Patents by Inventor Mark Troll

Mark Troll 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).

  • Publication number: 20120223245
    Abstract: An embodiment includes an electron beam source system having a first electron beam source unit with a substrate having a substrate-top end and a substrate-bottom end; and a first lens coupled to the substrate-bottom end defining a first aperture and having a lens-top end and a lens-bottom end. Further embodiments comprise an electron-emission region at the substrate-bottom end and aligned with the first aperture, the electron-emission region being operable to emit one or more electrons due to one or more photons contacting the electron-emission region, which may include passing through the substrate and into the electron-emission region, wherein the electron-emission region comprises a first doped portion of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: John Bennett, Jan P. Bennett, Mark Troll
  • Patent number: 7695801
    Abstract: Optical systems such as, for example, optical switches, are disclosed comprising a solid component and a refractive index-matching liquid composition interfaced with the solid component. The liquid composition has a refractive-index that is substantially equal to that of the solid component. In one approach the liquid composition is a saturated cyclic compound consisting essentially of carbon and hydrogen and optionally oxygen such as, e.g., cyclic alkanes, alcohols or ketones. In another approach the liquid composition is benzene substituted with one or more electron-donating groups attached directly to the ring and one of more fluoro groups attached to the ring or to the electron-donating groups. In yet another approach the liquid composition is a combination comprising one or more of benzene or substituted benzene and optionally at least one of an alkane or substituted alkane having a boiling point less than about 130° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark Troll
  • Publication number: 20050170146
    Abstract: Optical systems such as, for example, optical switches, are disclosed comprising a solid component and a refractive index-matching liquid composition interfaced with the solid component. The liquid composition has a refractive-index that is substantially equal to that of the solid component. In one approach the liquid composition is a saturated cyclic compound consisting essentially of carbon and hydrogen and optionally oxygen such as, e.g., cyclic alkanes, alcohols or ketones. In another approach the liquid composition is benzene substituted with one or more electron-donating groups attached directly to the ring and one of more fluoro groups attached to the ring or to the electron-donating groups. In yet another approach the liquid composition is a combination comprising one or more of benzene or substituted benzene and optionally at least one of an alkane or substituted alkane having a boiling point less than about 130° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Troll
  • Patent number: 6890619
    Abstract: Optical systems such as, for example, optical switches, are disclosed comprising a solid component and a refractive index-matching liquid composition interfaced with the solid component. The liquid composition has a refractive-index that is substantially equal to that of the solid component. In one approach the liquid composition is a saturated cyclic compound consisting essentially of carbon and hydrogen and optionally oxygen such as, e.g., cyclic alkanes, alcohols or ketones. In another approach the liquid composition is benzene substituted with one or more electron-donating groups attached directly to the ring and one of more fluoro groups attached to the ring or to the electron-donating groups. In yet another approach the liquid composition is a combination comprising one or more of benzene or substituted benzene and optionally at least one of an alkane or substituted alkane having a boiling point less than about 130° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Troll
  • Patent number: 6757459
    Abstract: A system for manipulating optical signals in an optical switch utilizes a piezoelectric membrane. The membrane is selectively enabled to switch among an outward position, an inward position and a relaxed orientation in relation to a sidewall of a trench that is provided as part of the switch. The membrane is in fluidic communication with an intersecting gap of the trench that crosses a first input waveguide and a first output waveguide. Displacing the membrane to a first position causes the gap to be filled with an index-matching liquid such that light from the first input waveguide is transmitted to the first output waveguide. Alternatively, displacing the membrane to a second position causes the gap to be filled with a gaseous bubble, resulting in a refractive index mismatch, such that the light from the first input waveguide is diverted at the gap. In another embodiment, there are two membranes utilized for manipulating optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Troll
  • Patent number: 6674933
    Abstract: A system for manipulating optical signals in an optical switch utilizes a light-absorbing region. The region efficiently converts light to thermal energy and is in thermal communication with an index-matching fluid disposed within an intersecting gap between a first input optical waveguide and a first output optical waveguide. In one embodiment, exposing the region to optical radiation elevates the temperature of the fluid within the gap, resulting in vaporization of the fluid into gas. Filling the gap with gas creates a refractive index mismatch that causes light from the first input waveguide to be diverted to a second output waveguide. In another embodiment, the manipulation of optical signals is achieved by exposing a light-absorbing fluid to the source radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Troll
  • Publication number: 20030210848
    Abstract: A system for manipulating optical signals in an optical switch utilizes a light-absorbing region. The region efficiently converts light to thermal energy and is in thermal communication with an index-matching fluid disposed within an intersecting gap between a first input optical waveguide and a first output optical waveguide. In one embodiment, exposing the region to optical radiation elevates the temperature of the fluid within the gap, resulting in vaporization of the fluid into gas. Filling the gap with gas creates a refractive index mismatch that causes light from the first input waveguide to be diverted to a second output waveguide. In another embodiment, the manipulation of optical signals is achieved by exposing a light-absorbing fluid to the source radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Troll
  • Publication number: 20030091266
    Abstract: Optical systems such as, for example, optical switches, are disclosed comprising a solid component and a refractive index-matching liquid composition interfaced with the solid component. The liquid composition has a refractive-index that is substantially equal to that of the solid component. In one approach the liquid composition is a saturated cyclic compound consisting essentially of carbon and hydrogen and optionally oxygen such as, e.g., cyclic alkanes, alcohols or ketones. In another approach the liquid composition is benzene substituted with one or more electron-donating groups attached directly to the ring and one of more fluoro groups attached to the ring or to the electron-donating groups. In yet another approach the liquid composition is a combination comprising one or more of benzene or substituted benzene and optionally at least one of an alkane or substituted alkane having a boiling point less than about 130° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Troll
  • Publication number: 20030077023
    Abstract: A system for manipulating optical signals in an optical switch utilizes a piezoelectric membrane. The membrane is selectively enabled to switch among an outward position, an inward position and a relaxed orientation in relation to a sidewall of a trench that is provided as part of the switch. The membrane is in fluidic communication with an intersecting gap of the trench that crosses a first input waveguide and a first output waveguide. Displacing the membrane to a first position causes the gap to be filled with an index-matching liquid such that light from the first input waveguide is transmitted to the first output waveguide. Alternatively, displacing the membrane to a second position causes the gap to be filled with a gaseous bubble, resulting in a refractive index mismatch, such that the light from the first input waveguide is diverted at the gap. In another embodiment, there are two membranes utilized for manipulating optical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Troll
  • Patent number: 6487333
    Abstract: The optical switch comprises a substrate, a planar waveguide circuit, an index-matching liquid, a working fluid and a displacing device. The planar waveguide circuit is supported by the substrate. The planar waveguide circuit and the substrate collectively define a trench that includes a first trench region and a second trench region adjacent the first trench region. The second trench region has a width greater than the first trench region. The planar waveguide circuit includes a first waveguide and a second waveguide. The waveguides intersect at the first trench region and are positioned such that light traversing the first waveguide enters the second waveguide when an index-matching material is present in the first trench region, and is otherwise reflected by said the first trench region. The index-matching liquid is located in at least part of the first trench region. The working fluid is located in the second trench region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie E. Fouquet, Mark Troll
  • Publication number: 20020067879
    Abstract: The optical switch comprises a substrate, a planar waveguide circuit, an index-matching liquid, a working fluid and a displacing device. The planar waveguide circuit is supported by the substrate. The planar waveguide circuit and the substrate collectively define a trench that includes a first trench region and a second trench region adjacent the first trench region. The second trench region has a width greater than the first trench region. The planar waveguide circuit includes a first waveguide and a second waveguide. The waveguides intersect at the first trench region and are positioned such that light traversing the first waveguide enters the second waveguide when an index-matching material is present in the first trench region, and is otherwise reflected by said the first trench region. The index-matching liquid is located in at least part of the first trench region. The working fluid is located in the second trench region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Julie E. Fouquet, Mark Troll
  • Patent number: 6327397
    Abstract: An optical switching device and a method of providing temperature control for the device utilize compensating thermal energy to maintain a consistent operating temperature. The optical switching device may be a thermally activated optical switch that routes optical signals using bubbles that are strategically created along optical paths within the device. The bubbles are created by thermal energy generated by switching heating elements. The compensating thermal energy may be generated by at least one compensating heating element or by at least one switching heating element that is not currently being used for optical switching, i.e., bubble creation. The compensating thermal energy is varied so that total thermal energy generated by the device is constant, which results in a consistent operating temperature. In a first embodiment, the device includes additional heating elements that are selectively activated to generate the compensating thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefano Schiaffino, Dale Schroeder, Mark Troll
  • Patent number: 6188815
    Abstract: A switching device includes a substrate, a first waveguide segment, a second waveguide segment, a heating device, a liquid, and a pressure controlling mechanism. The substrate is coupled to the first waveguide segment and the second waveguide segment, and the substrate includes a chamber that separates the first waveguide segment from the second waveguide segment. The liquid is disposed in the chamber and is responsive to the heating device. The pressure controlling mechanism controls a pressure in the chamber such that inadvertent bubbles are prevented from forming between the first waveguide segment and the second waveguide segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefano Schiaffino, Mark Troll, Dale W. Schroeder