Abstract: The invention relates to a device for introducing light into a waveguide, which device comprises: a light source, preferably an electro-optical converter, more preferably a VCSEL, for generating a light beam; a reflector for receiving at least a part of the light beam and for reflecting at least a part of the received part, wherein the waveguide and the material layer lie substantially mutually in line and both rest at least partially on a substantially flat substrate, wherein the light source and the reflector are positioned relative to the waveguide such that at least a part of the reflected part is introduced into the waveguide. The invention also relates to a device for emitting light from a waveguide. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such devices.

Abstract: A device which simultaneously maximizes light reflectivity from one side of the device while maximizing light transmissivity from the opposite side of the device. The device is configured with distinct regions of transparency and reflectivity including a plurality of reflective structures. The structures are generally smaller towards a light transmitting side of the device and larger towards a light reflective side of the device.

Abstract: A light modulator incorporates a polarization sensitive prism and a novel MEMS ribbon device to impart a relative phase shift to polarization components of an incident light beam. A linear array of phase shifting elements in the MEMS device creates a linear image which is scanned to form a two dimensional scene. Alternatively the deflection of each cantilever in a linear array of atomic force microscope cantilevers may be measured simultaneously.

Abstract: A package is made of a transparent substrate having an interferometric modulator and a back plate. A non-hermetic seal joins the back plate to the substrate to form a package, and a desiccant resides inside the package. A method of packaging an interferometric modulator includes providing a transparent substrate and manufacturing an interferometric modulator array on a backside of the substrate. A back plate is provided and a desiccant is applied to the back plate.

Abstract: Laser light emitted from a vertically confined surface emitting laser (VCSEL) is incident on a side surface near an end region of an optical waveguide. The end region of the optical waveguide is processed by polishing to taper at an angle of 45 degrees, and an optical modulator is formed on the polished surface. The optical modulator is a Fabry-Perot modulator using a linear electro-optical effect. The modulator has a thick transparent electro-optical layer which is deposited by using an aerosol deposition method.

Abstract: A light modulator is arranged as an array of rows and columns of interferometric display elements. Each element is divided into sub-rows of sub-elements. Array connection lines transmit operating signals to the display elements, with one connection line corresponding to one row of display elements in the array. Sub-array connection lines electrically connect to each array connection line. Switches transmit the operating signals from each array connection line to the sub-rows to effect gray scale modulation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high speed phase modulation of optical beam with reduced optical loss. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first region of an optical waveguide disposed in semiconductor material. The first region has a first conductivity type. The apparatus also includes a second region of the optical waveguide disposed in the semiconductor material. The second region has a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. A first contact is included in the apparatus and is coupled to the optical waveguide at a first location in the first region outside an optical path of an optical beam to be directed through the optical waveguide. The apparatus also includes a first higher doped region included in the first region and coupled to the first contact at the first location to improve an electrical coupling between the first contact and the optical waveguide. The first higher doped region has a higher doping concentration than a doping concentration within the optical path.

Abstract: A light modulator assembly includes a substrate, a micro-electro mechanical semiconductor device (MEMS device) formed on the substrate, and a temperature control device coupled to the substrate and configured to maintain the MEMS device at or above an elevated threshold temperature.

Abstract: Light in the visible spectrum is modulated using an array of modulation elements, and control circuitry connected to the array for controlling each of the modulation elements independently, each of the modulation elements having a surface which is caused to exhibit a predetermined impedance characteristic to particular frequencies of light. The amplitude of light delivered by each of the modulation elements is controlled independently by pulse code modulation. Each modulation element has a deformable portion held under tensile stress, and the control circuitry controls the deformation of the deformable portion. Each deformable element has a deformation mechanism and an optical portion, the deformation mechanism and the optical portion independently imparting to the element respectively a controlled deformation characteristic and a controlled modulation characteristic. The deformable modulation element may be a non-metal.

Abstract: A light modulator having a waveguide and a resonator is disclosed. The waveguide routes light of wavelength ? past the resonator. The resonator is coupled to the waveguide such that a portion of the light is input to the resonator, the resonator having a resonance at ?. The resonator includes a gain region in which light of wavelength ? is amplified and an absorption region in which light of wavelength ? is absorbed, the absorption region having first and second states, the first state absorbing less light of wavelength ? than the second state, the state of the absorption region is determined by an electrical signal coupled to the absorption region. The gain region provides a gain that compensates for the light absorption in the first state. In one embodiment, the waveguide and resonator are critically coupled when the absorption region is in the second state.

Abstract: A modulator, including: an active modulator layer including a plurality of step quantum wells, wherein at least one of the plurality of step quantum wells is configured to have a leaky electron energy state; and at least one inactive layer bounding the active modulator layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a high-density spatial light modulator includes a substrate having a reflective surface and a reflective ribbon over the reflective surface. The ribbon may have one or more openings, such as rectangular slots. The openings allow light to pass through the ribbon and impinge on the reflective surface. Deflecting the ribbon towards the substrate thus allows for dynamically-controllable diffraction of incident light. The spatial light modulator pixel requires less space than a conventional light modulator, thus allowing for relatively large pixel count within a manufacturable device size. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical imaging system including an illumination system, a Cartesian PBS, and a prism assembly. The illumination system provides a beam of light, the illumination system having an f/# less than or equal to 2.5. The Cartesian polarizing beam-splitter has a first tilt axis, oriented to receive the beam of light. A first polarized beam of light having one polarization direction is folded by the Cartesian polarizing beam splitter and a second polarized beam of light having a second polarization direction is transmitted by the Cartesian polarizing beam splitter. The Cartesian polarizing beam splitter nominally polarizes the beam of light with respect to the Cartesian beam-splitter to yield the first polarized beam in the first polarization direction. The color separation and recombination prism is optically aligned to receive the first polarized beam. The prism has a second tilt axis, a plurality of color separating surfaces, and a plurality of exit surfaces.

Abstract: The cathode of an optical element, which is formed by a substrate, an anode formed on the substrate, a luminous element layer and a cathode, is made of aluminum whose surface orientation is substantially uniform. Oxygen content of the aluminum is substantially less or equal to 1×1020 atoms/cm3.

Abstract: A color changeable pixel comprises a first plate, a second plate and a third plate. The three plates are settled in parallel. The second plate is a deformable and reflective plate. An incident light from one side of the first plate is modulated and only specific frequency light reflects by the second plate. The frequency of the reflected light is related to the distance between the first plate and the second plate. The second plate shifts by the voltage added on the third plate to change the distance between the first plate and the second plate. Therefore, the frequency of the reflected light is altered.

Abstract: An optical modulator consists of an electrical input for receiving an electrical control signal, an optical output for outputting an optical signal, and at least two optical cavities coupled together according to a set of coupling parameters. The electrical control signal frequency is in a narrow frequency band, and the coupling parameters are selected to match the modulator frequency band of operation.

Abstract: A radiation reflecting element (34), more particularly a so-called triple prism or a retro-reflector, is provided with a photonic element on a surface serving either for the passage of an electromagnetic energy beam (light) (40,43) or on one of the surfaces (30–32) serving for the deflection of the beam. The photonic element is characterized by the presence of a photonic band gap (5,7) capable of being shifted e.g. by an electric signal. Thus, with an appropriate selection of the wavelength of the light beam, the photonic element can be switched from reflective to transmissive, thereby allowing a modulation of the light beam with a high modulation depth.

Abstract: A grating coupled surface plasmon resonance optical modulator is disclosed. A electro-optic polymer dielectric is deposited on the metallic surface of a diffraction grating to provide a metal/dielectric interface. A surface plasmon will propagate at the metal/dielectric interface in a resonant condition, e.g., when the metal surface is illuminated by transverse magnetic (TM) polarized light of the appropriate wavelength, angle of incidence and phase velocity. In the present invention, phase velocity is controlled by the diffraction grating. A transparent electrode deposited on the electro-optic layer allows an electrical potential to be applied across the electro-optic polymer. The applied electrical potential (voltage) changes the index of refraction of the electro-optic polymer, thereby disrupting the resonant condition to produce an optically detectable change in reflectance of incident light from the metal layer.

Abstract: An optical modulator with lowered chirping without deterioration of extinction characteristic. An intermediate layer is interposed between a well layer and an n-side barrier layer and tensile strain is produced in the well layer. A relationship Ew<Em<Eb is established between a band gap energy Eb (eV) of the barrier layer, the band gap energy Ew (eV) of the well layer, and the band gap energy Em (eV) of the intermediate layer. Another type of tensile strain quantum well structure having four kinds of layers may be employed by adding another layer to the tensile strain quantum well structure having three layers. The band gap energy of an additional layer is between the band gap energies of the well layer and the intermediate layer or between the band gap energies of the intermediate layer and the barrier layer.

Abstract: A first control optics assembly receives an incoming optical image. A template optical element produces a template optical intensity profile. A second control optics assembly receives the template optical intensity profile. A polarization separator receives an output from the second control optics. A quarter wave plate changes the polarization of the polarized output therefrom. A combiner receives an output from the first control optics assembly and an output from the quarter wave plate and provides a combined, co-linear propagation output image having an initial beam size. An SLM provides absorption of a portion of the combined output image which changes the local index of refraction of the SLM so that the local reflection at the template optical intensity profile changes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrically switchable laminate construction for applications including smart windows, and other uses and applications in which light management is desired. The electro-optical laminate construction has scattering and transparent modes of operation for dynamically controlling electromagnetic radiation flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for forming the intensity profile of a laser beam, in particular for producing a homogeneous intensity profile. In an embodiment of the present invention, the laser beam can strike an optically addressable spatial light-modular (OASLM), whose local transmission or reflection properties depend in nonlinear fashion on the local illumination intensity.

Abstract: A temporal optical correlator is disclosed. The example optical correlator includes a light source, a set of White cells and a micro-mirror array. The micro-mirror array and set of White cells cooperate to produce a correlated summed output signal. A method for processing signals using the example optical correlator is also disclosed.

Abstract: An exposure system (5) for fabricating optical film (40) such as for photoalignment, where the optical film (40) has a photosensitive layer (20) and a substrate (10). The exposure system (5) directs an exposure beam from a light source (1) through the optical film (40), then uses a reflective surface (58) to reflect the exposure energy back through the optical film (40) to enhance or otherwise further condition the photoreaction of the photosensitive layer (20).

Abstract: An opto-electronic oscillator including a modulator for outputting modulated light and a tunable filter for receiving modulated light output from the modulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a controllable double cladding guiding structure for tunable phase delay, dynamic chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion compensation. The device includes an etched fiber, an electro-optic material with index of refraction changing with externally applied stimulus (electric, magnetic or thermal effect) and a fiber Bragg grating (uniform, apodized, linearly or non-linearly chirped).

Abstract: A color filter substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes a polarizing substrate, a black matrix positioned on the polarizing substrate, a color filter layer positioned on the black matrix, and a common electrode positioned on the color filter layer.

Abstract: A device which simultaneously maximizes light reflectivity from one side of the device while maximizing light tansmmissivity from the opposite side of the device. The device is configured with distinct regions of transparency and reflectivity including a plurality of reflective structures. The structures generally smaller towards a light transmitting side of the device and larger towards a light reflective side of the device.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus (8) for fabricating optical film (40) by exposing a pattern such as for photoalignment, where the optical film (40) has a photosensitive layer (20) and a substrate (10). The exposure apparatus (8) directs an exposure beam from a light source (1) to a reflective polarization modulation device (88). The modulated exposure beam is then directed onto the photosensitive layer (20) for forming a pattern onto the optical film (40). A reflective surface (50) is disposed to reflect, back through the optical film (40), a portion of the exposure beam transmitted through the optical film (40), in order to obtain a photoreactive response. The source of exposure radiation and the reflective surface (50) are on opposite sides of the optical film (40).

Abstract: A variable semiconductor all-optical buffer and method of fabrication is provided where buffering is achieved by slowing down the optical signal using a control light source to vary the dispersion characteristic of the medium based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). Photonic bandgap engineering in conjunction with strained quantum wells (QWs) and quantum dots (QDs) achieves room temperature operation of EIT. Photonic crystals are used to sharpen the spectral linewidths in a quantum well structure due to its density of states and in a quantum-dot structure caused by the inhomogeneity of the dot size, typically observed in state-of-the-art QD materials. The configuration facilitates monolithic integration of an optical buffer with an amplifier and control laser to provide advantages over other material systems as candidates for optical buffers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a video display system employs an array of ribbon light modulators having a reflective surface configured to reflect or diffract a beam. The beam may have a wavelength suitable for displaying a video image. The reflective surface may comprise an aluminum alloy suitable for receiving the beam, which may have a relatively high power density. In one embodiment, a method of displaying a video image comprises impinging a beam on a portion of a reflective surface of a light modulator. The beam may have a wavelength suitable for displaying a video image, and the reflective surface may comprise an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A structure of an interference display cell is provided. The cell comprises a first plate and a second plate, wherein a support is located between the first plate and the second plate. The second plate is a deformable and reflective plate. An incident light from one side of the first plate is modulated and only specific frequency light reflects by the second plate. The frequency of the reflected light is related to the distance between the first plate and the second plate. The support has at least one arm. The arm's stress makes the arm hiking upward or downward. The distance between the first plate and the second plate is also changed. Therefore, the frequency of the reflected light is altered.

Abstract: An optical device for rerouting and modifying an optical signal that uses a double pass through a liquid crystal modulator is disclosed. The optical device includes a first polarizer for providing polarized light, a liquid crystal modulator for selectively modifying the polarized light, a second polarizer for analyzing the light passed through the liquid crystal modulator, and a reflector for reflecting the analyzed light back through the second polarizer, the liquid crystal modulator, and the first polarizer. This arrangement provides a double pass through the liquid crystal modulator, thus significantly improving the attainable extinction ratio.

Abstract: An electro-optical device 101 is provided with an electro-optical panel 102 in which a liquid crystal material L is held between a pair of opposed electrodes 114a and 114b, and a dot is formed in each of regions where the pair of opposed electrodes 114a and 114b is opposed to each other, and with a light source 106 for irradiating the electro-optical panel 102 with light. The device further comprises a transflective film 112 having a light-transmitting region 113 provided for each of the dots to transmit light from the light source 106 and a light-reflecting region for reflecting the external light, a colored layer 118 provided corresponding to the dots, and a colored layer 121 provided opposite to the colored layer 118 with the liquid crystal material L held therebetween corresponding to the light-transmitting region 113.

Abstract: Provided is an optical multilayer structure having a simpler configuration, flexibility in selection of materials and improved reliability in wiring and capable of high-speed response even in a visible light range. A optical multilayer structure (1) has a first layer (11) being light-absorptive and making contact with a substrate (10), a gap portion (12) having as large a size as light interference phenomenon can occur and being capable of varying the size, and a second layer (13) being transparent in this order on the substrate (10). Where a complex refractive index of the first layer (11) is N1 (=n1?i·k1, n1 is a refractive index, k1 is an extinction coefficient, and i is an imaginary unit), a refractive index of the second layer (13) is n2, and a refractive index of an incident medium is 1.0, the optical multilayer structure (1) is configured so as to satisfy the following formula. ( n 1 - n 2 2 + 1 2 ) 2 + k 1 2 - ( n 2 2 - 1 2 ) 2 = 0.

Abstract: The invention provides a substantially athermal etalon. In one embodiment, the multi-cavity etalon includes at least one free-standing multi-layer thin film and is rendered thermally stable through the use of the free-standing multi-layer film and spacers having predetermined thermal expansion coefficients. In another embodiment, the multi-cavity etalon is rendered thermally stable through the use of mixed spacers.

Abstract: The invention provides an electro-optical device, an electronic apparatus using the electro-optical device, and a method for manufacturing an electro-optical device. High-quality image display may be realized by avoiding abnormal exposures during formation of a photosensitive resin layer on a transparent substrate by using photolithography. A TFT-arrayed substrate of a reflective or transflective electro-optical device is manufactured in such a manner that a photosensitive resin is exposed from the front face side of the TFT-arrayed substrate after the photosensitive resin is applied, while the TFT-arrayed substrate is held at the rear face side thereof by a vacuum chuck. In this case, since a light-shielding film is formed at the lower side of a photosensitive resin layer, a risk in that light transmitted through the TFT-arrayed substrate is reflected by the vacuum chuck and thereby transfers marks and the like of suction holes to the photosensitive resin can be reduced or avoided.

Abstract: An illuminating light modulating device modulates at least one of wavelength, phase, intensity, polarization, and coherency of the light emitted to an object by an illuminating device. A pupil modulating device is disposed near a pupil plane of an objective lens, and modulates at least one of phase, intensity and direction of polarization of the luminous flux including the information of the object. An image pickup device is disposed on a plane on which the image of the object is formed by the objective lens and an imaging lens, and picks up the image of the object. An image analysis device analyzes the image of the object picked up by the image pickup device. A parameter decision device adjusts the modulation amounts of the illuminating light modulating device and the pupil modulating device by using the image information of the object analyzed by the image analysis device.

Abstract: Cholesteric liquid crystal cell units are used for reflecting or transmitting incident light responsive to control signals. A cholesteric liquid crystal cell unit has a first cholesteric liquid crystal cell and a second cholesteric liquid crystal cell. The second cholesteric liquid crystal cell respectively reflects or transmit lights from the first cholesteric liquid crystal cell responsive to a control signal when the first cholesteric liquid crystal cell reflects circularly polarized light of one state or transmits the incident light. In one embodiment of the cell unit, a &pgr;-phase waveplate element is located between the first and second cholesteric liquid crystal cells. With the cholesteric liquid crystal cell units, devices such as optical switches, and WDM add/drop multiplexers, and optical switch systems with arrays of input and output optical fibers between a switching matrix formed by the cholesteric liquid crystal cell units, may be constructed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a protective diffusion film, which does not scratch a lens film and a liquid crystal display device, does not become a refuse source or the like, and also has a suitable level of concealment effect, a process for producing the same, a surface light source device, and a liquid crystal display device. This protective diffusion film is used in a surface light source device provided with a lens film wherein the protective diffusion film is provided on a light outgoing surface of the lens film, and comprises: a transparent substrate layer; and a protective diffusion layer which is provided on the transparent substrate layer in its surface at least on the lens film side, has fine concaves and convexes on its surface, protects members which come into contact with the protective diffusion film, and is light diffusive.

Abstract: Optical devices using reflective polarizers and, in particular, diffusely reflective polarizers are provided. Many of the optical devices utilize the diffusely reflecting and specularly transmitting properties of diffusely reflecting polarizers to enhance their optical characteristics. The optical devices include a lighting system which uses a reflector formed from a diffusely reflecting polarizer attached to a specular reflector. Another optical device is a display apparatus which uses a diffusely reflecting polarizer layer in combination with a turning lens which folds shallow angle light toward a light modulating layer. Other optical devices exploit the depolarizing characteristics of a diffusely reflecting polarizer when reflecting light. Still other optical devices use diffusely reflecting polarizers to recycle light and improve display illumination.

Abstract: An optical system provides high-contrast operation by collecting zero order light. The optical system comprises a light modulator and a collector. The light modulator is preferably a grating light valve™ light modulator including a plurality of elements selectively operable in a first mode and a second mode, wherein a gap between adjacent elements is equal to or less than a wavelength of an incident light beam. The plurality of elements in the first mode reflect light along a return path, where the plurality of elements in the second mode direct light away from the return path. The collector is coupled to the light modulator to collect zero order light along the return path while the plurality of elements are in the first mode and to collect zero order light along the return path while the plurality of elements are in the second mode.

Abstract: In order to obtain an optical transmitter module for converting an input electric signal to a light signal with fidelity and outputting it therefrom, a terminal resistor Rt and an optical modulator MD are connected in parallel within a package including a laser diode with a monolithically integrated optical modulator for obtaining the light signal according to the electric signal. One thereof is grounded and the other thereof is connected to a wire inductance (L1) and an impedance matching resistor Rd in series with this parallel connection. Further, a high frequency transmission line (micro-strip line) MSL for the transmission of the electric signal is connected to the other end of the impedance matching resistor Rd.

Abstract: An asymmetric Fabry-Perot modulator is disclosed having an adjustable resonant cavity length. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes an asymmetric Fabry-Perot modulator having a first reflector adjustably mounted to another portion of the modulator containing a second reflector. The length of the resonant cavity is adjusted by microelectomechanically changing the distance from the first reflector to the second reflector. In turn, this change of the resonant cavity length may tune the modulator to an optimal wavelength corresponding to the electro-absorptance material in the modulator.

Abstract: A device which simultaneously maximizes light reflectivity from one side of the device while maximizing light transmissivity from the opposite side of the device. The device is configured with distinct regions of transparency and reflectivity including a plurality of reflective structures. The structures are generally smaller towards a light transmitting side of the device and larger towards a light reflective side of the device.

Abstract: A modular optical platform for selective wavelength switching that can be adapted to perform various other functions, such as dynamic gain equalization (DGE) and add/drop multiplexing (ADM) provides the versatility and modularity that will be essential to the future of the fiber optics industry. The basic platform includes a first lens for directing an optical signal, a diffraction grating for dispersing an optical signal into its component wavelength channels, a second lens for directing the component wavelength channels, and a modifying device for conducting one or more of a variety of functions including switching, DGE and ADM. The first and second lens are preferably replaced by a single concave reflective mirror having optical power.

Abstract: A micro mirror unit includes a micro mirror substrate, a wiring substrate and an electroconductive spacer disposed between these substrates. The micro mirror substrate includes a moving part, a frame and torsion bars connecting the moving part to the frame. The moving part is provided with a mirror-formed portion. The wiring substrate is formed with a wiring pattern. The electroconductive spacer electrically connects the frame to the wiring pattern, while also providing a space between the micro mirror substrate and the wiring substrate.

Abstract: A band discontinuity reduction layer having a band gap energy larger than that of that of an MQW (multiple quantum well) absorption layer and smaller than that of a p-InP clad layer is provided between the MQW absorption layer and the p-InP clad layer. In addition, a band discontinuity reduction layer having a band gap energy larger than that of the MQW absorption layer and smaller than that of an n-InP clad layer is provided between the MQW absorption layer and the n-InP clad layer. Consequently, as a pile-up of carriers is suppressed, a semiconductor light modulator with an enhanced response speed can be obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering electromagnetic waves and sensing deposition of chemical species, the apparatus having a substrate having a surface relief structure containing at least one dielectric body with physical dimensions smaller than the wavelength of the filtered electromagnetic waves, such structures repeated in a two dimensional array covering at least a portion of the surface of the first substrate. The apparatus may include one, two, or more such arrays, spaced from one another to create one or more cavities between the arrays.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a wavelength locker which has a wider locking range than that of the wavelength locker in the prior art and which can cope with a plurality of wavelengths. The aforementioned objects are achieved by a wavelength locker, which comprises a periodic filter, a detecting part for detecting the intensity of a laser beam through the periodic filter, and a controlling part for controlling the wavelength of the laser beam to a desired wavelength in accordance with the output of the detecting part. In this wavelength locker, the FSR of the periodical filter is controlled according to space between the wavelengths, and refers to the number of wavelength to be locked, so that the characteristics corresponding to output wavelengths that vary in every period twice the space of wavelengths and are complementary to each other, can be obtained, and the locking range will become wider.