Abstract: An interface device for performing off-chip coupling in optical waveguides includes an optical waveguide core for propagating light of a particular wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths and an array of radiative elements configured to change the propagation direction of the light. The optical waveguide core is configured to control the effective refractive index of the propagation mode of the light. The device can thus serve as an optical antenna for coupling between a waveguide mode and a free-space propagating beam or a plurality of free-space propagating beams in an arrayed configuration.

Abstract: An antenna device for performing off-chip light coupling comprising an array of radiating elements whose thickness is larger than ?/2, the radiating elements being chosen such that the length of the array is smaller than 10?, where ? is the wavelength of light in the material chosen for the radiating elements. An advantage of this method is that, unlike in conventional waveguide grating antenna, by reducing the number of the radiating elements in the array, the dependence of the off-chip emission angle on the wavelength of light can be greatly reduced. Another advantage is that by using thick radiating elements the antenna efficiency can be greatly enhanced, thereby compensating for the reduced efficiency occurring as a consequence of using only a small number of radiating elements in the array.

Abstract: A waveguide cores consisting of a subwavelength grating permits transmission of light without diffraction in a discontinuous manner, wherein the energy is provided by field hopping between subwavelength material segments of higher index. The use of alternating segments permits design of waveguides having desired effective index, mode confinement factor, birefringence, polarization mode or mode dispersions, polarization dependent loss, thermal sensitivity, or nonlinear optical coefficient. An optical system comprises a waveguide having such a core, clad on at least one side, extending between two ends, and wavelength-limiting optical components in optical communication with the ends.

Abstract: A spectrometer has a multi-input aperture for admitting an input wavefront and an array of multiple waveguide structures terminating at the multi-input aperture. The input wavefront is incident on each of the waveguide structures, which provide a dispersive function for the input wavefront. Interferometers are formed by elements of the waveguide structures. The interferometers have different optical path length differences (OPDs). The interferometers provide a wavelength responsive output for spatially extended light sources. The output of the interferometers is detected with a detector array. The spectrometer has an improved etendue, and in some embodiments very high resolution.

Abstract: A waveguide cores consisting of a subwavelength grating permits transmission of light without diffraction in a discontinuous manner, wherein the energy is provided by field hopping between subwavelength material segments of higher index. The use of alternating segments permits design of waveguides having desired effective index, mode confinement factor, birefringence, polarization mode or mode dispersions, polarization dependent loss, thermal sensitivity, or nonlinear optical coefficient. An optical system comprises a waveguide having such a core, clad on at least one side, extending between two ends, and wavelength-limiting optical components in optical communication with the ends.

Abstract: Methods and devices related to a sensor element for use in the detection and monitoring of molecular interactions. The sensor element uses a silicon-on-insulator wafer optically coupled to a silicon prism. The wafer has a thin silicon film top layer, a silicon substrate layer, and a buried silicon dioxide layer sandwiched between the silicon film and substrate layers. The wafer is coupled to the prism on the wafer's substrate side while the interactions to be monitored are placed on the wafer's silicon film side. An incident beam is directed at the prism and the incident angle is adjusted until the beam optically couples to the silicon film's optical waveguide mode. When this occurs, a decrease in the intensity of the reflected beam can be detected. The molecular interactions affect the phase velocity or wave vector of the propagating mode. Similarly, instead of measuring the incident angle at which optical coupling occurs, the phase of the reflected beam may be measured.

Abstract: Methods and devices relating to a sensor for use in detecting and monitoring molecular interactions. A silicon waveguide sensing element is provided along with a layer of silicon. A silicon oxide layer is also provided between the waveguide element and the layer of silicon. The sensing element is adjacent to an aqueous solution in which the molecular interactions are occurring. A light beam travelling in the silicon waveguide creates an evanescent optical field on the surface of the sensing element adjacent to the boundary between the sensing element and the aqueous medium. Molecular interactions occurring on this surface affect the intensity or the phase of the light beam travelling through the waveguide by changing the effective refractive index of the medium. By measuring the effect on the intensity, phase, or speed of the light beam, the molecular interactions can be detected and monitored in real time.

Abstract: Methods and devices relating to sensors and sensor blocks for use in detecting and monitoring molecular interactions. A silicon waveguide sensing element is provided along with a layer of silicon. A silicon oxide layer is also provided between the waveguide element and the layer of silicon. The sensing element is adjacent to an aqueous solution in which the molecular interactions are occurring. A light beam travelling in the silicon waveguide creates an evanescent optical field on the surface of the sensing element adjacent to the boundary between the sensing element and the aqueous medium. Molecular interactions occurring on this surface affect the intensity or the phase of the light beam travelling through the waveguide by changing the effective refractive index of the medium. By measuring the effect on the intensity, phase, or speed of the light beam, the molecular interactions can be detected and monitored in real time. Various configurations using this sensor technology is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spectrometer has a multi-input aperture for admitting an input wavefront and an array of multiple waveguide structures terminating at the multi-input aperture. The input wavefront is incident on each of the waveguide structures, which provide a dispersive function for the input wavefront. Interferometers are formed by elements of the waveguide structures. The interferometers have different optical path length differences (OPDs). The interferometers provide a wavelength responsive output for spatially extended light sources. The output of the interferometers is detected with a detector array. The spectrometer has an improved etendue, and in some embodiments very high resolution.

Abstract: An interface device for performing mode transformation in optical waveguides includes an optical waveguide core for propagating light of a particular wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths. The optical waveguide core terminates in a subwavelength grating configured to change the propagation mode of the light. The subwavelength grating has a pitch sufficiently less than the wavelength of the light to frustrate diffraction. The device can thus serve as an optical coupler between different propagating media, or as an anti-reflective or high reflectivity device.

Abstract: Methods and devices relating to a sensor for use in detecting and monitoring molecular interactions. A silicon waveguide sensing element is provided along with a layer of silicon. A silicon oxide layer is also provided between the waveguide element and the layer of silicon. The sensing element is adjacent to an aqueous solution in which the molecular interactions are occurring. A light beam travelling in the silicon waveguide creates an evanescent optical field on the surface of the sensing element adjacent to the boundary between the sensing element and the aqueous medium. Molecular interactions occurring on this surface affect the intensity or the phase of the light beam travelling through the waveguide by changing the effective refractive index of the medium. By measuring the effect on the intensity, phase, or speed of the light beam, the molecular interactions can be detected and monitored in real time.

Abstract: An interface device for performing mode transformation in optical waveguides includes an optical waveguide core for propagating light of a particular wavelength. The optical waveguide core terminates in a subwavelength grating configured to change the propagation mode of the light. The subwavelength grating has a pitch sufficiently less than the wavelength of the light to frustrate diffraction. The device can thus serve as an optical coupler between different propagating media, or as an anti-reflective or high reflectivity device.

Abstract: An interface device for performing mode transformation in optical waveguides includes an optical waveguide core for propagating light of a particular wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths. The optical waveguide core terminates in a subwavelength grating configured to change the propagation mode of the light. The subwavelength grating has a pitch sufficiently less than the wavelength of the light to frustrate diffraction. The device can thus serve as an optical coupler between different propagating media, or as an anti-reflective or high reflectivity device.

Abstract: The multichannel waveguide device includes an array of waveguides located in a plane. Each waveguide channel has a redirecting element for redirecting a guided wave out of said plane, or vice versa. The redirecting elements are staggered in the direction of the waveguides so as to transform a one-dimensional array of in-plane waves into a two-dimensional array of out-of-plane waves, or vice versa.

Abstract: An Echelle grating has alternate first (1a) and second (1b) sets of facets (1). The first set of facets (1a) is operative to reflect incident light (4) for diffraction and the second set of facets (1b) extends between adjacent facets of the first set (1a). Only the first set of facets (1a) is metallized to enhance reflection. The second set of facets (1b) is left unmetallized. This configuration reduces polarization dependent loss (PDL).

Abstract: A spectroscopic method and system for the spectral analysis of an optical signal directed to a wavelength dispersive component having two interleaved dispersive devices. For a single wavelength, the optical signal exiting the interleaved dispersive devices includes two wavefronts generally disposed at an angle to one another and producing an interference pattern. The interference pattern is detected and subsequently analyzed via a Fourier transform to produce the optical spectrum of the input beam. The method and system are applicable in a planar waveguide environment, in reflection and transmission geometries.

Abstract: An optical performance monitor for measuring the performance of optical networks has an echelle grating for demultiplexing an input beam into a plurality of wavelengths that are focused onto an array of divided output waveguides. Each divided output waveguide is positioned to receive a corresponding demultiplexed wavelength from the echelle grating or other waveguide multiplexer device. The divided output waveguides laterally separate the corresponding demultiplexed wavelength into a first and second portions. A detector array is positioned to receive the respective portions of the demultiplexed wavelengths and by comparing their relative intensity it is possible to detect any drift in the nominal wavelengths of the channels.

Abstract: In order to make a photonic device incorporating a waveguide, a waveguide is formed with a predetermined geometry. Birefringence is then controlled by determining the amount of stress induced within the waveguide.

Abstract: A photosensitive material, suitable for image-wise recording, e.g., holographic recording of data or other information, comprises an organic species in an organic-inorganic matrix, the organic species comprising a material having a refractive index which changes upon exposure to actinic radiation. The organic-inorganic matrix may be an organically modified glass. The photo-sensitive material may be made using the sol-gel process.

Abstract: An Echelle grating has alternate first (1a) and second (1b) sets of facets (1). The first set of facets (1a) is operative to reflect incident light (4) for diffraction and the second set of facets (1b) extends between adjacent facets of the first set (1a). Only the first set of facets (1a) is metallized to enhance reflection. The second set of facets (1b) is left unmetallized. This configuration reduces polarization dependent loss (PDL).