Directional Optical Modulation Within An Optical Waveguide Patents (Class 385/4)
-
Patent number: 8270778Abstract: A single-photon absorption all-optical signal-processing device, systems employing the same, and methods of making and using the same. Illustrative examples are provided based on silicon semiconductor technology that employs rectangular waveguides fabricated on SOI wafers. In some embodiments, it is observed that the waveguides have surface state density, ?, of not less than 1.5×1018 cm?1s?1mW?1 to provide a single-photon absorption operation mode. In some embodiments, some portion of the ridge waveguide structure has a surface to volume ratio of at least 18 ?m?1, computed using a unit length of 1 ?m of the waveguide, with the width and depth dimensions of the waveguide being measured in units of microns.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for CommercializationInventors: Michael J. Hochberg, Thomas W. Baehr-Jones
-
Patent number: 8270781Abstract: A number of fluidic-photonic devices for allowing optical detection, systems employing such devices, and related methods of operation and fabrication of such devices are disclosed herein. In at least some embodiments, the devices can serve as flow cytometry devices and/or employ microfluidic channels. Also, in at least some embodiments, the devices are fluidic-photonic integrated circuit (FPIC) devices that employ both fluidic channels and one or more waveguides capable of receiving and/or delivering light, and that can be fabricated using polymeric materials. The fluidic-photonic devices in at least some embodiments are capable of functionality such as on-chip excitation, time-of-flight measurement, and can experience enhanced fluorescence detection sensitivity. In at least some embodiments, the devices employ detection waveguides that are joined by way of a waveguide demultiplexer.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2006Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Yu-Hwa Lo, Victor Jie Lien, Chun Hao Randy Chen
-
Patent number: 8260093Abstract: Fibre substrates act as a conduit for light along which response signals are transmitted to a controller in the form of an electronic device associated with a component. The processed signals are stored in a local memory to provide a component history and a prediction of future performance and life. Service and repair history may be added to the component device memory to enable a complete history to be stored with the component. A controller may transmit data to an external controller or display through typically a wireless connection. Power to the component electronics may be provided by an induction loop or transformer.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2008Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLCInventor: Ian C. D. Care
-
Patent number: 8244077Abstract: This invention provides a versatile unit cell as well as programmable and reconfigurable optical signal processors (such as optical-domain RF filters) that are constructed from arrays of those unit cells interconnected by optical waveguides. Each unit cell comprises an optical microdisk, an optical phase shifter, and at least one input/output optical waveguide, wherein the microdisk and the phase shifter are both optically connected to a common waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventor: Daniel Yap
-
Patent number: 8188499Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarized light emitting diode (LED) device and the method for manufacturing the same, in which the LED device comprises: a base, a light emitting diode (LED) chip, a polarizing waveguide and a packaging material. In an exemplary embodiment, the LED chip is disposed on the base and is configured with a first light-emitting surface for outputting light therefrom; and the waveguide, being comprised of a polarization layer, a reflection layer, a conversion layer and a light transmitting layer, is disposed at the optical path of the light emitted from the LED chip; and the packaging material is used for packaging the waveguide, the LED chip and the base into a package.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Cheng-Huan Chen, Han-Ping Yang, Hung-Yi Lin, Cheng-Hsuan Lin
-
Patent number: 8175422Abstract: In an optical modulator, a first electrode portion having a plurality of first electrodes is provided on the upper surface of a base part having a periodically-poled structure and a second electrode portion is provided on the lower surface thereof, and voltage is applied in one direction between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion, to thereby cause a periodic change of the refractive index in a polarization-part array direction in the periodically-poled structure and diffract light which enters the base part. This allows reduction in the voltage applied between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion, and it is thereby possible to form a desired electric field inside the periodically-poled structure while achieving a high-density channel arrangement. By reducing the voltage, the rate of the optical modulation performed by the optical modulator can be increased.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahide Okazaki, Toshiaki Suhara
-
Patent number: 8139904Abstract: A method of implementing optical deflection switching includes directing a tuning operation at a specific region of coupled optical resonators coupled to an input port, a first output port and a second output port, the coupled optical resonator including a plurality of cascaded unit cells; wherein the tuning operation interrupts a resonant coupling between one or more of the unit cells of the coupled resonators so as to cause an input optical signal from the input port to be directed from the first output port to the second output port.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William M. Green, Fengnian Xia, Yurii Vlasov
-
Patent number: 8135277Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for delayed optical router based on slow light and nondegenerate four-wave mixing processes are presented, in which three laser pulses interact with a three-level nonlinear optical medium composing two closely spaced ground states and an excited state. The delayed optical routing mechanism is based on a slow light phenomenon, in which a group velocity of an incoming input signal pulse is slowed down due to quantum coherence induced refractive index change. The two-photon coherence induced on the ground states via electromagnetically induced transparency is optically recovered via nondegenerate four-wave mixing processes. The nondegenerate four-wave mixing generation is enhanced owing to absorption cancellation. In this case, the individual pulse switching/routing time is limited by the coherence decay time that is much faster than population decay time, where the population decay-time is a limiting factor of conventional switching devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2007Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: INHA-Industry Partnership InstituteInventor: Byoung-Seung Ham
-
Patent number: 8086078Abstract: An electronic device in which a signal electrode has a bent portion. Earth electrodes are formed with the signal electrode between. A width of a gap at the bent portion between the signal electrode and each earth electrode is narrower than a width of a gap at both ends of the bent portion between the signal electrode and each earth electrode.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Masaki Sugiyama
-
Patent number: 8078016Abstract: Techniques are generally disclosed for optical devices that may be used to implement a variety of logic devices or other circuits by optical means. Example optical devices use a photodiode to alter the charge carrier concentration in a waveguide, thereby altering the index of refraction of the waveguide. The photodiode may be driven by an optical signal, which may be coupled to the photodiode through an optical waveguide. The optical signal may be configured to control the phase of coherent light coupled through the waveguide. A variety of logic devices and other circuits may be implemented by allowing the light coupled through the waveguide to constructively or destructively interfere with other coherent light.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2009Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLCInventor: Ezekiel Kruglick
-
Patent number: 8070343Abstract: A light pipe is configured to provide a wide effective angle of illumination while simultaneously providing a substantially uniform distribution of light along a length of the light pipe. One or more reflective surfaces not aligned with an inner surface are disposed such that when at least one reflective surface is illuminated, light is emitted from the light pipe at one or more specified angles of light emission. A plurality of reflection points are formed on the inner surface to cause the specified angles when at least one of the reflective surfaces is illuminated. A light pipe is also provided having one or more exterior protrusions configured to function as a secondary light source. A second portion of an outer surface of the light pipe has a radius of curvature which differs from the radius of curvature of the first portion of the outer surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Tyco Electronics Canada ULCInventors: Kazuhiro Goto, Dragos Luca, Salvatore Alesio
-
Patent number: 8041157Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for adjusting intensity, wavelength and higher and lower frequency components of an optical signal. Photonic apparatus receives a first and a second optical signal. A waveguide provides an anomalous group velocity dispersion the first optical signal or the second optical signal and adjusts intensity or wavelength of the first optical signal or the second optical signal, in response to the anomalous group velocity dispersion. In some embodiments photonic apparatus receives an optical signal comprising a lower frequency component received an amount of time prior to a higher frequency component of the optical signal. A waveguide provides an anomalous group velocity dispersion for the optical signal and adjusts the amount of time between the higher frequency component and the lower frequency component in response to the anomalous group velocity dispersion.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Cornell UniversityInventors: Mark Foster, Alexander Gaeta, Michal Lipson, Jay Sharping, Amy Turner
-
Patent number: 8019185Abstract: This invention provides a versatile unit cell as well as programmable and reconfigurable optical signal processors (such as optical-domain RF filters) that are constructed from arrays of those unit cells interconnected by optical waveguides. Each unit cell comprises an optical microdisk, an optical phase shifter, and at least one input/output optical waveguide, wherein the microdisk and the phase shifter are both optically connected to a common waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventor: Daniel Yap
-
Patent number: 8009942Abstract: Various optical isolator embodiments are disclosed. Embodiments comprise a waveguide section utilizing materials that induce a propagation constant shift that is propagation-direction-dependent. Embodiments are characterized by a cutoff frequency for forward propagating waves that is different than the cutoff frequency for reverse waves; the dimensions and direction of magnetization of the waveguide can be tailored so that, in a particular embodiment, the cutoff frequency for forward propagating waves is lower than the cutoff frequency for reverse waves. A particular embodiment is constructed as a single-mode waveguide on a substrate. The cross-section of the waveguide is inhomogeneous in terms of materials. At least one part of the cross-section is a non-reciprocal magneto-optic medium, which has nonzero off-diagonal permittivity tensor components. This inhomogeneity induces a propagation constant shift, which is propagation-direction-dependent.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Duke UniversityInventors: Tomoyuki Yoshie, Lingling Tang, Samuel Drezdzon
-
Patent number: 7995891Abstract: An arrangement includes a photonic band-gap assembly comprising at least one input wave guide and at least one output wave guides, and at least one routing element responsive to signals to selectively route a signal from the input wave guide to one or more of the output wave guides.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Inventors: Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Clarence T. Tegreene
-
Optical fibers having a Surface Light Field Emulation (s-LiFE) segment and method of making the same
Publication number: 20110188261Abstract: A modified optical fiber comprises one Surface Light Field Emulation (s-LiFE) segment, comprising a core; a cladding; and multiple controlled nanoscale diffusion centers to emit light through the side of the optical fibers. Optionally, the modified optical fiber has a coating. The nanoscale diffusion centers are physical geometric patterns or composition patterns in the cladding or the coating. The s-LiFE optical fiber is a member of an illumination system further comprising a light source. The method of making of said s-LiFE optical fiber comprises a fiber spooning step.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: Enlighting, Inc.Inventors: Kung-Li Deng, Daniel R. Olson, Qing Ye -
Patent number: 7983514Abstract: An arrangement includes a photonic band-gap assembly comprising at least one input wave guide and at least one output wave guides, and at least one routing element responsive to signals to selectively route a signal from the input wave guide to one or more of the output wave guides.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Inventors: Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Clarence T. Tegreene
-
Patent number: 7974502Abstract: An optical module controls its output characteristics electrically and an optical switch constitutes the optical module. An optical waveguide circuit (PLC) and an electronic circuit (IC) for driving the PLC are mounted on the same substrate. The IC is composed of a bare chip to be molded afterward. Wiring of the IC is grouped and integrated on the PLC substrate to achieve higher density and miniaturization of the optical module.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2007Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone CorporationInventors: Shinji Mino, Takeshi Kitagawa, Motohaya Ishii, Takashi Yamada, Akira Himeno, Masayuki Okuno, Shunichi Souma, Takashi Goh
-
Patent number: 7970245Abstract: An optical biosensor using a surface plasmon resonance phenomenon includes an input optical waveguide including a first optical mode converting unit for converting a core mode to a cladding mode; and an optical sensing unit for allowing a specific wavelength among wavelengths constituting the converted cladding mode to be lost according to density of bio-material. The optical biosensor can accurately measure density of bio-material by using an optical signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Sungkyunkwan University Foundation for Corporate CollaborationInventors: Kwang No Park, Kyung Shik Lee, Hyun Soo Jang, Byeong Cheol Min
-
Publication number: 20110116094Abstract: Surface plasmon generation on a metal or semiconductor layer at an outer surface of an optical waveguide, using light reflected or scattered from inside the optical waveguide. One aspect provides a main optical waveguide (11) (e.g. optical fibre) having a second optical waveguide (18) adhered thereto, the second optical waveguide including an optically transparent material (610) separating two surface plasmon supporting layers (600, 620). Another aspect provides a surface plasmon supporting layer of material(s) adhered to the main optical waveguide, the layer having photo-induced regions of material compaction. The regions of compaction may cause un-inscribed refractive index modulations in the main optical waveguide. The surface plasmons are coupled to the guided mode(s) in the main optical waveguide. Surface plasmon resonance depends on sample material in contact with an outermost surface plasmon supporting layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2008Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: ASTON UNIVERSITYInventors: Thomas David Paul Allsop, Ian Bennion, David John Webb, Ronald Neal
-
Publication number: 20110002577Abstract: The disclosure generally involves an optical (perhaps flat panel) display utilizing backside reflection for time-multiplexed optical shuttering. One display comprises a side-illuminated light guide associated with conditions for total internal reflection. A first surface of the light guide is elastomeric. Disposed against this elastomeric surface is an active layer that selectively deforms the elastomeric surface in locations that can correspond to display pixels. This resulting change in the geometry of the elastomeric surface can be sufficient to defeat the conditions for total internal reflection. When appropriate, light is reflected by the particular deformation and is ejected from another surface of the light guide. In this case, each location that allows light to exit could represent an activated display pixel. In certain situations, color flat panel displays of varying sizes may further implement field sequential color and time-multiplexed optical shuttering.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: UNI-PIXEL DISPLAYS, INC.Inventor: Daniel K. Van Ostrand
-
Publication number: 20110002576Abstract: A thermally switched Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) photo electronic device includes a silicon layer including an optical waveguide and a silicide heating element horizontally adjacent to the waveguide. The waveguide has a refractive index that changes with heat applied to the waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2007Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William M. Green, Hendrik F. Hamann, Yurii A. Vlasov
-
Patent number: 7844149Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-optic modulator structure containing an additional set of bias electrodes buried within the device for applying bias to set the operating point. Thus the RF electrodes used to modulate incoming optical signals can be operated with zero DC bias, reducing electrode corrosion by galvanic and other effects that can be present in non-hermetic packages. The bias electrodes are at least partially separated from the substrate with a buffer layer, which in one embodiment has a small amount of conductivity. This conductive buffer layer reduces optical loss from the bias electrodes and also reduces DC drift.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: JDS Uniphase CorporationInventors: Karl Kissa, William J. Minford, Glen Drake
-
Patent number: 7840099Abstract: An optical modulator structure includes at least two waveguide structures for inputting and outputting an optical signal. At least one ring resonator structure provides coupling between the at least two waveguide structures. The at least one ring resonator structure includes Ge or SiGe.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Dong Pan, Jifeng Liu, Lionel C. Kimerling, James F. McMillan, Michael D. Sockin, Chee Wei Wong
-
Patent number: 7826688Abstract: Embodiments of the inventions described herein comprise a device and method for manipulating an optical beam. The method comprises propagating an optical beam through a waveguide in proximity to a resonant cavity and pumping the resonant cavity with sufficient optical power to induce non-linearities in the refractive index of the resonant cavity. The method further comprises tuning the resonant frequency band of the resonant cavity with a modulation signal such that the optical beam is manipulated in a useful way.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Luxtera, Inc.Inventors: Thiruvikraman Sadagopan, Roger Koumans, Thierry Pinguet, Lawrence Cary Gunn, III
-
Patent number: 7801393Abstract: Monitoring a bias point of an optical modulator includes receiving an optical signal modulated by the optical modulator. Photons of the optical signal are received at a photon reactive material operable to produce a reaction in response to the arrival of a predetermined number of photons. Reactions are produced in response to the arrival of the photons of the optical signal. Feedback is generated in response to the reactions. The feedback reflects the waveform of the optical signal, and indicates one or more bias points of the optical modulator.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2009Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Cechan Tian, Takao Naito
-
Optically controlled optical-path-switching-type data distribution apparatus and distribution method
Patent number: 7792398Abstract: Data to be sent are, in a data communication unit, first divided into electric signal packets by a data transmission/receipt control unit, whereby an electric signal sequence tag is added to each electric signal packet, then converted into optical packets by an optical signal transmitting unit, and transmitted through an optical signal path. At optical switch, the optical paths of the packets are switched to optical signal paths by the actions of optical destination tags that are respectively synchronized with optical packets and irradiated by an optical signal transmitting unit. At optical signal receiving units, the received optical packets are converted to electric signal packets, and reassembled to be original data according to the identification information on the reassembly sequence recorded in the sequence tag in an electric signal packet by data transmission/receipt control units, and distributed to client devices as electric signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2005Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignees: Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd., National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and TechnologyInventors: Norio Tanaka, Ichiro Ueno, Takashi Hiraga, Nobutaka Tanigaki, Toshiko Mizokuro, Noritaka Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Mochizuki -
Publication number: 20100215310Abstract: An arrangement includes a photonic band-gap assembly comprising at least one input wave guide and at least one output wave guides, and at least one routing element responsive to signals to selectively route a signal from the input wave guide to one or more of the output wave guides.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Inventors: Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Clarence T. Tegreene
-
Patent number: 7782520Abstract: Duobinary and NRZ modulation of an X-Gb/s optical signal is achieved with a lumped element InP Mach-Zehnder device configured to operate at X/k-Gb/s where k>1 and arranged in a push-pull configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.Inventors: Andrew Adamiecki, Sethumadhavan Chandrasekhar, Christopher Doerr, David Nielson, Peter Winzer
-
Patent number: 7782911Abstract: A fiber laser with reduced stimulated Brillouin scattering includes a spool having a height and characterized by an induced temperature gradient with the height. The fiber laser also includes a fiber wrapped on the spool and characterized by a signal power increasing along the length of the fiber. The induced temperature gradient is a function of the signal power along the fiber.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2008Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Deep Photonics CorporationInventors: Michael J. Munroe, David H. Foster, Joseph G. LaChapelle, Cary S. Kiest
-
Patent number: 7764851Abstract: An optical modulator has an optical waveguide substrate having a pair of principal surfaces, a pair of side surfaces an incident face and exit face of light, the substrate being composed of a ferroelectric material; a channel optical waveguide having at least a pair of branch sections, a multiplexing section of the branch sections and an exit section provided on the downstream of the multiplexing section, the waveguide being formed on the principal surface of the optical waveguide substrate; a modulation electrode electrodes for applying a signal voltage for modulating light propagating in the branch sections; and a reflective groove for reflecting leaked light of off-mode emitted from the multiplexing section and emitting the light from a principal surface of the optical waveguide substrate. An operating point of the optical modulator is controlled by changing a DC bias applied on the modulation electrode based on optical output of the leaked light of off-mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2008Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Akiyoshi Ide, Jungo Kondo, Osamu Mitomi, Yasunori Iwasaki, Hiroki Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 7760970Abstract: A single-photon absorption all-optical modulator, systems employing the same, and methods of making and using the same. An illustrative example is provided based on silicon semiconductor technology that employs rectangular waveguides. In some embodiments, it is observed that the waveguides operate with an absorption density of less than 1017 cm?1s?1mW?1 to provide a single-photon absorption operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Tom Baehr-Jones, Michael J. Hochberg, Axel Scherer
-
Patent number: 7734121Abstract: A bidirectional optical module having a device 1 for emitting transmitting signal light, an optical fiber 8 which the transmitting signal light from the device enters, a light-receiving device 9 which light from the optical fiber enters, and a wavelength splitting filter 4. The transmitting signal light emitted from the device is sent forward through the optical fiber, and the receiving signal light is received through the optical fiber. The bidirectional optical module has an optical device (optical isolator) of a reflection polarizer 6 bonded to an end face of the optical fiber, a Faraday rotator 5 disposed integrally on the reflection polarizer and an absorption polarizer 3 disposed on an optical path extending between the device and the filter. The reflection polarizer has a wavelength dependency which functions as a polarizer for the transmitting signal light, but does not function as a polarizer for the receiving signal light.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junji Iida, Akio Watanabe, Mikio Uemura, Hideharu Okami
-
Patent number: 7728268Abstract: A solid-state imaging device including a number of pixels, each of which having a photoelectric converting portion, and which are arranged one-dimensionally or in a two-dimensional matrix. The solid-state imaging device includes a peripheral wiring portion with a multilayer structure provided around at least part of the photoelectric converting portion in each of the number of pixels and a light-shielding interlayer connecting material connecting layers of the multilayer structure to each other at least part of the peripheral wiring portion. The light-shielding interlayer connecting material is capable of reflecting or absorbing visible light.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Kimihiko Sato, Tetsuya Iizuka
-
Patent number: 7720319Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Inventor: Valentin Korman
-
Patent number: 7711213Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Shih-Yuan Wang, Scott Corzine, Wei Wu, Alex Bratkovski
-
Patent number: 7693363Abstract: The invention is a system and method for performing all-optical modulation. A semiconductor layer having a defined thickness has an insulator adjacent one surface of the semiconductor. Conductive layers are provided adjacent the semiconductor layer and the insulator. A photodetector is provided to generate an electric field across the conductive layers in response to an input optical gate signal. An input optical signal is modulated by interaction with a plasmon wave generated at the semiconductor/conductive layer interface. By defining the thickness of the semiconductor layer, a desired wavelength of light supports the plasmon waves. Operation of the all-optical modulator requires the provision of an input optical signal of a desired wavelength and the provision of a gate optical signal. An output optical signal is recovered and can be used to store, display or transmit information, for example over a fiber optic communication system, such as a telecommunication system.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Jennifer A. Dionne, Kenneth A. Diest, Luke Sweatlock, Harry A. Atwater
-
Patent number: 7689070Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshihiko Ouchi
-
Publication number: 20100067843Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure an optical filter is provided that preferably includes a plurality of looped or ring-shaped waveguides provided on a substrate which are coupled to one another by tunable couplers. Portions of each waveguide constitute part of each tunable coupler, which may include, for example, a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. A heater may be thermally coupled to one or both arms of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, to thereby adjust an amount of optical coupling between adjacent looped waveguides. The filter bandwidth (i.e., the spectral width of the passband), which, as noted above, is related to such coupling, can thus also be tuned or varied. Additional heaters may be provided to tune the center wavelength of the passband so that a filter having both a variable passband spectral width and center wavelength can be obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2008Publication date: March 18, 2010Inventor: Brent E. Little
-
Publication number: 20100067013Abstract: An optical arrangement comprising a multi-mode fiber (16) for carrying single mode laser light (12); a randomizer (18) for randomizing spatial modes supported by the fiber and means for averaging, out the randomized spatial modes to recover the single spatial mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2007Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: Cascade Technologies LimitedInventors: Iain Howieson, Michael McCulloch
-
Patent number: 7680361Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2008Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideaki Okayama
-
Patent number: 7676121Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and a method for operating the apparatus. The apparatus, in one embodiment, may include an optical waveguide located over a substrate, the optical waveguide having a first segment and a second segment. The apparatus may further include a single heating element configured to heat both the first segment and the second segment, wherein a light propagation direction at a point in the second segment differs by at least 90 degrees with respect to a light propagation direction at the point in the first segment.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.Inventors: Douglas M. Gill, Sanjay Patel, Mahmoud Rasras
-
Patent number: 7668417Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: JDS Uniphase CorporationInventors: Wenyan Jiang, Gregory McBrien, Joseph P. Farina
-
Patent number: 7657129Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2008Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Thomas W. Karras
-
Patent number: 7657131Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for integrated circuitry optical modulation. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit comprises an optical waveguide enabling multi-level modulation. The embodiment comprises an optical waveguide with integrated circuit modulators. An optical waveguide is split into at least two branches so that modulation can be imposed in each branch. In one embodiment, the branches are combined to produce an optical signal path in which additional modulation is imposed. In an embodiment of an integrated circuit optical demodulator, a received modulated optical signal is divided into branches and demodulated. Embodiments provide a single integrated circuit for multi-level modulation, thereby avoiding the disadvantages of modulation using separate discrete components. Also, a single integrated circuit for multi-level demodulation is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Ansheng Liu, Hat D. Nguyen
-
Patent number: 7657132Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Daniel Yap, David L. Persechini, Kevin Geary
-
Patent number: 7639910Abstract: An optical module is configured with a combination of a single-mode oscillating light source and an optical filter. In this optical module, the single-mode oscillating light source outputs a single-mode, frequency-modulated signal. Further, the optical filter converts the frequency modulation to an amplitude modulation. And, the single-mode oscillating light source and the optical filter are packaged without active alignment on the same substrate. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an optical module in a simple and low-cost configuration by packaging the single-mode oscillating light source and the optical filter by passive alignment, without active alignment, on the same substrate, and by using a simple optical filter such as a waveguide ring resonator, which converts a frequency modulation to an amplitude modulation.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: NEC CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Yamazaki, Takaaki Hatanaka
-
Patent number: 7639900Abstract: An arrangement includes a photonic band-gap assembly comprising at least one input wave guide and at least one output wave guides, and at least one routing element responsive to signals to selectively route a signal from the input wave guide to one or more of the output wave guides.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Inventors: Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Clarence T. Tegreene
-
Patent number: 7628547Abstract: An optical module includes: a light source; a variable transmissivity member that is disposed on a light path of light emitted from the light source with a spacing from the light source, the variable transmissivity member having transmissivity that increases as temperature rises; and an optical fiber that receives light that has been transmitted through the variable transmissivity member.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Akira Miyamae
-
Patent number: 7630588Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshihiko Ouchi