Abstract: A first population of semiconductor nanocrystals to create electron transport conduits, a second population so semiconductor nanocrystals to create hole transport conduits; and a third population of semiconductor nanocrystals to be used for either light absorption or light emission can be combined to form an inorganic nanostructure layer.

Abstract: A water-stable semiconductor nanocrystal complex and methods of making the same are provided. The water-stable semiconductor nanocrystal complex includes a semiconductor nanocrystal composition, a surfactant layer, and an outer layer. The outer layer and/or the surfactant layer can be cross-linked.

Abstract: A laser gain medium. The novel laser gain medium includes a host material, a plurality of quantum dots dispersed throughout the host material, and a plurality of laser active ions surrounding each of the quantum dots. The laser active ions are disposed in close proximity to the quantum dots such that energy absorbed by the quantum dots is non-radiatively transferred to the ions via a Forster resonant energy transfer, thereby exciting the ions to produce laser output. In an illustrative embodiment, each quantum dot is surrounded by an external shell doped with the laser active ions.

Abstract: A high-refractive index material that includes semiconductor nanocrystal compositions. The high-refractive index material has at least one semiconductor nanocrystal composition incorporated in a matrix material and has a refractive index greater than 1.5. The semiconductor nanocrystal composition has a semiconductor nanocrystal core of a II-VI, III-V, or IV-VI semiconductor material. A method of making a high-refractive index material includes incorporating, at least one semiconductor nanocrystal composition in a matrix material. An application of a high-refractive index material includes incorporating at least one semiconductor nanocrystal composition in a matrix material to form the high-refractive index material and depositing the high-refractive index material on the surface of a lighting device.

Abstract: An optical filter includes a first mirror, a cavity coupled to the first mirror, and a second mirror coupled to the cavity. The first and second mirrors are formed of periodic trenches etched into the surface of a waveguide.

Abstract: A method of detecting target biological molecules in a target sample is provided. The method includes using spectral, temporal, and polarization characteristics of emitted light from water-stable semiconductor nanocrystal complexes to detect the presence of target biological molecules in a target sample.

Abstract: A white light light emitting diode (LED) formed by depositing an LED chip that emits light at a first wavelength and forming a semiconductor nanocrystal complex. The semiconductor nanocrystal complex absorbs at least a portion of the light emitted by the LED chip and emits light at a second wavelength. The semiconductor nanocrystal complex and a powdered phosphor are deposited over the LED chip. The powdered phosphor also absorbs a portion of the light emitted by the LED chip and emits light at a third wavelength. The semiconductor nanocrystal complex is selected to provide a color of the spectrum that is lacking from the combined output of phosphor/LED chip combination, to improve a Color Rating Index (CRI) value and to provide a “warmer” light. The semiconductor nanocrystal complex and the powdered phosphor can be mixed into the same matrix material or into separate matrix materials and/or deposited as separate layers.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a semiconductor base layer, a semiconductor nanocrystal complex over the semiconductor base layer, and a semiconductor emitter layer formed over the semiconductor nanocrystal complex. The semiconductor nanocrystal complex includes nanocrystal cores dispersed in an inorganic matrix material. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical filter that includes a resonator cavity comprised of a saturable absorber material is provided. An input signal waveguide, a non-resonant wavelengths output waveguide, and a resonant wavelength output waveguide are coupled to the cavity. A refractive index of the saturable absorber material is altered so that a resonant wavelength output is directed down the resonant wavelength output waveguide and non-resonant wavelengths are directed down the non-resonant wavelengths output waveguide.

Abstract: A multiplexing/demultiplexing system has a multiplexor that includes a first plurality of optical switches having a plurality of outputs and a first plurality of optical delay elements coupled to the optical switches. A source of optical light is coupled to the delay elements, and an optical combiner is coupled to the plurality of outputs and a source of framing pulses. A demultiplexor includes a first and second splitter, and a threshold detector coupled to the first splitter. The demultiplexor further includes a second plurality of optical delay elements coupled to the threshold detector, and a second plurality of optical switches coupled to the second splitter and the second plurality of delay elements.

Abstract: A method of detecting target biological molecules in a target sample is provided. The method includes using spectral, temporal, and polarization characteristics of emitted light from water-stable semiconductor nanocrystal complexes to detect the presence of target biological molecules in a target sample.

Abstract: A method for preparing water-stable semiconductor nanocrystal complexes that can be stably coupled to tertiary molecules using a self-assembled coating of diblock polymers. The diblock polymers have hydrophilic ends containing hydrophilic functional groups and hydrophobic ends containing hydrophobic functional groups. The diblock polymers are assembled around a semiconductor nanocrystal having a lyophilic surface outer layer. The diblock polymers are further crosslinked via bridging molecules that link adjacent diblock polymers through the hydrophilic functional groups of the hydrophilic ends of the diblock polymers to form a semiconductor nanocrystal complex. The functional groups present on the outer surface of the amphiphilic diblock polymer may serve as attachment sites for coupling tertiary molecules to the semiconductor nanocrystal complex.

Abstract: A method for preparing water-stable semiconductor nanocrystal complexes that can be stably coupled to tertiary molecules using a self-assembled coating of diblock polymers. The diblock polymers have hydrophilic ends containing hydrophilic functional groups and hydrophobic ends containing hydrophobic functional groups. The diblock polymers are assembled around a semiconductor nanocrystal having a lyophilic surface outer layer. The diblock polymers are further crosslinked via bridging molecules that link adjacent diblock polymers through the hydrophilic functional groups of the hydrophilic ends of the diblock polymers to form a semiconductor nanocrystal complex. The functional groups present on the outer surface of the amphiphilic diblock polymer may serve as attachment sites for coupling tertiary molecules to the semiconductor nanocrystal complex.

Abstract: An optical wavelength converter converts an optical input signal having a first wavelength into an optical output signal having a second wavelength. The wavelength converter includes a saturable absorber switch having a control beam waveguide and an input waveguide. The converter further includes a first input coupled to the control beam waveguide and adapted to receive the optical input signal, and a second input coupled to the input waveguide and adapted to receive a second optical signal having the second wavelength from an optical source.

Abstract: A Fabry-Perot optical switch includes a saturable absorber surrounded by a pair of mirrors. Coupled to the saturable absorber is an input waveguide, an output waveguide, and a control beam waveguide. In the absence of light input to the control beam waveguide, the saturable absorber prevents an input signal on the input waveguide from passing through and being output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “off” state. In the presence of light input to the control beam waveguide and incident on the saturable absorber, the saturable absorber allows the input signal to pass through and be output on the output waveguide, or be reflected and output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “on” state.

Abstract: An optical filter includes a first mirror, a cavity coupled to the first mirror, and a second mirror coupled to the cavity. The first and second mirrors are formed of periodic trenches etched into the surface of a waveguide.

Abstract: An optical switch includes a saturable absorber. Coupled to the saturable absorber is an input waveguide, an output waveguide, and a control beam waveguide. In the absence of light input to the control beam waveguide, the saturable absorber prevents an input signal on the input waveguide from passing through and being output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “off” state. In the presence of light input to the control beam waveguide and incident of the saturable absorber, the saturable absorber allows the input signal to pass through and be output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “on” state.

Abstract: An optical switch includes a saturable absorber. Coupled to the saturable absorber is an input waveguide, an output waveguide, and a control beam waveguide. In the absence of light input to the control beam waveguide, the saturable absorber prevents an input signal on the input waveguide from passing through and being output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “off” state. In the presence of light input to the control beam waveguide and incident of the saturable absorber, the saturable absorber allows the input signal to pass through and be output on the output waveguide, thus placing the switch in an “on” state.

Abstract: An optical filter that includes a resonator cavity comprised of a saturable absorber material. An input signal waveguide, a non-resonant wavelengths output waveguide, and a resonant wavelength output waveguide are coupled to the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a device and method for detecting genetic material. The device includes at least one hairpin sensor or, preferably two or more hairpin sensors, spatially and/or spectrally multiplexed on a conductive or semi-conductive substrate or particle. The at least one hairpin sensor includes a quenchable fluorescing agent bound to a hairpin loop assembly and the hairpin loop assembly includes a probe complementary to a nucleotide sequence of interest. The method includes providing at least one hairpin sensor, exposing the at least one hairpin sensor to a sample of interest, and detecting fluorescence produced by the quenchable fluorescing agent. The fluorescence indicates the binding of a target nucleotide sequence to the complementary probe of the hairpin loop assembly.