Abstract: A prism coupled waveguide-fed solar collector array optimized for geometric fill factor. An integrated linear array of prisms is arranged with their input faces in a common plane. The exit faces of the prisms each feds a corresponding optical waveguide and detector.

Abstract: A rectifier comprising a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure. The insulator may be a native oxide with an adjacent layer of graphene. In one implementation, the rectifier is used in an electromagnetic energy collector consisting of a planar waveguide formed of multiple material layers having at least two different dielectric constants. MIM rectifiers are aligned with mirrors are formed within the waveguide core. In some arrangements, a plurality of MIM rectifiers are disposed in a column or 3D array beneath each mirror.

Abstract: A planar fixed area thin film antenna-coupled metal-insulator-metal (MIM) rectifier of arbitray metal with a native nickel oxide insulator. Devices can be designed for millimeter wave, IR, NIR and visible wavelengths.

Abstract: The use of rectennas, or antenna-coupled rectifiers, using metal-insulator-metal tunnel diodes as rectifiers for energy conversion has been explored with more fervor recently, given the advances in nanotechnology fabrication and increased resolution of features. Some have made these devices from symmetric metals (e.g. Ni—NiO—Ni) and asymmetric metals (e.g. Al—AlOx/Pt), and have used deposited oxides as well as native oxides. One key to obtaining a highly asymmetric device with efficient current generation needed for high conversion efficiency is to instead use dissimilar metals and a thin reproducible oxide. The described method allows for a thin, reproducible native oxide of nickel be integrated with any antenna metal to overcome oxide surface roughness problems that typically hamper the practicality of these devices.

Abstract: An electromagnetic energy concentrator uses a prism and waveguide with a gap layer of uniform thickness disposed between the prism and a first surface of waveguide. Energy detectors, which may be photovoltaics or miniaturized antenna elements are disposed adjacent to and co-extensive with a second surface of the waveguide. The detectors operate in each of at least two bands; a distance between detectors operating in a given band depends on a wavelength in the given band.

Abstract: A rectifier comprising a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure. The insulator may be a native oxide with an adjacent layer of graphene. In one implementation, the rectifier is used in an electromagnetic energy collector consisting of a planar waveguide formed of multiple material layers having at least two different dielectric constants. MIM rectifiers are aligned with mirrors are formed within the waveguide core. In some arrangements, a plurality of MIM rectifiers are disposed in a column or 3D array beneath each mirror.

Abstract: An electromagnetic energy collector includes a planar waveguide formed of multiple material layers having at least two different dielectric constants. Mirrors formed within the waveguide core. Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) detectors are aligned with the mirrors, and disposed below the bottom surface of the waveguide. The mirrors may be etched at an angle into the waveguide. In some arrangements, wherein a plurality of MIM detectors are disposed in a column or 3D array beneath each mirror. A wavelength range of the MIM detectors disposed closer to a respective mirror is lower than a wavelength range of a MIM detector disposed farther away from the same mirror.

Abstract: A solar energy collector includes a planar waveguide formed of multiple material layers having at least two different dielectric constants. Two or more dichroic filters disposed within the waveguide core, and two or more minors are also disposed within the waveguide core. At least one optical to electrical detector positioned in alignment with each of the dichroic filters, and at least one optical to electrical detector is aligned with each of the mirrors. The dichroic filter may be formed from a plurality of material layers.

Abstract: A solar energy collector includes a prism coupled waveguide and a cladding material layer coextensive with the waveguide core. Photovoltaics (PVs) are disposed within the cladding layer, with the PVs active in at least two wavelength ranges. The PVs are further spaced apart depending upon their active wavelength range. The cladding layer may include two or more material layers of at least two different dielectric constants. In that arrangement, the PVs are further grouped such that the PVs disposed in a first one of the cladding layers has a different active wavelength range than an active wavelength range of the PVs disposed in a second cladding layer.

Abstract: An electromagnetic energy concentrator uses a prism and waveguide with a gap layer of uniform thickness disposed between the prism and a first surface of waveguide. Energy detectors, which may be photovoltaics or miniaturized antenna elements are disposed adjacent to and co-extensive with a second surface of the waveguide. The detectors operate in each of at least two bands; a distance between detectors operating in a given band depends on a wavelength in the given band.

Abstract: A prism coupled waveguide-fed solar collector array optimized for geometric fill factor. An integrated linear array of prisms is arranged with their input faces in a common plane. The exit faces of the prisms each feds a corresponding optical waveguide and detector.

Abstract: A photonic antenna uses a traveling wave fed, surface wave excited, dielectric waveguide. One or more antenna elements are arranged in a line or other array. An optical interconnect is provide by depositing the waveguide structure on the system of antenna elements, and the photodiode detectors on the waveguide, or wafer bonded to the waveguide core. Optical sources are butt coupled to the edge of the waveguide via wafer bonding or as part of a deposition process. The device acts as a free-space optical transceiver embodied in an integrated photonic antenna and waveguide structure, and provides high speed, spectrally broadband response; it also inherently includes an open architecture for implementing Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM).

Abstract: A continuous tunable laser system includes at least one DBR laser. The DBR laser includes a Phase section, a Braggs section, and a gain medium. The DBR laser is capable of generating a continuous-wave laser signal. A Phase current input is electrically connected to the Phase section. A Bragg current input is electrically connected to the Bragg section and synchronized with the Phase current input. A gain control input is electrically connected to the gain medium.

Abstract: A continuous tunable laser system includes at least one DBR laser. The DBR laser includes a Phase section, a Braggs section, and a gain medium. The DBR laser is capable of generating a continuous-wave laser signal. A Phase current input is electrically connected to the Phase section. A Bragg current input is electrically connected to the Bragg section and synchronized with the Phase current input. A gain control input is electrically connected to the gain medium.