Abstract: A fiber-facet AFM probe enabling high-resolution, high sensitivity measurement of a sample surface is presented. AFM probes in accordance with the present invention include an optically resonant cavity that is defined by two mirrors, at least one of which is a photonic-crystal mirror. One of the mirrors is movable and is mechanically coupled with an AFM tip such that a force imparted on the tip by an interaction with the sample surface induces a change in the cavity length of the optically resonant cavity and, therefore, its reflectivity.

Abstract: A gyroscope and a method of detecting rotation are provided. The gyroscope includes a structure configured to be driven to move about a drive axis. The structure is further configured to move about a sense axis in response to a Coriolis force generated by rotation of the structure about a rotational axis while moving about the drive axis. The structure further includes at least one first torsional spring extending generally along the drive axis and at least one second torsional spring extending generally along the sense axis. The gyroscope further includes an optical sensor system configured to optically measure movement of the structure about the sense axis.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated photonic crystal sensor is disclosed. An optical fiber comprises at least one photonic crystal means coupled to a first end thereof, and a magnetic material coupled to the at least one photonic crystal means.

Abstract: A laser-driven dielectric electron accelerator is composed of a dielectric photonic crystal accelerator structure having an electron beam channel and buried grating whose elements are arranged linearly parallel to the electron beam channel. The accelerator structure preferably has a thin film material coating. The grating may have an asymmetric structure. The accelerator and undulator structures may be integrated with on-chip optical and electronic devices such as waveguide devices and control circuits so that multiple devices can be fabricated on the same chip.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical sensor element comprising a photonic crystal constituted by a membrane of a chosen transparent material, the membrane being provided with a number of defined openings in a chosen pattern, the pattern being adapted to provide resonance at a chosen wavelength or range of wavelengths, wherein said openings are provided with a reactive material acting as a receptor for a chosen type of molecules, e.g. proteins, the presence of which alters the resonance and/or scattering conditions in the sensor element thus altering the amount of light propagating out of the membrane plane.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a sensor is provided, with the sensor including a reflective element and an optical fiber positioned relative to the reflective element such that light emitted from the optical fiber is reflected by the reflective element and propagates in an optical cavity between the optical fiber and the reflective element. The method includes positioning an element within the optical cavity. The element has a coefficient of thermal expansion and a thickness that compensate a refractive index change with temperature of a medium within the optical cavity.

Abstract: Optical apparatus and methods utilizing sensors operating in the reflection mode are provided. The apparatus includes at least one optical bus. The at least one optical bus is configured to be optically coupled to at least one source of input optical signals, to at least one optical detector, and to a plurality of reflective sensing elements. The at least one optical bus transmits an input optical signal from the at least one source to the plurality of reflective sensing elements. At least one reflective sensing element of the plurality of reflective sensing elements receives a portion of the input optical signal and reflects at least a portion of the received portion. The at least one optical bus transmits the reflected portion to the at least one optical detector.

Abstract: An optical structure includes an optical waveguide and at least one photonic crystal structure. The optical structure also includes a structural portion mechanically coupled to the optical waveguide and the at least one photonic crystal structure such that a region substantially bounded by the structural portion, the optical waveguide, and the at least one photonic crystal structure has a specified volume.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor includes a diaphragm having a reflective element. The sensor has an optical fiber positioned relative to the reflective element such that light emitted from the optical fiber is reflected by the reflective element. A first end of the optical fiber and the reflective element form an optical cavity therebetween. The acoustic sensor further includes a structural element mechanically coupled to the diaphragm and the optical fiber. The structural element includes a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially similar to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the optical fiber. For example, the material can be silica.

Abstract: A method detects an acceleration. The method includes providing a spatial mode filter positioned such that light emitted from the spatial mode filter is reflected by at least a portion of a reflective surface. The spatial mode filter and the portion of the reflective surface form an optical resonator having an optical resonance with a resonance lineshape. The method further includes emitting light from the spatial mode filter and irradiating the portion of the reflective surface. The portion of the reflective surface is responsive to acceleration of the optical resonator by changing curvature. The method further includes measuring a change of the resonance lineshape due to the acceleration of the optical resonator.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a vibration-actuated microsurgical system includes an optical force detection arrangement having an optical encoding device configured to modulate an intensity of light in response to a displacement of a portion of the microsurgical system. Light sensing circuitry is configured to detect a force applied to the microsurgical system (e.g., and thereby to a sample) based on the intensity of light sensed from the optical encoding device. This detected force is used in controlling the application of the microsurgical system.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated photonic crystal sensor is disclosed. An optical fiber comprises at least one photonic crystal means coupled to a first end thereof, and a magnetic material coupled to the at least one photonic crystal means.

Abstract: A method detects a topology of a reflective surface. The method includes providing an optical fiber positioned such that light emitted from the optical fiber is reflected by at least a portion of the reflective surface. The optical fiber and the portion of the reflective surface form an optical resonator having an optical resonance with a resonance lineshape. The method further includes emitting light from the optical fiber while the optical fiber is at a plurality of positions along the reflective surface. The light emitted from the optical fiber irradiates a corresponding plurality of portions of the reflective surface. The method further includes measuring a change of the resonance lineshape due to the irradiation of the plurality of portions of the reflective surface.

Abstract: An optical structure includes an optical waveguide and at least one photonic crystal structure. The optical structure also includes a structural portion mechanically coupled to the optical waveguide and the at least one photonic crystal structure such that a region substantially bounded by the structural portion, the optical waveguide, and the at least one photonic crystal structure has a specified volume.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to apparatuses, arrangements, systems and methods for collecting information using one or more modalities. As consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes first and second scanning mirror arrangements having different scanning axes and respectively facing different directions. The first scanning mirror arrangement directs source light and image light in two paths, and the second scanning mirror arrangement directs image light from a target to the first scanning mirror arrangement. The first and second scanning mirror arrangements cooperatively scan source light from the first scanning mirror and via the second scanning mirror to target locations with at least two degrees of freedom, and direct image light from the target locations.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor includes at least one photonic crystal structure and an optical fiber in optical communication with the at least one photonic crystal structure. The at least one photonic crystal structure has at least one optical resonance with a resonance frequency and a resonance lineshape, wherein at least one of the resonance frequency and the resonance lineshape is responsive to acoustic waves incident upon the acoustic sensor. The acoustic sensor further includes an optical fiber in optical communication with the at least one photonic crystal structure. The optical fiber is configured to transmit light which impinges the at least one photonic crystal structure and to receive at least a portion of the light which impinges the at least one photonic crystal structure.

Abstract: A gyroscope and a method of detecting rotation are provided. The gyroscope includes a structure configured to be driven to move about a drive axis. The structure is further configured to move about a sense axis in response to a Coriolis force generated by rotation of the structure about a rotational axis while moving about the drive axis. The structure further includes at least one first torsional spring extending generally along the drive axis and at least one second torsional spring extending generally along the sense axis. The gyroscope further includes an optical sensor system configured to optically measure movement of the structure about the sense axis.

Abstract: A gyroscope and a method of detecting rotation are provided. The gyroscope includes a structure configured to be driven to move about a drive axis. The structure is further configured to move about a sense axis in response to a Coriolis force generated by rotation of the structure about a rotational axis while moving about the drive axis. The gyroscope further includes an optical sensor system configured to optically measure movement of the structure about the sense axis. In certain embodiments, the gyroscope is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscope.

Abstract: An optical structure on an optical fiber and a method of fabrication is provided. The optical structure includes an end of an optical fiber and a layer formed on the end of the optical fiber. The layer comprises one or more first portions having a first optical pathlength in a direction perpendicular to the layer and one or more second portions having a second optical pathlength in the direction perpendicular to the layer, the second optical pathlength different from the first optical pathlength.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor includes at least one photonic crystal structure and an optical fiber in optical communication with the at least one photonic crystal structure. The at least one photonic crystal structure has at least one optical resonance with a resonance frequency and a resonance lineshape, wherein at least one of the resonance frequency and the resonance lineshape is responsive to acoustic waves incident upon the acoustic sensor. The acoustic sensor further includes an optical fiber in optical communication with the at least one photonic crystal structure. The optical fiber is configured to transmit light which impinges the at least one photonic crystal structure and to receive at least a portion of the light which impinges the at least one photonic crystal structure.