Abstract:
The present invention is a programmable and latching retro-reflective construct suitable for use as an optical label in an optical labeling system. The invention contains retro-reflective structures such as lens beads, corner cubes or other retro-reflecting type structures. The retro-reflective construct further comprises a wavelength selective, programmable and latching reflecting structure located at the reflecting surfaces of the retro-reflective structures. The optical construct can optionally contain additional optical filtering structures. Methods for fabricating the invention are also described.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
In one of the embodiments, a dark channel array is provided which includes gain channels, each configured to emit an output beam from an output surface and to have a light wave propagating therethrough. It further includes a dark channel configured to emit an output beam from the output surface of the dark channel array and to have a light wave propagating in the dark channel, such that output beams from the plurality of gain channels are coherently coupled in phase with each other. The dark channel array is configured such that the dark channel captures a portion of the output beam from at least two of the plurality of gain channels by radiant coupling.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for modulating an RF signal. The RF signal is supplied to a grating modulator having a grating, and light of at least a first wavelength is supplied as a first optical carrier to the grating modulator. The first carrier light is modulated by the grating modulator, wherein the first wavelength of the first carrier coincides with a null in the third derivative of a transmittance spectrum of the grating. Optionally, light of at an additional, second wavelength as a second optical carrier, is supplied to the grating modulator which modulates the second carrier light. The second wavelength of the second carrier coincides with another null, but different than the first mentioned null, in the third derivative of a transmittance spectrum of the grating.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a laser transmitter capable of being configured to transmit one of a plurality of wavelengths. Specifically, the laser transmitter may be reconfigured using the resonance passbands of a tunable microresonator coupled with a fixed grating.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a dark channel array is provided which includes gain channels, each gain channel being configured to emit an output beam, and which includes a dark channel configured to cause output beams from the gain channels to be coherently couple in phase with each other.
Abstract:
Optical bond-wire interconnections between microelectronic chips, wherein optical wires are bonded onto microelectronic chips. Such optical connections offer numerous advantages compared to traditional electrical connections. Among other things, these interconnections are insensitive to electromagnetic interference and need not be located at the edges of a chip but rather can be placed for optimal utility to the circuit function. In addition, such interconnections can be given the same or other pre-specified lengths regardless of the placement in the module and they are capable of signal bandwidths up to 20 Gigahertz without causing a cross-talk problem. A method of fabrication of such optical interconnections using optical fiber, a laser or photodetector and etched mirror and etched V-shaped grooves.
Abstract:
A limiter for limiting selected frequency components by generating Stokes waves in a stimulated Brillouin scattering medium. The generated Stokes waves create a seed that is provided to another stimulated Brillouin scattering medium. The seed selecting the undesired frequency components to be attenuated.
Abstract:
An antenna beamformer consisting of optical irises coupled to Wavelength Division Multiplexers (WDMs). The ports of the WDMs are coupled to lens ports, where each lens port corresponds to a different antenna beam. The optical irises are optical filters with selectable center frequencies and selectable passband widths. Selection of different center frequencies and passband widths enables the selection of different ports of the WDMs, which allows the selection of one or more antenna beams. The beamformer may also have controllable delay lines to provide for additional beam steering.
Abstract:
A Delta-Sigma Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) that can have a very high sampling rate (over 100 GHz) and which is preferably optically sampled to help achieve its very high sampling rate. The sampling rate can be many times higher than the regeneration speed of the electronic quantizers used in the ADC.