Abstract: A system and method for generating an optical return-to-zero signal. The system includes a bit separator configured to receive an electrical non-return-to-zero signal and generate a first signal and a second signal, and a driver configured to receive the first signal and the second signal and generate a driving signal. The driving signal is associated with a difference between the first signal and the second signal. Additionally, the system includes a light source configured to generate a light, and an electro-optical modulator configured to receive the light and the driving signal, modulate the light with the driving signal, and generate an optical signal. The electrical non-return-to-zero signal includes a first plurality of bits and a second plurality of bits. The first signal includes the first plurality of bits, and the second signal includes the second plurality of bits. The optical signal is an optical return-to-zero signal.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the length of collocated waveguides in a high erosion environment, such as a solid rocket motor or a braking system. The system provides for mating optical waveguides having different attenuation coefficients within the combusting, eroding, or otherwise regressing material. Optical energy generated by the environment (e.g., from burning fuel), or which is introduced and scattered into the environment, travels through the waveguides to detector means coupled thereto. The intensities of the arriving optical energy are compared and the length of the collocated waveguides calculated therefrom. By calculating the length of the waveguides over time, a regression rate is determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing mode scrambling in a multimode optical fibre 1 comprises an electromechanical transducer 3 and a signal generator 9. A portion of the fibre 1, which is in the form of a loop 5, is arranged with its ends 6 fixed to the transducer 3, but with the remainder of the portion being left free to vibrate. The signal generator 9 drives the transducer 3 so as to form a succession of bends of differing bend radii in the portion of the fibre as a beam of electromagnetic radiation travels through the fibre, thereby “scrambling” the beam as it travels through the fibre.

Abstract: A demodulator is provided for a multilevel differential phase shift keyed signal, capable of eliminating polarization dependence due to birefringence and polarization coupling-induced light resulting from a waveguide structure, and also, polarization dependence due to dynamic birefringence produced at the time of driving a variable phase adjuster. The demodulator is configured of an optical delay line interferometer of a waveguide interference type. The S/N ratio of a demodulated signal in the demodulator formed by the optical delay line interferometer can be also improved. Further, both the polarization dependence and the temperature dependence of the optical delay line interferometer can be reduced. The disposition of a polarization converter and groves filled with a temperature compensation material makes it possible to provide a circuit configuration suitable for eliminating the polarization dependence and the temperature dependence of the optical delay line interferometer.

Abstract: A bias-control circuit that provides operating point control for a Mach-Zehnder modulator experiencing optical absorption at their interferometric arms. The bias control circuit generates compensation signals that are used to counter the thermally induced index shifts as a result of absorption. In addition, an operating point with desirable transmitter characteristics can also be arbitrarily chosen by over-compensating or under-compensating thermal effects.

Abstract: Provided is a thermo-optical phase shifter including a composite body having an optical waveguide formed by a core and a clad and having a ratio ? of a difference between a core refractivity and a clad refractivity against the core refractivity which is 4% or above and a heater attached to the optical waveguide. The composite body has: a bridge structure portion arranged along a substrate surface and separate from the substrate surface via a void; and a fixed portion which supports the bridge structure portion with respect to the substrate and is continuous to the both ends of the bridge structure portion. The bridge structure has a half-circle-arc shape in the plane along the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to nanowire-based modulators that can be used to encode information in a carrier channel of electromagnetic radiation. In one embodiment of the present invention, the modulator includes a waveguide configured to transmit one or more channels of electromagnetic radiation. The modulator includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal are positioned on opposite sides of the waveguide. The modulator also includes a number of nanowires, wherein each nanowire interconnects the first terminal to the second terminal and a portion of each nanowire is operatively coupled to the waveguide. The nanowires modulate the one or more channels when an electrical signal of appreciable magnitude is applied to the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a DSB-SC system capable of suppressing a third order component. The DSB-SC modulation having high extinction ratio can be realized by adjusting the first order component, which is generated by applying a modulation signal (3fm), and the third order component, which is generated by applying a basic signal (fm), to have reversed phase and the same intensity level, and then by applying the first order component to the third order component, these two components cancel each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a signal includes an optical waveguide having a variable refractive index; an active device formed within the waveguide, the device having three electrodes, a drain, a source and a gate; and wherein the device is located within the waveguide so that current flowing from the drain to the source changes the refractive index.

Abstract: A method of modulating an optical carrier. A target carrier modulation is computed based on an input data signal. An effective length of an optical modulator is then controlled based on the target carrier modulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for driving a display of MEMS devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display device comprises an array of MEMS display elements, at least one test deflecting element, and a deflection sensing circuit connected to the test deflecting element, the deflection sensing circuit being configured to monitor deflection of the test deflecting element without actuating the test deflection element and to provide a signal indicative of one or more parameters affecting operation of the array of MEMS display elements based on the deflection.

Abstract: A planar optical device useful as a low order wavelength router is realized by using a waveguide grating comprising two curved arrays of opposite curvatures. The diffraction order is determined by the angles of rotation of the two curved arrays, and any nonzero order less than about 30 can be realized. This arrangement is smaller, and performs better than a previous grating using a combination of three curved arrays.

Abstract: A catheter with many fiber optic pressure sensors. The sensor diaphragm is formed from a wafer with a thin silicon layer and a silicon substrate layer separated by a silicon dioxide layer. A method includes masking and etching channels through the silicon substrate layer in a pattern of concentric circles to form a concentric circular etched channels and cylindrical unetched portions of the silicon substrate layer between the channels, exposing the silicon dioxide in the etched regions, and dissolving the exposed silicon dioxide to expose the crystalline silicon layer in the etched regions. The unetched cylindrical portion of the silicon substrate forms the diaphragm support element and the thin silicon layer forms the diaphragm. After applying a reflective coating to the exposed thin silicon layer, the support element face is adhered to the end face of a tubular housing, and a fiber optic probe is inserted in the tubular housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing optical pulses of a desired wavelength. The apparatus includes an optical pulse source operable to generate input optical pulses at a first wavelength. The apparatus further includes a higher-order-mode (HOM) fiber module operable to receive the input optical pulses at the first wavelength, and thereafter to produce output optical pulses at the desired wavelength by soliton self-frequency shift (SSFS). The present invention also relates to a method of producing optical pulses having a desired wavelength. This method includes generating input optical pulses using an optical pulse source, where the input optical pulses have a first wavelength and a first spatial mode.

Abstract: A salicide heater structure for use in thermo-optic and other heat-influenced semiconductor devices is disclosed. In one example embodiment, a system is provided that includes a silicon substrate, and a salicide heating element formed on the substrate, for delivering heat radiation to a heat-influenced semiconductor device. Another example embodiment is a salicide semiconductor system that includes a silicon substrate and a salicide structure formed on the substrate, wherein the salicide structure is for delivering heat radiation to a heat-influenced semiconductor device.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical device for dispersion compensation of channels within a predetermined wavelength band, comprising: a waveguiding structure; and a grating structure formed in said waveguiding structure; characterized in that said grating structure has a Bragg frequency profile that is divided into contiguous periods, wherein the Bragg frequencies within each period vary between a lower Bragg frequency and an upper Bragg frequency, said lower and upper Bragg frequencies for each period both corresponding to wavelengths outside of said predetermined wavelength band.

Abstract: A high frequency electrical signal control device comprises a transmitter for generating a high frequency electrical signal, a receiver, a transmission line for propagating the electrical signal, and a structure for radiating the electrical signal propagated through the transmission line to the space or receiving a signal from the space. The degree of coupling of the electrical signal between the space and the transmission line provided by the structure can be variably controlled.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, an optical circuit comprising: at least two pairs of two input waveguides; a slab waveguide with one end coupled to two pairs or more of the two input waveguides; and four output waveguides coupled to another end of the slab waveguide; wherein a distance between two pairs of adjacent two input waveguides among two pairs or more of the two input waveguides is approximately four times as long as a distance between the two input waveguides.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for tuning an optical delay line. In one embodiment, an optical delay line includes at least one ring resonator in which light is guided or is confined and at least one heater positioned laterally from the ring resonator. The heater produces heat in a localized area, allowing for the tuning of individual delay elements with minimal crosstalk.

Abstract: An optical buffer device includes plural optical memory elements that are capable of holding light and an optical delay element. The plural optical memory elements are arranged on an optical path through which signal light and control light propagate in mutually opposite directions. Further, the optical delay element is disposed between the optical memory elements that are adjacent to each other. The optical delay element imparts different delays to the signal light and the control light. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment of this optical buffer device, each of the optical memory elements includes an optical waveguide through which the signal light and the control light propagate and an optical resonator that is disposed in proximity to this optical waveguide, and a coupling between the optical waveguide and the optical resonator is generated or cancelled depending on whether or not the control light is inputted.

Abstract: An optical modulator is provided. The optical modulator includes a ridge-shaped active region comprising a plurality of alternating high and low index layers. The ridge-shaped active region is used to confine a selective optical mode for optical modulation. A plurality of oxidized layers positioned so as to confine the selective optical mode in the middle region of the ridge-shaped active region. The oxidized layers enable the optical modulator to withstand high operating voltages both in reverse and forward bias without concern of breakdown or carrier loss.

Abstract: A phase shift device of an optical fiber signal includes an actuator for changing the signal phase in at least one fiber portion by inducing the phase change by thermo-optical effect. An antenna system incorporating phase shift devices using the thermo-optical effect find particular utility in automotive and telecommunications fields.

Abstract: A salicide heater structure for use in thermo-optic and other heat-influenced semiconductor devices is disclosed. In one example embodiment, a system is provided that includes a silicon substrate, and a salicide heating element formed on the substrate, for delivering heat radiation to a heat-influenced semiconductor device. Another example embodiment is a salicide semiconductor system that includes a silicon substrate and a salicide structure formed on the substrate, wherein the salicide structure is for delivering heat radiation to a heat-influenced semiconductor device.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a method for ultrafast optical signal detecting is provided. In operation, a first optical input signal is propagated through a first wave guiding layer of a waveguide. Additionally, a second optical input signal is propagated through a second wave guiding layer of the waveguide. Furthermore, an optical control signal is applied to a top of the waveguide, the optical control signal being oriented diagonally relative to the top of the waveguide such that the application is used to influence at least a portion of the first optical input signal propagating through the first wave guiding layer of the waveguide. In addition, the first and the second optical input signals output from the waveguide are combined. Further, the combined optical signals output from the waveguide are detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to RF termination for reducing electrical signal reflections at the end of transmission line electrodes on an electro-optical (EO) optical modulator. The disclosed termination incorporates a RF tap which permits the monitoring of the RF power and reflection conditions at the EO modulator. The integrated termination/tap can also be integrated with detection circuitry, such as RF diodes and passive components, giving improved performance, lower cost manufacturability as well as a more compact and efficient package.

Abstract: A cw-laser source transmits low-noise, narrow-linewidth optical power via an optical fiber to a bias-free electro-optic phase modulator at a remote site, where an antenna or an RF sensor is located. The RF electrical signal modulates the phase modulator at the remote site, converting an electrical signal into an optical signal. The phase-modulated optical signal is fed back via the optical fiber to an optical filter whose filter transfer characteristics can be tuned and reconfigured to cancel the intermodulation distortion terms, particularly the dominant 3rd order intermodulation, as well as the 2nd order. The filtered optical signal is converted to the RF signal at the photodetector. The optical filter is used to effectively “linearize” the signal at the receiver end, rather than at the modulator end.

Abstract: An optoelectronic controller for regulating an optical signal. The controller includes a ridge or rib waveguide in an SOI-type substrate. The controller also includes an active zone formed by a plurality of thin layers of silicon. The layers are either N+ type doped or P+ type doped. The zone is defined between an N+ doped zone and a P+ doped zone which together form a PIN diode. The optoelectronic controller is all-silicon and operates by carrier desertion.

Abstract: An optical motion sensing device included a sensor frame defining an opening, a sensor pad disposed in the opening, an optical sensing system adapted to detect an amount of movement of the sensor pad in the sensor frame, and an output unit. The optical sensing system includes an optical waveguide, an optical source device, and an optical detector. The optical waveguide is positioned within the sensor frame such that the movement of the sensor pad results in the flexing or compressing of the optical waveguide. The optical source device supplies optical energy to the optical waveguide. The optical detector detects an amount of optical energy exiting the optical waveguide. The output unit is configured to receive a signal indicative of the amount of optical energy exiting the optical waveguide and to generate a measure of the amount of movement of the sensor pad from the received signal.

Abstract: A silicon-insulator-silicon capacitive (SISCAP) optical modulator is configured to provide analog operation for applications which previously required the use of relatively large, power-consuming and expensive lithium niobate devices. An MZI-based SISCAP modulator (preferably a balanced arrangement with a SISCAP device on each arm) is responsive to an incoming high frequency electrical signal and is biased in a region where the capacitance of the device is essentially constant and the transform function of the MZI is linear.

Abstract: An optoelectronic-RF device has at least one optical modulator/sensor comprising at least two cascaded optical-waveguide gratings and at least one non-grating optical waveguide segment interconnecting the at least two cascaded optical-waveguide gratings, with at least one optical waveguide segment interconnecting the at least two cascaded optical-waveguide gratings via the at least one non-grating optical waveguide segment. An RF waveguide is provided for propagating an RF electric field, the at least one optical modulator/sensor being disposed in and forming a portion of the RF waveguide with light propagating through the cascaded optical-waveguide gratings in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the RF electric field in the RF waveguide.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed that utilize electrical signals from detectors of an imaging focal plane array or antenna elements of an antenna array to modulate optical signals. Antenna or focal plane array elements are coupled to optical waveguides by way of whispering gallery mode resonators made of electro-optic material. The resonators modulate optical signals in the waveguides based on the electrical signals from the detectors/antenna elements. The signals received by the array are converted into the optical domain, allowing subsequent optical processing and/or distribution. Each detector/antenna element involved can be identified by the specific wavelength and waveguide through which its signal is coupled, enabling subsequent optical processing of the signals such as by wavelength division multiplexing systems. Additionally disclosed are imaging sensor photonic systems that include WDM components and other optical components such one or more optical narrow-band amplifiers and/or filters.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a wavelength blocker having the function of adjusting or cutting off the light intensity of a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical signal of a given wavelength. The wavelength blocker provided by the present invention has the following features. Specifically, the wavelength blocker has a structure configured to cut off light of any diffraction order other than required diffraction order, contained in an optical signal diffracted by an arrayed waveguide grating that demultiplexes a wavelength, and thus, the wavelength blocker has crosstalk characteristics or an extinction ratio superior to those of a conventional wavelength blocker and thus has optimum packaging design. Further, the wavelength blocker can become smaller in size than the conventional wavelength blocker, and enables achieving polarization independence and cost reduction.

Abstract: A beam modulator (14) for modulating a beam (20) includes a modulator element (26) and a housing assembly (24). The modulator element (26) is positioned in the path of the beam (20). The housing assembly (24) retains the modulator element (26). Additionally, the housing assembly (24) defines a resonant cavity (328) with the modulator element (26) positioned therein. The housing assembly (24) includes a size adjuster (30) that can be moved to selectively adjust the size of the resonant cavity (328). As a result thereof, in certain embodiments, the resonant frequency of the beam modulator (14) can be easily tuned over a relatively large frequency range.

Abstract: An optical structure can include a nanocrystal on a surface of an optical waveguide in a manner to couple the nanocrystal to the optical field of light propagating through the optical waveguide to generate an emission from the nanocrystal.

Abstract: A modulator including a waveguide propagating an electromagnetic wave of given wavelength (?) with absorption. Means such as an electrical junction enable the residence time of the electromagnetic wave in the guide to be modified. A corresponding modulation method is also provided.

Abstract: A delay-line demodulator for demodulating a differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK) signal is provided. The demodulator includes two Mach-Zehnder interferometers individually comprising two waveguides having different lengths therebetween and through which a light signal branched from the DQPSK signal propagates, respectively. A phase of the light signal propagating at one of the waveguides is delayed as compared to a phase of the light signal propagating at another one of the waveguides, wherein a divergence amount of polarization is adjusted by driving sets of heaters that are facing each other and sandwiching a half wavelength plate therebetween.

Abstract: An chiral optical fiber polarizer is provided that is capable of being fabricated in-line along a conventional polarization maintaining fiber, preferably one which includes at least one structure element that is external, and parallel, to the fiber's core. The novel chiral fiber polarizer is preferably positioned between two unmodified optical fiber portions, and includes a modified central portion with altered fiber cladding interface elements on each side thereof.

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. Designs having responsivity of less than 1 volt-centimeter are described.

Abstract: Provided is a lighting apparatus capable of uniformly and efficiently lighting a spatial light modulator. The lighting apparatus includes: a light source for outputting laser light; a multimode optical fiber in which the laser light outputted from the light source propagates through an internal core whose lateral cross section is a substantially polygonal outer diameter shape; and spatial light modulator for producing an image with illumination light from the multimode optical fiber. In the lighting apparatus, the laser light is outputted from the light source and is propagated to the multimode optical fiber in which an outer diameter shape of the lateral cross section of the core is a substantially polygonal shape, whereby the spatial light modulator can be uniformly and efficiently lighted.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a multiple wavelength light source capable of generating lights of more wavelengths, and a generation method for multiple wavelength light using a multiple wavelength light source. A multiple wavelength light source of the present invention is a multiple wavelength light source having an optical comb generator for obtaining an input light and a group of lights shifted from the input light by predetermined frequencies; and an optical adjusting portion adjusting lights to be inputted to the optical comb generator; wherein the optical comb generator is composed of an optical fiber loop (105) which is provided with an optical SSB modulator (101), an optical amplifier (102) for compensating a conversion loss at the optical SSB modulator, an optical input port (103) for inputting lights from the light source, and an optical output port (104) for outputting lights, and the optical adjusting portion obtains a plurality of lights having different wavelengths.

Abstract: A high frequency electrical signal control device comprises a transmitter for generating a high frequency electrical signal, a receiver, a transmission line for propagating the electrical signal, and a structure for radiating the electrical signal propagated through the transmission line to the space or receiving a signal from the space. The degree of coupling of the electrical signal between the space and the transmission line provided by the structure can be variably controlled.

Abstract: A silicon structure includes a silicon substrate; and an on-substrate structure including a silicon compound film and formed on said silicon substrate. At least one removal section removed through anisotropic etching and at least one supporting column left through the anisotropic etching to support said on-substrate structure are provided for a direct lower portion of said silicon substrate directly beneath said on-substrate structure.

Abstract: There are disclosed a nonlinear optical loop mirror. The nonlinear optical loop mirror comprises: an optical coupler which includes a first optical path and a second optical path coupled to each other; and a loop optical path configured to connect the first and second optical paths, wherein the loop optical path is provided with a nonlinear element configured to vary a wavelength of an optical signal and a linear element configured to produce a wavelength dependent time delay for an optical signal. The nonlinear optical loop mirror may function as a delay interferometer for demodulating a differential phase-shift-keying (DPSK) signal.

Abstract: A nanometer slot waveguide includes a nanometer slot waveguide structure with vertically stacked layers. The vertically stacked layers include a substrate, a first waveguide layer defining a first rail, a spacer layer defining a slot, and a second waveguide layer defining a second rail.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing light in an interferometric modulator device are provided. In one embodiment, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) is provided that includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of interferometric modulators. The interferometric modulators include an optical stack coupled to the transparent substrate, a reflective layer over the optical stack, and one or more posts to support the reflective and to provide a path for light from a backlight for lighting the interferometric modulators.

Abstract: An optical nonlinear evaluation device (1) capable of accurately evaluating the optical nonlinearity of a Kerr medium in accordance with a phase difference caused by cross-phase modulation generated in the Kerr medium includes: a polarization Sagnac interference path (3) provided with a Kerr medium (4); an optical pulse light source (7) for supplying a signal beam (Dsig); a polarization beam splitter (PBS1) for splitting the signal beam (Dsig) into a signal beam (Hsig) and a signal beam (Vsig) polarized in a direction orthogonal to the signal beam (Hsig), for supplying the signal beam (Hsig) to a first side of the Kerr medium (4), and for supplying the signal beam (Vsig) to a second side of the Kerr medium (4); a glass plate (14) for entering, onto the signal beam (Hsig), a control beam (Vcont) for causing a change in phase difference between the signal beam (Hsig) and the signal beam (Vsig); separating means for separating the control beam (Vcont) from the signal beam (Hsig) having traveled through the Kerr

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor optoelectronic waveguide having a nin-type hetero structure which is able to stably operate an optical modulator. On the upper and lower surfaces of the core layer determined for the structure so that electro-optical effects are effectively exerted at an operating light wavelength and are provided with intermediate clad layers having a band gap which is greater than that of the core layer 11. Respectively on the upper and the lower surface of the intermediate clad layer are provided the clad layers having the band gap which is greater than those of the intermediate clad layers. On the upper surface of the clad layer are sequentially laminated a p-type layer and an n-type layer. In the applied voltage range used under an operating state, a whole region of the p-type layer and a part or a whole region of the n-type layer are depleted.

Abstract: A laser light source device which can inexpensively achieve a visually recognizable level of speckle reduction is disclosed. The laser light source device includes: a laser module including a light source and a first optical waveguide, wherein light emitted from the light source is outputted from an output end of the first optical waveguide; a second optical waveguide connected to the first optical waveguide, wherein the light outputted from the output end of the first optical waveguide is inputted to an input end of the second optical waveguide and guided through the second optical waveguide; and an intensity modulation unit disposed in the vicinity of the second optical waveguide, the intensity modulation unit applying intensity modulation to the second optical waveguide, wherein a core diameter at the input end of the second optical waveguide is larger than a core diameter at the output end of the first optical waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an interferometer optical switch that can carry out switching over a broad band and has a high extinction ratio and large fabrication tolerance. The interferometer optical switch employs a phase generating coupler, the phase difference of the output of which has wavelength dependence, as at least one of the optical multi/demultiplexing device included in the interferometer optical switch. A wavelength insensitive interferometer optical switch is implemented by making the sum 2?{?1(?)+??L(?)+?2(?)} constant regardless of the wavelength, where ?1(?) is the phase produced by the first optical multi/demultiplexing device, 2???L(?) is the phase difference of the optical delay line with an optical path length difference of ?L, and 2??2(?) is the phase produced by the second optical multi/demultiplexing device.

Abstract: A whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator device and method capable of filtering sidebands of optical modulators are provided. The method includes providing an optical resonator adapted to support whispering gallery modes and forming a first field and a second field from a first location and a second location, respectively, at the circumference of the optical resonator and being separated by an arc angle, ?. The method includes adjusting relative phase between the first field and the second field in accordance to a differential phase, ?, and combining the first and the second fields into an output. Particular selection of the arc angle, ?, and the differential phase, ?, can determine the function of the output.