Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for securely and efficiently accessing enterprise data stored across heterogeneous databases and domains. In some examples the system employs a parallelized workflow architecture that optimally invokes specialized workflows to retrieve requested data fields in parallel rather than in a serial sequence. The system may utilize multi-factor authentication including public/private keys and authentication tokens to validate user identities and access privileges. An intelligent execution manager may analyze metadata in data access requests to determine the optimal set of workflows to invoke to retrieve the requested data. These workflows may execute concurrently to query backend domain interfaces that abstract away complex underlying data storage systems. The domain interfaces may return requested data fields which are consolidated and returned to the requester. Accordingly, the system scalable and performant data access with fine-grained access controls across large enterprises.

Abstract: A fast and dynamic waveplate is described. The present systems and methods utilize stress birefringence that generates inside a plate when force is applied on one or more sides of the plate. The force is applied using one or more actuators distributed along the side(s) of the plate. The magnitude of the force can be controlled using a control unit. A generated stress birefringence is spatially varying across the plate. By carefully adjusting the force, the plate can be converted into a waveplate with an arbitrary value of retardance that is determined by the force. Since the parameter that determines the birefringence is force, a control unit can be used to apply different combinations of force values at a sub-millisecond speed to achieve fast control of the value of the birefringence as well as an orientation in the plate.