Patents by Inventor Tom Baehr-Jones

Tom 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).

  • Publication number: 20170131470
    Abstract: A compact, low-loss and wavelength insensitive Y-junction for submicron silicon waveguides. The design was performed using FDTD and particle swarm optimization (PSO). The device was fabricated in a 248 nm CMOS line. Measured average insertion loss is 0.28±0.02 dB across an 8-inch wafer. The device footprint is less than 1.2 ?m×2 ?m, orders of magnitude smaller than MMI and directional couplers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Yi Zhang, Shuyu Yang, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 9217829
    Abstract: A compact, low-loss and wavelength insensitive Y-junction for submicron silicon waveguides. The design was performed using FDTD and particle swarm optimization (PSO). The device was fabricated in a 248 nm CMOS line. Measured average insertion loss is 0.28±0.02 dB across an 8-inch wafer. The device footprint is less than 1.2 ?m×2 ?m, orders of magnitude smaller than MMI and directional couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Coriant Advanced Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Yi Zhang, Shuyu Yang, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 9158138
    Abstract: A novel phase shifter design for carrier depletion based silicon modulators, based on an experimentally validated model, is described. It is believed that the heretofore neglected effect of incomplete ionization will have a significant impact on ultra-responsive phase shifters. A low V?L product of 0.3 V·cm associated with a low propagation loss of 20 dB/cm is expected to be observed. The phase shifter is based on overlapping implantation steps, where the doses and energies are carefully chosen to utilize counter-doping to produce an S-shaped junction. This junction has a particularly attractive V?L figure of merit, while simultaneously achieving attractively low capacitance and optical loss. This improvement will enable significantly smaller Mach-Zehnder modulators to be constructed that nonetheless would have low drive voltages, with substantial decreases in insertion loss. The described fabrication process is of minimal complexity; in particular, no high-resolution lithographic step is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Coriant Advanced Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 8909003
    Abstract: An optical low drive voltage modulator electric field sensor device includes an electric field antenna. A low drive voltage modulator has an electrical voltage input electrically coupled to the electric field antenna, a light input, and a modulated light output. The optical low drive voltage modulator electric field sensor is configured to provide an optical output signal at the modulated light output having an optical parameter responsive to an electric field at the electric field antenna. The optical low drive voltage modulator electric field sensor device can also be configured to provide an RF output signal at a location physically remote from said antenna, where the RF output signal is responsive to an electromagnetic wave received at a remote antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: University of Washington Through Its Center For Commercialization
    Inventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Publication number: 20140341497
    Abstract: A novel phase shifter design for carrier depletion based silicon modulators, based on an experimentally validated model, is described. It is believed that the heretofore neglected effect of incomplete ionization will have a significant impact on ultra-responsive phase shifters. A low V?L product of 0.3 V·cm associated with a low propagation loss of 20 dB/cm is expected to be observed. The phase shifter is based on overlapping implantation steps, where the doses and energies are carefully chosen to utilize counter-doping to produce an S-shaped junction. This junction has a particularly attractive V?L figure of merit, while simultaneously achieving attractively low capacitance and optical loss. This improvement will enable significantly smaller Mach-Zehnder modulators to be constructed that nonetheless would have low drive voltages, with substantial decreases in insertion loss. The described fabrication process is of minimal complexity; in particular, no high-resolution lithographic step is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 8818141
    Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder interferometer useful for analog or digital optical signal manipulation. In one example, the MZI is configured as an optical device that provides a balanced output. In another example, the MZI is configured as an optical device that provides a single ended output. Each device uses a silicon split or slotted wave guide having an electro-optically active material present within the slot. The balanced output device uses two slotted wave guides in push-pull configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Tom Baehr-Jones, Jeremy Witzens
  • Patent number: 8798406
    Abstract: All-optical processing devices that include patterned optically active polymers. The devices that are constructed according to principles of the invention include at least one optical input port and at least one optical output port, respectively configured to accept optical input signals and provide optical output signals. The devices include optically active material such as organic polymers that interact with illumination at a first wavelength to change at least one optical property in a non-linear manner. The optically active polymer can be placed adjacent one or more waveguides that allow the input illumination to propagate. As the optical property of the optically active material is changed by the incident illumination, the propagating illumination undergoes a modulation or change in phase, thereby providing an optical output signal having a desired relation to the optical input signal, such as the result of a logical or a computational operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: University of Washington Through Its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Publication number: 20140178005
    Abstract: A compact, low-loss and wavelength insensitive Y-junction for submicron silicon waveguides. The design was performed using FDTD and particle swarm optimization (PSO). The device was fabricated in a 248 nm CMOS line. Measured average insertion loss is 0.28±0.02 dB across an 8-inch wafer. The device footprint is less than 1.2 ?m×2 ?m, orders of magnitude smaller than MMI and directional couplers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Yi Zhang, Shuyu Yang, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 8390922
    Abstract: A high index contrast waveguide based source for radiation. In some embodiments, the radiation is in the 0.5-14 Terahertz regime. Waveguides are provided that permit the generation of radiation at the sum and/or difference frequency of two input beams. In order to control the power level within the waveguide, embodiments in which pluralities of similar or identical waveguide are provided, and the input radiation is divided among the plurality of waveguides. The output radiation can be steered by applying phased array methods and principles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Tom Baehr-Jones, Michael J. Hochberg
  • Patent number: 8311374
    Abstract: An integrated photonic beam steering device includes a planar photonic substrate. An input waveguide is configured to accept an electromagnetic energy from a source of electromagnetic energy radiation. A first splitter is configured to split the electromagnetic radiation into one or more paths. One or more phased array rows are optically coupled to each of the one or more paths. Each phased array row includes a row splitter configured to split the each of the one or more paths into two or more row paths. Two or more phase modulators are each optically coupled respectively to each of the two or more row paths. Two or more output couplers are optically coupled respectively to each phase modulator output of the two or more phase modulators. The two or more output couplers are configured to radiate a steered photonic beam away from the integrated photonic beam steering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 8280211
    Abstract: An all-optical sampling device using four-wave mixing in third-order optically nonlinear materials is described. The four-wave mixing based sampler comprises a waveguide combiner, which adds a gate optical signal to a signal of interest to be sampled. In a four-wave mixing region, a sampled signal at the output optical frequency is produced. All of the optical signals are sent to a passive optical filter, which preferentially discards the gate and signal optical frequencies, but preserves the sampled signal at the output optical frequency. The sampled signal at the output optical frequency can be observed, displayed, recorded or otherwise manipulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Tom Baehr-Jones, Michael J. Hochberg
  • Patent number: 8258476
    Abstract: Radiation detection systems and methods. In one approach, optical radiation can be detected by using the radiation to be detected as input to a high index contrast waveguide modulator that modulates a wavelength of light that falls within the detection band of a detector. In another approach, the optical radiation that is to be detected is combined with a high power CW boost mode signal in a waveguide, and the sum and/or difference frequencies are detected. In either approach, one can use grating couplers to couple the optical radiation of interest into a waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Tom Baehr-Jones, Michael J. Hochberg
  • Patent number: 8237102
    Abstract: Radiation detection systems and methods. In one approach, optical radiation can be detected by using the radiation to be detected as input to a high index contrast waveguide modulator that modulates a wavelength of light that falls within the detection band of a detector. In another approach, the optical radiation that is to be detected is combined with a high power CW boost mode signal in a waveguide, and the sum and/or difference frequencies are detected. In either approach, one can use grating couplers to couple the optical radiation of interest into a waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Tom Baehr-Jones, Michael J. Hochberg
  • Patent number: 8203115
    Abstract: According to the invention, an integrated hyperspectral imager includes a planar photonic substrate. A plurality of imaging pixel photonic circuits is disposed in a M×N array on the planar photonic substrate. Each imaging pixel photonic circuit includes an input coupler configured to receive a broadband input electromagnetic radiation. A waveguide is optically coupled to the input coupler. A plurality of wavelength filters is optically coupled to the waveguide. Each wavelength filter has a wavelength filter input and a wavelength filter output. Each detector has a detector input optically coupled respectively to each of the wavelength filter outputs. Each detector has a respective detector output. The integrated hyperspectral imager is configured to provide electrical signals that are representative of a hyperspectral image of the received broadband input electromagnetic radiation. A method for recording an image based on a received electromagnetic radiation is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 8098965
    Abstract: A novel electroabsorption modulator based on tuning the Fermi level relative to mid-gap states in a semiconductor. The modulator includes a semiconductor waveguide that has an input port and an output port. Between the input port and the output port is a section of the waveguide that functions as an electroabsorptive region. Adjacent to the electroabsorptive region are electrical contacts. In operation by adjusting voltages on the electrical contacts, the quasi-Fermi level in the electroabsorptive region of the semiconductor waveguide is brought above or below mid band-gap electronic states. As these states transition between occupancy and vacancy, the absorption coefficient for optical radiation in the electroabsorptive region of the semiconductor changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Tom Baehr-Jones, Michael J. Hochberg
  • Patent number: 8067724
    Abstract: An all-optical integrated photonic clock, 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, the clock can provide an optical timing signal. In some embodiments, the clock can provide a jitter-free electrical signal derived from the clock by use of a high speed photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 8031985
    Abstract: An all-optical XOR logic gate. In one embodiment, a single photon absorption medium is used to provide enhanced optical response of a gate to an applied optical signal. The apparatus described uses at least two gate inputs and an optical modulation structure such as a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to perform logical XOR operations on an optical input signal using the gate inputs. The result of the XOR operation is provided as information in an optical output signal representative of the result of the XOR operation impressed on the optical input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Publication number: 20110057091
    Abstract: An all-optical integrated photonic clock, 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, the clock can provide an optical timing signal. In some embodiments, the clock can provide a jitter-free electrical signal derived from the clock by use of a high speed photodetector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: University of Washington
    Inventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 7894696
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manipulating light with high index contrast waveguides clad with crystalline substances having that exhibit large nonlinear electro-optic constants ?2 and ?3. Waveguides fabricated on SOI wafers and clad with crystalline materials such as barium titanate are described. Embodiments of waveguides having slots, electrical contacts, 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. Optical signal processing methods, such as optical rectification and optical modulation, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Tom Baehr-Jones, Michael J. Hochberg, Axel Scherer
  • Patent number: 7792393
    Abstract: A photodetector device, comprises an optical input, a nanoscale silicon waveguide and an electrical output. The waveguide is a high-contrast waveguide, with a refractive index contrast with the outside environment of more that 10%. The optical mode distribution across the waveguide has a peak intensity in correspondence of surface states of the nanoscale silicon waveguide. A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Tom Baehr-Jones, Axel Scherer