Abstract:
Provided herein is a photonic integrated circuit and methods for controlling a photonic integrated circuit that can utilize the resonant frequency of one or more components of the photonic integrated circuit to enhance the response of the circuit. At least one component of the photonic integrated circuit can be driven by an electrical signal whose frequency is substantially equal to the mechanical resonance frequency of the component such that the response of the optical component is increased. The component of the photonic integrated circuit can include a phase shifter that can impart a phase shift on a received optical signal. By driving the phase shifter with an electrical signal that is equal to the mechanical resonance frequency of the optical phase shifter, less power can be required to impart a desired phase shift on a received optical signal. The optical components can be implemented using piezoelectric cantilevers.
Abstract:
An interband cascade (IC) optoelectronic device constructed to have a plurality of IC stages, wherein each of the IC stages comprises: a hole injector; an electron injector; an active region coupled to the hole injector and the electron injector and comprising a first layer, wherein the first layer comprises a first material, and wherein the first material comprises InAsP or AlInAsP; a conduction band running through the hole injector, the electron injector, and the active region; and a valence band running through the hole injector, the electron injector, and the active region. In certain embodiments, the IC optoelectronic device may be a laser (ICL), a light-emitting diode (LED), a superluminescent light-emitting diode (SLED), a photodector, or a photovoltaic device.
Abstract:
Devices for determining a state of a magnetic field-generating article are provided. In various embodiments, a device comprises: a single crystal diamond having a plurality of NV centers, the single crystal diamond configured to be disposed adjacent to a magnetic field-generating article, and configured to generate a fluorescent signal in response to being illuminated by a light source; a coherent light source configured to generate a light beam directed at the single crystal diamond; a microwave (MW) radiation source configured to irradiate the single crystal diamond with a MW signal; a magnetic field source configured to apply a bias magnetic field to the single crystal diamond; a photosensor configured to collect the fluorescent signal generated by the single crystal diamond; and a computing node operatively coupled to each of the coherent light source, the MW radiation source, the magnetic field source, and the photosensor.
Abstract:
The present invention provides novel and improved processes for treating a lignocellulosic biomass or technical lignin using ionic liquids to obtain lignin breakdown products and polysaccharide biomass components. Recycling of ionic liquids can be included in the methods of the invention.
Abstract:
Nodes in a network having a plurality of nodes establish communication links with other nodes using available transmission media, as the ability to establish such links becomes available and desirable. The nodes predict when existing communications links will fail, become overloaded or otherwise degrade network effectiveness and act to establish substitute or additional links before the node's ability to communicate with the other nodes on the network is adversely affected. A node stores network topology information and programmed link establishment rules and criteria. The node evaluates characteristics that predict existing links with other nodes becoming unavailable or degraded. The node then determines whether it can form a communication link with a substitute node, in order to maintain connectivity with the network. When changing its communication links, a node broadcasts that information to the network. Other nodes update their stored topology information and consider the updated topology when establishing new communications links for themselves.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus or system for de-contaminating and/or sanitizing mail in which a quantity of mail is placed into a confined chamber and the atmosphere in the chamber is evacuated to provide a sub-atmospheric pressure. The chamber is filled with an active gas that deactivates or degrades targeted bio-hazardous materials, and, after a pre-selected perio of time, the gas is evacuated from the confined chamber.
Abstract:
The invention relates to methods and structures of metal particles on a support material, including platinum-containing nanoparticles on a carbon support. Such materials can be used as electrocatalysts, for example as improved electrocatalysts in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM-FCs).