Abstract: The technology described in this document can be used to implement beam steering in optical systems and photonic devices, to provide a nonmechanical beam steering system for projecting optical energy and controlling the direction of the optical energy using a collection of devices and components that are fixed in position to selectively direct light from an array of different optical emitters at different locations.

Abstract: Microwave photonic devices use light to carry and process microwave signals over a photonic link. Light can be used as a stimulus to microwave devices that directly control microwave signals. Previous optically controlled devices suffer from large footprint, high optical power level required for switching, lack of scalability and complex integration requirements, restricting their implementation in practical microwave systems. Disclosed are monolithic optically reconfigurable integrated microwave switches (MORIMSs) built on a CMOS compatible silicon photonic chip. The disclosed scalable micrometer-scale switches provide higher switching efficiency and operate using optical power that is orders of magnitude lower than previous devices. The disclosed devices and techniques provide examples of silicon photonic platforms integrating microwave circuitry.

Abstract: The technology disclosed in this patent document for optical devices for modulating light using nonlinear optical materials exhibiting electro-optical effects. Suitable nonlinear optical materials can be formed over a silicon-based semiconductor substrate via a silicon processing compatible process. In one application, such a device can be implemented for steering light based on a unique two-dimensional array of phased optical modulators using integrated photonic chip fabrication technologies to provide high performance and small footprint device packaging. The phased optical modulators can be phase shifting elements, each of which can be configured as a vertical-cavity surface-emitting phase shifter (VCSEP) to provide effective phase changes via both the control of the optical refractive index of the nonlinear optical material and the metal-dielectric surface plasmon effect.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for optical spectroscopy using a Fourier transform that improve measurement speed, and relax the sampling rate and dynamic range requirements compared to conventional techniques, are described. One exemplary method for optical Fourier transform spectroscopy includes receiving a broadband signal, spectrally partitioning the broadband signal to generate a plurality of spectral channel interferograms, computing a one-dimensional Fourier transform of a function of each of the plurality of spectral channel interferograms to generate each of a plurality of channel spectrums, and reconstructing a spectrum of the broadband signal based on the plurality of channel spectrums. Embodiments of the disclosed technology include a free-space channel dispersed Fourier transform spectrometer and an integrated silicon-on-insulator Fourier transform spectrometer.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to present principles provide, at room temperature, a bound state in the continuum laser that harnesses optical modes residing in the radiation continuum but nonetheless may possess arbitrarily high quality factors. These counterintuitive cavities are based on resonantly trapped symmetry-compatible modes that destructively interfere. Such systems and methods may be applied towards coherent sources with intriguing topological properties for optical trapping, biological imaging, and quantum communication.

Abstract: Compact optical spectrometers are provided to measure optical spectral composition of light.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be used to implement beam steering in optical systems and photonic devices, to provide a nonmechanical beam steering system for projecting optical energy and controlling the direction of the optical energy using a collection of devices and components that are fixed in position to selectively direct light from an array of different optical emitters at different locations.

Abstract: Microwave photonic devices use light to carry and process microwave signals over a photonic link. Light can be used as a stimulus to microwave devices that directly control microwave signals. Previous optically controlled devices suffer from large footprint, high optical power level required for switching, lack of scalability and complex integration requirements, restricting their implementation in practical microwave systems. Disclosed are monolithic optically reconfigurable integrated microwave switches (MORIMSs) built on a CMOS compatible silicon photonic chip. The disclosed scalable micrometer-scale switches provide higher switching efficiency and operate using optical power that is orders of magnitude lower than previous devices. The disclosed devices and techniques provide examples of silicon photonic platforms integrating microwave circuitry.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for optical spectroscopy using a Fourier transform that improve measurement speed, and relax the sampling rate and dynamic range requirements compared to conventional techniques, are described. One exemplary method for optical Fourier transform spectroscopy includes receiving a broadband signal, spectrally partitioning the broadband signal to generate a plurality of spectral channel interferograms, computing a one-dimensional Fourier transform of a function of each of the plurality of spectral channel interferograms to generate each of a plurality of channel spectrums, and reconstructing a spectrum of the broadband signal based on the plurality of channel spectrums. Embodiments of the disclosed technology include a free-space channel dispersed Fourier transform spectrometer and an integrated silicon-on-insulator Fourier transform spectrometer.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing light-emitting hyperbolic metasurfaces. In one exemplary aspect, a light-emitting device includes a surface; a plurality of quantum heterostructures positioned on the surface, each of the plurality of quantum heterostructures including multiple quantum wells distributed along an axis perpendicular to the surface and separated by multiple quantum barriers, wherein each two adjacent quantum heterostructures of the plurality quantum heterostructures form a gap; and a monocrystalline material at least partially filling gaps between the plurality quantum heterostructures.

Abstract: Compact optical spectrometers are provided to measure optical spectral composition of light.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for particle characterization by optical phase modulation and detection of aerosol backscattering. In some aspects, a compact and cost effective particle detector device to measure the aerosol density and its size distribution by backscattered focusing using projected optical modified field distribution imaging into the aerosol medium (air). The disclosed device can be used in a variety of scientific and industrial applications, e.g., such as a particle sensor for automobiles able to detect harmful pollution which may then be filtered from the car cabin, or warnings provided to the driver. The device can also capture and store data, enabling detailed pollution maps of various roadways in real-time.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing light-emitting hyperbolic metasurfaces. In one exemplary aspect, a light-emitting device includes a surface; a plurality of quantum heterostructures positioned on the surface, each of the plurality of quantum heterostructures including multiple quantum wells distributed along an axis perpendicular to the surface and separated by multiple quantum barriers, wherein each two adjacent quantum heterostructures of the plurality quantum heterostructures form a gap; and a monocrystalline material at least partially filling gaps between the plurality quantum heterostructures.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to present principles provide, at room temperature, a bound state in the continuum laser that harnesses optical modes residing in the radiation continuum but nonetheless may possess arbitrarily high quality factors. These counterintuitive cavities are based on resonantly trapped symmetry-compatible modes that destructively interfere. Such systems and methods may be applied towards coherent sources with intriguing topological properties for optical trapping, biological imaging, and quantum communication.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for particle characterization by optical phase modulation and detection of aerosol backscattering. In some aspects, a compact and cost effective particle detector device to measure the aerosol density and its size distribution by backscattered focusing using projected optical modified field distribution imaging into the aerosol medium (air). The disclosed device can be used in a variety of scientific and industrial applications, e.g., such as a particle sensor for automobiles able to detect harmful pollution which may then be filtered from the car cabin, or warnings provided to the driver. The device can also capture and store data, enabling detailed pollution maps of various roadways in real-time.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing nanostructures in the optical domain that highly localize the incident electromagnetic field to with a large spectral range from the visible to the infrared range. An optical nano antenna device is provided to include a substrate; a central conductive core formed on the substrate; and a peripheral conductive shell formed on the substrate and located peripheral to the central conductive core to surround at least a part of the central conductive core. The central conductive core and peripheral conductive shell form a coaxial structure with a dimension less than an optical wavelength of light.

Abstract: A multi-mode optical waveguide device is formed from a plurality of periodically structured waveguides, where each waveguide is configured to guide a carrier signal comprising one spatial mode of a plurality of spatial modes and has at least one segment of each waveguide with a waveguide width that periodically changes along a waveguide path to induce coupling between pairs of spatial modes. In some embodiments, the at least one segment is disposed at a location along the waveguide path at which maximal mode overlap occurs. The waveguide device may be used as for space-division multiplexing and as an optical switch.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing nanostructures in the optical domain that highly localize the incident electromagnetic field to with a large spectral range from the visible to the infrared range. An optical nano antenna device is provided to include a substrate; a central conductive core formed on the substrate; and a peripheral conductive shell formed on the substrate and located peripheral to the central conductive core to surround at least a part of the central conductive core. The central conductive core and peripheral conductive shell form a coaxial structure with a dimension less than an optical wavelength of light.

Abstract: Systems, devices and techniques are disclosed for optically detecting single molecules using nanoscale chip configurations. In one aspect, a sensing device includes a composite membrane having an array of nanochannels that form openings at opposing sides of the membrane, a first and second substrate each including channels to carry a fluid containing particles, a fluidic module that is fluidically coupled to the channels to supply the fluid, a plurality of electrodes located along the channels, and an electrical module to generate an electric field via the electrodes to effectuate an electrokinetic force within the channels to steer the particles toward the openings of the nanochannels to immobilize the particles, in which the nanochannels operate as resonant structures to amplify localized fields produced in an optical interrogation of the immobilized particles.

Abstract: A temperature-stabilized photonic circuit comprising: a material platform; a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible, photonic device integrated on the material platform, wherein the photonic device has a positive thermo-optic coefficient; and a liquid crystal layer clad over the photonic device, wherein the liquid crystal layer has a negative thermo-optic coefficient such that the temperature of the circuit is passively stabilized through adjustment of the effective refractive index of the photonic device.