Abstract: An electrically actuated device comprises an active region disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode, a substantially nonrandom distribution of dopant initiators at an interface between the active region and the first electrode, and a substantially nonrandom distribution of dopants in a portion of the active region adjacent to the interface.

Abstract: A method of forming a non-polarizing pellicle beamsplitter having a desired power-tap ratio. The method includes the operation of forming a base layer having a base refractive index on a substrate and arranging a plurality of alternating layers having relatively high and low indexes of refraction respectively over the base layer. The thickness of each of the high index and low index layers is selected to substantially eliminate polarization of the optical beam. The method further includes the operation of removing a selected area of the substrate to create an optical pathway comprised of both the base layer and the plurality of alternating layers, and where the optical pathway is configured to transmit and reflect a selected amount of light in the optical beam.

Abstract: An optical heterodyne device includes an optical meta-material exhibiting non-linear behavior. The optical meta-material mixes an input signal and a local signal to produce a heterodyne signal.

Abstract: A solid core, multi-channel optical coupler comprising an elongate mixer body having an input end, an output end and sidewalls forming a length of the mixer body, where the input end is configured for coupling to a plurality of input channels providing an optical signal for transmission through the mixer body, and a plurality of output tapers coupled to the output end. Each of the output tapers has a reception area adjacent the output end of the mixer body for receiving a portion of the optical signal transmitted through the mixer body. Furthermore, the reception area of each output taper is variable to vary the intensity of the optical signal received by the output taper.

Abstract: An electrically actuated device comprises an active region disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode, a fixed dopant distributed within the active region, and at least one type of mobile dopant situated near an interface between the active region and the second electrode.

Abstract: A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) apparatus, system and method employ a plurality of nanorods configured to vibrate. The apparatus includes the nanorods having tips at free ends opposite an end attached to a substrate. The tips are configured to adsorb an analyte and to vibrate at a vibration frequency. The apparatus further includes a vibration source configured to vibrate the free ends of the nanorods at the vibration frequency in a back-and-forth motion. Vibration of the nanorods is configured to facilitate detection of a Raman scattering signal emitted by the analyte adsorbed on the nanorod tips. The system further includes a synchronous detector configured to receive the Raman signal and to be gated cooperatively with the vibration of the nanorods. The method includes inducing a vibration of the nanorods, illuminating the vibrating tips to produce a Raman signal, and detecting the Raman signal using the detector.

Abstract: A vibrating tip surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) apparatus, system and method employ a nano-needle configured to vibrate. The apparatus includes the nano-needle with a substantially sharp tip at a free end opposite an end attached to a substrate. The tip is configured to adsorb an analyte. The apparatus further includes a vibration source configured to provide an alternating current (AC) electric field that induces a vibration of the free end and the tip of the nano-needle. Vibration of the nano-needle under the influence of the AC electric field facilitates detection of a Raman scattering signal from the analyte adsorbed on the nano-needle tip. The system further includes a synchronous detector configured to be gated cooperatively with the vibration of the nano-needle. The method includes inducing the vibration, illuminating the vibrating tip to produce a Raman signal, and detecting the Raman signal using the detector.

Abstract: A light amplifying structure 100 for Raman spectroscopy includes a a resonant cavity 108. A distance between a first portion 102B and a second portion 102A of the structure 100 forming the resonant cavity 108 is used to amplify excitation light emitted from a light source 420 into the resonant cavity 108 at a first resonant frequency of the resonant cavity 108. Also, the resonant cavity 108 amplifies radiated light radiated from a predetermined molecule excited by the excitation light in the resonant cavity at a second resonant frequency of the resonant cavity 108.

Abstract: A nanorod surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) apparatus, system and method of SERS using nanorods that are activated with a key. The nanorod SERS apparatus includes a plurality of nanorods, an activator to move the nanorods from an inactive to an active configuration and the key to trigger the activator. The nanorod SERS system further includes a Raman signal detector and an illumination source. The method of SERS using nanorods includes activating a plurality of nanorods with the key, illuminating the activated plurality of nanorods, and detecting a Raman scattering signal when the nanorods are in the active configuration.

Abstract: An optical heterodyne device includes an optical meta-material exhibiting non-linear behavior. The optical meta-material mixes an input signal and a local signal to produce a heterodyne signal.

Abstract: A laser vibration sensor, system and method of vibration sensing employ a nanostructured resonance interactor. The sensor includes a resonator cavity of a laser and the nanostructured resonance interactor. The resonator cavity has a resonance deterministic of a characteristic of an output signal of the laser. The nanostructured resonance interactor modulates the resonance of the resonator cavity in response to a vibration. A change in the output signal characteristic induced by a resonance modulation is representative of the vibration. The system further includes an output signal detector. The method includes modulating a resonance characteristic of the resonator cavity using a nanostructure that responds to the vibration being sensed.

Abstract: A circuit switched optical device includes a first array of intersecting hollow waveguides formed in a first plane of a substrate. A second array of intersecting hollow waveguides is formed in a second plane of the substrate, and the second plane is positioned parallel to the first plane. An optical element within the first array selectively redirects an optical signal from the first array to the second array.

Abstract: A switchable junction (600) having intrinsic diodes with different switching thresholds is disclosed. The switchable junction comprises a first electrode (610) formed of a first conductive material and a second electrode (630) formed of a second conductive material. The junction (600) further includes a memristive matrix (615) configured to form a first and a second electrical interface with the first and second electrodes to form a first rectifying diode interface (626) with a first switching threshold and a second rectifying diode interface (628) with a second switching threshold.

Abstract: An electrically actuated device (10) comprises an active region (30) disposed between a first electrode (12) and a second electrode (14); a substantially nonrandom distribution of dopant initiators at an interface between the active region and the first electrode; and a substantially nonrandom distribution of dopants in a portion of the active region adjacent to the interface.

Abstract: An electrically actuated device comprises an active region (16) disposed between a first electrode (12) and a second electrode (14), a fixed dopant (24) distributed within the active region, and at least one type of mobile dopant situated near an interface between the active region and the second electrode.

Abstract: A vibrating tip surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) apparatus, system and method employ a nano-needle configured to vibrate. The apparatus includes the nano-needle with a substantially sharp tip at a free end opposite an end attached to a substrate. The tip is configured to adsorb an analyte. The apparatus further includes a vibration source configured to provide an alternating current (AC) electric field that induces a vibration of the free end and the tip of the nano-needle. Vibration of the nano-needle under the influence of the AC electric field facilitates detection of a Raman scattering signal from the analyte adsorbed on the nano-needle tip. The system further includes a synchronous detector configured to be gated cooperatively with the vibration of the nano-needle. The method includes inducing the vibration, illuminating the vibrating tip to produce a Raman signal, and detecting the Raman signal using the detector.

Abstract: A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) apparatus, system and method employ a plurality of nanorods configured to vibrate. The apparatus includes the nanorods having tips at free ends opposite an end attached to a substrate. The tips are configured to adsorb an analyte and to vibrate at a vibration frequency. The apparatus further includes a vibration source configured to vibrate the free ends of the nanorods at the vibration frequency in a back-and-forth motion. Vibration of the nanorods is configured to facilitate detection of a Raman scattering signal emitted by the analyte adsorbed on the nanorod tips. The system further includes a synchronous detector configured to receive the Raman signal and to be gated cooperatively with the vibration of the nanorods. The method includes inducing a vibration of the nanorods, illuminating the vibrating tips to produce a Raman signal, and detecting the Raman signal using the detector.

Abstract: A laser diode is provided comprising a multiple quantum well structure, a current concentrating layer having an oxide-confined aperture, a grating layer having an index of refraction, and a transparent electrode, wherein the transparent electrode has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the grating layer.

Abstract: A photonic guiding device and methods of making and using are disclosed. The photonic guiding device comprises a large core hollow waveguide configured to interconnect electronic circuitry on a circuit board. A reflective coating covers an interior of the hollow waveguide to provide a high reflectivity to enable light to be reflected from a surface of the reflective coating. A collimator is configured to collimate multi-mode coherent light directed into the hollow waveguide.

Abstract: A pressure sensor grid can comprise a plurality of bottom wires, arranged substantially parallel to each other and overlaid by a plurality of top wires arranged substantially perpendicular to the bottom wires. Each intersection of the top and bottom wires includes a pressure sensor. The sensor comprises a switching junction situated between the bottom wire and the top wire and a conducting channel extending through the switching junction from the bottom wire to the top wire. Pressure applied to the top wire causes an increase in conductance between the bottom wire and the top wire.