metal into the mold through the gating for directional solidification of the object to be cast in the mold. At least a downstream portion of the feed line conduit that is between the intermediate location of the feed line conduit and the second open end of the feed line conduit is located below the gating along the growth direction of the mold.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product utilize digital signatures to efficiently identify objects of interest within images and cause graphical presentation data to be accurately displayed for the objects of interest. The method receives one or more images generated by an image capture device. The method determines one or more digital signatures associated with one or more objects within the one or more images. Based on the one or more digital signatures, the method also determines graphical data placement information comprising one or more graphical data placement regions for the one or more objects. The method also receives graphical presentation data comprising one or more graphical assets. The method also causes display of the graphical presentation data that includes overlaying at least one graphical asset of the one or more graphical assets on the at least one graphical data placement region.

Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) filter comprising one or more passive compensation structures are described. The passive compensation structures yield MZI filters that are intrinsically tolerant to perturbations in waveguide dimensions and/or other ambient conditions. The use of n+1 waveguide widths can mitigate n different sources of perturbation to the filter. The use of at least three different waveguide widths for each Mach-Zehnder waveguide can alleviate sensitivity of filter performance to random width or temperature variations. A tolerance compensation portion is positioned between a first coupler section and a second coupler section, wherein the tolerance compensation portion includes a first compensation section having a second width, a second compensation section having a third width and a third compensation section having a fourth width, wherein the fourth width is greater than the third width and the third width is greater than the second width.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of industrial biotechnology and particularly to an improved hydrolysis method for increasing sugar production from a high solids concentration of lignocellulosic biomass, especially one derived from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) by enzymatic hydrolysis of a lignocellulosic biomass to obtain a slurry, wherein the hydrolysis comprises aliquot additions of enzyme and lignocellulosic biomass; and removal of sugars from the slurry and washing of the residual lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to managing interactions for scheduling resources. Resources unassigned to one or more open appointments may be determined. Determining whether one or more qualified clients that may be one or more dependent clients based on one or more selection models. If qualified clients may be dependents, guardians may be determined for each dependent based on an association of the guardians with the dependent clients. An open appointment may be reserved by a guardian on behalf of a dependent client associated with the guardian based on the guardian accepting an invitation to the open appointment.

Abstract: Described is a method for work assignment queue elimination. The method includes maintaining at least one data structure including an ordered list of ticket assignment rules and assignment result metrics, receiving a ticket indicating a system problem, assigning the ticket based on the ordered list of ticket assignment rules, the system problem and the assignment result metrics, collecting metrics based on the ticket assignment, and revising the assignment result metrics based on the collected metrics.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for fabricating and operating superconducting photon detectors. In one aspect, a photon detector includes: (1) a first waveguide configured to guide photons from a photon source; (2) a second waveguide that is distinct and separate from the first waveguide and optically-coupled to the first waveguide; and (3) a superconducting component positioned adjacent to the second waveguide and configured to detect photons within the second waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of waste processing. The method comprises separating waste into at least two parts, comprising: (i) mainly food waste (fines) and (ii) mainly paper and other recyclable material (overs). The overs are pulped and washed to obtain a cellulose-rich biomass and the fines are optionally processed separately to recover a cellulose-rich biomass and the cellulose-rich biomass from both the fines and the overs may be combined.

Abstract: A superconductor device is manufactured by depositing a barrier layer over a substrate including silicon, the barrier layer including silicon and nitrogen; depositing a seed layer for a superconductor layer over the barrier layer, the seed layer including aluminum and nitrogen; depositing the superconductor layer over the seed layer, the superconductor layer including a layer of a superconductor material, the barrier layer serving as an oxidation barrier between the layer superconductor material and the substrate; and depositing a silicon cap layer over the superconductor layer. In some embodiments, the superconductor device includes a waveguide and a metal contact at a sufficient distance from the waveguide to prevent optical coupling between the metal contact and the waveguide.

Abstract: A device includes a first semiconductor layer; a portion of a second semiconductor layer disposed on the first semiconductor layer; and a third semiconductor layer including a first region disposed on the portion of the second semiconductor layer and a second region disposed on the first semiconductor layer. A thickness of the first region is less than a predefined thickness. The device also includes an etch stop layer disposed on the third semiconductor layer; a plurality of distinct portions of a fourth semiconductor layer disposed on the etch stop layer and exposing one or more distinct portions of the etch stop layer over the portion of the second semiconductor layer; and a plurality of distinct portions of a superconducting layer disposed on the plurality of distinct portions of the fourth semiconductor layer and the exposed one or more distinct portions of the etch stop layer.

Abstract: A method includes receiving input light having an input wavelength in a first optical resonator for causing resonance of the input light in the first optical resonator. The first optical resonator includes a non-linear optical medium. The method also includes converting at least a portion of the input light to a combination of first output light having a first output wavelength that is different from the input wavelength and second output light having a second output wavelength that is different from the input wavelength and the first output wavelength by passing the input light through the non-linear optical medium. The method further includes causing resonance of the first output light and the second output light in a second optical resonator. A portion of the first optical resonator is coupled to a portion of the second optical resonator.