A programmable two-dimensional simultaneous multi-beam optically operated phased array receiver chip is manufactured based on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) and indium phosphide (InP) semiconductor manufacturing processes, including the SiN process. The InP-based semiconductor is used for preparing a laser array chip and a semiconductor optical amplifier array chip, the SiN is used for preparing an optical power divider, and the SOI semiconductor is used for preparing a silicon optical modulator, a germanium-silicon detector, an optical wavelength multiplexer, a true delay line, and other passive optical devices. The whole integration of the receiver chip is realized through heterogeneous integration of the InP-based chip and the SOI-based chip. Simultaneous multi-beam scanning can be realized through peripheral circuit programming control. The chip not only can realize two-dimensional multi-beam scanning, but also has strong expansibility, such that the chip can be used for ultra-wideband high-capacity wireless communication and simultaneous multi-target radar recognition systems.

To suppress characteristic fluctuations and or the degradation of long-term reliability attributed to the disposition of a heat-generating electronic component close to an optical modulator. An optical modulation element including an optical waveguide and a housing are provided, the housing has a bottom surface wall having a quadrilateral shape in a plan view, a first short side wall and a second short side wall that are connected to two opposite edges of the bottom surface wall, and a first long side wall and a second long side wall that are longer than the first short side wall and the second short side wall and are connected to two other opposite edges of the bottom surface wall, a light input terminal portion that holds an input optical fiber and a light output terminal portion that holds an output optical fiber are both fixed to the first short side wall, and the housing has a high-thermal resistance portion having a higher thermal resistance than a housing portion other than an optical input and output region in at least a part of the optical input and output region that is a range from an outer surface of the first short side wall to the first end portion of the optical modulation element that faces the first short side wall.

An optical beam steering device is provided that includes an input optical fiber carrying multiple input optical signals, where each input optical signal includes a unique wavelength, an arrayed waveguide grating router (AWGR) having multiple output fibers, where the input optical fiber is connected to the AWGR, distal ends of the output fibers are arranged in a two-dimensional fiber array, the input optical signals are routed by the AWGR according to each unique wavelength to a unique AWGR output fiber, and a lens, where the distal ends of the output fibers are disposed proximal to a focal plane of the lens, where for each unique position of each output fiber distal end with respect to a the lens, each input optical signal is steered at a unique angle as an output beam emitted from the lens, where changing the wavelength of the input optical signal changes the output signal angles.

The present invention provides an efficient quantum memory for storing a quantum state of light, such as a photon, for a temporary period of time in a fibre-integrated optical cavity and then recall the quantum state of light and quantum information at a later time with a high probability of success. The present invention uses a nonlinear optical switching mechanism to modify at least one property of the quantum light, or cavity, to trap the quantum light in the optical cavity. Subsequent application of the nonlinear optical switching mechanism switches at least one property of the stored quantum light, or cavity, to release the quantum light from the optical cavity. The present invention also provides quasi-deterministic single-photon generation by temporal multiplexing of a photon pair source integrated within the cavity.

Devices, methods for analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that perform high-dynamic range measurements based on optical techniques are disclosed. In one example aspect, an optical encoder includes a polarization rotator configured to receive a train of optical pulses, and an electro-optic (EO) modulator coupled to an output of the polarization rotator. The EO modulator is configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal and to produce a phase modulated signal in accordance with the RF signal. The optical encoder also includes a polarizing beam splitter coupled to the output of the EO modulator; and an optical hybrid configured to receive two optical signals from the polarizing beam splitter and to produce four optical outputs that are each phase shifted with respect to one another.

An optical system uses a multi-layered birefringent structure that receives an input beam that may be non-coherent or coherent, and produces a randomization energy from the input beam, by creating birefringent induced beam subdivisions as the beam passes through each birefringent layer, where after the beam has passed through a threshold number of birefringent layers, a randomized energy distribution is created. That randomized energy distribution is read by a photodetector and converted into a random number by a randomization processing device.

An optical system uses a multi-layered birefringent structure that receives an input beam that may be non-coherent or coherent, and produces a randomization energy from the input beam, by creating birefringent induced beam subdivisions as the beam passes through each birefringent layer, where after the beam has passed through a threshold number of birefringent layers, a randomized energy distribution is created. That randomized energy distribution is read by a photodetector and converted into a random number by a randomization processing device.

Devices, methods for analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that perform high-dynamic range measurements based on optical techniques are disclosed. In one example aspect, an optical encoder includes a polarization rotator configured to receive a train of optical pulses, and an electro-optic (EO) modulator coupled to an output of the polarization rotator. The EO modulator is configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal and to produce a phase modulated signal in accordance with the RF signal. The optical encoder also includes a polarizing beam splitter coupled to the output of the EO modulator; and an optical hybrid configured to receive two optical signals from the polarizing beam splitter and to produce four optical outputs that are each phase shifted with respect to one another.

A method for controlling the splitting ratio of an input optical signal to one or more output ports is described. The splitting ratio of a fiber-coupled signal in the communications band is controlled using cross phase modulation from a pump signal in the 980-1090 nm band. This design allows the nonlinear fiber in which the cross phase modulation occurs to be standard single mode fiber having a zero dispersion wavelength between 1250 and 1350 nm, such as SMF-28e fiber, which helps to maintain the lowest possible loss and a low cost while still allowing for power efficient interactions with signal wavelengths in the technologically important 1520-1610 nm band. The design is compatible with low insertion loss, narrow switching windows, and low added noise. The location of the pump pulse can be controlled allowing for the location of an input pulse to be determined.

An optical device may include at least one optical fiber, and a phase change material (PCM) layer on the at least one optical fiber. The PCM layer may include Ge.sub.xSe.sub.y, where x is in a range of 20-40, and y is in a range of 60-80.