Patents by Inventor Mingzhi Lu

Mingzhi Lu 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: 20230141290
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a DDR photodiode is provided on a substrate adjacent to a passive waveguide. In order to efficiently capture light output from the waveguide, the photodiode is coupled to the waveguide with a butt-joint. As a result, the photodiode and the waveguide abut one another such that the dominant mode of light propagating in the waveguide parallel to the substrate is supplied directly to a side of the absorber layer of the photodiode without, in one example, evanescent coupling, nor is a resonant coupler required to supply light to the photodiode. Thus, light is absorbed more efficiently in the photodiode such that the photodiode may have a shorter length. In addition, since substantially all light is input to the photodiode, nearly complete absorption and nearly ideal quantum efficiency can be achieved in a relatively short length. Further, the improved linearity associated with DDR photodiodes is preserved with the exemplary butt joint configurations disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Mingzhi Lu, Peter W. Evans
  • Publication number: 20230141436
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a DDR photodiode is provided on a substrate adjacent to a passive waveguide. In order to efficiently capture light output from the waveguide, the photodiode is coupled to the waveguide with a butt-joint. As a result, the photodiode and the waveguide abut one another such that the dominant mode of light propagating in the waveguide parallel to the substrate is supplied directly to a side of the absorber layer of the photodiode without, in one example, evanescent coupling, nor is a resonant coupler required to supply light to the photodiode. Thus, light is absorbed more efficiently in the photodiode such that the photodiode may have a shorter length. In addition, since substantially all light is input to the photodiode, nearly complete absorption and nearly ideal quantum efficiency can be achieved in a relatively short length. Further, the improved linearity associated with DDR photodiodes is preserved with the exemplary butt joint configurations disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Mingzhi Lu, Peter W. Evans
  • Publication number: 20230142387
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a DDR photodiode is provided on a substrate adjacent to a passive waveguide. In order to efficiently capture light output from the waveguide, the photodiode is coupled to the waveguide with a butt-joint. As a result, the photodiode and the waveguide abut one another such that the dominant mode of light propagating in the waveguide parallel to the substrate is supplied directly to a side of the absorber layer of the photodiode without, in one example, evanescent coupling, nor is a resonant coupler required to supply light to the photodiode. Thus, light is absorbed more efficiently in the photodiode such that the photodiode may have a shorter length. In addition, since substantially all light is input to the photodiode, nearly complete absorption and nearly ideal quantum efficiency can be achieved in a relatively short length. Further, the improved linearity associated with DDR photodiodes is preserved with the exemplary butt joint configurations disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Mingzhi Lu, Peter W. Evans
  • Publication number: 20230133616
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a DDR photodiode is provided on a substrate adjacent to a passive waveguide. In order to efficiently capture light output from the waveguide, the photodiode is coupled to the waveguide with a butt-joint. As a result, the photodiode and the waveguide abut one another such that the dominant mode of light propagating in the waveguide parallel to the substrate is supplied directly to a side of the absorber layer of the photodiode without, in one example, evanescent coupling, nor is a resonant coupler required to supply light to the photodiode. Thus, light is absorbed more efficiently in the photodiode such that the photodiode may have a shorter length. In addition, since substantially all light is input to the photodiode, nearly complete absorption and nearly ideal quantum efficiency can be achieved in a relatively short length. Further, the improved linearity associated with DDR photodiodes is preserved with the exemplary butt joint configurations disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Mingzhi Lu, Peter W. Evans
  • Publication number: 20220173257
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a DDR photodiode is provided on a substrate adjacent to a passive waveguide. In order to efficiently capture light output from the waveguide, the photodiode is coupled to the waveguide with a butt-joint. As a result, the photodiode and the waveguide abut one another such that the dominant mode of light propagating in the waveguide parallel to the substrate is supplied directly to a side of the absorber layer of the photodiode without, in one example, evanescent coupling, nor is a resonant coupler required to supply light to the photodiode. Thus, light is absorbed more efficiently in the photodiode such that the photodiode may have a shorter length. In addition, since substantially all light is input to the photodiode, nearly complete absorption and nearly ideal quantum efficiency can be achieved in a relatively short length. Further, the improved linearity associated with DDR photodiodes is preserved with the exemplary butt joint configurations disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: MINGZHI LU, Peter W. Evans
  • Publication number: 20220173258
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a DDR photodiode is provided on a substrate adjacent to a passive waveguide. In order to efficiently capture light output from the waveguide, the photodiode is coupled to the waveguide with a butt-joint. As a result, the photodiode and the waveguide abut one another such that the dominant mode of light propagating in the waveguide parallel to the substrate is supplied directly to a side of the absorber layer of the photodiode without, in one example, evanescent coupling, nor is a resonant coupler required to supply light to the photodiode. Thus, light is absorbed more efficiently in the photodiode such that the photodiode may have a shorter length. In addition, since substantially all light is input to the photodiode, nearly complete absorption and nearly ideal quantum efficiency can be achieved in a relatively short length. Further, the improved linearity associated with DDR photodiodes is preserved with the exemplary butt joint configurations disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Mingzhi Lu, Peter W. Evans
  • Patent number: 10741999
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a laser including a layer having first and second regions, the first region including a void; a mirror section provided on the layer, the mirror section including a waveguide core, at least part of the waveguide core is provided over at least a portion of the void; a first grating provided on the waveguide core; a first cladding layer provided between the layer and the waveguide core and supported by the second region of the layer; a second cladding layer provided on the waveguide core; and a heat source configured to change a temperature of at least one of the waveguide core and the grating, where an optical mode propagating in the waveguide core of the mirror section does not incur substantial loss due to interaction with portions of the mirror section above and below the waveguide core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Infinera Coropration
    Inventors: Peter W. Evans, Mingzhi Lu, Fred A. Kish, Jr., Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, John W. Osenbach, Jin Yan
  • Patent number: 10205301
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a laser including a layer having first and second regions, the first region including a void; a mirror section provided on the layer, the mirror section including a waveguide core, at least part of the waveguide core is provided over at least a portion of the void; a first grating provided on the waveguide core; a first cladding layer provided between the layer and the waveguide core and supported by the second region of the layer; a second cladding layer provided on the waveguide core; and a heat source configured to change a temperature of at least one of the waveguide core and the grating, where an optical mode propagating in the waveguide core of the mirror section does not incur substantial loss due to interaction with portions of the mirror section above and below the waveguide core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W Evans, Mingzhi Lu, Fred A. Kish, Jr., Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, John W. Osenbach, Jin Yan
  • Patent number: 10181697
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a laser including a layer having first and second regions, the first region including a void; a mirror section provided on the layer, the mirror section including a waveguide core, at least part of the waveguide core is provided over at least a portion of the void; a first grating provided on the waveguide core; a first cladding layer provided between the layer and the waveguide core and supported by the second region of the layer; a second cladding layer provided on the waveguide core; and a heat source configured to change a temperature of at least one of the waveguide core and the grating, where an optical mode propagating in the waveguide core of the mirror section does not incur substantial loss due to interaction with portions of the mirror section above and below the waveguide core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Evans, Mingzhi Lu, Fred A. Kish, Jr., Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, John W. Osenbach, Jin Yan
  • Patent number: 10181698
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a laser including a layer having first and second regions, the first region including a void; a mirror section provided on the layer, the mirror section including a waveguide core, at least part of the waveguide core is provided over at least a portion of the void; a first grating provided on the waveguide core; a first cladding layer provided between the layer and the waveguide core and supported by the second region of the layer; a second cladding layer provided on the waveguide core; and a heat source configured to change a temperature of at least one of the waveguide core and the grating, where an optical mode propagating in the waveguide core of the mirror section does not incur substantial loss due to interaction with portions of the mirror section above and below the waveguide core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Evans, Mingzhi Lu, Fred A. Kish, Jr., Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, John W. Osenbach, Jin Yan
  • Patent number: 10177531
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a laser including a layer having first and second regions, the first region including a void; a mirror section provided on the layer, the mirror section including a waveguide core, at least part of the waveguide core is provided over at least a portion of the void; a first grating provided on the waveguide core; a first cladding layer provided between the layer and the waveguide core and supported by the second region of the layer; a second cladding layer provided on the waveguide core; and a heat source configured to change a temperature of at least one of the waveguide core and the grating, where an optical mode propagating in the waveguide core of the mirror section does not incur substantial loss due to interaction with portions of the mirror section above and below the waveguide core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Evans, Mingzhi Lu, Fred A. Kish, Jr., Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, John W. Osenbach, Jin Yan
  • Publication number: 20180331498
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a laser including a layer having first and second regions, the first region including a void; a mirror section provided on the layer, the mirror section including a waveguide core, at least part of the waveguide core is provided over at least a portion of the void; a first grating provided on the waveguide core; a first cladding layer provided between the layer and the waveguide core and supported by the second region of the layer; a second cladding layer provided on the waveguide core; and a heat source configured to change a temperature of at least one of the waveguide core and the grating, where an optical mode propagating in the waveguide core of the mirror section does not incur substantial loss due to interaction with portions of the mirror section above and below the waveguide core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Peter W. Evans, Mingzhi Lu, Fred A. Kish, JR., Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, John W. Osenbach, Jin Yan
  • Publication number: 20180331497
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a laser including a layer having first and second regions, the first region including a void; a mirror section provided on the layer, the mirror section including a waveguide core, at least part of the waveguide core is provided over at least a portion of the void; a first grating provided on the waveguide core; a first cladding layer provided between the layer and the waveguide core and supported by the second region of the layer; a second cladding layer provided on the waveguide core; and a heat source configured to change a temperature of at least one of the waveguide core and the grating, where an optical mode propagating in the waveguide core of the mirror section does not incur substantial loss due to interaction with portions of the mirror section above and below the waveguide core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Peter W. Evans, Mingzhi Lu, Fred A. Kish, JR., Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, John W. Osenbach, Jin Yan
  • Patent number: 10122149
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a laser including a layer having first and second regions, the first region including a void; a mirror section provided on the layer, the mirror section including a waveguide core, at least part of the waveguide core is provided over at least a portion of the void; a first grating provided on the waveguide core; a first cladding layer provided between the layer and the waveguide core and supported by the second region of the layer; a second cladding layer provided on the waveguide core; and a heat source configured to change a temperature of at least one of the waveguide core and the grating, where an optical mode propagating in the waveguide core of the mirror section does not incur substantial loss due to interaction with portions of the mirror section above and below the waveguide core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Evans, Mingzhi Lu, Fred A. Kish, Jr., Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, John W. Osenbach, Jin Yan
  • Publication number: 20180131158
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a laser including a layer having first and second regions, the first region including a void; a mirror section provided on the layer, the mirror section including a waveguide core, at least part of the waveguide core is provided over at least a portion of the void; a first grating provided on the waveguide core; a first cladding layer provided between the layer and the waveguide core and supported by the second region of the layer; a second cladding layer provided on the waveguide core; and a heat source configured to change a temperature of at least one of the waveguide core and the grating, where an optical mode propagating in the waveguide core of the mirror section does not incur substantial loss due to interaction with portions of the mirror section above and below the waveguide core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Peter W. Evans, Mingzhi Lu, Fred A. Kish, JR., Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, John W. Osenbach, Jin Yan
  • Publication number: 20180131157
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a laser including a layer having first and second regions, the first region including a void; a mirror section provided on the layer, the mirror section including a waveguide core, at least part of the waveguide core is provided over at least a portion of the void; a first grating provided on the waveguide core; a first cladding layer provided between the layer and the waveguide core and supported by the second region of the layer; a second cladding layer provided on the waveguide core; and a heat source configured to change a temperature of at least one of the waveguide core and the grating, where an optical mode propagating in the waveguide core of the mirror section does not incur substantial loss due to interaction with portions of the mirror section above and below the waveguide core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Peter W. Evans, Mingzhi Lu, Fred A. Kish, JR., Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, John W. Osenbach, Jin Yan
  • Publication number: 20180131159
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a laser including a layer having first and second regions, the first region including a void; a mirror section provided on the layer, the mirror section including a waveguide core, at least part of the waveguide core is provided over at least a portion of the void; a first grating provided on the waveguide core; a first cladding layer provided between the layer and the waveguide core and supported by the second region of the layer; a second cladding layer provided on the waveguide core; and a heat source configured to change a temperature of at least one of the waveguide core and the grating, where an optical mode propagating in the waveguide core of the mirror section does not incur substantial loss due to interaction with portions of the mirror section above and below the waveguide core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Peter W. Evans, Mingzhi Lu, Fred A. Kish, JR., Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, John W. Osenbach, Jin Yan
  • Publication number: 20170207603
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a compact laser with extended tunability (CLET) is provided that includes multiple segments or sections, at least one of which is curved, bent or non-collinear with other segments, so that the CLET has a compact form factor either as a singular laser or when integrated with other devices. The term CLET, as used herein, refers to any of the laser configurations disclosed herein having mirrors and a bent, angled or curved part, portion or section between such mirrors. If bent, the bent portion is preferably oriented at an angle of at least 30 degrees relative to other portions of the CLET. Alternatively, the curve or bend portion may be distributed over different sections of the CLET over a series of arcs, for example. The waveguide extending between the mirrors is continuous, such that light propagating along the waveguide is not divided or split. The waveguide also constitutes a continuous waveguide path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Evans, Fred A. Kish, JR., Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, Mingzhi Lu
  • Publication number: 20170201070
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a compact laser with extended tunability (CLET) is provided that includes multiple segments or sections, at least one of which is curved, bent or non-collinear with other segments, so that the CLET has a compact form factor either as a singular laser or when integrated with other devices. The term CLET, as used herein, refers to any of the laser configurations disclosed herein having mirrors and a bent, angled or curved part, portion or section between such mirrors. If bent, the bent portion is preferably oriented at an angle of at least 30 degrees relative to other portions of the CLET. Alternatively, the curve or bend portion may be distributed over different sections of the CLET over a series of arcs, for example. The waveguide extending between the mirrors is continuous, such that light propagating along the waveguide is not divided or split. The waveguide also constitutes a continuous waveguide path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Evans, Fred A. Kish, Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, Mingzhi Lu
  • Publication number: 20170194764
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a laser including a layer having first and second regions, the first region including a void; a mirror section provided on the layer, the mirror section including a waveguide core, at least part of the waveguide core is provided over at least a portion of the void; a first grating provided on the waveguide core; a first cladding layer provided between the layer and the waveguide core and supported by the second region of the layer; a second cladding layer provided on the waveguide core; and a heat source configured to change a temperature of at least one of the waveguide core and the grating, where an optical mode propagating in the waveguide core of the mirror section does not incur substantial loss due to interaction with portions of the mirror section above and below the waveguide core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Peter W. Evans, Mingzhi Lu, Fred A. Kish, JR., Vikrant Lal, Scott Corzine, John W. Osenbach, Jin Yan