A CMOS-compatible actuator platform for implementing phase, amplitude, and frequency modulation in silicon nitride photonic integrated circuits via piezo-optomechanical coupling using tightly mechanically coupled aluminum nitride actuators is disclosed. The platform, which may be fabricated in a CMOS foundry, enables scalable active photonic integrated circuits for visible wavelengths, and the piezoelectric actuation functions without performance degradation down to cryogenic operating temperatures. A number of devices are possible, including ring modulator devices, phase shifter devices, Mach-Zehnder interferometer devices, directional coupler devices (including tunable directional coupler devices), and acousto-optic modulator and frequency shifter devices, each of which can employ the same AlN actuator platform. As all of these devices can be built on the same AlN actuator platform, numerous optical functions can be implemented on a single die.

A CMOS-compatible actuator platform for implementing phase, amplitude, and frequency modulation in silicon nitride photonic integrated circuits via piezo-optomechanical coupling using tightly mechanically coupled aluminum nitride actuators is disclosed. The platform, which may be fabricated in a CMOS foundry, enables scalable active photonic integrated circuits for visible wavelengths, and the piezoelectric actuation functions without performance degradation down to cryogenic operating temperatures. A number of devices are possible, including ring modulator devices, phase shifter devices, Mach-Zehnder interferometer devices, directional coupler devices (including tunable directional coupler devices), and acousto-optic modulator and frequency shifter devices, each of which can employ the same AlN actuator platform. As all of these devices can be built on the same AlN actuator platform, numerous optical functions can be implemented on a single die.

A laser system for acousto-optics imaging is disclosed. The system comprises: a continuous wave laser source; a first beam splitter configured to split a laser emitted by the continuous wave laser source into a lasing beam and a reference beam; a lasing optical fiber diffusing the lasing beam to a subject; a reference optical fiber providing the reference beam; a collecting optical fiber capable of receiving a scattered beam from the subject; a second beam splitter for merging the scattered and reference beams into a merged beam, and at least one photodetector assembly with a bandwidth higher than the ultrasound frequency to detect the merged beam.

A laser system for acousto-optics imaging is disclosed. The system comprises: a continuous wave laser source; a first beam splitter configured to split a laser emitted by the continuous wave laser source into a lasing beam and a reference beam; a lasing optical fiber diffusing the lasing beam to a subject; a reference optical fiber providing the reference beam; a collecting optical fiber capable of receiving a scattered beam from the subject; a second beam splitter for merging the scattered and reference beams into a merged beam, and at least one photodetector assembly with a bandwidth higher than the ultrasound frequency to detect the merged beam.

Systems and methods for steering an optical beam in two dimensions are disclosed. The system includes a substrate comprising an acousto-optic antenna array and an acoustic transducer. Each antenna of the antenna array includes a high-confinement surface waveguide carrying a light signal. The acoustic transducer imparts acoustic energy into each surface waveguide as a mechanical wave. Interaction of the light signal and mechanical wave in each surface waveguide induces light to scatter into free space. The light scattered out of the plurality of waveguides collectively defines the output beam. The longitudinal angle of output beam, relative to the substrate, is determined by the relative frequencies of the mechanical waves and the light signals. The transverse angle of the output beam is controlled by controlling the relative phases of the mechanical waves and/or light signals across the surface-waveguide array.

A method for fabricating a tunable optical phased array, and a tunable optical phased array are disclosed by the present application. The tunable optical phased array includes: a substrate layer (10), a distributed Bragg reflector (20), a support layer (30), a piezoelectric layer (40), an antenna array (60), and a transducer module (50) configured to make interconversion between a phase control signal and a surface wave; the antenna array (60) and the distributed Bragg reflector (20) are used to form a Fabry Perot resonant cavity, and the phase control signal output by a signal source is concerted into the surface wave by the transducer module (50), and the surface wave is conducted to the antenna array (60) through the piezoelectric layer (40).

A method for fabricating a tunable optical phased array, and a tunable optical phased array are disclosed by the present application. The tunable optical phased array includes: a substrate layer (10), a distributed Bragg reflector (20), a support layer (30), a piezoelectric layer (40), an antenna array (60), and a transducer module (50) configured to make interconversion between a phase control signal and a surface wave; the antenna array (60) and the distributed Bragg reflector (20) are used to form a Fabry Perot resonant cavity, and the phase control signal output by a signal source is concerted into the surface wave by the transducer module (50), and the surface wave is conducted to the antenna array (60) through the piezoelectric layer (40).

Disclosed herein is a novel technique that employs non-invasive ultrasound for spatiotemporal modulation of the refractive index in a medium to define and control the trajectory of light within the medium itself, thereby creating a virtual sculpted lens. By varying the amplitude of ultrasonic waves in the medium, the numerical aperture (NA) value of the virtual sculpted lens can be changed. The location of the focus of the virtual sculpted lens can be precisely scanned within a scattering tissue.

Disclosed herein is a novel technique that employs non-invasive ultrasound for spatiotemporal modulation of the refractive index in a medium to define and control the trajectory of light within the medium itself, thereby creating a virtual sculpted lens. By varying the amplitude of ultrasonic waves in the medium, the numerical aperture (NA) value of the virtual sculpted lens can be changed. The location of the focus of the virtual sculpted lens can be precisely scanned within a scattering tissue.

Methods and apparatus for a photonic acoustic-optic frequency shifter having an integrated layer of lithium niobate. An input port receives input light and an acoustic wave generator generates an acoustic wave into a deflection area comprising a layer of lithium niobate. A first output port exits undeflected light from the deflection area as transmitted light and a second output port exits light deflected in frequency by the acoustic wave in the deflection area.