Abstract: A distributed Bragg reflector includes a first layer formed to be a first thickness, and a second layer formed to be a second thickness. A method of forming a distributed Bragg reflector includes forming a first layer to be a first thickness and forming a second layer to be a second thickness. The first and second thicknesses are determined using a wavelength that is adjacent to a center wavelength of an optical band of the distributed Bragg reflector.

Abstract: An improved waveguide shuttle optical switch design which provides the function of a variable optical attenuator (VOA). A small degree of intentional misalignment of the waveguide will create different levels of optical attenuation. By finely controlling the misalignment of a selected switched position, a single device may be realized that will provide the functions of both switching and attenuating or just attenuation alone. The optical MEMS device utilizes a latching mechanism in association with a thermal drive actuator for aligning a waveguide shuttle platform. The integration of the switching function and the VOA function reduce the optical loss which is otherwise unavoidable when the inevitable alternative of a separate switch and a separate VOA must necessarily be employed. The resultant improved device can also be applied for correcting the difference in optical intensity created by the manufacturing tolerances inherent in the fabrication of array waveguide gratings.

Abstract: An improved cantilever beam optical switch design which provides the function of a variable optical attenuator (VOA). A small degree of intentional misalignment of the waveguide will create different levels of optical attenuation. By finely controlling the misalignment of a selected switched position, a single device may be realized that will provide the functions of both switching and attenuating or just attenuation alone. The optical MEMS device utilizes a latching mechanism in association with a thermal drive actuator for aligning a cantilever beam platform. The integration of the switching function and the VOA function reduce the optical loss which is otherwise unavoidable when the inevitable alterative of a separate switch and a separate VOA must necessarily be employed. The resultant improved device can also be applied for correcting the difference in optical intensity created by the manufacturing tolerances inherent in the fabrication of array waveguide gratings.

Abstract: A optical apparatus may include a plurality of Fabry-Perot cavities and a controller. The plurality of Fabry-Perot cavities receives an incoming image. The controller controls a group of adjacent Fabry-Perot cavities of the plurality of Fabry-Perot cavities to sample spectral information from a pixel of the incoming image. The group may be designated to the pixel. Sizes of the cavities within the group may differ from one another. The sizes of the cavities within the group may be fixed during the spectral information synthesis operation.

Abstract: An optical switch for routing signals includes a latch receiver connected to a waveguide that routes the signals and an actuator that includes an upper plate, a lower plate and a latch connected to the lower plate, the lower plate of the actuator moving vertically when power is applied to the lower plate, causing the latch to move vertically and engage the latch receiver. A latching system includes a switch that includes a latch formed to include an extension on one end of the latch, the latch being driven by power, a latch receiver that is formed to receive the latch and a controller that controls the extension of the latch to engage the latch receiver when the power is applied to the latch, and controls the extension of the latch to lock in place against the latch receiver when the power is removed from the latch.

Abstract: A method for forming a gap (16) of a width (d) which meets selected tolerance limits includes forming sidewalls (80, 82) in a microstructure, the sidewalls defining a gap (16) therebetween. The gap has a width defined between the sidewalls. The width of the gap between the sidewalls is determined. Where the determined width of the gap is below the selected tolerance limits for the width of the gap, the sidewalls are consumed to form a gap which meets the selected tolerance limits. The gap may be incorporated in a waveguide device (10) of a microswitch (100) and selectively connect input and output waveguides (130, 132).

Abstract: A low cost spectral camera may include a multiple Fabry-Perot cavity filter with silicon photodetectors distributed one beside another in a two-dimensional matrix fashion. Each cavity may be designed to capture a pixel from an image. The two-dimensional fabry-perot array may function as a sensor to capture an image in spectral form. Spectral information may be obtained to generate spectral displays.

Abstract: First and second ridge type photonic waveguides are provided. Each of the waveguides includes a core layer and a reflective cladding layer in continuous contact with a first side of a core layer. The core layer has a core index of the refraction and is formed in a ridge in a dimension and shape to impose lateral confinement. The reflective cladding layer has an index of refraction that is substantially different than the core index of refraction. An inter-waveguide slab portion is provided between the first and second waveguides. A substrate supports the first and second waveguides, the slab portion, and the reflective cladding layer. A light interceptor region is provided to hinder a transfer of photons between the first and second waveguides through the inter-waveguides slab portion. The light interceptor region may include a trench region, which is an air gap in one embodiment.

Abstract: A silicon rib waveguide that has a silicon nitride cladding layer of predetermined thickness to reduce optical loss of light propagating therethrough. An exemplary embodiment of the waveguide is fabricated by using a silicon-on-insulator structure having a single crystal silicon layer bonded to a silicon wafer with a layer of insulative material. An etch resistant masking layer is deposited on the outer surface of the single crystal silicon layer and patterned to produce vias therein. A RIE etching process is used through the vias in the masking layer to form at least one rib bounded by a pair of parallel trenches. The masking layer is removed and a silicon nitride cladding layer is deposited on the rib side and end walls and on the trenches.

Abstract: A waveguide structure has a base having a base height (h) above a substrate and a rectangular waveguide having a waveguide height (H) above the substrate and a waveguide width (W) between opposing sides of the waveguide.

Abstract: An improved cantilever beam optical switch methodology which provides the function of a variable optical attenuator (VOA). A small degree of intentional misalignment of the waveguide will create different levels of optical attenuation. By finely controlling the misalignment of a selected switched position, a single device may be realized that will provide the functions of both switching and attenuating or just attenuation alone. The optical MEMS device utilizes a latching mechanism in association with a thermal drive actuator for aligning a cantilever beam platform. The integration of the switching function and the VOA function reduce the optical loss which is otherwise unavoidable when the inevitable alterative of a separate switch and a separate VOA must necessarily be employed. The resultant improved device can also be applied for correcting the difference in optical intensity created by the manufacturing tolerances inherent in the fabrication of array waveguide gratings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that provide consistent output across a plurality of different hard copy output devices which may be included in a system comprising an image data source and a hard copy output device. The image data source supplies image data to a printable image data adjusting apparatus. The image data supplied may be in a device-dependent color space or a device-independent color space. If the image data is in a device-dependent color space, the printable image data adjusting apparatus first converts the image data into device-independent image data and stores it in memory as target image data. If the image data is already device-independent image data, the image data are simply stored in the memory of the printable image data adjusting apparatus as target image data. The printable image data adjusting apparatus then uses the target image data to generate printable image data. The hard copy output device uses the printable image data to generate a hard copy image.

Abstract: In a color analysis method in which sheets with multiple different color printed test patches are moved relative to a color analyzing spectrophotometer, and in which fiducial marks are printed adjacent to respective test patches and optically detected by a fiducial mark detector to provide a triggering system for the respective test patch analysis, there is provided automatic diagnostic testing of the spectrophotometer and the fiducial mark triggering system, including automatically generating special test sheets, some of which may include test areas of varying density black.

Abstract: This invention provides an iteratively clustered interpolation (ICI) algorithm for use with irregularly sampled color data to develop a structured inverse. This algorithm improves device independent color across devices, such as, for example, printers, scanners and displays.

Abstract: A mapping system for converting an input signal value to an output value wherein certain outputs are predetermined to be critical. An engine for converting input values to output values is associated with an input value transforming system wherein certain input values corresponding to the critical output values are transformed prior to input to the engine for adjusting the input value so that the engine generates a particularly desired output. The transforming comprises selecting a set of basis functions for effecting a warping of input values near the input value corresponding to the critical output value. The basis functions determine the extent and gradient of input value adjustment for nearby values to the critical value. The basis functions are included within an objective function defining the purpose of the system and the functions are solved to generate the desired adjusted input value.

Abstract: A color sensor monitors the output of a color producing process and produces a signal representative of a color produced by the color producing process. The signal can be used as feedback signal to control the process. Occasionally, the color sensor signal includes a component representing a transient error. A system model of the color producing process is used to predict reasonable sensor signals. A comparison of the sensor signal with the predicted sensor signals is used to determine if the sensor signal is reasonable. If the sensor signal is unreasonable, a substitute signal is used as the feedback signal to the control process. The substitute signal can be a predicted sensor signal or a signal based on historical system performance data.

Abstract: In a color analysis system in which sheets with multiple different color printed test patches are moved relative to a color analyzing spectrophotometer, and in which fiducial marks are printed adjacent to respective test patches and optically detected by a fiducial mark detector to provide a triggering system for the respective test patch analysis, there is provided automatic diagnostic testing of the spectrophotometer and the fiducial mark triggering system, including automatically generating special test sheets, some of which may include test areas of varying density black.

Abstract: A process control method for color quality control maintains a preselected developed mass per unit area (DMA) of black solid area by adjusting the development field during run-time operation. In order to estimate the DMA of a solid black control patch, which is outside the sensing range of an infra-red densitometer (IRD), an estimation technique is employed which accounts for system changes due to adjustment of the development field. The estimation technique includes generating two or more test patches, using a patch generator, which have DMA readings within the sensing range of the IRD. The DMA readings and corresponding development voltages of the test patches are sensed and used to calculate a developability curve. The developability curve is projected into a region beyond the sensing range of the IRD. From the developability curve, the DMA of the solid black control patch is estimated and employed in a closed feedback loop to return the system to the preselected DMA by adjusting the development field.

Abstract: An online printing parameter establishment apparatus is used with a xerographic printing device for printing high quality prints given a target value. The xerographic printing device is capable of producing at least one print control patch on a photoreceptor and is capable of sensing a value of the at least one print control patch. The xerographic printing device has a plurality of sets of inherent performance characteristic values. The online printing parameter establishment apparatus includes a controller device and a switch device. The controller device is operative to produce a first database of different ones of the sensed values. Each sensed value is associated with a respective one of the plurality of sets of inherent performance characteristic values based upon the target value. The controller device is also operative to produce a second database of a plurality of control values.

Abstract: An image quality control apparatus controls quality of xerographic images formed by a xerographic imaging system onto a recording medium when at least one sensor which is operative to provide signals to the xerographic imaging system for quality control malfunctions. The image quality control apparatus includes a controller device in communication with the xerographic imaging system. The controller includes a data collection device, a determining device and an input generating device. The data collection device collects and processes sensor data received from the at least one sensor while the at least one sensor is operative. The determining device determines whether the at least one sensor malfunctions.