Having Nonlinear Property Patents (Class 385/122)
  • Publication number: 20080316589
    Abstract: An optical device for generating a beat frequency between two optical wavelengths includes two waveguides (2a, 2b) of different width and a grating layer (4) that is common to both wave guides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: The Centre for Integrated Photonics Limited
    Inventor: Ian Lealman
  • Publication number: 20080317418
    Abstract: A core includes a center core region, a core layer that is formed around the center core region and that has a refractive index lower than that of the center core layer, and at least one buffer core layer that is formed between the center core region and the core layer and that has a refractive index lower than that of the center core region and higher than that of the core layer. A cladding is formed around the core layer and that has a refractive index lower than that of the center core region and higher than that of the core layer. An effective core area at a wavelength of 1550 nm is equal to or smaller than 18 ?m2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki TANIGUCHI, Jiro Hiroishi, Masanori Takahashi, Ryuichi Sugizaki
  • Patent number: 7466229
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus of converting a laser beam traveling straight to a beam propagated in all directions and a security system using the laser beam propagated in all directions. The laser beam traveling straight is incident on a cylindrical prism and repeatedly reflected and transmitted to be converted to the laser beam propagated in all directions. The laser beam is converted to a plane beam or a conical beam by controlling an incident angle of the laser beam incident on the cylindrical prism. The security system is constructed using the apparatus of generating the plane, beam or conical beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Korea Advance Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hong Jin Kong, Jin Choi
  • Publication number: 20080304788
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for generating a broadband spectrum that can be used in particular as a light source for short coherence interferometry and confocal microscopy as well as endoscopic short coherence interferometry and endoscopic confocal microscopy. The arrangement comprises a laser, in particular a laser diode, for generating a short light pulse of wavelength ?P and a microstructured optical fiber (1) of high nonlinearity, that has a null dispersion of the group velocity in the vicinity of the wavelength ?P and an anomalous dispersion, as well as means for coupling the light pulse into the microstructured optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Mannstadt, Bernd Drapp, Wolfram Beier
  • Patent number: 7463804
    Abstract: An all-optical logic gates comprises a nonlinear element such as an optical resonator configured to receive optical input signals, at least one of which is amplitude-modulated to include data. The nonlinear element is configured in relation to the carrier frequency of the optical input signals to perform a logic operation based on the resonant frequency of the nonlinear element in relation to the carrier frequency. Based on the optical input signals, the nonlinear element generates an optical output signal having a binary logic level. A combining medium can be used to combine the optical input signals for discrimination by the nonlinear element to generate the optical output signal. Various embodiments include all-optical AND, NOT, NAND, NOR, OR, XOR, and XNOR gates and memory latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Coveytech LLC
    Inventor: John Luther Covey
  • Publication number: 20080298756
    Abstract: An enhanced entropy camera provides enhanced image quality by utilizing a custom analog-to-digital conversion function. The analog-to-digital conversion occurs according to a custom non-linear quantization function that provides enhanced entropy in the digitized image, yet avoids the harsh artifacts that tend to arise in images quantized according to a maximum entropy function. A plurality of custom non-linear functions are made available for selection depending upon imaging conditions, such as light intensity, pigmentation of the retina, or the part of the retina being imaged. Each of the plural non-linear quantization function comprises a distinct non-linear look up table for each of plural bands (e.g., red, green, and blue color channels).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Kestrel Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Wiley Truitt, Peter Soliz
  • Publication number: 20080298757
    Abstract: A coating (10) between a nonlinear crystal (5) and a silicon prism coupler (9), prevents transmission of radiation scattered within the crystal (5) by filtering out frequencies outside the silicon bandgap to avoid free carrier absorption, but transmits THz frequencies that correspond to the bandgap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Malcolm Dunn, Cameron F. Rae, Tom J. Edwards, David J.M. Stothard, David Walsh
  • Patent number: 7460295
    Abstract: A periodic poling structure comprises a ferroelectric substrate including a plurality of tunnels, a plurality of first domains positioned in the ferroelectric substrate between the tunnels and a plurality of second domains interleaved between the first domains in the ferroelectric substrate. Each first domain has a first polarization direction, and each second domain has a second polarization direction different from the first polarization direction. The tunnels are disposed on a top surface and on a bottom surface of the ferroelectric substrate in an equal interval manner or in a variant interval manner. Particularly, the second polarization direction is opposite to the first polarization direction. The periodic poling structure further comprises a plurality of conductive blocks covering the entire base surfaces of the tunnels, or separated from the sidewalls of the tunnels by insulation gaps such that the conductive blocks cover only a portion of the base surfaces of the tunnels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: HC Photonics Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph Lung-Chang Ho, Tze-Chia Lin, Ming-Hsien Chou
  • Patent number: 7457031
    Abstract: An optical package is provided comprising a semiconductor laser, a wavelength conversion device, a lens assembly, and one or more adjustable optical components. The lens assembly and the adjustable optical component are configured to direct an output beam of the semiconductor laser towards the input face of the wavelength conversion device and to vary the position of the output beam on the input face of the wavelength conversion device. The lens assembly and the adjustable optical component are further configured to define a folded optical path such that laser light propagating along the optical path from the semiconductor laser to the wavelength conversion device is collimated or nearly collimated by the lens assembly prior to being reflected by the adjustable optical component and is focused by the lens assembly on the input face of the wavelength conversion device after being reflected by the adjustable optical component. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Corning, Incorporated
    Inventor: Jacques Gollier
  • Patent number: 7453625
    Abstract: A comb electrode 3 is provided on a first main face 2a and a uniform electrode 4 is provided on a second main face 2b of a substrate made of a ferroelectric single crystal of a single domain, and a voltage is applied on the comb electrode 3 and the uniform electrode 4 to produce domain inversion part. It is laminated, on the substrate, an underlying substrate comprising a main body 5, a first conductive film 6 provided on a first main face 5a and a second conductive film 7 provided on a second main face 5b of the main body 5. The uniform electrode 4 is electrically conducted with the first conductive film 6 and a voltage is applied on the comb electrode 3 and the second conductive film 7 to form a domain inversion part in the substrate 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichiro Yamaguchi, Makoto Iwai, Yuichi Iwata
  • Publication number: 20080273848
    Abstract: An all-optical logic gates comprises a nonlinear element such as an optical resonator configured to receive optical input signals, at least one of which is amplitude-modulated to include data. The nonlinear element is configured in relation to the carrier frequency of the optical input signals to perform a logic operation based on the resonant frequency of the nonlinear element in relation to the carrier frequency. Based on the optical input signals, the nonlinear element generates an optical output signal having a binary logic level. A combining medium can be used to combine the optical input signals for discrimination by the nonlinear element to generate the optical output signal. Various embodiments include all-optical AND, NOT, NAND, NOR, OR, XOR, and XNOR gates and memory latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: COVEYTECH LLC
    Inventor: John Luther Covey
  • Patent number: 7446930
    Abstract: A problem to be solved is to provide a method of forming domain inverted regions of short period in a ferroelectric single crystal in a controllable time period of application of voltage and an optical wavelength conversion element using the same. A solving means of it solves the problem by forming (i) a control layer having a larger defect density Dcont1 than the defect density Dferro of a ferroelectric single crystal (Dferro<Dcont1) or forming (ii) a control layer having a lower degree of order of lattice points than the degree of order of lattice points of the ferroelectric single crystal on a face perpendicular to the direction of polarization of the ferroelectric single crystal in the ferroelectric single crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Kenji Kitamura, Sunao Kurimura, Masaru Nakamura, Shunji Takekawa, Kazuya Terabe, Shunichi Hishida, Tamaki Shimura
  • Patent number: 7440161
    Abstract: There is provided a stable optical element having a fine, uniform, and wide-ranging domain inversion structure in a ferroelectric crystal. This includes a plurality of domain inversions (101) formed on an MgO:LiNbO3 substrate (100), and a groove (102) formed on the substrate surface between the domain inversions (101). The depth T? of substantially all of the domain inversions (101) satisfies the relation T?<T with respect to the substrate thickness T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Morikawa, Tomoya Sugita, Kiminori Mizuuchi
  • Patent number: 7437083
    Abstract: A wavelength converter for binary optical signals includes an interferometer structure (110) for generating an output signal by modulating a received local signal (LS) according to the modulation of a fUrther received first input signal (IS 1). When such interferometer structures (110) are operated in a standard mode it is known in the art to control the power of the input signal such that the extinction ratio of the output signal is kept minimal. The invention also controls the power of the input signals to achieve the minimal extinction ratio when the wavelength converter and in particular the interferometer structure (110) is operated in a differential mode receiving two input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: ALCATEL
    Inventors: Bruno Lavigne, Olivier Leclerc, Jean-Luc Moncelet, Alex Bombrun, Jean-Baptiste Pomet, Fabien Seyfert
  • Patent number: 7436583
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical amplification fiber and others capable of effectively reducing nonlinear interaction between signal channels even in transmission of multiplexed signal light containing multiple signal channels arranged in high density and also effectively reducing bending loss. An optical amplification module has an optical isolator, a WDM coupler, an Er-doped optical fiber (EDF) as an optical amplification fiber, a WDM coupler, and an optical isolator, which are arranged in order on a signal light propagation path from an input connector to an output connector, and further has a pumping light source connected to the WDM coupler and a pumping light source connected to the other WDM coupler. The EDF, at the wavelength of 1607 nm, has a mode field diameter (MFD) of 10 ?m or more to the fundamental mode and a MAC number (=MFD/cutoff wavelength) of 6.8 or less to the fundamental mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoki Kakui, Tetsuya Haruna, Shinji Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7436579
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for realizing a high quality bulk domain grating structure utilizing mobile charges that are generated by means of photo-excitation in a substrate. An effect of light exposure (UV, visible, or a combination of wavelengths) is to generate photo-induced charges. The application of a voltage across the substrate combined with the application of light exposure causes a photo-induced current to flow through the substrate. The photo-induced charges (behaving like virtual electrode inside the material) and the photo-induced current result in both reduction of the coercive field required for domain inversion in the material and improve realization of the domain inversion pattern, which previously has not been possible at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Arasor Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Lisheng Huang, Simon John Field
  • Patent number: 7430351
    Abstract: The invention relates to a non-linear optical filter capable of transmitting an electromagnetic pulse with a duration of less than about 1 picosecond, provided with means for generating an electromagnetic field E with a linear polarization from this pulse, and with a crystal C1 of cubic geometry capable of generating an electromagnetic field E?1 from E with a linear polarization orthogonal to that of E. It comprises means for generating at least one other electromagnetic field E?2 capable of producing constructive interferences with the electromagnetic field E?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignees: Thales, Le Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Ecole Polytechnique, Ecole Nationale Superieure des Techniques Avancees
    Inventors: Olivier Albert, Jean Etchepare, Aurélie Jullien, Gilles Cheriaux, Nikolay Minkovski, Solomon Saltiel
  • Patent number: 7428359
    Abstract: An all-optical logic gates comprises a nonlinear element such as an optical resonator configured to receive optical input signals, at least one of which is amplitude-modulated to include data. The nonlinear element is configured in relation to the carrier frequency of the optical input signals to perform a logic operation based on the resonant frequency of the nonlinear element in relation to the carrier frequency. Based on the optical input signals, the nonlinear element generates an optical output signal having a binary logic level. A combining medium can be used to combine the optical input signals for discrimination by the nonlinear element to generate the optical output signal. Various embodiments include all-optical AND, NOT, NAND, NOR, OR, XOR, and XNOR gates and memory latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Coveytech, LLC
    Inventor: John Luther Covey
  • Publication number: 20080226243
    Abstract: A nonlinear optical signal-treating apparatus can suppress the distortion of pulse light to be inputted into an optical fiber to an allowable level or less. The apparatus comprises a pulse light source for outputting first pulse light, a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber that is spliced with the first optical fiber and has a mode-field diameter smaller than that of the first optical fiber, and a light-introducing system for inputting the first pulse light into the first optical fiber. The second optical fiber receives the first pulse light and generates second pulse light having a newly produced wavelength. The peak power ratio of the first pulse light outputted from the first optical fiber to that inputted into the first optical fiber and the pulse width ratio of the first pulse light outputted from the first optical fiber to that inputted into the first optical fiber are 0.5 to 1.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Toshiaki OKUNO
  • Publication number: 20080226242
    Abstract: A method of generating supercontinuum optical radiation, the method comprising: (a) providing an optical wave-guide (22), said optical waveguide exhibiting a dispersion characteristic of guided optical radiation, said dis-persion characteristic comprising: (i) a first dispersion parameter (?21) at a first wavelength (?1), (ii) a second dispersion parameter (?22) at a second shorter wavelengths (?2), and (iii)a zero-dispersion parameter at a wavelength in between said first and said second shorter wavelengths; said optical waveguide further comprising at least one entrance for receiving optical radiation, and at least one exit for emitting guided optical radiation; (b) applying at least two laser radiation of said first (25) wavelength, (?1) at a first power (P1) and applying laser radiation of said second (26) shorter wavelength (?2) at a second power (P2) into said optical waveguide, said laser radiations at least partially overlapping between said at least one entrance and said at least one exit of said opt
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: KOHERAS A/S
    Inventors: Scott Charles Buchter, Hanne Elisabeth Ludvigsen, Matti Kaivola
  • Patent number: 7426075
    Abstract: In a nonlinear optical medium such as the gallium arsenide, two collinear incident monochromatic waves are injected to generate a monochromatic wave. The medium induces between the three waves a propagation phase-shift that has a value ? if the three waves travel a coherence length in the medium and that is compensated at the value 0 modulo 2? each time that the three waves have travelled a periodic distance in the medium. In order to significantly increase the conversion efficiency, the periodic distance between two successive bounces of total internal reflection of the waves in zig-zag is strictly less than the coherence length. The high conversion efficiency on a very short material length leads to product high-power coherent optical sources particularly with wavelengths of approximately 10 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: ONERA
    Inventors: Riad Haïdar, Emmanuel Rosencher, Jéröme Primot
  • Patent number: 7426322
    Abstract: Plasmons on a waveguide may deliver energy to photocatalyze a reaction. The waveguide or other energy carrier may be configured to carry electromagnetic energy and generate plasmon energy at one or more locations proximate to the waveguide, where the plasmon energy may react chemically with a medium or interaction material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: Roderick A. Hyde
  • Patent number: 7424191
    Abstract: A method of simultaneously specifying the wavelength dispersion and nonlinear coefficient of an optical fiber. Pulsed probe light and pulsed pump light are first caused to enter an optical fiber to be measured. Then, the power oscillation of the back-scattered light of the probe light or idler light generated within the optical fiber is measured. Next, the instantaneous frequency of the measured power oscillation is obtained, and the dependency of the instantaneous frequency relative to the power oscillation of the pump light in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber is obtained. Thereafter, a rate of change in the longitudinal direction between phase-mismatching conditions and nonlinear coefficient of the optical fiber is obtained from the dependency of the instantaneous frequency. And based on the rate of change, the longitudinal wavelength-dispersion distribution and longitudinal nonlinear-coefficient distribution of the optical fiber are simultaneously specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masateru Tadakuma, Yu Mimura, Misao Sakano, Osamu Aso, Takeshi Nakajima, Katsutoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7424192
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manipulating light with high index contrast waveguides clad with substances having that exhibit large nonlinear electro-optic constants ?2 and ?3. Waveguides fabricated on SOI wafers and clad with electro-optic polymers are described. Embodiments of waveguides having slots, electrical contacts, and input waveguide couplers are discussed. Waveguides having closed loop structures (such as rings and ovals) as well as linear or serpentine waveguides, are described. Optical signal processing methods, such as optical rectification and optical modulation, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael Hochberg, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 7421171
    Abstract: A system and a method for generating terahertz (THz) radiation are provided. The system includes a photonic crystal structure comprising at least one nonlinear material that enables optical rectification. The photonic crystal structure is configured to have the suitable transverse dispersion relations and enhanced density photonic states so as to allow THz radiation to be emitted efficiently when an optical or near infrared pulse travels through the nonlinear part of the photonic crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mihai Ibanescu, Evan Reed, Peter Rakich, Steven G. Johnson, Erich P. Ippen, John D. Joannopoulos, Marin Soljacic, Rafif E. Hamam
  • Publication number: 20080205834
    Abstract: An all-optical logic gates comprises a nonlinear element such as an optical resonator configured to receive optical input signals, at least one of which is amplitude-modulated to include data. The nonlinear element is configured in relation to the carrier frequency of the optical input signals to perform a logic operation based on the resonant frequency of the nonlinear element in relation to the carrier frequency. Based on the optical input signals, the nonlinear element generates an optical output signal having a binary logic level. A combining medium can be used to combine the optical input signals for discrimination by the nonlinear element to generate the optical output signal. Various embodiments include all-optical AND, NOT, NAND, NOR, OR, XOR, and XNOR gates and memory latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: COVEYTECH LLC
    Inventor: John Luther Covey
  • Patent number: 7413430
    Abstract: The upper block 12 contacts the bearing block 20, and the bearing block 20 is coupled to the upper plate 21. The upper block 12 has a protruding part 22 on the upper surface that is worked into a convex surface with a radius of R1, and the bearing block 20 has a recessed part 23 in the undersurface that is worked into a concave surface with a radius of R2 (R2>R1). As a result of such a construction being used, the pressing surface of the upper pressing plate 15 always conforms to the surface of the quartz crystal substrate 11 during pressing, so that a uniform load is applied to the quartz crystal substrate 11. As a result, the surface of the quartz crystal can be uniformly pressed in the hot pressing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Sunao Kurimura, Masaki Harada
  • Patent number: 7409131
    Abstract: An all-optical logic gates comprises a nonlinear element such as an optical resonator configured to receive optical input signals, at least one of which is amplitude-modulated to include data. The nonlinear element is configured in relation to the carrier frequency of the optical input signals to perform a logic operation based on the resonant frequency of the nonlinear element in relation to the carrier frequency. Based on the optical input signals, the nonlinear element generates an optical output signal having a binary logic level. A combining medium can be used to combine the optical input signals for discrimination by the nonlinear element to generate the optical output signal. Various embodiments include all-optical AND, NOT, NAND, NOR, OR, XOR, and XNOR gates and memory latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Coveytech, LLC
    Inventor: John Luther Covey
  • Patent number: 7405820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device which is used for the spectral analysis of optical signals and which is based on the stimulated Brillouin scattering effect. The invention also relates to the associated measurement method which makes use of the optical signal amplification caused by the Brillouin scattering effect. The Brillouin scattering effect enables the selective optical amplification of a determined component of the optical spectrum of the signal to be analysed, known as the problem signal, for the measurement thereof with a determined dynamic range, sensitivity and resolution. According to the invention, the problem signal is introduced into an optical fibre together with a narrowband optical signal, known as the probe signal, with a determined wavelength. Said probe signal propagates in the opposite direction to that of the problem signal, such that both signals interact inside the fibre owing to the Brillouin effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Fibercom S.L.
    Inventors: Francisco M. Lopez Torres, Carlos Heras Vila, Pilar Blasco Herranz, Juan Ignacio Garces Gregorio, Rafael Alonso Esteban, Francisco Villuendas Yuste, JesĂşs Subias Domingo, Francisco Javier Pelayo Zueco
  • Patent number: 7406217
    Abstract: Plasmons on a waveguide may deliver energy to photocatalyze a reaction. The waveguide or other energy carrier may be configured to carry electromagnetic energy and generate plasmon energy at one or more locations proximate to the waveguide, where the plasmon energy may react chemically with a medium or interaction material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Roderick A. Hyde
  • Patent number: 7403688
    Abstract: A waveguide, such as a holey fiber or other optical fiber, is tapered to control the dispersion in a manner which varies along the length of the tapered portion of the fiber, thus providing the desired characteristics of the fiber. The longitudinal variation of the phase-matching conditions for Cherenkov radiation (CR) and four-wave mixing (FWM) introduced by DMM allow the generation of low-noise supercontinuum. The flexibility of the design permits the designer to control the tapering to select the bandwidth, the center frequency, or both. The holey fiber can be a polarization-maintaining fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventors: Wayne H. Knox, Fei Lu
  • Patent number: 7403671
    Abstract: A photonic-crystal electromagnetic-wave device includes a photonic crystal structure having a periodically changed optical property at least in one direction. The photonic crystal structure includes electromagnetic-wave absorptive portions periodically arranged, each of the absorptive portions having an extinction coefficient larger than that of the other portions of the photonic crystal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinan Wang, Ryota Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7397975
    Abstract: Reflection means such as a mirror are provided on the output end of an optical fiber, and the input signal light and control light are returned to the optical fiber. Although the zero-dispersion wavelength of the optical fiber fluctuates in the longitudinal direction, if the length is relatively short, it is possible to manufacture a high yield of optical fibers, which monotonically changes the zero-dispersion wavelength. Therefore, a relatively short optical fiber with a monotonic zero-dispersion change can be used. Since the zero-dispersion change is monotonic and the optical fiber is short, the amount of change in the zero-dispersion wavelength is small and the bandwidth becomes broader when the control light is set at the position of the average zero-dispersion wavelength. Additionally, although the length of the optical fiber is short, the operating length is twice as long and thus the generation efficiency does not degrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Ryou Okabe, Shigeki Watanabe, Fumio Futami, Shunsuke Ono
  • Patent number: 7394958
    Abstract: An all-optical logic gates comprises a nonlinear element such as an optical resonator configured to receive optical input signals, at least one of which is amplitude-modulated to include data. The nonlinear element is configured in relation to the carrier frequency of the optical input signals to perform a logic operation based on the resonant frequency of the nonlinear element in relation to the carrier frequency. Based on the optical input signals, the nonlinear element generates an optical output signal having a binary logic level. A combining medium can be used to combine the optical input signals for discrimination by the nonlinear element to generate the optical output signal. Various embodiments include all-optical AND, NOT, NAND, NOR, OR, XOR, and XNOR gates and memory latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Coveytech, LLC
    Inventor: John Luther Covey
  • Patent number: 7391938
    Abstract: Poling electro-optic polymers on an organically modified sol-gel cladding layer can enhance Pockel's coefficient by up to a factor of 2.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona
    Inventors: Nasser Peyghambarian, Robert A. Norwood, Christopher T. DeRose
  • Patent number: 7391945
    Abstract: A sensor device for detecting a substance contained in a fluid comprises first and second photonic crystal regions, first and second flow channels, an optical waveguide connected to the first and second photonic crystal regions and an optical detector for detecting the lights transmitted through the first photonic crystal region and the waveguide and transmitted through or reflected by the second photonic crystal region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuro Sugita
  • Patent number: 7382958
    Abstract: An optical instrument for splitting optical spectrum, comprising a series of hollow core optical wave guides (12, 22, and so on) connected by optical couplers (16, 26, and so on) transporting broad band incident optical wave from one stage to another, a narrow band optical wave guide (14, 24, and so on) made of photonic crystal materials mounted inside each of said hollow core optical wave guide and along it, and specified for confining certain portion of the incident optical spectrum. Said inner narrow band optical wave guides bend out at the ends of said outer hollow core optical wave guides to extract and guide out the selected component of the incident optical spectrum. Said optical couplers couple the output optical waves of said outer hollow core wave guides of the previous stages into said inner optical wave guides of the next stages for further splitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Feng Shi
  • Patent number: 7379637
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for optical fiber transmission which can increase a transmission distance. A first optical fiber having dispersion is first provided. An optical signal is next supplied to the first optical fiber so that the optical signal is compressed on the time axis as propagating in the first optical fiber. In the case that the dispersion is normal dispersion, for example, prechirping is performed so that the optical signal has down-chirp. A compressed optical signal output from the first optical fiber is supplied to an optical device having a saturated gain. According to this method, the transmission distance can be increased by the effective combination of compression of the optical signal and waveform shaping by the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shigeki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7379647
    Abstract: A method includes transmitting optical signals through a heterogeneous sequence of spans of an all-optical transmission line. Each span has an optical transmission fiber connected to an optical amplifier. Each amplifier launches the signals into a sequential remainder of the line. The transmitting includes launching the optical signals into the highest loss fibers with substantially equal average optical launch powers or operating the spans with the highest loss fibers to have substantially equal quality products. The average optical launch powers are substantially equal to the inverse of a sum of (1?Tj)?j/[?NL·?j] over the highest loss fibers. The parameters Tj, ?j, and ?j are the respectiveare, respectively, transmissivity, nonlinear optical coefficient, and loss coefficient of the fiber of the j-th span. The parameter ?NL is the line's cumulative nonlinear phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Claisse, Rene'-Jean Essiambre, Wonsuck Lee
  • Patent number: 7379644
    Abstract: An optical chopper includes an optical loop having first and second terminals and includes first and second nonlinear elements. The optical loop is arranged to receive, at the first and the second terminals, a pulse-modulated signal and a continuous beam, respectively. The optical loop is arranged to cause the pulse-modulated signal and the continuous beam to counter-propagate in the loop and to produce in the first nonlinear element an inverted pulse-modulated signal having modulation which is inverted with respect to the pulse modulation of the pulse-modulated signal and to cause the inverted pulse-modulated signal to chop the pulse-modulated signal in the second nonlinear element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Arie Shahar
  • Patent number: 7379677
    Abstract: The wavelength converter comprises (1) an optical multiplexer for multiplexing an amplitude-modulated first light and reference light, which is continuous light having a wavelength different from the wavelength of the first light, (2) an optical fiber for propagating the multiplexed light therethrough to generate a third light by a non-linear optical phenomenon, and (3) an optical filter having a pass wavelength range set such that a pulse time width of the third light is 20% or more narrower than a pulse time width of the first light after the third light has passed through the optical filter, or (3?) an optical filter having a pass wavelength range set such that a cross point of an eye pattern of the third light is lower than a cross point of an eye pattern of the first light after the third light has passed through the optical filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Okuno
  • Patent number: 7376302
    Abstract: A broadband optical spectrum generating apparatus 20 includes a ultrashort pulsed fiber laser 22 that generates pulsed light having a pulse width in the unit of picosecond to femtosecond, and broadband optical spectrum-generating optical fibers 24 that are connected with the ultrashort pulse fiber laser 22 via a lens 26 and have characteristics of normal dispersion, that is, a nonlinear coefficient of not less than 10 [W?1km?1] and a magnitude of wavelength dispersion of not greater than a value 0 [ps/km/nm] with regard to a wavelength of the pulsed light. The resulting output is super continuum that is widely broadened to a wavelength band of 1400 nm to 1750 nm and is chirped to a linear characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignees: Nagoya Industrial Science Research Institute, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Goto, Norihiko Nishizawa, Youta Ito
  • Publication number: 20080112663
    Abstract: An electromagnetically responsive element includes sets of arrangements of self-resonant bodies, such as atoms or quantum dots that form an effective dielectric constant, typically at or near a resonance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood
  • Patent number: 7372621
    Abstract: A wavelength converting device 1 has a ferroelectric layer 6 made of a ferroelectric material. The ferroelectric layer has a wavelength converting portion A having a ridge-type optical waveguide 7, additional portions A and B provided in both sides of the wavelength converting portions, respectively, and groove-forming portions C and D between the wavelength converting portion and the additional portions, respectively. The device further has a supporting body 2 adhered to a back face 6f of the ferroelectric layer 6, and back side metal films 5A and 5B covering at least a part of a back face 6f of the additional portions 6, respectively. The back side metal film 5A or 5B does not cover the back face 6f of the wavelength converting portion 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yoshino, Shoichiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7373059
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to compact systems for generating polarization-entangled photons. In one embodiment of the present invention, a polarization entangled-photon state source comprises a single transmission layer configured for transmitting electromagnetic radiation. The transmission layer includes a beamsplitter and a down-conversion device, both of which are configured to convert a pump beam into first and second signal beams and first and second idler beams. The transmission layer also includes a mode converter configured to invert electric and magnetic field components of both the first signal beam and the first idler beam, and a combiner configured to receive the first and second signal beams and the first and second idler beams and output the first and second signal beams and the first and second idler beams in an entangled polarization states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sean Spillane, Marco Florentino, Charles Santori, Raymond G. Beausoleil, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7373058
    Abstract: Methods and devices for low power optical detection and modulation in a slotted waveguide geometry filled with nonlinear electro-optic polymers are shown. Direct conversion of optical energy to electrical energy is enabled without external bias, via optical rectification, also enhancing electro-optic modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Tom Baehr-Jones
  • Patent number: 7369779
    Abstract: A regenerator for restoring the originally encoded optical phase of a differential-phase-shift-keyed signal. In an embodiment, the regenerator simultaneously provides limiting amplification and reduces amplitude noise based on a phase-sensitive optical amplifier that combines a weak signal field of a degraded input data with a strong pump field supplied by a local oscillator in a nonlinear interferometer. The two fields interact through degenerate four-wave mixing, and optical energy is transferred from the pump to the signal and vice versa. The phase sensitive nature of the optical gain leads to amplification of a specific phase component of the signal, determined by the input pump-signal phase difference and the incident signal phase is restored to two distinct states, separated by 180° according to the original encoding. Simultaneously, gain saturation of the pump wave by the signal wave results in limiting amplification of the signal wave for removing signal amplitude noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Research Foundation of the University of Central Florida
    Inventors: Kevin A. Croussore, Guifang Li, Cheolhwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20080089642
    Abstract: Photonic crystal apparatus and a method for fabricating a photonic crystal apparatus. The photonic crystal apparatus includes a photonic crystal having a dielectric body formed of a first dielectric material having relatively high index of refraction, and a periodic lattice in the dielectric body formed of a second dielectric material having a relatively low index of refraction. The second dielectric material comprises a solid-state dielectric material having a dielectric coefficient of about 2.7 or lower for providing a relatively large contrast between the index of refraction of the dielectric body and the index of refraction of the periodic lattice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Annette Claire Grot, Geoffrey William Burr, William Paul Risk, Ho-Cheol Kim
  • Publication number: 20080089640
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to photonic-based interconnects for transmitting data encoded in electromagnetic signals between electronic mosaics. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photonic-based interconnect comprises a first photonic node coupled to a second photonic node via a waveguide. The first photonic node is coupled to a first electronic mosaic and is configured to transmit electromagnetic signals encoding data generated by the first electronic mosaic to a second electronic mosaic and receive electromagnetic signals encoding data generated by the second electronic mosaic. The second photonic node is coupled to the second electronic mosaic and is configured to transmit electromagnetic signals encoding data generated by the second electronic mosaic to the first electronic mosaic and receive electromagnetic signals encoding data generated by the first electronic mosaic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventor: Raymond G. Beausoleil
  • Patent number: 7359585
    Abstract: Plasmons on a waveguide may deliver energy to photocatalyze a reaction. The waveguide or other energy carrier may be configured to carry electromagnetic energy and generate plasmon energy at one or more locations proximate to the waveguide, where the plasmon energy may react chemically with a medium or interaction material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Roderick A. Hyde