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At least 55 records · Page 3

Investigation of semiconductor clad optical waveguides

A variety of techniques have been proposed for fabricating integrated optical devices using semiconductors, lithium niobate, and glasses as waveguides and substrates. The use of glass waveguides and their interaction with thin semiconductor cladding layers was studied. Though the interactions of these multilayer waveguide structures have been analyzed here using glass, they may be applicable to other types of materials as well. The primary reason for using glass is that it provides a simple, inexpensive way to construct waveguides and devices.

Batchman, T. E.↗

Calculated coupling efficiency between an elliptical-core optical fiber and an optical waveguide over temperature

To determine the feasibility of coupling the output of a single-mode optical fiber into a single-mode rib waveguide in a temperature varying environment, a theoretical calculation of the coupling efficiency between the two was investigated. Due to the complex geometry of the rib guide, there is no analytical solution to the wave equation for the guided modes, thus, approximation and/or numerical techniques must be utilized to determine the field patterns of the guide. In this study, three solution methods were used for both the fiber and guide fields; the effective-index method (EIM), Marcatili's approximation, and a Fourier method. These methods were utilized independently to calculate the electric field profile of each component at two temperatures, 20 C and 300 C, representing a nominal and high temperature. Using the electric field profile calculated from each method, the theoretical coupling efficiency between an elliptical-core optical fiber and a rib waveguide was calculated using the overlap integral and the results were compared. It was determined that a high coupling efficiency can be achieved when the two components are aligned. The coupling efficiency was more sensitive to alignment offsets in the y direction than the x, due to the elliptical modal field profile of both components. Changes in the coupling efficiency over temperature were found to be minimal.

Tuma, Margaret L.↗

Investigation of laser induced parametric interactions in optical waveguides and fibers

Experimental and theoretical aspects of the laser pump depletion characteristics in an optical fiber due to stimulated Raman scattering, and stimulated Brillouin scattering were studied. A review is presented of research in fiber transmission accompanied by stimulated scattering. Results of experimental work with tunable dye lasers and argon lasers are presented. The spectral profiles of the laser pump and its transmitted light through the fiber are given.

Yu, C.↗

Radiation Losses Due to Tapering of a Double-Core Optical Waveguide

The theoretical model we designed parameterizes the power losses as a function of .the profile shape for a tapered, single mode, optical dielectric coupler. The focus of this project is to produce a working model that determines the power losses experienced by the fibers when light crosses a taper region. This phenomenon can be examined using coupled mode theory. The optical directional coupler consists of a parallel, dual-channel, waveguide with minimal spacing between the channels to permit energy exchange. Thus, power transfer is essentially a function of the taper profile. To find the fields in the fibers, the approach used was that of solving the Helmholtz equation in cylindrical coordinates involving Bessel and modified Bessel functions depending on the location.

Lyons, Donald R.↗

Low-loss optical waveguides made with molecular beam epitaxial In(0.012)Ga(0.988)As and In(0.2)Ga(0.8)As-GaAs superlattices

Low-loss optical guiding in In-doped GaAs is demonstrated for the first time. Ridge waveguides are made with single In(0.012)Ga(0.988)As ternary layers and In(0.2)Ga(0.8)As-GaAs superlattices. Attenuation constants of about 1.3 dB/cm are measured and the principal loss mechanism is identified to be scattering at the ridge walls. It is expected that improved fabrication techniques will lead to guides with attenuation less than or equal to 0.5 dB/cm.

Das, U.↗

In-situ Optical Waveguides for Monitoring and Modifying Protein Crystal Growth

The use of electric fields in the growth of protein crystals was investigated, both theoretically and experimentally. We used dc, ac and optical fields to change the spatial distribution of proteins. Dc fields had only local effects, due to the conductivity of the growth solution. We found that for low frequency fields, movement of the buffer and salt ions dominated, and that for high frequency ac fields, &electrophoretic effects could be useful for relocating growing protein crystals. The most promising result was that for optical fields, a large gradient in the field could be used to capture a crystal, and observe growth in-situ. This concept could be developed into an experimental setup compatible with automated x-ray diffraction measurements in microgravity.

Gibson, Ursula↗

Ultrapure glass optical waveguide development in microgravity by the sol-gel process

The alkali-borosilicate system was selected as the glass system for the preparation of ultrapure low loss glasses suitable for optical communication. The effect of different oxide contents on the absorption loss was critically reviewed. One composition was chosen to develop the gel preparation procedure in the alkali-borosilicate system. In addition, several procedures for the preparation of gels based on two different approaches were developed. The influence of different preparation parameters were investigated qualitatively. Several conclusions are drawn from the results.

Mukherjee, S. P.↗

Investigation of semiconductor clad optical waveguides

Glass waveguides are studied because of the ease and economy of fabricating devices in glass. All calculations are based on the assumption of a glass guide and substrate, but the effects being studied will occur on other materials if the proper refractive indices are used in the calculations.

Batchman, T. E.↗

Polarization effects in silicon-clad optical waveguides

By changing the thickness of a semiconductor cladding layer deposited on a planar dielectric waveguide, the TE or TM propagating modes may be selectively attenuated. This polarization effect is due to the periodic coupling between the lossless propagating modes of the dielectric slab waveguide and the lossy modes of the cladding layer. Experimental tests involving silicon claddings show high selectivity for either polarization.

Carson, R. F.↗

Optical waveguides in oxygen-implanted buried-oxide silicon-on-insulator structures

An analysis is made of the waveguiding properties of the oxygen-implanted, buried-oxide, silicon-on-insulator structures currently being developed for use in microelectronics. It is found that in spite of the fact that the buried-oxide layer is only a few tenths of a micrometer thick, the single-crystal overlayer can support TEo guided-wave propagation, at subbandgap wavelengths, with losses due to substrate radiation leakage at or below the benchmark level of 1 dB/cm.

Kurdi, B. N.↗

Monolithic integration of optical waveguides with metal routing layers

A photonic integrated circuit and a method for its manufacture are provided. In an embodiment, an intermetal dielectric layer, for example, a silicon oxide layer, is contiguous between an upper metal layer and a lower metal layer on a substrate. One or more waveguides having top and bottom faces are formed in respective waveguide layers within the intermetal dielectric layer between the upper and lower metal layers. There is a distance of at least 600 nm from the upper metal layer to the top face of the uppermost of the several waveguides. There is a distance of at least 600 nm from the lower metal layer to the bottom face of the lowermost of the several waveguides. The waveguides are formed of silicon nitride for longer wavelengths and alumina for shorter wavelengths. These dimensions and materials are favorable for CMOS processing, among other things.

Gehl, Michael↗

Optical Energy Transfer and Conversion System

An optical power transfer system comprising a fiber spooler, a fiber optic rotary joint mechanically connected to the fiber spooler, and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the fiber optic rotary joint with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, through the rotary joint, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy.

Stone, William C.↗

Optical Energy Transfer and Conversion System

An optical energy transfer and conversion system comprising a fiber spooler and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the spooler with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy. The fiber spooler may reside on the remote mobility platform which may be a vehicle, or apparatus that is either self-propelled or is carried by a secondary mobility platform either on land, under the sea, in the air or in space.

Stone, William C.↗

Integrated freeform optical couplers

Reflecting light beams off of microscale three-dimensional (3D) freeform surfaces can yield highly efficient coupling into and out of optical waveguides, optical fibers, and photonic chips. The structure of the 3D freeform reflective surface determines the shape of the reflected beam. This allows freeform reflectors to control the mode profile, rotation angle, and divergence angle of light beams. Control of beam shape enables mode matching between source output mode and target input mode, which results in low-loss optical coupling. An inventive freeform reflective surface can direct light beams in plane or out of plane via specular reflection or total internal reflection. A photonic integrated circuit with this type of freeform optical coupler can operate with a bandwidth range of at least 400 nm, potentially encompassing all visible or telecommunications wavelengths, and can be volume manufactured in photonic chips.

Yu, Shaoliang↗

Inertial references based on single mode optical fiber waveguides

Recent developments in low loss single mode optical fiber waveguides, semiconductor waveguide lasers and waveguide optical and electro-optical components have made a new class of rotational inertial frame references possible. The subclasses of possible fiber waveguide gyro configurations are discussed and one approach which is under development is reviewed. Signal detection and processing, error sources, expected physical and performance characteristics, and present development status are discussed.

Goss, W. C.↗