Finisar Corporation

C8 Medisensors Inc.

William R Freeman

Frank H Levinson

Steve Wang

Hong Jin Jiang

Ming Kun Shi

Dallas W Meyer

Andreas G Weber

Michael J Sailor

Jan Lipson

Rudolf J Hofmeister

Robert P McNamara

Johnny Zhong

Liren Du

Yin Zhang

Daniel S Kane

Philip D Shapiro

Andrew McIntosh Soutar

Song Miao

Minh Q Vu

Steven Wang

Jeff Bernhardt

John R Bingham

Xin Lou

Hongjin Jiang

Lillian Qin

Daniel Petrasek

David Rosseinsky

Joseph M Lipson

Lingyun Cheng

An apparatus is presented in which a sample can be accurately repositioned in a spectroscopic and/or imaging apparatus upon multiple insertions, and where the apparatus can be worn by living subjects for extended periods of time. The apparatus additionally reduces the temperature increase and stabilizes the temperature of the sample upon irradiation with an optical source of excitation. Additionally, the apparatus stabilizes the pressure and critical optical properties of the sample and its interface with the apparatus. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus can be used to alter and/or substantially reduce fluorescence from targeted fluorophores in the sample.

Apparatus for stabilizing mechanical, thermal, and optical properties and for reducing the fluorescence of biological samples for optical evaluation

Methods and structures for reducing and/or eliminating moisture penetration in an optical package. The optical package may include (1) a layer of inorganic material placed over the points of the optical package susceptible moisture penetration of the optical package; (2) a portion of hygroscopic material placed over the points of the optical package susceptible to moisture penetration; (3) a layer of hygroscopic material placed on the interior surface of the optical package; and/or (4) a layer of hydrophobic material coated on the optical surfaces of the optical package.

Surface passivation and sealing of micro-optics devices for improved performance in harsh environments

Methods and structures for reducing the moisture penetration in an optical device such as an isolator, collimator, filters, circulators, and the like. Methods can include placing an optical cover over the opening(s) of the housing of the optical device. The optical cover can be bonded by epoxy or metallic seal. A moisture prevention coating can be placed over the seal line between the optical cover and the housing to further enhance moisture prevention.

Hermetic and near hermetic sealing of optical components

A compact optical isolator includes a polarizer, a Faraday rotator, and an analyzer that are arranged in series. A magnet is also included to provide a magnetic field to the Faraday rotator. The outer edges of the polarizer, Faraday rotator, and analyzer are preferably parallel to each other and to the optical path of the incoming light beam so that the optical aperture through the optical isolator is maximized. In addition, each of the polarizer, the Faraday rotator, and the analyzer have at least one facet in the optical path of the light beam that is tilted from perpendicular with respect to the light beam such that reflections are avoided. The analyzer may have a wedge shape such that one surface mates level with an optical fiber and the opposing surface is tilted to prevent reflections. Alternatively, a wedge-shaped block may be located between the analyzer and the optical fiber.

Connector mountable asymmetric free space optical isolators

A general method is given for screening laser diodes for electrostatic discharge, (ESD), damage. The laser diode may be selectively isolated from the laser driver so that a current-voltage (I-V), curve can be taken and then compared to curves taken previously on the same laser diode to ascertain the possibility of ESD damage. Presumably the initial I-V curve will be representative of the characteristics of that particular laser in the undamaged state. Such an initial curve may be supplied by the manufacturer and may be a curve specific to a particular laser diode. Comparison with a standard curve is not sufficient to determine ESD damage in the early stages of failure. Some embodiments focus on isolating the laser diode from the laser driver, storing the information locally in the transceiver, and providing some analysis resulting in flagging laser diodes showing changes that are indicative of ESD damage.

Screening optical transceiver modules for electrostatic discharge damage

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrate methods to electrically connect multiple layers of a substrate. A first and second layer each has at least one electrical trace on a surface thereof. The substrate includes an interposer structure attached to the second layer and separating the first and second layers on at least a portion of a perimeter of the first and second layers. The method includes a steps for forming a via in the first layer, placing a first electrically conductive substance in the via, placing a second electrically conductive substance on the second layer adjacent said via, and heating an area around said via and said second electrically conductive substance until said first and second electrically conductive substances at least partially melt to form the electrical connection.

Methods of forming vias in multilayer substrates

Methods for adjusting the bulk material properties of manufactured components, such as resistors, thermistors, varistors, capacitors, resonators, oscillators, and optical components. Adjustment of the resistance of a resistor can be achieved by directing a high energy beam, such as an ultraviolet beam, onto a resistor formed from a matrix component and an embedded conductive component. The high energy beam adjusts the resistivity of the resistor material substantially without ablating the matrix component by affecting the matrix component, the conductive component, or both. Because of the lack of ablation, the material having a property to be adjusted can be a sub-layer in a laminated structure, with the high energy beam being directed through other layers formed thereon.

Method for optically trimming electronic components

A system and method for controlling the temperature of a heat-generating component such as a laser. A microelectromechanical system for controlling the temperature of the heat-generating component includes a magnetic heat sink device, a temperature sensor, and control circuitry. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the heat-generating component through the heat sink and feeds the sensed temperature to the control circuitry. The detected temperature is compared to a predetermined temperature set point. When the detected temperature is higher than the temperature set point, a command is sent to the magnetic heat sink to take more heat out of the heat-generating component. When the detected temperature is lower than the temperature set point, a command is sent to the magnetic heat sink to take less heat out of the heat-generating component. One embodiment of a magnetic heat sink device includes a laser system, an actuator system, and a heat sink material disposed between the laser system and the actuator system.

Magnetically controlled heat sink

A polarization based optical switch capable of redirecting light signals to a plurality of different output locations. The optical switch utilizes polarization beam splitters to separate each optical channel into multiple polarization portions. Reflection members are used to redirect some of the polarization portions. Polarization rotators are capable of manipulating the plane of polarization of the polarization portions which will determine which of the output locations each optical channel transmits through. Another polarization beam splitter is used to recombine the polarization portions and direct them to one of the output locations depending on their respective planes of polarization.

Optical switch using polarization beam splitters

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are drawn to improved systems and process for anodically bonding multiple substrate wafers to each other at low temperatures. At least one circuit wafer having printed circuits thereon is bonded to an interposer wafer by applying an amorphous thin film between the wafers. A low voltage is applied across the wafers to heat the wafers and to cause bonding of the wafers. Multiple circuit and interposer wafers can be used. The bonding temperature is low enough that soldered connections on the circuit wafers will not flow or otherwise distort, thus maintaining electrical integrity.

Low temperature bonding of multilayer substrates

A liquid crystal optical attenuator is provided that is used to control the intensity of a light signal. The optical attenuator includes at least one polarizing element having an optical polarization axis, wherein the polarizing element transmits a portion of a light signal proportional to the angular difference between the optical polarization axis of the light signal and that of the polarizing element. The optical attenuator also comprises a variable liquid crystal rotator that includes a semi-transparent liquid crystal device, and a plurality of electrodes configured to conduct electricity to the liquid crystal device. The polarization axis of the light signal transmitted through the liquid crystal device will be rotated by an amount proportional to the magnitude of the electricity applied to the plurality of electrodes. In one embodiment, the optical attenuator is employed as part of a laser package that includes a laser, a pair of polarizing elements, and a faraday rotator.

Optical transceiver package with a liquid crystal variable optical attenuator

A variable adaptive mask is provided that can be dynamically modified in situ in a physical vapor deposition process. The mask comprises a fixed mask portion, a plurality of channels extending through the fixed mask portion, a control mechanism for controlling throughput of a vaporized target material through the channels, and a mechanism to mount the mask in a fixed position relative to a solid target material and a substrate. In one embodiment, a magnetic control mechanism is provided to control throughput of the vaporized target material through the channels. In another embodiment, a thermal control mechanism is provided to control throughput of a vaporized target material through the channels. Methods of controlling a physical vapor deposition process using the adaptive mask are also disclosed.

In situ adaptive masks

A magneto-optic variable optical attenuator is provided that is used to control the intensity of a light signal. The optical attenuator includes at least one polarizing element having an optical polarization axis, wherein the polarizing element transmits a portion of an incident light signal proportional to the angular difference between an optical polarization axis of the incident light signal and that of the polarizing element. The optical attenuator also comprises a variable faraday rotator that includes a semi-transparent material, a magnetic material for applying a magnetic force to a light signal that is passed through the semi-transparent material, and a conductive wire configured to induce a magnetic field on the magnetic material. In various embodiments, the optical attenuator is employed as part of a laser package that includes a laser light source and a plurality of polarizing elements, which are in optical communication with a faraday rotator and/or a variable faraday rotator.

Magneto-optic variable optical attenuator

A variable electrochromic optical attenuator is provided that is used to control the intensity of a light signal. The electrochromic optical attenuator comprises a semi-transparent electrochromic device, and a plurality of electrodes configured to conduct electricity to the electrochromic device such that the transparency of the electrochromic device will be affected by an amount proportional to the magnitude of the electricity applied to the plurality of electrodes. The intensity of the light signal transmitted through the electrochromic device is affected by an amount proportional to the magnitude of the electricity applied to the plurality of electrodes. The electrochromic optical attenuator also includes at least one polarizing element having an optical polarization axis, wherein the polarizing element transmits a portion of the light signal proportional to the angular difference between the optical polarization axis of the light signal and that of the polarizing element. In one embodiment, the electrochromic optical attenuator is employed in a laser package that includes a laser, a pair of polarizing elements, and a faraday rotator.

Variable electrochromic optical attenuator

A system and method for controlling an electrochromic device is provided. The system comprises a light source that produces an input light signal, and an electrochromic window configured to attenuate the input light signal by a certain amount and transmit a resulting attenuated light signal. An optical detector is configured to detect an optical property of the attenuated light signal, and a power module is connected to the electrochromic window and the detector. The power module generates a pulse-width modulated power signal and inputs the power signal to the electrochromic window. The power signal is modulated by an amount based on the detected optical property of the attenuated light signal. A control circuit for an electrochromic device is also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Castro Valley, CA, United States of America

William R Freeman