Abstract: An optical interconnect includes an optical transmitter having a plurality of optical sources; a light sensing array configured to receive optical beams emitted from the optical sources; and a beam tracking module in communication with the light sensing array. The beam tracking module is configured to calculate a displacement of at least one of the optical beams by extrapolating an extremum from cross-correlation data obtained between at least a portion of a sample reading from the light sensing array and at least a portion of a plurality of shifted versions of a reference reading from the light sensing array. A related method includes calculating a displacement of an optical beam by extrapolating an extremum from cross-correlation data obtained between a sample reading of the optical beam and at least a portion of a plurality of shifted versions of a reference reading from the light sensing array.

Abstract: An analyte stage for use in a spectroscopy system includes a tunable resonant cavity that is capable of resonating electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths less than about 10,000 nanometers, a substrate at least partially disposed within the cavity, and a Raman signal-enhancing structure at least partially disposed within the tunable resonant cavity. A spectroscopy system includes such an analyte stage, a radiation source, and a radiation detector. Methods for performing Raman spectroscopy include using such analyte stages and systems to tune a resonant cavity to resonate Raman scattered radiation that is scattered by an analyte.

Abstract: A pattern transfer apparatus including an inflatable membrane is described.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention are directed to electric-field-enhancement structures and detection apparatuses that employ such electric-field-enhancement structures. In one aspect of the present invention, an electric-field-enhancement structure includes a substrate having a surface. The substrate is capable of supporting a planar mode having a planar-mode frequency. A plurality of nanofeatures is associated with the surface, and each of nanofeatures exhibits a localized-surface-plasmon mode having a localized-surface-plasmon frequency approximately equal to the planar-mode frequency.

Abstract: A sensing method includes exposing a nano-transducer having a controlled surface to a sample including at least one species. Adsorption of the species on the nano-transducer is transduced to a measurable signal as a function of time. Desorption of the species from the nano-transducer is also transduced to a measurable signal as a function of time. A residence time of the at least one species adsorbed on the nano-transducer is extracted from the measurable signals. The adsorption and desorption each define an individual measurable event.

Abstract: A sensing method includes exposing a nano-transducer having a controlled surface to a sample including at least one species. Adsorption of the species on the nano-transducer is transduced to a measurable signal as a function of time. Desorption of the species from the nano-transducer is also transduced to a measurable signal as a function of time. A residence time of the at least one species adsorbed on the nano-transducer is extracted from the measurable signals. The adsorption and desorption each define an individual measurable event.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for aligning a lithography template having a pattern with a substrate in preparation for transferring the pattern to a surface of the substrate. The system includes an optical imaging system adapted to image a first alignment structure formed on a top surface of the template using light of a first wavelength and a second alignment structure formed on a top surface of the substrate using light of a second wavelength.

Abstract: A method for forming quantum dots includes forming a superlattice structure that includes at least one nanostrip protruding from the superlattice structure, providing a quantum dot substrate, transferring the at least one nanostrip to the quantum dot substrate, and removing at least a portion of the at least one nanostrip from the substrate. The superlattice structure is formed by providing a superlattice substrate, forming alternating layers of first and second materials on the substrate to form a stack, cleaving the stack to expose the alternating layers, and etching the exposed alternating layers with an etchant that etches the second material at a greater rate than the first to form the at least one nanostrip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating an imprint mold for molding a structure. The method includes directing a first and a second flux for forming a first material and a second material, respectively, to a substrate to form a layered structure having alternating layers of the first and the second material. The method also includes controlling a thickness of the first and the second layers by controlling the first and the second flux and cleaving the layered structure to form a cleavage face in which sections of the layers are exposed. The method further includes etching the exposed sections of the layers using a etch procedure that predominantly etches one of the first and the second materials to form the mold having an imprinting surface with at least one indentation for molding the structure. At least one of the fluxes is controlled so that at least one of the layers has a thickness that varies along a portion of a length of the at least one layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming a nano-imprinted photonic crystal waveguide, comprising the steps of: preparing an optical film on a substrate; preparing a template having a plurality of protrusions of less than 500 nm in length such that the protrusions are spaced a predetermined distance from each other; heating the film; causing the template to press against the heated film such that a portion of the film is deformed by the protrusions; separating the template from the film; and etching the film to remove a residual layer of the film to form a nano-imprinted photonic crystal waveguide.

Abstract: Using an imaging system in relation to a plurality of material layers in an initial alignment state is provided, a first of the plurality of material layers at least partially obscuring a second of the plurality of material layers in the initial alignment state. The first material layer is moved from a first position corresponding to the initial alignment state to a second position out of a field of view of the imaging system, and a first image of the second material layer is stored. The first material layer is moved back the first position to restore the initial alignment state. A second image of the first material layer is acquired. The second image and the stored first image are processed to determine the initial alignment state.