Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a tiled periodic metal film sensor can be used to measure refractive index changes of a thin layer of liquid to determine changes in the liquid composition. The tiled periodic metal film sensor senses reflected light as a function of wavelength and infers a change in the refractive index of the fluid.

Abstract: Fluorescent dyes or quantum dots may be embedded in a dielectric volume of appropriate dimensions where typically half the surface of the dielectric volume is covered by a metal coating allow for increased absorption and emission efficiencies. Alternatively, fluorescent dyes or quantum dots may be attached to metal coated dielectric shapes using the appropriate chemistries.

Abstract: An object locator system in accordance with the invention includes an activator unit and an object incorporating an embedded signal generator to generate a signal that provides location information of the object. A power switch of the object is settable to a first position where a power source of the object is coupled to an electronic load, and to a second position where the power source is coupled to the embedded signal generator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for white-balancing an image of an object. Light reflected from the object illuminated with light having known spectral characteristics is collected, and the spectral reflectivity characteristics of the object is determined from the collected light. Light reflected from the object illuminated with light having unknown spectral characteristics is collected to form an image of the object, and the formed image is white-balanced in accordance with the determined spectral reflectivity characteristics of the object.

Abstract: During the growth of semiconductor nanowires on a substrate, different respective vapor-liquid-solid reactions that respectively form target segments and sacrificial segments of the semiconductor nanowires at growth locations defined by catalyst particles are supported. The sacrificial segments of the semiconductor nanowires are selectively removed to form semiconductor nanostructures corresponding to the target segments of the semiconductor nanowires.

Abstract: Undoped layers are introduced in the passive waveguide section of a butt-joined passive waveguide connected to an active structure. This reduces the parasitic capacitance of the structure.

Abstract: Multi-channel Fabry-Perot laser transmitters and methods of generating multiple modulated optical signals are described. In one aspect, an optical transmitter includes a Fabry-Perot (FP) laser, an optical isolator, an optical splitter, and multiple electroabsorption modulators (EAMs). The FP laser is operable to generate multimode laser light. The optical isolator is arranged to transmit the multimode laser light. The optical splitter has more than one optical output and an optical input that is arranged to receive the multimode laser light transmitted by the optical isolator. Each of the EAMs is operable to modulate a respective laser light output from a respective optical output of the optical splitter. In another aspect, multimode laser light is generated. The multimode laser light is directionally isolated. The directionally-isolated multimode laser light is divided into more than one divided laser light output.

Abstract: A concentration of particles or a single particle may be detected using a conducting cavity sensor. The conducting cavity sensor includes a two dimensional periodic lattice of conducting rods surrounded by a dielectric medium with a defect in the periodic lattice serving as the sensing volume.

Abstract: Electroabsorption-modulated Fabry-Perot lasers and methods of making the same are described. In one aspect, a light source includes a Fabry-Perot (FP) laser that is operable to generate multimode laser light, an electroabsorption modulator (EAM) that is configured to selectively absorb and transmit laser light traveling therethrough, and an optical isolator. The optical isolator is on an optical path between the FP laser and the EAM. The optical isolator is configured to transmit laser light traveling along the optical path from the FP laser to the EAM.

Abstract: Semiconductor quantum well devices and methods of making the same are described. In one aspect, a device includes a quantum well structure that includes semiconductor layers defining interleaved heavy-hole and light-hole valance band quantum wells. Each of the quantum wells includes a quantum well layer interposed between barrier layers. One of the semiconductor layers that functions as a barrier layer of one of the light-hole quantum wells also functions as the quantum well layer of one of the heavy-hole quantum wells. Another of the semiconductor layers that functions as a barrier layer of one of the heavy-hole quantum wells also functions as the quantum well layer of one of the light-hole quantum wells.

Abstract: Electro-absorption modulators and methods of making the same are described. In one aspect, an electroabsorption modulator includes first and second electrodes, first and second cladding regions, an active region, and a tunnel junction structure. The first and second cladding regions are between the first and second electrodes. The active region is between the first and second cladding regions and includes a light absorption region. The tunnel junction structure is between the active region and one of the first and second cladding regions.