Abstract: A metallic quantum well may be formed by interposing a layer of metallic well material two layers of barrier material. Two or more metallic quantum wells may be combined to form a coupled metallic quantum well. The absorption spectrum and the emission spectrum of the coupled metallic quantum well may be tuned by at least adjusting the dimensions of the individual metallic quantum wells and/or the materials forming the metallic quantum wells. The metallic quantum well and/or the coupled metallic quantum well may exhibit sufficient nonlinearity even at a miniaturized scale. As such, the metallic quantum well and/or coupled metallic quantum well may be used for a variety of on-chip applications including, for example, as part of an on-chip pulse limiter, an on-chip super-continuum generator, and/or the like.

Abstract: A spectrometry system may include an etalon array having a first etalon and a second etalon. The first etalon may be configured to process light to at least generate a first transmission pattern. The first transmission pattern may have at least a first transmission peak corresponding to a first wavelength in an original spectrum of the light. The second etalon may be configured to process the light to at least generate a second transmission pattern. The second transmission pattern may have at least a second transmission peak corresponding to a second wavelength in the original spectrum of the light. The first etalon may have a different thickness than the second etalon in order for the first transmission pattern to have at least one transmission peak that is at a different wavelength than the second transmission pattern. The first transmission pattern and the second transmission pattern may enable a reconstruction the original spectrum of the light.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a light emitting diode. The apparatus may include a plurality of layers including a substrate layer, a buffer layer disposed on the substrate layer, a charge transport layer, a light emission layer, another charge transport layer, and/or a metamaterial layer. The other charge transport layer may have at least one channel etched into the other charge transport layer leaving a residual thickness of the other charge transport layer between a bottom of the etched channel and the light emission layer. A metamaterial layer may be contained in the at least one channel that is proximate to the residual thickness of the charge transport layer. The metamaterial may include a structure including at least one of a dielectric or a metal. The metamaterial may cause the light emitting diode to operate at higher frequencies and with higher efficiency.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for fabricating and implementing optically absorbing coatings. In one aspect, an optically selective coating includes a substrate formed of a solar energy absorbing material, and a nanostructure material formed over the substrate as a coating capable of absorbing solar energy in a selected spectrum and reflecting the solar energy in another selected spectrum. A concentrating solar power (CSP) system includes heat transfer fluids (HTFs); thermal energy storage system (TES); and solar receivers in communication with HTFs and including a light absorbing coating layer based on cobalt oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressive sensing may include a filter array, a detector, and a reconstruction engine. The filter array may be configured to generate a first illumination pattern in response to a first wavelength of light and a second illumination pattern in response to a second wavelength of light. The first illumination pattern and the second illumination pattern may be projected onto an object. The detector may be configured to determine a first intensity of a first light emitted by the object in response to the first illumination pattern and a second intensity of a second light emitted by the object in response to the second illumination pattern. The reconstruction engine may be configured to generate an image of the object based at least on the first intensity, the first illumination pattern, the second intensity, and the second illumination pattern.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a light emitting diode. The apparatus may include a plurality of layers including a substrate layer, a buffer layer disposed on the substrate layer, a charge transport layer, a light emission layer, another charge transport layer, and/or a metamaterial layer. The other charge transport layer may have at least one channel etched into the other charge transport layer leaving a residual thickness of the other charge transport layer between a bottom of the etched channel and the light emission layer. A metamaterial layer may be contained in the at least one channel that is proximate to the residual thickness of the charge transport layer. The metamaterial may include a structure including at least one of a dielectric or a metal. The metamaterial may cause the light emitting diode to operate at higher frequencies and with higher efficiency.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a light emitting diode. The apparatus may include a plurality of layers including a substrate layer, a buffer layer disposed on the substrate layer, a charge transport layer, a light emission layer, another charge transport layer, and/or a metamaterial layer. The other charge transport layer may have at least one channel etched into the other charge transport layer leaving a residual thickness of the other charge transport layer between a bottom of the etched channel and the light emission layer. A metamaterial layer may be contained in the at least one channel that is proximate to the residual thickness of the charge transport layer. The metamaterial may include a structure including at least one of a dielectric or a metal. The metamaterial may cause the light emitting diode to operate at higher frequencies and with higher efficiency.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for fabricating and implementing optically absorbing coatings. In one aspect, an optically selective coating includes a substrate formed of a solar energy absorbing material, and a nanostructure material formed over the substrate as a coating capable of absorbing solar energy in a selected spectrum and reflecting the solar energy in another selected spectrum. A concentrating solar power (CSP) system includes heat transfer fluids (HTFs); thermal energy storage system (TES); and solar receivers in communication with HTFs and including a light absorbing coating layer based on cobalt oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: Plasmonic condensers for generating surface plasmon at an evanescent wave surface can include a substrate layer, a metal layer comprising the evanescent wave surface; and a media layer disposed between the metal layer and the substrate layer. The media layer can be active or passive and can include a source of radiation that interacts with the metal layer to create surface plasmons that are not substantially optically detectable as far field radiation until an interfering object is brought into proximity with the evanescent wave surface. When an interfering object such as a sample or specimen is brought into proximity with the evanescent wave surface, it causes coupling of at least some of the surface plasmons into propagating radiation detectable by an objective lens. Systems, methods, and the like are disclosed, as are features of a plasmonic meta-materials illuminator.

Abstract: Devices based on metamaterial structures to guide and manipulate light, other electromagnetic radiation and acoustic waves. For example, a lens can include a metamaterial structure comprising nano structures of metallic and dielectric materials; and a plasmonic waveguide coupler formed over the metamaterial structure for coupling electromagnetic radiation to or from metamaterial structure. The metamaterial structure has an anisotropic structure and the plasmonic waveguide coupler is structured to include metal and non-metal parts to support surface plasmon polaritons and to cause different phase delays at different locations of an interface with the metamaterial structure in a way that the metamaterial structure and the plasmonic waveguide coupler effect a lens for performing a Fourier transform of the electromagnetic radiation coupled between the metamaterial structure and the plasmonic waveguide coupler.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, devices and materials are disclosed for spectrally selective coatings for optical surfaces having high solar absorptivity, low infrared emissivity, and strong durability at elevated temperatures. In one aspect, a spectrally selective coating includes a substrate formed of a light absorbing material, and a composite material formed over the substrate and including nanoparticles dispersed in a dielectric material, in which the composite material forms a coating capable of absorbing solar energy in a selected spectrum and reflecting the solar energy in another selected spectrum.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, apparatus, methods and devices, including a method that includes generating two or more sequential surface plasmon interference patterns, at least one of the two or more sequential surface plasmon interference patterns being different from another of the two or more sequential surface plasmon interference patterns, and capturing respective images of a specimen resulting from the interference patterns. Also disclosed is a method that includes generating two or more sequential optical interference patterns, at least one of the two or more sequential optical interference patterns being different from another of the interference patterns, and removing from each of the generated interference patterns, using a beam stopper, a corresponding zero-order diffraction light component included in the respective generated patterns to obtain resultant corresponding two or more sequential optical interference patterns, directed at a specimen, with missing respective zero-order light components.

Abstract: Devices based on metamaterial structures to guide and manipulate light, other electromagnetic radiation and acoustic waves. For example, a lens can include a metamaterial structure comprising nano structures of metallic and dielectric materials; and a plasmonic waveguide coupler formed over the metamaterial structure for coupling electromagnetic radiation to or from metamaterial structure. The metamaterial structure has an anisotropic structure and the plasmonic waveguide coupler is structured to include metal and non-metal parts to support surface plasmon polaritons and to cause different phase delays at different locations of an interface with the metamaterial structure in a way that the metamaterial structure and the plasmonic waveguide coupler effect a lens for performing a Fourier transform of the electromagnetic radiation coupled between the metamaterial structure and the plasmonic waveguide coupler.

Abstract: Plasmonic condensers for generating surface plasmon at an evanescent wave surface can include a substrate layer, a metal layer comprising the evanescent wave surface; and a media layer disposed between the metal layer and the substrate layer. The media layer can be active or passive and can include a source of radiation that interacts with the metal layer to create surface plasmons that are not substantially optically detectable as far field radiation until an interfering object is brought into proximity with the evanescent wave surface. When an interfering object such as a sample or specimen is brought into proximity with the evanescent wave surface, it causes coupling of at least some of the surface plasmons into propagating radiation detectable by an objective lens. Systems, methods, and the like are disclosed, as are features of a plasmonic meta-materials illuminator.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, apparatus, methods and devices, including a method that includes generating two or more sequential surface plasmon interference patterns, at least one of the two or more sequential surface plasmon interference patterns being different from another of the two or more sequential surface plasmon interference patterns, and capturing respective images of a specimen resulting from the interference patterns. Also disclosed is a method that includes generating two or more sequential optical interference patterns, at least one of the two or more sequential optical interference patterns being different from another of the interference patterns, and removing from each of the generated interference patterns, using a beam stopper, a corresponding zero-order diffraction light component included in the respective generated patterns to obtain resultant corresponding two or more sequential optical interference patterns, directed at a specimen, with missing respective zero-order light components.

Abstract: According to a method of determining a size of a sample polynucleotide, a sample polynucleotide is subjected to electrophoresis in the presence of a fluorescent compound having a first fluorescence spectrum. Detection of light of the first fluorescence spectrum is indicative of the presence of the sample polynucleotide. One or more size standards are also subjected to electrophoresis, optionally in the presence of the sample polynucleotide. If more than one size standard is used, the different size standards typically have different mobilities. The size standards are generally essentially or completely free of polynucleotides. Migration coordinates, e.g., migration times, of the sample polynucleotide and size standard(s) are determined. A size of the sample polynucleotide can be determined using the migration coordinate of the sample polynucleotide and the migration coordinate(s) of the size standard(s).

Abstract: A method for determining a frequency of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within genomic DNA includes providing genomic DNA of each of a plurality of different organisms. The genomic DNA of each organism includes first and second portions, e.g., first and second strands. First and second amplicons are prepared from the genomic DNA of each organism. The first amplicon corresponds to the first portion of the genomic DNA and the second amplicon corresponds to the second portion of the genomic DNA. A plurality of duplexes is prepared from the first and second amplicons of the genomic DNA of each organism. At least some of the duplexes include a portion of one of the first amplicons and a portion of one of the second amplicons. The duplexes are subjected to temperature gradient electrophoresis to obtain first electrophoresis data indicative of the rate of SNP at a first location in the genomic DNA of the plurality of organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the genotype of a sample polynucleotide having at least a first variant site. At least a portion of the sample polynucleotide is amplified to obtain first amplicons, the first amplicons including the first variant site. The first amplicons are combined with first and second different polynucleotide controls, the first and second polynucleotide controls differing by at least one base therealong, the position of the at least one differing base corresponding to the first variant site of the sample polynucleotide. A plurality of first duplexes are prepared, each of at least some of the first duplexes comprising (i) a polynucleotide strand of one of the first amplicons and (ii) a complementary polynucleotide strand of the first polynucleotide control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the presence of a mutation in a first sample comprising first nucleotides. The reference sample comprising reference nucleotides. The first sample and a reference sample are subjected to electrophoresis in the presence of at least one intercalating dye. During electrophoresis the temperature of the first sample and the reference sample is changed by an amount sufficient to change an electrophoretic mobility of at least one of the first or reference nucleotides. Fluorescence intensity data are obtained. The fluorescence intensity data are indicative of the presence of the first and reference nucleotides. At least one of the first sample or reference samples comprises products resulting from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the products not having been desalted prior to electrophoresis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining whether a length of a first polynucleotide is equal to (a) a length of a second polynucleotide or (b) a length of a third polynucleotide. A sample including the first polynucleotide is provided. A first portion of the sample is combined with an amount of the second polynucleotide to form a first mixture. A second portion of the sample is combined with an amount of the third polynucleotide to form a second, different mixture. The second polynucleotide includes at least 1 additional base than the third polynucleotide. The at least 1 additional base is located intermediate terminal ends of the second polynucleotide. First duplexes including the first polynucleotide and the second polynucleotide are prepared. Second duplexes including the first polynucleotide and the third polynucleotide are prepared. The first and second duplexes are subjected to temperature gradient electrophoresis to obtain electrophoresis data.