Gavin West

Title: Gavin West and Integrated Acousto-Optic Modulation

Introduction

Gavin West is an inventor associated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His patent work includes an integrated acousto-optic modulator designed to switch light with a high extinction ratio for applications in quantum and atomic systems.

Latest Patents

West is named on 1 patent: “Integrated dual-waveguide acousto-optic modulator.” The invention uses two widely separated two-dimensional waveguides and an intervening one-dimensional waveguide. An acoustic transducer generates a traveling acoustic grating that diffracts light from one two-dimensional waveguide into the one-dimensional waveguide, which carries it to the other two-dimensional waveguide. A lateral grating coupler then directs the light into that second waveguide. The separation between the two-dimensional waveguides helps prevent unwanted evanescent coupling, while the acoustic switching design can achieve an extinction ratio greater than 50 dB.

Career Highlights

West’s listed patent highlights work on integrated photonic devices, particularly acoustic control of light. The modulator’s design is intended to provide a compact optical switch suitable for demanding quantum and atomic systems.

Collaborations

The patent is associated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The available information does not identify additional collaborators.

Conclusion

Gavin West’s patented dual-waveguide acousto-optic modulator combines acoustic switching and integrated waveguide routing to support high-extinction optical control for quantum and atomic applications.