Abstract:
Compact laser systems are disclosed which include ultrafast laser sources in combination with nonlinear crystals or waveguides. In some implementations fiber based mid-IR sources producing very short pulses and/or mid-IR sources based on a mode locked fiber lasers are utilized. Some embodiments may include an infrared source with an amplifier system comprising, in combination, a Tm fiber amplifier and an Er fiber amplifier. A difference frequency generator receives outputs from the Er and/or Tm amplifier system, and generates an output comprising a difference frequency. Exemplary applications of the compact, high brightness mid-IR light sources include medical applications, spectroscopy, ranging, sensing and metrology.
Abstract:
A feedforward controller for controlling the polarisation state of an optical signal, the feedforward controller comprising: an optical input for receiving an optical input signal having an input polarisation state; an optical output for transmitting an optical output signal having an output polarisation state; a polarisation controller coupled to the optical input and the optical output; a transfer function determiner for determining a characteristic polarisation transfer function of the feedforward controller from the input and output polarisation states; wherein the polarisation controller is adapted to modify the polarisation state of light passing therethrough in dependence on the characteristic polarisation transfer function of the feedforward controller.
Abstract:
A fibre (10) comprises an inner conductor (12), a volume (14) of electro-optic material (16), an external conductor (20), with a photoconductor (18) between the inner conductor and an external conductor. The volume of electro-optic material comprises capsules of electrophoretic, black and white charged particles (24, 26), the black particles having an opposite charge to the white particles. The components of the fibre are flexible, such that the fibre is suitable for use in a flexible display device.
Abstract:
A light source[30, 50, 70, 90, 100, 110] and a display utilizing the same are disclosed. The light source[30, 50, 70, 90, 100, 110] includes a laser, a light pipe[32, 52, 60, 92, 106], and an optical fiber. The light pipe[32, 52, 60, 92, 106] includes a layer of transparent material having a top surface[21], a bottom surface[41], and a first edge[36]. The first optical fiber[35, 104] couples light from the laser to the first edge[36] at a first location. The light is injected into the light pipe[32, 52, 60, 92, 106] such that the light is reflected from the top surface[21] and the light pipe[32, 52, 60, 92, 106] includes a plurality of scattering centers[40] that scatter the light through the top surface[21]. The laser can be in thermal contact with a heat sink[34, 75, 119, 105] placed at a location that is adapted for dissipating heat. The light source[30, 50, 70, 90, 100, 110] can include a plurality of lasers in a color display. The light from the various lasers can be mixed before it reaches the light pipe[32, 52, 60, 92, 106] or in the light pipe[32, 52, 60, 92, 106].
Abstract:
Disclosed is an apparatus and method including a semiconductor substrate including a waveguide having a guiding region and one or more bounding regions coupled to the guiding region; a first PN junction disposed in the substrate and coupled to one or more of the one or more bounding regions; and dopant atoms disposed within the semiconductor substrate at the PN junction. An alternate embodiment includes a memory device, having a waveguide having a guiding region for propagating a radiation signal; an influencer, coupled to the waveguide, for controlling a characteristic of the radiation signal propagating in the waveguide between a first mode and a second mode; and a latching layer, coupled to the guiding region and responsive to the influencer, for retaining the characteristic of the radiation signal for a memory cycle.
Abstract:
Woven material comprises a first set of electrically conductive elements and a second set of hollow fibres, the hollow fibres containing electrophoretic material. The electrically conductive elements may be substantially perpendicular to the hollow fibres. A third set may also be present, for example, a set of insulated electrically conductive elements (as shown in Figure 1), substantially parallel to the hollow fibres, or a set of electrically conductive elements, being contained within the hollow fibres, or another set of hollow fibres, also containing electrophoretic material, being substantially perpendicular to the original hollow fibres. A display device comprising the woven material is also described which further includes electrical connectors connecting to the electrically conductive elements and circuitry connected to the electrical connectors and driving the display device.
Abstract:
In a single path multimedia projector (30), the light emitted from blue, green, and red generally monochromatic LEDs (72) is propagated through optical fibers (76) and then integrated through an optical integrator (40). A display controller (56) receives image data from a personal computer (58) and converts the data to color frame sequential data delivered to a common display device (44). The controller (56) synchronizes the data with ON/OFF signals conveyed to an LED power supply (34). The electronically synchronized frame sequential information is cycled faster and more accurately than achievable with a color wheel system (10). In a multiple path projector (120), the light from LEDs (72) can be ON continuously, propagated along separate optical paths (36), and integrated through an integrator (40). The color frame sequential data is delivered to controller-synchronized, separate display devices (44). The output is coupled into a combiner (122) to form a composite image.
Abstract:
The present invention is a method of processing an optical signal, including the steps of (a) inputting signal light into a first nonlinear optical medium to broaden the spectrum of the signal light through self phase modulation occurring in the first nonlinear optical medium, thereby obtaining first spectrally broadened light (supercontinuum light), (b) compensating for chromatic dispersion effected on the first spectrally broadened light obtained in the step (a), and (c) inputting the first spectrally broadened light processed by the step (b) into a second nonlinear optical medium to broaden the spectrum of the first spectrally broadened light through self phase modulation occurring in the second nonlinear optical medium, thereby obtaining second spectrally broadened light.