Patents by Inventor Scott E. Spence
Scott E. Spence has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11886092Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is provided to receive a coherent input photon in an initial pointer state for producing a continuously variable “faux qubit” in a magic state. The MZI apparatus includes first and second ports, first and second beam-splitters, first and second mirrors, and a modular interaction operator. The emitter produces an input coherent photon in an initial pointer state along an emission direction. The first and second ports are respectively disposed parallel and perpendicular to the emission direction. The first and second beam-splitters are disposed respectively collinearly with the emission direction and between the first and second ports parallel to and offset from the emission direction. The first and second mirrors are disposed respectively offset from and collinearly with the emission direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Scott E. Spence, Allen D. Parks
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Publication number: 20220066279Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is provided to receive a coherent input photon in an initial pointer state along an emission direction for producing a continuous variable “faux qubit” in a magic state. The MZI apparatus includes first and second ports, first and second beam-splitters, first and second mirrors, and a modular interaction operator. The emitter produces an input coherent photon in an initial pointer state along an emission direction. The first and second ports are respectively disposed parallel and perpendicular to the emission direction. The first port has a detector. The first beam-splitter is disposed collinearly with the emission direction. The second beam-splitter is disposed between the first and second ports in parallel to and offset from the emission direction. The input photon reflects from the mirrors. Each beam-splitter either passes through or else reflects the input photon.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Scott E. Spence, Allen D. Parks
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Patent number: 9939249Abstract: A birefringent Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is provided for optically sensing a small fluctuation from an un-polarized light beam. The birefringent MZI includes first and second birefringent crystals arranged coaxially, the first crystal to receive the beam; and first and second 45° polarizers positioned behind respective the first and second crystals. The first crystal divides the beam into first ordinary and extraordinary rays. The first polarizer converts the first rays into first 45° rays. The second crystal divides the first 45° rays into second ordinary, extraordinary and recombination rays. The second polarizer converts the second rays into second 45° rays.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Scott E. Spence
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Patent number: 9116122Abstract: An optical biosensor is provided for detecting a bio-molecular sample by Goos-Hänchen (GH) enhancement of Aharonov-Albert-Vaidman (AAV) amplification to a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detector. The sensor includes pre- and post-selection polarizers respectively upstream and downstream of a right-isosceles prism with a metal film and a liquid medium disposed on a diagonal side of the prism. Laser light passes through the first polarizer, reflects at the film, passes through the second polarizer and is detected with a shift determined by a pointer estimator to indicate the sample.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Allen D. Parks, Scott E. Spence, Rose M. Hayden
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Patent number: 8970844Abstract: A signal amplifier is provided via a triple Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) apparatus for determining intensity distribution at either a first port or a second port by a photon from a source. The first and second ports correspond to respective first and second directions. The MZI apparatus includes four beam-splitters disposed co-linearly in parallel between the source and the ports, six parallel mirrors, and first and second path projectors. Three of these mirrors are displaced along the first direction from the beam-splitters, while the remaining mirrors are displaced along the second direction. The path projectors conduct weak measurement of a photon occupation number and are disposed between the second beam-splitter and an adjacent downstream mirror. The output port is disposed beyond the fourth beam-splitter in the first direction. The intensity distribution at the output port is positive in response to one of the first measurement being positive and the second measurement being negative.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Allen D. Parks, Scott E. Spence
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Publication number: 20140333930Abstract: An optical biosensor is provided for detecting a bio-molecular sample by Goos-Hänchen (GH) enhancement of Aharonov-Albert-Vaidman (AAV) amplification to a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detector. The sensor includes pre- and post-selection polarizers respectively upstream and downstream of a right-isosceles prism with a metal film and a liquid medium disposed on a diagonal side of the prism. Laser light passes through the first polarizer, reflects at the film, passes through the second polarizer and is detected with a shift determined by a pointer estimator to indicate the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Allen D. Parks, Scott E. Spence, Rose M. Hayden
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Patent number: 8674688Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining a target wavelength ? of a target photon beam. The apparatus includes a photon emitter, a pre-selection polarizer, a prism composed of a Faraday medium, a post-selection polarizer, a detector and an analyzer. The photon emitter projects a monochromatic light beam at the target wavelength ? substantially parallel to a magnetic field having strength B. The target wavelength is offset from established wavelength ?? as ?=??+?? by wavelength difference of ??<<?. The Faraday prism has Verdet value V. After passing through the pre-selection polarizer, the light beam passes through the prism and is incident to an interface surface at incidence angle ?0 to the normal of the surface and exits into a secondary medium as first and second circularly polarized light beams separated by target separation angle ? and having average refraction angle ?. The secondary medium has an index of refraction of n0.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Allen D. Parks, Scott E. Spence
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Patent number: 8619261Abstract: A quantum dynamical non-locality device is provided for establishing a photon traveling along a path in a binary state. The device includes twin Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI), a shutter and a detector. The twin MZI includes first and second right-isosceles triangle prisms, corresponding first and second trombone mirrors, and corresponding first and second spacers. The prisms join at a beam-splitter interface. The mirrors reflect the photon by an offset substantially perpendicular to photon's travel direction. The spacers are respectively disposed between their respective prisms and mirrors to produce corresponding spatial gaps. The path through the prisms includes traversing spacers and gaps. The detector detects a quantum state of the photon after passing the prisms and the mirrors. The shutter switches to one of disposed within and removed therefrom the first gap. The shutter shifts said quantum state of the photon.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Allen D. Parks, Scott E. Spence
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Patent number: 8520214Abstract: An optical gyroscope is provided for measuring a small angular difference. The gyroscope includes a laser, a pre-selection polarizer, a first beam splitter, a coil of optical fiber, a second beam splitter, a post-selection polarizer, a spectrometer and an analyzer. The laser emits a pulse beam of coherent photons. The beam has pulse duration ?. The pre-selection polarizer pre-selects the photons, and the first beam splitter separates the photons by their horizontal |+ and vertical |? polarization eigenstates. These beams are launched into a fiber optical coil of radius r, which preserves polarization. The coil rotates by a difference rotation angle ??. The second beam splitter recombines the polarized photon beams as they exit the coil. The post-selection polarizer post-selects the photons. The spectrometer captures the post-selected photons and measures the associated frequency translation ??.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Allen D. Parks, Scott E. Spence
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Patent number: 8514478Abstract: A two-photon absorption (TPA) switch is provided for minimizing which-path information in quantum optic interference. The TPA switch includes a pulse laser, first and second dichroic mirrors, a down-conversion crystal, a reflector, and a beam-splitter. The pulse laser emits a pump photon traveling along a photon-incident direction. The dichroic mirrors are disposed along the incident direction and oriented to enable photons to either pass there-through or perpendicularly reflect perpendicular to the incident direction. The down-conversion crystal is disposed between the dichroic mirrors along the incident direction and is non-critically phase-matched with signal and idler photons controlled by temperance of the crystal. The beam-splitter is disposed along one of the reflection directions to probabilistically reflect one of the signal and idler photons to pass through the crystal.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Scott E. Spence
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Patent number: 8411278Abstract: An accelerometer instrument is provided for measuring acceleration. The instrument includes a laser, a Mach-Zender interferometer (MZI), a mechanical spring, a detector, a camera, and an analyzer. The laser emits a coherent light beam of photons. The MZI includes first and second beam-splitters along with first and second mirrors. The first mirror has an established mass m and connects to the spring for vibrating substantially perpendicular to its reflection plane. The mechanical spring has an established spring constant k. The MZI has an established weak measurement Nw based on a known offset ? for the beam-splitters. The detector detects the beam beyond the second beam-splitter. The camera provides a pointer measurement shift ?q of the photons. The camera is disposed after the detector. The analyzer determines the acceleration ? based on a = ( k mN w ) ? ? ? ? q .Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Allen D. Parks, Scott E. Spence
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Publication number: 20130050707Abstract: A quantum dynamical non-locality device is provided for establishing a photon traveling along a path in a binary state. The device includes twin Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI), a shutter and a detector. The twin MZI includes first and second right-isosceles triangle prisms, corresponding first and second trombone mirrors, and corresponding first and second spacers. The prisms join at a beam-splitter interface. The mirrors reflect the photon by an offset substantially perpendicular to photon's travel direction. The spacers are respectively disposed between their respective prisms and mirrors to produce corresponding spatial gaps. The path through the prisms includes traversing spacers and gaps. The detector detects a quantum state of the photon after passing the prisms and the mirrors. The shutter switches to one of disposed within and removed therefrom the first gap. The shutter shifts said quantum state of the photon.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: United States Government, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Allen D. Parks, Scott E. Spence
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Publication number: 20130027710Abstract: An accelerometer instrument is provided for measuring acceleration. The instrument includes a laser, a Mach-Zender interferometer (MZI), a mechanical spring, a detector, a camera, and an analyzer. The laser emits a coherent light beam of photons. The MZI includes first and second beam-splitters along with first and second mirrors. The first mirror has an established mass m and connects to the spring for vibrating substantially perpendicular to its reflection plane. The mechanical spring has an established spring constant k. The MZI has an established weak measurement Nw based on a known offset ? for the beam-splitters. The detector detects the beam beyond the second beam-splitter. The camera provides a pointer measurement shift ?q of the photons. The camera is disposed after the detector. The analyzer determines the acceleration a based on a = ( k mN w ) ? ? q .Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: United States Government, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Allen D. Parks, Scott E. Spence
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Publication number: 20130016342Abstract: An optical gyroscope is provided for measuring a small angular difference. The gyroscope includes a laser, a pre-selection polarizer, a first beam splitter, a coil of optical fiber, a second beam splitter, a post-selection polarizer, a spectrometer and an analyzer. The laser emits a pulse beam of coherent photons. The beam has pulse duration ?. The pre-selection polarizer pre-selects the photons, and the first beam splitter separates the photons by their horizontal |? and vertical |? polarization eigenstates. These beams are launched into a fiber optical coil of radius r, which preserves polarization. The coil rotates by a difference rotation angle ??. The second beam splitter recombines the polarized photon beams as they exit the coil. The post-selection polarizer post-selects the photons. The spectrometer captures the post-selected photons and measures the associated frequency translation ??.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: United States Government, as repressented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Allen D. Parks, Scott E. Spence
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Publication number: 20120314215Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining a target wavelength ? of a target photon beam. The apparatus includes a photon emitter, a pre-selection polarizer, a prism composed of a Faraday medium, a post-selection polarizer, a detector and an analyzer. The photon emitter projects a monochromatic light beam at the target wavelength ? substantially parallel to a magnetic field having strength B. The target wavelength is offset from established wavelength ?? as ?=??+?? by wavelength difference of ??<<?. The Faraday prism has Verdet value V. After passing through the pre-selection polarizer, the light beam passes through the prism and is incident to an interface surface at incidence angle ?0 to the normal of the surface and exits into a secondary medium as first and second circularly polarized light beams separated by target separation angle ? and having average refraction angle ?. The secondary medium has an index of refraction of n0.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: United States Government, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Allen D. Parks, Scott E. Spence
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Patent number: 8149494Abstract: A monolithic Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) is provided for photon beam-splitting and beam-combining with accurate super-positioning of the outgoing beams, which creates the interference. The MZI includes a complimentary pair of right-isosceles triangular prisms, and several reflector units. The triangular prisms are configurable to physically join together along associated hypotenuse surfaces that form a beam-splitter interface, thereby producing a rectangular prism having a square cross-section with four outer side surfaces. Each reflector unit forms a right-isosceles mirror that rigidly faces a corresponding surface of the four outer side surfaces of the rectangular prism. The MZI further includes a spacer disposed between the corresponding surface and the each reflector unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Scott E. Spence
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Patent number: 7006635Abstract: A method for synchronizing a master clock to a slave clock located in master and slave devices communicating with one another via a laser signal beam and a communications channel, each of the devices including a homodyne detector for determining a respective correlation pattern with respect to a phase tuned local oscillator includes steps for recording master and slave correlation patterns while the signal beam cycles between first and second operating modes, transmitting the master correlation pattern and associated first and second times at which the signal beam shifted between the first and second operating modes and between the second and first operating modes over the communications channel, comparing a portion of the master correlation pattern between the first and second times to the slave correlation pattern to thereby determine the time offset between the master and slave correlation patterns, and applying the time offset to the slave clock.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Allen D. Parks, Gregory A. Balchin, Scott E. Spence
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Patent number: 6854004Abstract: Using irregular optical interconnections to compensate for non-uniformities in analog optical processors, such as matrix-vector (M-V) optical processors, is disclosed. An M-V processor of one embodiments includes two optical devices, such as spatial light modulators (SLM's). One of the devices represents a matrix, and the other device represents a vector. Each device has non-uniformities. The non-uniformities of the devices are at least substantially matched to one another, where the optical interconnections between the devices are irregular. Light traveling through the devices represents the product of the matrix and the vector. An analog-to-digital (A/D) processor, or converter, can be used to subtract any errors in the product even after substantially matching the non-uniformities, by non-digital electrical or photonic processing.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2001Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Scott E. Spence
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Publication number: 20030120696Abstract: Using irregular optical interconnections to compensate for non-uniformities in analog optical processors, such as matrix-vector (M-V) optical processors, is disclosed. An M-V processor of one embodiments includes two optical devices, such as spatial light modulators (SLM's). One of the devices represents a matrix, and the other device represents a vector. Each device has non-uniformities. The non-uniformities of the devices are at least substantially matched to one another, where the optical interconnections between the devices are irregular. Light traveling through the devices represents the product of the matrix and the vector. An analog-to-digital (A/D) processor, or converter, can be used to subtract any errors in the product even after substantially matching the non-uniformities, by non-digital electrical or photonic processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2001Publication date: June 26, 2003Applicant: Government of the United States of AmericaInventor: Scott E. Spence
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Publication number: 20020041687Abstract: A method for synchronizing a master clock to a slave clock located in master and slave devices communicating with one another via a laser signal beam and a communications channel, each of the devices including a homodyne detector for determining a respective correlation pattern with respect to a phase tuned local oscillator includes steps for recording master and slave correlation patterns while the signal beam cycles between first and second operating modes, transmitting the master correlation pattern and associated first and second times at which the signal beam shifted between the first and second operating modes and between the second and first operating modes over the communications channel, comparing a portion of the master correlation pattern between the first and second times to the slave correlation pattern to thereby determine the time offset between the master and slave correlation patterns, and applying the time offset to the slave clock.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventors: Allen D. Parks, Gregory A. Balchin, Scott E. Spence