Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Baehr-Jones

Thomas W. Baehr-Jones 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).

  • Patent number: 11937030
    Abstract: An optical link system for computation, preferably including a photonics substrate and a plurality of electronics modules, such as processors, memory controllers, and/or switches, which are preferably bonded to the photonics substrate. A photonics substrate, preferably including a plurality of optical links including waveguides and optical transducers. A method for optical link system operation, preferably including operating electronics modules and using optical links, optionally in cooperation with electronics modules such as switches, to transfer information between the electronics modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Luminous Computing, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Gallagher, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones, Michael Gao, Mitchell A. Nahmias
  • Publication number: 20240077781
    Abstract: Conventional high performance computer connections are electron-based systems, which require the memory packages to be as close as mechanically possible to the computation engine. Low power and high bandwidth communication, e.g. photonic, links can drastically change the architecture of high-performance computers by eliminating the bottlenecks in communication and augment existing memory systems to allow them to be both high capacity and high bandwidth simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Mitchell A NAHMIAS, Michael J. HOCHBERG, Thomas W. BAEHR-JONES, Ari NOVACK, David Cureton BAKER, Matthew CHANG, Lei WANG, Matthew STRESHINSKY, Wuchun WU, Hamidreza NAHAVANDI, Brian West
  • Publication number: 20230204858
    Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) system, preferably including a substrate, one or more photonic connections, and a plurality of circuit blocks. The circuit blocks preferably include one or more waveguides that are optically coupled to the photonic connections, such as by transition features. A method of PIC fabrication, preferably including defining a PIC structure and defining circuit blocks. The circuit blocks are preferably defined onto one or more template regions defined by the PIC structure. Photonic connections are preferably defined as part of the PIC structure. Transition features, such as transitions between the photonic connections and the circuit blocks, are preferably defined concurrently with defining the circuit blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Lei Wang, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones, Mitchell A. Nahmias
  • Publication number: 20230121555
    Abstract: Mixing between I and Q components in coherent homodyne optical signals can occur due to phase shifts, e.g. relative to the local oscillator, relative to the other signal components. In some examples, the phase shifts can arise due to thermal expansion of the optical waveguides and/or can include polarization mixing. A descrambler functions to correct for mixing between multiple signal components. The descrambler may be configured to at least partially correct for a phase difference between a first plurality of modulated optical data signals and a first local oscillator reference signal; and a controller may be configured for determining a first correction parameter for at least partially correcting for the phase difference, and for transmitting the first correction parameter to the descrambler. The controller may be configured for determining the first correction parameter from a first pilot signal transmitted with the first plurality of modulated optical data signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas W. BAEHR-JONES, Hari SHANKAR, Florian BOHN
  • Patent number: 11609375
    Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) system, preferably including a substrate, one or more photonic connections, and a plurality of circuit blocks. The circuit blocks preferably include one or more waveguides that are optically coupled to the photonic connections, such as by transition features. A method of PIC fabrication, preferably including defining a PIC structure and defining circuit blocks. The circuit blocks are preferably defined onto one or more template regions defined by the PIC structure. Photonic connections are preferably defined as part of the PIC structure. Transition features, such as transitions between the photonic connections and the circuit blocks, are preferably defined concurrently with defining the circuit blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Luminous Computing, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Wang, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones, Mitchell A. Nahmias
  • Publication number: 20230016616
    Abstract: An optical link system for computation, preferably including a photonics substrate and a plurality of electronics modules, such as processors, memory controllers, and/or switches, which are preferably bonded to the photonics substrate. A photonics substrate, preferably including a plurality of optical links including waveguides and optical transducers. A method for optical link system operation, preferably including operating electronics modules and using optical links, optionally in cooperation with electronics modules such as switches, to transfer information between the electronics modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick Gallagher, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones, Michael Gao, Mitchell A. Nahmias
  • Patent number: 11490177
    Abstract: An optical link system for computation, preferably including a photonics substrate and a plurality of electronics modules, such as processors, memory controllers, and/or switches, which are preferably bonded to the photonics substrate. A photonics substrate, preferably including a plurality of optical links including waveguides and optical transducers. A method for optical link system operation, preferably including operating electronics modules and using optical links, optionally in cooperation with electronics modules such as switches, to transfer information between the electronics modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Luminous Computing, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Gallagher, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones, Michael Gao, Mitchell A. Nahmias
  • Publication number: 20220269002
    Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) system, preferably including a substrate, one or more photonic connections, and a plurality of circuit blocks. The circuit blocks preferably include one or more waveguides that are optically coupled to the photonic connections, such as by transition features. A method of PIC fabrication, preferably including defining a PIC structure and defining circuit blocks. The circuit blocks are preferably defined onto one or more template regions defined by the PIC structure. Photonic connections are preferably defined as part of the PIC structure. Transition features, such as transitions between the photonic connections and the circuit blocks, are preferably defined concurrently with defining the circuit blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Lei Wang, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones, Mitchell A. Nahmias
  • Patent number: 8410420
    Abstract: An optoelectronic structure includes a waveguide region, a detector region that is weakly evanescently coupled to the waveguide region, and a dielectric layer interposed between the waveguide region and the detector region and configured to provide the weak evanescent coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Michael Hochberg, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 8380016
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing electrooptic modulation. The apparatus includes electrical contacts, a waveguide coupled between the electrical contacts, and a nonlinear optical material positioned in the slot region. The waveguide includes a first arm and a second arm that are each arranged to define a slot region for confining an optical mode. The slot region has a height, t1, and each of the first arm and the second arm include a strip load region having a height that is less than the height, t1, of the slot region. Each of the first arm and the second arm is configured to provide an electrical signal to the slot region via at least one of the electrical contacts. In one embodiment, the nonlinear optical material includes a ?2-based material. In another embodiment, each of the first arm and the second arm have an ā€œLā€-type shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Michael Hochberg, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 8340486
    Abstract: A method for controlling the nonlinear moments of a nonlinear optical material of an electrooptical device is disclosed. The method includes controlling an optical mode region of the electrooptical device by providing a time varying signal to the electrooptical device via one or more electrodes of the device and affecting the nonlinear moments of the nonlinear optical material of the electrooptical device by providing a time independent bias to the device. In one embodiment, the nonlinear optical material includes a ?3 material. In another embodiment, the method includes employing the time independent bias to bias the ?3 material such that the ?3 material behaves in a manner analogous to a ?2 material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Michael Hochberg, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 8270778
    Abstract: A single-photon absorption all-optical signal-processing device, systems employing the same, and methods of making and using the same. Illustrative examples are provided based on silicon semiconductor technology that employs rectangular waveguides fabricated on SOI wafers. In some embodiments, it is observed that the waveguides have surface state density, ?, of not less than 1.5Ɨ1018 cm?1s?1mW?1 to provide a single-photon absorption operation mode. In some embodiments, some portion of the ridge waveguide structure has a surface to volume ratio of at least 18 ?m?1, computed using a unit length of 1 ?m of the waveguide, with the width and depth dimensions of the waveguide being measured in units of microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones
  • Publication number: 20110164843
    Abstract: A single-photon absorption all-optical signal-processing device, systems employing the same, and methods of making and using the same. Illustrative examples are provided based on silicon semiconductor technology that employs rectangular waveguides fabricated on SOI wafers. In some embodiments, it is observed that the waveguides have surface state density, ?, of not less than 1.5Ɨ1018 cm?1s?1mW?1 to provide a single-photon absorption operation mode. In some embodiments, some portion of the ridge waveguide structure has a surface to volume ratio of at least 18 ?m?1, computed using a unit length of 1 ?m of the waveguide, with the width and depth dimensions of the waveguide being measured in units of microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
    Inventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 7961988
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a rapidly tunable wavelength selective ring resonator. An embodiment of a voltage-tunable wavelength selective ring resonator includes a ring-shaped waveguide formed on a semiconductor substrate, an electro-optic cladding layer formed over the ring-shaped waveguide, and voltage applying means for applying a voltage across the electro-optic cladding layer. The ring-shaped waveguide is configured to propagate optical signals having predetermined resonant wavelengths, the electro-optic cladding layer has a voltage-controlled variable refractive index, and the means for applying is configured to apply a wavelength-specific control voltage to the electro-optic cladding layer. The wavelength-specific control voltage will shift or tune the predetermined resonant wavelengths for the ring-shaped waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William P. Krug, Jocelyn Y. Takayesu, Michael Hochberg, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones, Eric Y. Chan, Larry Dalton, Axel Scherer
  • Publication number: 20110069969
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manipulating light with high index contrast waveguides clad with substances having that exhibit large nonlinear electro-optic constants such as ?3. Waveguides fabricated on SOI wafers and clad with electro-optic polymers are described. Embodiments of waveguides having slots and input waveguide couplers are discussed. Waveguides having closed loop structures (such as rings and ovals) as well as linear or serpentine waveguides, are described. All-optical signal processing systems and methods for implementing devices such as variable delay lines, optical logic gates (for example an AND gate), optical multiplexers, optical self-oscillators, and optical clock generators are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: University of Washington Through its Center for Co mmercialization
    Inventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones
  • Publication number: 20090067773
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a rapidly tunable wavelength selective ring resonator. An embodiment of a voltage-tunable wavelength selective ring resonator includes a ring-shaped waveguide formed on a semiconductor substrate, an electro-optic cladding layer formed over the ring-shaped waveguide, and voltage applying means for applying a voltage across the electro-optic cladding layer. The ring-shaped waveguide is configured to propagate optical signals having predetermined resonant wavelengths, the electro-optic cladding layer has a voltage-controlled variable refractive index, and the means for applying is configured to apply a wavelength-specific control voltage to the electro-optic cladding layer. The wavelength-specific control voltage will shift or tune the predetermined resonant wavelengths for the ring-shaped waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: William P. Krug, Jocelyn Y. Takayesu, Michael Hochberg, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones, Eric Y. Chan, Larry Dalton, Axel Scherer