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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for combined SPP and Raman scattering-based bio-detection are provided. Embodiments include a bio-detection system having a microfluidics chip, a Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP)-based system component, and a Raman scattering-based system component. The SPP-based and the Raman scattering-based system components can be used simultaneously or individually separately to detect biological and/or chemical analytes. The bio-detection system further includes an aerosol collector chip. Embodiments of the present invention can be used aboard means of propagation of biological and/or chemical analytes, including, for example, commercial aircrafts. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to enable an aircraft warning system.

Abstract: A differential measurement design employing two nearly collinear optical beams provides surface plasmon polariton resonance (SPR) sensors and a corresponding method of increased dynamic range and signal to noise ratio. The differential measurement device and method based on wavelength interrogation, employs a single incident polarization state, and is combined with a 2-D nanohole array for operation at near-normal incidence, where this approach offers a decrease in the measurement time.

Abstract: Methods, structures, devices and systems are disclosed for implementing compact (e.g., nanoscale) coaxial lasers with coaxial cavity geometries which can be used to construct various coaxial cavity lasers that can operate in single mode, at room-temperature, and produce continuous-wave lasing. The described laser systems can also operate at low-temperatures, and provide thresholdless lasing using a spectrally broadband semiconductor gain medium. The cavity of the compact lasers includes a central metal core and a hollow ring surrounding the central metal core, formed within a housing with an open terminal and a closed terminal. The open terminal is positioned to both receive pump light and output laser light, and the closed terminal includes a metal cap that encloses the central metal rod and one side of the hollow ring. The described nano cavities also include a ring-shaped gain medium section, and ring-shaped lower and upper plug sections.

Abstract: A differential measurement design employing two nearly collinear optical beams provides surface plasmon polariton resonance (SPR) sensors and a corresponding method of increased dynamic range and signal to noise ratio. The differential measurement device and method based on wavelength interrogation, employs a single incident polarization state, and is combined with a 2-D nanohole array for operation at near-normal incidence, where this approach offers a decrease in the measurement time.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus, material and systems are described for implementing a three-dimensional composite mushroom-like metallodielectric nanostructure. In one aspect, a surface plasmon based sensing device includes a substrate and a layer of an anti-reflective coating over the substrate. The surface Plasmon based sensing device includes a dielectric material on the anti-reflective coating shaped to form a 2-dimensional array of nanoholes spaced from one another. Also, the surface Plasmon based sensing device includes a layer of a metallic film formed on the 2-dimensional array of nanoholes to include openings over the nanoholes, respectively, wherein the sensing device is structured to support both propagating surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves and localized surface plasmon resonant (LSPR) modes.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus, material and systems are described for implementing a three-dimensional composite mushroom-like metallodielectric nanostructure. In one aspect, a surface plasmon based sensing device includes a substrate and a layer of an anti-reflective coating over the substrate. The surface Plasmon based sensing device includes a dielectric material on the anti-reflective coating shaped to form a 2-dimensional array of nanoholes spaced from one another. Also, the surface Plasmon based sensing device includes a layer of a metallic film formed on the 2-dimensional array of nanoholes to include openings over the nanoholes, respectively, wherein the sensing device is structured to support both propagating surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves and localized surface plasmon resonant (LSPR) modes.

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: Methods, structures, devices and systems are disclosed for implementing compact (e.g., nanoscale) coaxial lasers with coaxial cavity geometries which can be used to construct various coaxial cavity lasers that can operate in single mode, at room-temperature, and produce continuous-wave lasing. The described laser systems can also operate at low-temperatures, and provide thresholdless lasing using a spectrally broadband semiconductor gain medium. The cavity of the compact lasers includes a central metal core and a hollow ring surrounding the central metal core, formed within a housing with an open terminal and a closed terminal. The open terminal is positioned to both receive pump light and output laser light, and the closed terminal includes a metal cap that encloses the central metal rod and one side of the hollow ring. The described nano cavities also include a ring-shaped gain medium section, and ring-shaped lower and upper plug sections.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer is described. In this optical multiplexer/demultiplexer, multiple coupled-waveguide grating devices are optically coupled to a bus optical waveguide. A given coupled-waveguide grating device has a band-pass filter characteristic that encompasses multiple optical channels, thereby providing coarse optical filtering. Moreover, the optical multiplexer/demultiplexer includes multiple add/drop filters (such as ring resonators) that optically couple to the coupled-waveguide grating devices. A given add/drop filter has a filter bandwidth corresponding to a given optical channel, thereby providing fine optical filtering. Furthermore, the band-pass filter characteristic of the given coupled-waveguide grating device is approximately equal to or less than a free spectral range (FSR) of the given add/drop filter.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus, material and systems are described for implementing a three-dimensional composite mushroom-like metallodielectric nanostructure. In one aspect, a surface plasmon based sensing device includes a substrate and a layer of an anti-reflective coating over the substrate. The surface Plasmon based sensing device includes a dielectric material on the anti-reflective coating shaped to form a 2-dimensional array of nanoholes spaced from one another. Also, the surface Plasmon based sensing device includes a layer of a metallic film formed on the 2-dimensional array of nanoholes to include openings over the nanoholes, respectively, wherein the sensing device is structured to support both propagating surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves and localized surface plasmon resonant (LSPR) modes.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer is described. In this optical multiplexer/demultiplexer, multiple coupled-waveguide grating devices are optically coupled to a bus optical waveguide. A given coupled-waveguide grating device has a band-pass filter characteristic that encompasses multiple optical channels, thereby providing coarse optical filtering. Moreover, the optical multiplexer/demultiplexer includes multiple add/drop filters (such as ring resonators) that optically couple to the coupled-waveguide grating devices. A given add/drop filter has a filter bandwidth corresponding to a given optical channel, thereby providing fine optical filtering. Furthermore, the band-pass filter characteristic of the given coupled-waveguide grating device is approximately equal to or less than a free spectral range (FSR) of the given add/drop filter.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus, material and systems are described for implementing a three-dimensional composite mushroom-like metallodielectric nanostructure. In one aspect, a surface plasmon based sensing device includes a substrate and a layer of an anti-reflective coating over the substrate. The surface Plasmon based sensing device includes a dielectric material on the anti-reflective coating shaped to form a 2-dimensional array of nanoholes spaced from one another. Also, the surface Plasmon based sensing device includes a layer of a metallic film formed on the 2-dimensional array of nanoholes to include openings over the nanoholes, respectively, wherein the sensing device is structured to support both propagating surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves and localized surface plasmon resonant (LSPR) modes.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing spectral efficiency, capacity and/or extending dispersion-limited reach in a communication link employs narrow filtering of a baseband signal to reduce the original bandwidth to a substantially smaller bandwidth for transmission across a transmission medium such as an optical fiber. By restricting the bandwidth, the rate of spreading is reduced significantly. The receiver at the other end of the transmission medium includes an equalizer for returning the received signal to its original bandwidth for retrieval of information contained in the signal.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for using nanostructures such as nanohole metal films to construct SPP sensors for sensing various substances.

Abstract: Methods and systems for combined SPP and Raman scattering-based bio-detection are provided. Embodiments include a bio-detection system having a microfluidics chip, a Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP)-based system component, and a Raman scattering-based system component. The SPP-based and the Raman scattering-based system components can be used simultaneously or individually separately to detect biological and/or chemical analytes. The bio-detection system further includes an aerosol collector chip. Embodiments of the present invention can be used aboard means of propagation of biological and/or chemical analytes, including, for example, commercial aircrafts. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to enable an aircraft warning system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for combined SPP and Raman scattering-based bio-detection are provided. Embodiments include a bio-detection system having a microfluidics chip, a Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP)-based system component, and a Raman scattering-based system component. The SPP-based and the Raman scattering-based system components can be used simultaneously or individually separately to detect biological and/or chemical analytes. The bio-detection system further includes an aerosol collector chip. Embodiments of the present invention can be used aboard means of propagation of biological and/or chemical analytes, including, for example, commercial aircrafts. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to enable an aircraft warning system.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for using nanostructures such as nanohole metal films to construct SPP sensors for sensing various substances.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing spectral efficiency, capacity and/or extending dispersion-limited reach in a communication link employs narrow filtering of a baseband signal to reduce the original bandwidth to a substantially smaller bandwidth for transmission across a transmission medium such as an optical fiber. By restricting the bandwidth, the rate of spreading is reduced significantly. The receiver at the other end of the transmission medium includes an equalizer for returning the received signal to its original bandwidth for retrieval of information contained in the signal.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for etching a solid state material to create a surface relief pattern. A resist layer is formed on the surface of the solid state material. The photoresist layer is holographically patterned to form a patterned mask. The pattern is then transferred into the solid state material by a dry etching process. The invention is especially useful for forming optical nanostructures. In preferred embodiments, a direct write process, such as ebeam lithography, is used to define defects and functional elements, such as waveguides and cavities.