Abstract:
An optical device includes a first (A) and a second (A') splitting device. Each of the first and second splitting devices have respective first and second input ports, respective first and second output ports, and a respective transfer matrix. A first optical waveguide (84) is optically coupled to the first output port of the first splitting device and the first input port of the second splitting device. A second optical waveguide (83) is optically coupled to the second output port of the first splitting device and the second input port of the second splitting device. The first and second optical waveguides are configured to introduce a phase shift of an optical device includes a first and a second splitting device. Each of the first and second splitting devices have respective first and second input ports, respective first and second output ports, and a respective transfer matrix. A first optical waveguide is optically coupled to the first output port of the first splitting device and the first input port of the second splitting device. A second optical waveguide is optically coupled to the second output port of the first splitting device and the second input port of the second sitting device. The first and second optical waveguides are configured to introduce a phase shift of an optical device includes a first and a second splitting device. Each of the first and second splitting devices have respective first and second input ports, respective first and second output ports, and a respective transfer matrix. A first optical waveguide is optically coupled to the first output port of the first splitting device and the first input port of the second splitting device. A second optical waveguide is optically coupled to the second output port of the first splitting device and the second input port of the second splitting device. The first and second optical waveguides are configured to introduce a phase shift of π radians to the optical radiation propagating through the first optical waveguide with respect to the optical radiation propagating through the second optical waveguide. The transfer matrix of the second splitting device is the diagonal transpose of the transfer matrix of the first splitting de vice and the transfer matrix of the second splitting device is substantially different from the transfer matrix of the first splitting device.
Abstract:
An optical switch includes at least two signal bus waveguides (8, 10) that receive optical signals (a1, a2) as input. At least two directional couplers are positioned so that the inputs to the at least two directional couplers (4, 6) are not switched relative to each other.
Abstract:
A tunable microfluidic device (200) incorporating a ring resonant cavity comprises at least one optical resonant cavity (202) having a microfluidic channel (204) disposed through its center, an input waveguide (208), and an output waveguide (210). A fluid having a pre-selected refractive index is passed through the microfluidic channel (204). The presence of fluid passing through the center of the cavity waveguide (202) modifies the optical propagation characteristic of cavity waveguide. By introducing a fluid into the cavity, the resonant property or condition is changed such that the cavity waveguide (202) will resonate at a different frequency of wavelength. This flexibility allows the resonator to be tuned to a desirable frequency or wavelength to facilitate optical switching and filtering
Abstract:
Devices and methods utilizing dielectric pumping and variable dieletric pumping to move fluids through microchannels. Two fluids having dissamilar dielectric constants form an interface that is positioned between two electrodes in order to move the interface and therefore the fluids. Dielectric pumping and variable dielectric pumping may be used to move fluids in miniaturized analytical packages containing microchannels in which forces created by surface tension predominate over the gravitational force.
Abstract:
An optomechanical device, based on mode coupling, and methods for its use. Two waveguides (190,200) cross each other and a movable suspended coupler is located at the cross-over, such that on activation, the light propagating in one of the waveguides is coupled into the second waveguide. The coupler (210) may be a third waveguide that upon in-plane deflection, is brought into close proximity or to contact with the sides of the two waveguides. This action creates an optical path by means of the evanescent fields of the two waveguides and the coupling waveguide itself. This basic building block creates a 1 to 1 switching unit that can be scaled up to form non-blocking matrices of 'n' input waveguides by 'm' output waveguides. Applications for Wavelength Add and Drop Systems, and for Gain Equalizer Systems are described.
Abstract:
Methods of tuning, switching or modulating, or, in general, changing the resonance of waveguide micro-resonators. Changes in the resonance can be brought about, permanently or temporarily, by changing the size of the micro-resonator with precision, by changingthe local physical structure of the device or by changing the effective and group indices of refraction of the mode in the micro-resonator. Further changing the asymmetry of the index profile around a waveguide can alter the birefringence of the waveguide and allows one to control the polarization in the waveguide. This change in index profile may be used to change the polarization dependence or birefringence of the resonators.
Abstract:
Devices utilize elements carried by a fluid (4506) in a microchannel (4504) to switch, attenuate, shutter, filter, or phase shift optical signals. In certain embodiments, a microchannel carries a gaseous or liquid slug that interacts with at least a portion of the optical power of an optical signal traveling through a waveguide (4510, 4512). The microchannel may form part of the cladding of the waveguide, part of the core and the cladding, or part of the core only. The microchannel may also have ends or may be configured as a loop or continuous channel. The fluid devices may be self-latching or may be semi-latching. The fluid in the microchannel is moved using e.g., electrocapillarity, differential-pressure electrocapillarity, electrowetting, continuous electrowetting, electrophoresis, electroosmosis, dielectrophoresis, electrohydrodynamic electrohydrodynamic pumping, thermocapillary, thermal expansion, dielectric pumping, and/or variable dielectric pumping.
Abstract:
An interference modulator (Imod) incorporates anti-reflection coating (100) and/or microfabricated supplemental lighting sources. An efficient drive scheme is provided for matrix addressed arrays of IMods (108) or other mechanical devices. An improved color scheme provides greater flexibility. Electronic hardware can be field reconfigured to accommodate different display formats and/or application functions. An IMod's electromechanical behavior can be decoupled from its optical behavior. An improved actuation means is provided, some one of which may be hidden from view. An IMod or IMod array (108) is fabricated and used in conjunction with a MEMS switch or switch array. An IMod can be used for optical switching and modulation. Some IMods incorporate 2-D and 3-D photonic structures. A variety of applications for modulation of light are discussed. A MEMS manufacturing and packaging approach if providing based on a continuous web process. IMods can be used as test structures for the evaluation of residual stress in deposited materials.
Abstract:
An optomechanical device, based on mode coupling, and methods for its use. Two waveguides cross each other and a movable suspended coupler is located at the cross-over, such that on activation, the light propagating in one of the waveguides is coupled into the second waveguide. The coupler may be a third waveguide that upon in-plane deflection, is brought into close proximity or to contact with the sides of the two waveguides. This action creates an optical path by means of the evanescent fields of the two waveguides and the coupling waveguide itself. This basic building block creates a 1 to 1 switching unit that can be scaled up to form non-blocking matrices of 'n' input waveguides by 'm' output waveguides. Applications for Wavelength Add and Drop Systems, and for Gain Equalizer Systems are described.
Abstract:
Techniques and devices for integrating optical fibers on substrates with grooves for various optical applications. Two openings (131, 132) that penetrate through the substrate (110) are formed at both ends of each groove (12) to allow a fiber (140) to pass from one side of substrate (112) to another side (114). The fiber cladding of a fiber portion positioned in the groove can be removed to produce an optical coupling port.