Abstract: An electro-optic modulator is formed on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) rib waveguide. An optical field in the modulator is confined by using an electrically modulated microcavity. The microcavity has reflectors on each side. In one embodiment, a planar Fabry-Perot microcavity is used with deep Si/SiO2 Bragg reflectors. Carriers may be laterally confined in the microcavity region by employing deep etched lateral trenches. The refractive index of the microcavity is varied by using the free-carrier dispersion effect produced by a p-i-n diode formed about the microcavity. In one embodiment, the modulator confines both optical field and charge carriers in a micron-size region.

Abstract: Embodiments of optofluidic devices or methods according to the application can provide on-chip, label-free, massively parallel analysis of analytes. An embodiment of the optofluidic device can comprise a microresonator, a waveguide optically coupled to the microresonator, and a fluidic channel that exposes an analyte to an evanescent field from the microresonator, wherein the light signal has a linewidth lesser than the width of at least one resonance of the light signal propagating in the microresonator. The light signal can be tuned across a spectrum of light wavelengths, wherein the spectrum of wavelengths includes one or more wavelengths defining the at least one resonance in the microresonator. The light transmission through the waveguide over the spectrum of wavelengths of the input light can be detected, and an absorption spectrum of the analyte can be determined.

Abstract: An optical modulator includes a ring resonator with a waveguide adjacent to and optically coupled to the micro-ring resonator. A p-i-n junction is formed about the ring resonator. An optional additional doped region may be formed opposite the waveguide from the ring resonator and when combined with the p-i-n junction forms a nearly closed p-i-n junction about the ring resonator. The ring resonator may be a silicon micro-ring resonator. Multiple different resonant frequency resonators may be coupled to the waveguide along with different detectors to multiplex light on the waveguide. The spectrum of the resonator may be controlled by an applied voltage. A prepulsing device may be used to enhance electrical transitions to enhance the speed of the modulator.

Abstract: An optical amplifier on a silicon platform includes a first doped device layer and a second doped device layer. A gain medium is positioned between the first and second doped device layers. The gain medium comprises extrinsic gain materials so as to substantially confine in the gain medium a light signal and allow the optical amplifier to be electrically or optically pumped.

Abstract: An electroluminescent material slot waveguide generates light in response to current injection. In one embodiment, the waveguide is formed as part of an optical resonator, such as ring resonator waveguide or distributed Bragg reflector with an anode and cathode for electrical stimulation. A compact, electrically-driven resonant cavity light emitting devices (RCLED) for Si microphotonics may be formed. Several different rare-earth ions, such as erbium, terbium and ytterbium, can be used to dope SiO2 in order to emit light at different wavelengths.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator is formed on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) rib waveguide. An optical field in the modulator is confined by using an electrically modulated microcavity. The microcavity has reflectors on each side. In one embodiment, a planar Fabry-Perot microcavity is used with deep Si/SiO2 Bragg reflectors. Carriers may be laterally confined in the microcavity region by employing deep etched lateral trenches. The refractive index of the microcavity is varied by using the free-carrier dispersion effect produced by a p-i-n diode formed about the microcavity. In one embodiment, the modulator confines both optical field and charge carriers in a micron-size region.

Abstract: Ring or disc optical resonators are provided with random or coherent corrugation on a top surface to cause optical power to be radiated in a desired direction by light scattering. The resonators may be positioned proximate a waveguide, either in-plane or inter-plane with the waveguide. The resonators are used in a polymeric photonic display. Light at each fundamental color is generated by light emitting diodes, such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The light is coupled into waveguides that cross an array of diffractive elements, such as the resonators, each combined with an optical modulator, such as a polymer electro-optic (EO) modulator. The modulator allows light from the waveguides to reach the diffractive elements. Control lines run across the waveguides, and provide control signals to the modulators, allowing one row of diffractive elements at a time to receive light from the waveguides. The rows are scanned and synchronized with light generated by the OLEDs.

Abstract: A high-index-contrast waveguide structure material used to guide light through a low-refractive-index material. In one embodiment, the waveguide structures are capable of guiding and confining light in such a way that very high optical intensity is obtained in a small cross-sectional area or gap filled with any material with sufficiently low refractive index, relative to the remainder of the structure. The structure may be used to form resonators, optical couplers, directional optical couplers and other optical devices. Structures may be formed consistent with integrated circuit forming processes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for adjusting intensity, wavelength and higher and lower frequency components of an optical signal. Photonic apparatus receives a first and a second optical signal. A waveguide provides an anomalous group velocity dispersion the first optical signal or the second optical signal and adjusts intensity or wavelength of the first optical signal or the second optical signal, in response to the anomalous group velocity dispersion. In some embodiments photonic apparatus receives an optical signal comprising a lower frequency component received an amount of time prior to a higher frequency component of the optical signal. A waveguide provides an anomalous group velocity dispersion for the optical signal and adjusts the amount of time between the higher frequency component and the lower frequency component in response to the anomalous group velocity dispersion.

Abstract: An optical amplifier on a silicon platform includes a first doped device layer and a second doped device layer. A gain medium is positioned between the first and second doped device layers. The gain medium comprises extrinsic gain materials so as to substantially confine in the gain medium a light signal and allow the optical amplifier to be electrically or optically pumped.

Abstract: Fast, all optical switching of light is provided on silicon, using highly light confining structures to enhance the sensitivity of light to small changes in refractive index. In one embodiment, the light confining structures are silicon micrometer-size planar ring resonators which operate with low pump light pulse energies.

Abstract: A substrate incorporates a mechanical cantilever resonator with passive integrated optics for motion detection. The resonator acts as a waveguide, and enables optical detection of deflection/displacement amplitude, including oscillations. In one embodiment, the cantilever comprises a silicon waveguide suspended over a substrate. A reflector structure faces a free end of the suspending cantilever, or a waveguide is supported facing the free end of the suspended cantilever to receive light transmitted through the silicon waveguide cantilever. Deflection/displacement of the cantilever results in modulation of the light received from its free end that is representative of the displacement. Ring resonators may be used to couple different wavelength light to the waveguides, allowing formation of an array of cantilevers.

Abstract: Ring or disc optical resonators are provided with random or coherent corrugation on a top surface to cause optical power to be radiated in a desired direction by light scattering. The resonators may be positioned proximate a waveguide, either in-plane or inter-plane with the waveguide. The resonators are used in a polymeric photonic display. Light at each fundamental color is generated by light emitting diodes, such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The light is coupled into waveguides that cross an array of diffractive elements, such as the resonators, each combined with an optical modulator, such as a polymer electro-optic (EO) modulator. The modulator allows light from the waveguides to reach the diffractive elements. Control lines run across the waveguides, and provide control signals to the modulators, allowing one row of diffractive elements at a time to receive light from the waveguides. The rows are scanned and synchronized with light generated by the OLEDs.

Abstract: An optical structure includes a substrate having two side surfaces. A first layer of high refractive index material is formed on the substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed on the first layer. A second layer of high refractive index material is formed on the sacrificial layer. At a predefined temperature the sacrificial layer is evaporated, thus forming an air gap between the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: An electroluminescent material slot waveguide generates light in response to current injection. In one embodiment, the waveguide is formed as part of an optical resonator, such as ring resonator waveguide or distributed Bragg reflector with an anode and cathode for electrical stimulation. A compact, electrically-driven resonant cavity light emitting devices (RCLED) for Si microphotonics may be formed. Several different rare-earth ions, such as erbium, terbium and ytterbium, can be used to dope SiO2 in order to emit light at different wavelengths.

Abstract: Ring or disc optical resonators are provided with random or coherent corrugation on a top surface to cause optical power to be radiated in a desired direction by light scattering. The resonators may be positioned proximate a waveguide, either in-plane or inter-plane with the waveguide. The resonators are used in a polymeric photonic display. Light at each fundamental color is generated by light emitting diodes, such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The light is coupled into waveguides that cross an array of diffractive elements, such as the resonators, each combined with an optical modulator, such as a polymer electro-optic (EO) modulator. The modulator allows light from the waveguides to reach the diffractive elements. Control lines run across the waveguides, and provide control signals to the modulators, allowing one row of diffractive elements at a time to receive light from the waveguides. The rows are scanned and synchronized with light generated by the OLEDs.

Abstract: A high-index-contrast waveguide structure material used to guide light through a low-refractive-index material. In one embodiment, the waveguide structures are capable of guiding and confining light in such a way that very high optical intensity is obtained in a small cross-sectional area or gap filled with any material with sufficiently low refractive index, relative to the remainder of the structure. The structure may be used to form resonators, optical couplers, directional optical couplers and other optical devices. Structures may be formed consistent with integrated circuit forming processes.

Abstract: A silicon electro-optic waveguide modulator is formed using a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) configuration. Various embodiments are described using different modes of operation of the MOS diode and gate oxide thicknesses. In one example, a high-speed submicron waveguide active device is formed using silicon-on-insulator. A micro-ring resonator intensity-modulator exhibits switching times on the order of tens of pS with modulation depth of 73% with a bias voltage of 5 volts.

Abstract: A distributed Bragg reflector has a sectioned waveguide with a high index of refraction. The waveguide is disposed within a medium having a relatively low index of refraction. Each of the sections of the waveguide are coupled with a thin waveguide having a high index of refraction. In one embodiment, the wire and waveguide sections are formed of the same high index material.

Abstract: A strong light confining nano-cavity in a photonic structure enhances the effective extinction cross-section of metal nano-particles. As a result of strong light confinement, precisely where the particle is located, the presence of a single metal nano-particle with a diameter as small, or smaller than 10 nm may be detected by measuring the decrease in transmission of light propagating through the photonic structure. In one embodiment, gold particles may be used as a sensing probe due to their large extinction coefficient in a wavelength range of (1450-1600 nm) and their mature use as labels in biosensing systems. The nanoparticles may be specifically bound to various analytes such as DNA, RNA, proteins and antigens.