Reuben T Collins

Title: Reuben T Collins: Innovator in Optical Technologies

Introduction

Reuben T Collins is a notable inventor based in Golden, CO (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of optical technologies, holding 2 patents that showcase his innovative spirit and technical expertise.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is focused on silicon-compatible surface plasmon optical elements. This invention provides fundamental science and novel device architectures for surface plasmon (SP)-based, complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible optical elements such as modulators, couplers, and switches. The primary focus of this work is on waveguides based on an ultra-long-range surface plasmon (ULRSP) waveguide mode recently discovered by his team. This mode exists at the metal-dielectric interfaces in a silicon-oxide-metal-silicon layer structure. While initial work focuses on noble metals to support the ULRSP, analysis shows that silicon processing-compatible metals such as copper and aluminum can also be utilized. The modeling has demonstrated that variation in the thickness of the oxide layer can yield unprecedented propagation lengths in such structures. Electrically-induced free carrier modulation of the dielectric constant in the silicon adjacent to the oxide can modulate the waveguide properties, allowing for the creation of novel silicon-compatible electro-optic devices. These waveguides function as the 'wiring' in new classes of optical chips. This invention also facilitates the integration of ULRSP waveguides and switches with other optical elements to create entirely new classes of hybrid optoelectronic technologies for defense applications. These applications range from chip-based chemical agent detection to extremely high-performance processors and even all-optical computations.

Another significant patent by Collins is the plasmon enhanced near-field optical probes. This invention features an optical coupler with an end face and a metal coating forming at least one plasmon enhancement structure. An extension provides probe-to-sample separation feedback. A microscope cantilever has a lever arm with an aperture, a tip to provide tip-to-sample separation feedback, and a plasmon enhancement structure. An air bearing slider apparatus includes a base, air bearing slider pads, and a metal film forming a plasmon enhancement structure about an aperture. Additionally, a plasmon enhanced optical probe end cap has a socket with an entry aperture for an optical fiber and an exit aperture with a plasmon enhanced transmission structure. A positioning subsystem incorporates a piezoelectric