Abstract: A chip-based planar Raman spectroscopic measurement system is disclosed comprising at least a semiconductor laser as excitation light source, an output waveguide coupling and delivering laser light out of chip, a photo-detector monitoring the laser optical power, an input waveguide coupling signal light to chip, a planar spectrometer comprising Planar Waveguide Grating (PWG) and an array photo-detectors, and control electronics. In some embodiments the PWG is a fixed frequency Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG), the laser is frequency-tunable. In other embodiments, the laser has fixed frequency, the PWG or the AWG is frequency tunable. In either case, the frequency tunability will ensure the recapture of the spectral information missed due to the spectral characteristics of the planar waveguide grating such as the channel spacing of the AWG, resulting in high channel count and high-resolution Raman measurement of sufficient spectral range.

Abstract: A chip-based planar Raman spectroscopic measurement system is disclosed comprising at least a semiconductor laser as excitation light source, an output waveguide coupling and delivering laser light out of chip, a photo-detector monitoring the laser optical power, an input waveguide coupling signal light to chip, a planar spectrometer comprising Planar Waveguide Grating (PWG) and an array photo-detectors, and control electronics. In some embodiments the PWG is a fixed frequency Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG), the laser is frequency-tunable. In other embodiments, the laser has fixed frequency, the PWG or the AWG is frequency tunable. In either case, the frequency tunability will ensure the recapture of the spectral information missed due to the spectral characteristics of the planar waveguide grating such as the channel spacing of the AWG, resulting in high channel count and high-resolution Raman measurement of sufficient spectral range.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) transducer coupled with a laser. The EAMR transducer has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The EAMR transducer includes a write pole, at least one coil, a waveguide and an output device. The write pole is configured to write to a region of the media. The at least one coil is for energizing the write pole. The waveguide has an input optically coupled to the laser and configured to direct energy from the laser toward the ABS for heating the region of the media. The output device is optically coupled to the waveguide. The output device coupling out a portion of the energy not coupled to the media.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide wavelength selective and tunable laser devices and a method for tuning the laser devices. An exemplary laser device, which can be operated in a single-wavelength lasing mode at a selectable and tunable lasing wavelength, includes a multi-mode laser, a feedback portion, and a wavelength tuning structure. The laser generates an optical emission having a spectrum that peaks at a plurality of discrete wavelengths. The feedback portion includes an optical etalon arranged to provide wavelength selective feedback to the laser to generate a beam of laser light at a lasing wavelength selected from the plurality of discrete wavelengths. The wavelength tuning structure provides tuning of the lasing wavelength by locally adjusting a refractive index of the channel waveguide to adjust the spectrum of the optical emission, where the wavelength tuning structure adjusts the spectrum of the optical emission to overlap a transmission spectrum of the etalon at the lasing wavelength.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an optical grating are described. The optical grating is configured for light of a wavelength and includes a first optically transparent layer, a stop layer on the first optically transparent layer, and a second optically transparent layer on the stop layer. The first optically transparent layer is continuous and includes a material. The second optically transparent layer also includes the material. The second optically transparent layer also includes a plurality of discrete ridges spaced apart by a pitch. The stop layer is configured to be invisible to the light.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a wavelength tunable laser and a method for wavelength tuning a laser is disclosed. The wavelength tunable laser can include an active portion including a photonic integrated circuit including an optical waveguide including an optical gain section, a grating section, a phase control section and an anti-reflection coating arranged at opposite ends of the optical waveguide; a passive portion including an optical etalon and a reflective mirror arranged to provide feedback to the active portion to generate beam of laser light; and a controller arranged to control the active portion, the passive portion or both the active portion and the passive portion to generate tuning of the lasing wavelength.

Abstract: A method and structure for mechanical self-alignment of semiconductor device features, for example multi-chip module features. Alignment of the features can be performed using mechanical alignment grooves within a layer of a first device and mechanical alignment pedestals of a second device. The alignment accuracy is limited by the patterning resolution of the semiconductor processing, which is in sub-micron scale. Flip-chip bonding can be used as the bonding process between chips to increase the alignment precision.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed. The method includes controlling an operational wavelength of a wavelength tunable laser by receiving radiation from the laser at first photo-detector including a first optical element having a partially reflective coating on a front surface of the first optical element; receiving at least a portion of the radiation partially reflected from the front surface of the first optical element at an etalon; receiving radiation from the etalon at a second photo-detector including a second optical element having an anti-reflection coating on a front surface of the second optical element; determining, by processor, a control signal to be applied to the laser to control the operational wavelength of the radiation based on data from the first and the second photo-detectors; and transmitting the control signal to the laser to, control the operational wavelength of the radiation.

Abstract: An energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) disk drive comprises a suspension and a slider having a back side, a laser-facing surface, and an air-bearing surface (ABS) opposite the back side. The slider is mounted to the suspension on the back side. The disk drive further comprises an EAMR transducer coupled with the slider, a portion of the EAMR transducer residing in proximity to the ABS and on the laser-facing surface of the slider. The disk drive further comprises a laser coupled with the suspension and having a light emitting surface facing the laser-facing surface of the slider. The laser has an optic axis substantially parallel to the suspension. The laser provides energy substantially along the optic axis and is optically coupled with the EAMR transducer via free space. The EAMR transducer receives the energy from the laser and writes to the media using the energy.

Abstract: A magnetic head comprising a waveguide coupler for coupling incident electromagnetic (EM) radiation into a waveguide is disclosed. The waveguide coupler includes a bottom clad layer and a waveguide core layer formed above the bottom clad layer. An interface between the bottom clad layer and the waveguide core layer includes a first grating having a first period and a first etch depth, which are configured to couple a first portion of the incident EM radiation into the waveguide core layer. The waveguide coupler can further comprise a top clad layer formed above the waveguide core layer. An interface between the waveguide core layer and the top clad layer includes a second grating having a second period and a second etch depth. The second period and the second etch depth are configured to couple a second portion of the incident EM radiation into the waveguide core layer.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) disk drive are described. A media for storing data and a slider are provided. The slider has a back side, a trailing face, and an air-bearing surface (ABS) opposite to the back side. At least one laser is coupled with the trailing face of the slider, and has an optic axis substantially parallel to the trailing face. The laser(s) provide energy substantially along the optic axis. Optics are coupled with the trailing face of the slider and receive the energy from the laser(s) via free space. At least one EAMR transducer coupled with the slider. At least part of the EAMR transducer resides in proximity to the ABS. The optics direct the energy from the laser(s) to the EAMR transducer(s). The EAMR transducer(s) receive the energy from the optics and write to the media using the energy.

Abstract: A tunable filter may be utilized to successively tune to different wavelengths. As each wavelength of the wavelength division multiplexed signal is extracted, it may be successively power monitored. Thus, power monitoring may done without requiring separate power monitors for each channel. This results in considerable advantages in some embodiments, including reduced size, reduced complexities in fabrication, and reduced yield issues in some embodiments.

Abstract: A magnetic recording device comprises a multi-aperture vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) operably coupled to a magnetic recording head and a plurality of waveguides disposed in the magnetic recording head. Each of the plurality of waveguides has a first end coupled to a different aperture of the multi-aperture VCSEL. The magnetic recording device further comprises a near field transducer disposed in the magnetic recording head. Each of the plurality of waveguides has a second end coupled to the near field transducer.

Abstract: Embodiments of an optical detection apparatus are disclosed which may include one or more of a waveguide, a trench formed in the waveguide, a reflective surface, and a photodetector. The waveguide may be formed in a semiconductor substrate to propagate an optical signal received at a first end of the waveguide. The trench may also be formed in the waveguide having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming first and second angles with the waveguide's propagation direction. The second sidewall may include a reflective surface formed thereon. The photodetector may be configured to receive an optical signal propagated in the waveguide, through the first sidewall and reflected from the reflective surface on the second sidewall.

Abstract: Embodiments of an optical detection apparatus are disclosed which may include one or more of a waveguide, a trench formed in the waveguide, a reflective surface, and a photodetector. The waveguide may be formed in a semiconductor substrate to propagate an optical signal received at a first end of the waveguide. The trench may also be formed in the waveguide having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming first and second angles with the waveguide's propagation direction. The second sidewall may include a reflective surface formed thereon. The photodetector may be configured to receive an optical signal propagated in the waveguide, through the first sidewall and reflected from the reflective surface on the second sidewall.

Abstract: An optical micro-array reader system includes microchip, VCSEL, microlens and detector arrays. The microchip array includes multiple sample spots to be separately analyzed. The VCSEL array is disposed to simultaneously illuminate more than one of the multiple spots. The microlens array focuses fluorescences or other optical emissions from the sample spots onto the detector array.

Abstract: Embodiments of an optical detection apparatus are disclosed which may include one or more of a waveguide, a trench formed in the waveguide, a reflective surface, and a photodetector. The waveguide may be formed in a semiconductor substrate to propagate an optical signal received at a first end of the waveguide. The trench may also be formed in the waveguide having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming first and second angles with the waveguide's propagation direction. The second sidewall may include a reflective surface formed thereon. The photodetector may be configured to receive an optical signal propagated in the waveguide, through the first sidewall and reflected from the reflective surface on the second sidewall.

Abstract: Embodiments of an optical detection apparatus are disclosed which may include one or more of a waveguide, a trench formed in the waveguide, a reflective surface, and a photodetector. The waveguide may be formed in a semiconductor substrate to propagate an optical signal received at a first end of the waveguide. The trench may also be formed in the waveguide having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming first and second angles with the waveguide's propagation direction. The second sidewall may include a reflective surface formed thereon. The photodetector may be configured to receive an optical signal propagated in the waveguide, through the first sidewall and reflected from the reflective surface on the second sidewall.

Abstract: A polymer well may be formed over a thermal oxide formed over a semiconductor substrate in one embodiment. The well may include a waveguide and a pair of heaters adjacent the waveguide. Each heater may be mounted on a platform of insulating material to reduce heat loss through the substrate and the thermal oxide, in one embodiment.

Abstract: A technique to stabilize the effective refraction index of a laser generating system's wave guide, as well as a technique to stabilize the phase of the wave guide. In at least one embodiment of the invention, a polymer is used within the wave guide to counteract the effects of temperature on the clad material of the wave guide in order to create an overall effective refraction index that is substantially independent of temperature variations. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment of the invention relative segment lengths of the wave guide are chosen to stabilize the phase of the wave guide.