Government of the United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Commerce

California Institute of Technology

University System of Maryland

Brown University

Henri Lezec

Amit Kumar Agrawal

Fred Sharifi

Wenqi Zhu

Myung-Gyu Kang

Shawn Divitt

Cheng Zhang

Harry A Atwater

Albert Alec Talin

Vince Siu

Vladimir Aksyuk

Kenneth A Diest

Jennifer A Dionne

Erich C Walter

Ting Xu

Daniel Chelladurai

Mikael Mazur

Tayhas G R Palmore

Andreas Joerg

Domenico Pacifici

Vihang Mehta

Christian Haffner

Jueg Leuthold

Alec Roelke

Steve Rhieu

Jing Feng

High-performance optical-metasurface-based components configured to at frequencies of UV light and, in particular, in deep UV range and performing multiple optical-wavefront-shaping functions (among which there are high-numerical-aperture lensing, accelerating beam generation, and hologram projection). As a representative material for such components, hafnium oxide demands creation and establishment of a novel process of manufacture that is nevertheless based on general principles of Damascene lithography, to be compatible with existing technology and yet sufficient for producing high-aspect-ratio features that currently-used materials and processes simply do not deliver. The described invention opens a way towards low-form-factor, multifunctional ultraviolet nanophotonic platforms based on flat optical components and enabling diverse applications including lithography, imaging, spectroscopy, and quantum information processing.

Low-loss metasurface optics for deep UV

Disclosed is an optoelectromechanical switch that includes: an optical feedline disposed on an isolation substrate that receives resonator light that is subject to optical communication to a resonator when a cavity length of the resonator supports an electromagnetic mode at the wavelength of the resonator light; a resonator including: a low refractive index optical layer and receives substrate electrical counter potential; a non-conductive spacer; the electrically conductive membrane and that receives a membrane electrical potential and deflects toward and away from the electrically conductive high-index optical waveguide based on a difference in potential between the membrane electrical potential and the substrate electrical counter potential; the cavity length that is variable and under electromechanical control.

Optoelectromechanical switch and programming an optical network

A metasurface optical pulse shaper includes a metasurface with superpixels disposed on an entry side of the metasurface and a wire grid polarizer disposed on an exit surface of the metasurface for controlling a phase, amplitude, or polarization of an optical pulse, wherein the metasurface in combination with dispersers provide for optical shaping of the optical pulse. A process for optically changing a pulse shape includes dispersing a primary optical pulse; separating spatially, by frequency, primary frequency waves; changing, by superpixels, a relative phase of the primary frequency waves and producing phase waves that are separated spatially by frequency and phase; and producing a plurality of shaped frequency waves such that, from an individual phase wave, a shaped frequency wave is produced that separated spatially by frequency and phase, such that a superposition of shaped frequency waves produce a shaped optical pulse that has pulse shape that is different than the primary optical pulse.

Metasurface optical pulse shaper for shaping an optical pulse in a temporal domain

A cold cathode field emission electron source capable of emission at levels comparable to thermal sources is described. Emission in excess of 6 A/cmat 7.5 V/&#x3bc;m is demonstrated in a macroscopic emitter array. The emitter has a monolithic and rigid porous semiconductor nanostructure with uniformly distributed emission sites, and is fabricated through a room temperature process which allows for control of emission properties. These electron sources can be used in a wide range of applications, including microwave electronics and x-ray imaging for medicine and security.

Cold field electron emitters based on silicon carbide structures

System and methods for detecting analytes are provided. The system includes a plasmonic interferometer with a first surface having a first and second scattering element and an aperture disposed between the first scattering element and the second scattering element. A first distance between the aperture and the first scattering element and a second distance between the aperture and the second scattering element are selected to provide interference of light at the slit. The system also includes a light source for illuminating the first surface of the plasmonic interferometer, a detector positioned for detecting light transmitted through the aperture, and a sample holder for disposing a sample to be analyzed onto the first surface of the plasmonic interferometer.

Systems and methods enabling high-throughput, real time detection of analytes

Various plasmonic structures in the form of electrochromic optical switches are described which exhibit relatively high optical switching contrast. The switches generally include a collection of nanoslits formed in a thin electrically conductive film. An electrochromic material is disposed on the conductive film and along the sidewalls of the nanoslit(s).

Plasmonic enhancement of material properties

A cold cathode field emission electron source capable of emission at levels comparable to thermal sources is described. Emission in excess of 6 A/cmat 7.5 V/&#x3bc;m is demonstrated in a macroscopic emitter array. The emitter is comprised of a monolithic and rigid porous semiconductor nanostructure with uniformly distributed emission sites, and is fabricated through a room temperature process which allows for control of emission properties. These electron sources can be used in a wide range of applications, including microwave electronics and x-ray imaging for medicine and security.

A slot waveguide utilized as a color-selecting element. The slot waveguide includes a first layer of plasmon supporting material, the first layer being optically opaque and having an input slit extending through the first layer; a second layer of plasmon supporting material facing the first layer and separated from the first layer by a first distance in a first direction, the second layer being optically opaque and having an output slit extending through the second layer and separated from the input slit by a second distance extending along a second direction differing from first direction; a dielectric layer interposed between the first layer and the second layer, the dielectric layer having a real or complex refractive index; and a power source electrically coupled to the first layer and the second layer to apply an electrical signal for modulation of the real or complex refractive index of the dielectric layer.

Slot waveguide for color display

Growing community of inventors

Bethesda, MD, United States of America

Henri Lezec