Abstract: An apparatus with either a graphene sheet or an epsilon-near-zero layer sandwiched in a waveguide structure and a tuning device. The tuning device is configured to selectively control application of at least first and second gate voltages across the waveguide structure. The graphene sheet has a first dielectric constant which is zero and the waveguide structure operates at a first absorption state and a first propagation distance with application of the first voltage by the tuning device and has a second dielectric constant and the waveguide structure operates at a second absorption state and a second propagation distance with application of the second voltage. The second dielectric constant is larger than the first dielectric constant, the second absorption state is smaller than the first absorption state, the second propagation distance is longer than the first propagation distance, and the second voltage which is zero or smaller than the first voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus with either a graphene sheet or an epsilon-near-zero layer sandwiched in a waveguide structure and a tuning device. The tuning device is configured to selectively control application of at least first and second gate voltages across the waveguide structure. The graphene sheet has a first dielectric constant which is zero and the waveguide structure operates at a first abosrpotion state and a first propagation distance with application of the first voltage by the tuning device and has a second dielectric constant and the waveguide structure operates at a second absorption state and a second propagation distance with application of the second voltage. The second dielectric constant is larger than the first dielectric constant, the second absorption state is smaller than the first absorption state, the second propagation distance is longer than the first propagation distance, and the second voltage which is zero or smaller than the first voltage.

Abstract: A nanofocusing system includes a dielectric waveguide having two opposing ends; and a metal-dielectric-metal layered waveguide having two opposing ends optically aligned at one end with one end of the dielectric waveguide, wherein the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide tapers in at least one dimension from the aligned end of the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide towards the opposing end, wherein light travelling through the dielectric waveguide is funneled into the dielectric layer of the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide, squeezed by the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide taper, and exits the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide as nanofocused light.

Abstract: Described herein are electromagnetic traps or tweezers. Desired results are achieved by combining two recently developed techniques, 3D negative refraction flat lenses (3DNRFLs) and optical tweezers. The very unique advantages of using 3DNRFLs for electromagnetic traps have been demonstrated. Super-resolution and short focal distance of the flat lens result in a highly focused and strongly convergent beam, which is a key requirement for a stable and accurate electromagnetic trap. The translation symmetry of 3DNRFL provides translation-invariance for imaging, which allows an electromagnetic trap to be translated without moving the lens, and permits a trap array by using multiple sources with a single lens.

Abstract: A nanofocusing system includes a dielectric waveguide having two opposing ends; and a metal-dielectric-metal layered waveguide having two opposing ends optically aligned at one end with one end of the dielectric waveguide, wherein the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide tapers in at least one dimension from the aligned end of the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide towards the opposing end, wherein light travelling through the dielectric waveguide is funneled into the dielectric layer of the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide, squeezed by the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide taper, and exits the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide as nanofocused light.

Abstract: An optical coupler for parallel coupling from a single mode optical fiber, or fiber ribbon, into a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguide for integration with silicon optoelectronic circuits. The optical coupler incorporates the advantages of the vertically tapered waveguides and prism couplers, yet offers the flexibility of planar integration. The optical coupler may be fabricated using wafer polishing technology or grayscale photolithography. The optical coupler can be packaged using epoxy bonding to form a fiber-waveguide parallel coupler or connector.

Abstract: Described herein are electromagnetic traps or tweezers. Desired results are achieved by combining two recently developed techniques, 3D negative refraction flat lenses (3DNRFLs) and optical tweezers. The very unique advantages of using 3DNRFLs for electromagnetic traps have been demonstrated. Super-resolution and short focal distance of the flat lens result in a highly focused and strongly convergent beam, which is a key requirement for a stable and accurate electromagnetic trap. The translation symmetry of 3DNRFL provides translation-invariance for imaging, which allows an electromagnetic trap to be translated without moving the lens, and permits a trap array by using multiple sources with a single lens.

Abstract: An optical coupler for parallel coupling from a single mode optical fiber, or fiber ribbon, into a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguide for integration with silicon optoelectronic circuits. The optical coupler incorporates the advantages of the vertically tapered waveguides and prism couplers, yet offers the flexibility of planar integration. The optical coupler may be fabricated using wafer polishing technology or grayscale photolithography. The optical coupler can be packaged using epoxy bonding to form a fiber-waveguide parallel coupler or connector.