Abstract: A material which electronically isolates a rubidium or cesium atom, which is bonded to only one or two oxygen atoms. This electronic isolation is manifested in narrow photoluminescence emission spectral peaks. The material may be an alkali metal compound comprises the empirical formula: AM(R1)(OR)x; where A is selected from Rb and Cs; M is selected from Al, Ti and V; each R is an independently selected alkyl or aryl group, R1 is selected from alkyl alcohol, aryl alcohol, or a carboxyl group, where OR and R1 are not the same, and x is 2, 3, or 4.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a millimeter or sub-millimeter wave portal system is provided. Generally, the portal system comprises an electrooptic source and one or more millimeter or sub-millimeter wave detectors. The electrooptic source comprises an optical signal generator, optical switching and encoding circuitry, and one or more optical/electrical converters. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: In this invention, processes which can be used to achieve stable doped carbon nanotubes are disclosed. Preferred CNT structures and morphologies for achieving maximum doping effects are also described. Dopant formulations and methods for achieving doping of a broad distribution of tube types are also described.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an antenna assembly comprising an antenna portion and an electrooptic waveguide portion is provided. The antenna portion comprises at least one tapered slot antenna. The waveguide portion comprises at least one electrooptic waveguide. The electrooptic waveguide comprises a waveguide core extending substantially parallel to a slotline of the tapered slot antenna in an active region of the antenna assembly. The electrooptic waveguide at least partially comprises a velocity matching electrooptic polymer in the active region of the antenna assembly. The velocity ?e of a millimeter or sub-millimeter wave signal traveling along the tapered slot antenna in the active region is at least partially a function of the dielectric constant of the velocity matching electrooptic polymer.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a millimeter or sub-millimeter wave portal system is provided. Generally, the portal system comprises an electrooptic source and one or more millimeter or sub-millimeter wave detectors. The electrooptic source comprises an optical signal generator, optical switching and encoding circuitry, and one or more optical/electrical converters. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an antenna assembly comprising an antenna portion and an electrooptic waveguide portion is provided. The antenna portion comprises at least one tapered slot antenna. The waveguide portion comprises at least one electrooptic waveguide. The electrooptic waveguide comprises a waveguide core extending substantially parallel to a slotline of the tapered slot antenna in an active region of the antenna assembly. The electrooptic waveguide at least partially comprises a velocity matching electrooptic polymer in the active region of the antenna assembly. The velocity Ve of a millimeter or sub-millimeter wave signal traveling along the tapered slot antenna in the active region is at least partially a function of the dielectric constant of the velocity matching electrooptic polymer.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a hyperpolarizable organic chromophore. The chromophore is a nonlinear optically active compound that includes a ?-donor conjugated to a ?-acceptor through a ?-electron conjugated bridge. In other aspects of the invention, donor structures and acceptor structures are provided. In another aspect of the invention, a chromophore-containing polymer is provided. In one embodiment, the chromophore is physically incorporated into the polymer to provide a composite. In another embodiment, the chromophore is covalently bonded to the polymer, either as a side chain polymer or through crosslinking into the polymer. In other aspects, the present invention also provides a method for making the chromophore, a method for making the chromophore-containing polymer, and methods for using the chromophore and chromophore-containing polymer.

Abstract: An optical waveguide structure is provided wherein a controller is configured to provide a TE control voltage to a first set of control electrodes in a first electrooptic functional region and a TM control voltage to a second set of control electrodes in a second electrooptic functional region. The TE control voltage and the first electrooptic functional region are configured to alter the TE polarization mode of an optical signal propagating along the waveguide core through the first electrooptic functional region to a substantially greater extent than the TM polarization mode of the optical signal. Further, the TM control voltage and the second electrooptic functional region are configured to alter the TM polarization mode of an optical signal propagating along the waveguide core through the second electrooptic functional region to a substantially greater extent than the TE polarization mode of the optical signal. Additional embodiments and features are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Broadly, then, one aspect of the present invention is a functional optical material composed of a liquid crystal (LC) evidencing a pair of refractive indices (RI's) and a polymer in which the LC is dispersed. The refractive index (RI) of said polymer may be outside of the L C RI's by at least about 0.03. Another aspect of the present invention is a functional optical material composed of a liquid crystal (LC) and a polymer in which the LC is dispersed, wherein said LC is less than about 5% miscible in said polymer. A further aspect of the present invention is a functional optical material composed of a liquid crystal (LC) and a polymer in which the LC is dispersed, wherein the cladding contains not more than about 20 wt-% LC. In all of these embodiments, the functional optical material can be clad to an optical waveguide and can optionally contain a chromophore.

Abstract: The present invention provides both polymer systems and electrooptic (EO) chromophores that form the components of optical devices such as optical switches and other devices useful in an optical waveguide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a series of materials, which exhibit large birefringence under the influence of an applied electric field. These materials are capable of switching this large birefringence with a characteristic time on the order of 1 microsecond or less. In addition, these materials have good optical loss at this wavelength, and are stable under irradiation. These materials are suitable for fabrication of optical devices such a variable optical attenuators, switches, and modulators that respond in these time frames or slower. These materials are also suitable for use across a wide range of wavelengths. As a second component of this invention, some of these novel materials exhibit these desired optical properties (large birefringence, low loss, stability under illumination) at wavelengths as short as about 400 nm. These materials are suitable for fabrication of optical devices operating at or about 405 nm, where conventional EO materials strongly absorb and/or quickly degrade.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an improved waveguide device utilizes an advantageously designed optically functional cladding region and an associated modulation controller to address design challenges in applications requiring modulation, attenuation, control, switching, etc. of optical signals. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic modulator is provided comprising an optical waveguide, a cladding optically coupled to the optical waveguide, an optically functional cladding region defined in at least a portion of the cladding, and a modulation controller configured to provide a modulating control signal to the optically functional cladding region. The modulation controller is configured to generate an electric field in the optically functional region in response to a biased modulating RF control signal.

Abstract: Methods of attenuating, delaying the phase, and otherwise controlling an optical signal propagating along a waveguide are provided. According to one method, a variable optical attenuator structure is provided comprising a waveguide core, a cladding, an electrooptic polymer, and a set of control electrodes. The core, the cladding, and the electrooptic polymer are configured such that an increase in the index of refraction of the polymer causes a substantial portion of an optical signal propagating along the waveguide core to couple into a relatively high index region of the electrooptic polymer above the waveguide core, so as to inhibit return of the coupled signal to the waveguide core. Another embodiment of the present invention introduces a phase delay in the coupled optical signal and permits return of the coupled signal to the waveguide core. An additional embodiment contemplates the use of a ridge waveguide structure to enable control of the optical signal.

Abstract: Methods of attenuating, delaying the phase, and otherwise controlling an optical signal propagating along a waveguide are provided. According to one method, a variable optical attenuator structure is provided comprising a waveguide core, a cladding, an electrooptic polymer, and a set of control electrodes. The core, the cladding, and the electrooptic polymer are configured such that an increase in the index of refraction of the polymer causes a substantial portion of an optical signal propagating along the waveguide core to couple into a relatively high index region of the electrooptic polymer above the waveguide core, so as to inhibit return of the coupled signal to the waveguide core. Another embodiment of the present invention introduces a phase delay in the coupled optical signal and permits return of the coupled signal to the waveguide core. An additional embodiment contemplates the use of a ridge waveguide structure to enable control of the optical signal.

Abstract: Functional optical materials for optical systems that are typically useful in optical waveguides, optical switching systems, optical modulators, optical computing systems and the like. Included are polymer systems and electrooptical chromophores. Polymers are thermoplastic and/or thermosetting polymers and are blended or co-polymerized with the electrooptic chromophore. The thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer selected from an acrylic/methacrylic, polyester, polyurethane, polyimide, polyamide, epoxy resin, or hybrid (organic-inorganic) or nanocomposite polyester polymer. The electrooptic chromophore is selected from a substituted aniline, substituted azobenzene, substituted stilbene, or substituted imine. Methods for improving adhesion promotion for the various novel materials are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a proton conducting hydrocarbon-based polymer membrane, the polymer having a backbone and having acidic groups on side chains attached to the backbone. The invention also relates to a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a proton conducting hydrocarbon-based polymer membrane having a phase separated morphological microstructure. The invention also relates to a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a proton conducting membrane, the membrane comprising a basic material in combination with an acidic material selected from acidic hydrocarbon-based polymers, acidic hydrocarbon-based oligomers, and blends thereof.

Abstract: Functional optical materials for optical systems that are typically useful in optical waveguides, optical switching systems, optical modulators, optical computing systems and the like. Included are polymer systems and electrooptical chromophores. Polymers are thermoplastic and/or thermosetting polymers and are blended or co-polymerized with the electrooptic chromophore. Methods for improving adhesion promotion for the various novel materials are also provided.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an improved waveguide device utilizes an advantageously designed optically functional cladding region and an associated modulation controller to address design challenges in applications requiring modulation, attenuation, control, switching, etc. of optical signals. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic modulator is provided comprising an optical waveguide, a cladding optically coupled to the optical waveguide, an optically functional cladding region defined in at least a portion of the cladding, and a modulation controller configured to provide a modulating control signal to the optically functional cladding region. The modulation controller is configured to generate an electric field in the optically functional region in response to a biased modulating RF control signal.