IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0298290
(2005-12-09)
|
등록번호 |
US-7330614
(2008-02-12)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Mossberg,Thomas W.
- Iazikov,Dmitri
- Greiner,Christoph M.
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- LightSmyth Technologies Inc.
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
21 인용 특허 :
79 |
초록
▼
An exemplary optical apparatus comprises: an optical element having multiple sets of diffractive elements; and a photodetector. The diffractive elements of each set are collectively arranged so as to comprise corresponding spectral and spatial transformation information for each set. At least two of
An exemplary optical apparatus comprises: an optical element having multiple sets of diffractive elements; and a photodetector. The diffractive elements of each set are collectively arranged so as to comprise corresponding spectral and spatial transformation information for each set. At least two of the sets differ with respect to their corresponding spectral and spatial transformation information. The diffractive elements of each of the sets are collectively arranged so as to transform a portion of an input optical signal into a corresponding output optical signal according to the corresponding spectral and spatial transformation information. At least one photodetector is positioned for receiving at least one of the corresponding output optical signals.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. An optical apparatus, comprising: an optical element having a set of diffractive elements and a sample chamber; and at least one photodetector, wherein: the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so as to comprise spectral and spatial transformation informa
What is claimed is: 1. An optical apparatus, comprising: an optical element having a set of diffractive elements and a sample chamber; and at least one photodetector, wherein: the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so as to comprise spectral and spatial transformation information; the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so as to transform a portion of an input optical signal into an output optical signal according to the spectral and spatial transformation information, the input optical signal propagating within the optical element from an input optical port, the output optical signal propagating within the optical element to an optical output region of the optical element; the spectral and spatial transformation information varies among the diffractive elements of the set so that an optical spectrum of the output optical signal varies with spatial position at the optical output region of the optical element; at least one photodetector is positioned for receiving at least a portion of the output optical signal from at least a portion of the optical output region; and at least a portion of the sample chamber is positioned at the input optical port so that at least a portion of light emitted from the sample chamber is transmitted as the input optical signal into the optical element at the input optical port. 2. The optical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spectral and spatial transformation information varies among subsets of the diffractive elements. 3. The optical apparatus of claim 2, wherein each subset is spatially localized within the diffractive element set. 4. The optical apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the diffractive elements of each subset are collectively arranged so as to comprise corresponding spectral and spatial transformation information for each subset; at least two of the diffractive element subsets differ with respect to their corresponding spectral transformation information and with respect to their corresponding spatial transformation information; and the diffractive elements of each subset are collectively arranged so as to transform a portion of an input optical signal into a corresponding portion of the output optical signal according to the corresponding spectral and spatial transformation information, the corresponding portions of the output optical signal each propagating within the optical element to a corresponding output optical port at the optical output region. 5. The optical apparatus of claim 1, wherein: each diffractive element is individually contoured and positioned so as to preferentially route a portion of the input optical signal between the input optical port and the optical output region as the optical signals propagate within the optical element; and the diffractive elements are collectively arranged so as to exhibit a positional variation in amplitude, optical separation, or spatial phase over some portion of the set. 6. The optical apparatus of claim 1, wherein: each diffractive element diffracts a corresponding diffracted component of the input optical signal with a corresponding diffractive element transfer function between the input optical port and the optical output region; each diffractive element comprises at least one diffracting region having at least one altered optical property so as to enable diffraction of a portion of the input optical signal; and the diffracting regions of each diffractive element are arranged so as to collectively provide the corresponding diffractive element transfer function between the input optical port and the optical output region. 7. The optical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one photodetector: comprises multiple photodetectors, each of the multiple photodetectors being positioned for receiving a corresponding portion of the output optical signal from a corresponding portion of the optical output region; comprises a photodetector array positioned for receiving the output optical signal from the optical output region; comprises an imaging photodetector positioned for receiving the output optical signal from the optical output region; or is arranged to move among multiple positions of the optical output region for receiving a corresponding portion of the output optical signal at each of the multiple positions. 8. The optical apparatus of claim 1, wherein subsets of the diffractive element set are at least partly stacked, at least partly interleaved, or at least partly overlaid. 9. The optical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical element comprises a slab waveguide arranged to substantially confine in one transverse dimension optical signals propagating in two dimensions therein. 10. The optical apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: an input channel waveguide positioned and arranged to (i) receive the input optical signal, (ii) substantially confine the input optical signal in two dimensions as the input optical signal propagates along the input channel waveguide, and (iii) transmit the input optical signal into the slab waveguide at the input optical port; or multiple output channel waveguides, each positioned and arranged to (i) receive a corresponding portion of the output optical signal from the slab waveguide at the optical output region, (ii) substantially confine the corresponding portion of the output optical signal in two dimensions as the corresponding portion of the output optical signal propagates along the output channel waveguide, and (iii) transmit the corresponding portion of the output optical signal to the photodetector. 11. The optical apparatus of claim 10, wherein the input channel waveguide comprises a channel waveguide integrally formed with the slab waveguide, or each of the multiple output channel waveguides comprises a channel waveguide integrally formed with the slab waveguide. 12. The optical apparatus of claim 10, wherein the input channel waveguide comprises an optical fiber, or each of the multiple output channel waveguides comprises an optical fiber. 13. The optical apparatus of claim 9, wherein the slab waveguide is arranged to receive the input optical signal in a single transverse optical mode. 14. The optical apparatus of claim 9, wherein the slab waveguide is arranged to receive the input optical signal in multiple transverse optical modes. 15. The optical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an optical excitation source arranged to illuminate the portion of the sample chamber positioned at the optical input port. 16. The optical apparatus of claim 15, wherein: the optical element comprises a slab waveguide arranged to substantially confine in one transverse dimension optical signals propagating in two dimensions therein; and the optical element and the optical excitation source are arranged so that illuminating light propagates from the optical excitation source to the sample chamber substantially confined by the slab waveguide. 17. The optical apparatus of claim 15, wherein: the optical element comprises a slab waveguide arranged to substantially confine in one transverse dimension optical signals propagating in two dimensions therein; and the optical element and the optical excitation source are arranged so that illuminating light propagates from the optical excitation source to the sample chamber in a direction with a substantial component parallel to the confined transverse dimension of the slab waveguide. 18. The optical apparatus of claim 15, wherein: the optical element further comprises a set of diffractive elements defining an optical resonator within the optical element, the portion of the sample chamber at the input optical port being positioned within a modal volume of the optical resonator; and the optical resonator and the optical excitation source are arranged so that illuminating light propagates from the optical excitation source to the optical resonator and excites at least one optical mode of the optical resonator. 19. The optical apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a wavelength shifter arranged to alter a resonance wavelength of the optical resonator in response to a wavelength of the illuminating light. 20. The optical apparatus of claim 15, wherein: the optical element further comprises a set of diffractive elements defining an optical resonator within the optical element, at least one supported optical mode of the resonator being partially transmitted through a diffractive element set of the resonator and defining the input optical port; and the optical resonator is arranged so that light emitted by the sample excites at least one optical mode of the optical resonator. 21. The optical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sample chamber comprises a fluid flow channel formed within the optical element. 22. An optical apparatus, comprising: an optical element having a set of diffractive elements; and at least one photodetector, wherein: the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so as to comprise spectral and spatial transformation information; the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so as to transform a portion of an input optical signal into an output optical signal according to the spectral and spatial transformation information, the input optical signal propagating within the optical element from an input optical port, the output optical signal propagating within the optical element to an optical output region of the optical element; the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so that the spectral and spatial transformation information results in an optical spectrum of the output optical signal that comprises a spectral passband having a center wavelength that varies monotonically with spatial position at the optical output region of the optical element; and at least one photodetector is positioned for receiving at least a portion of the output optical signal from at least a portion of the optical output region. 23. The optical apparatus of claim 22, wherein the spectral and spatial transformation information varies among subsets of the diffractive elements. 24. The optical apparatus of claim 23, wherein each subset is spatially localized within the diffractive element set. 25. The optical apparatus of claim 23, wherein: the diffractive elements of each subset are collectively arranged so as to comprise corresponding spectral and spatial transformation information for each subset; at least two of the diffractive element subsets differ with respect to their corresponding spectral transformation information and with respect to their corresponding spatial transformation information; and the diffractive elements of each subset are collectively arranged so as to transform a portion of an input optical signal into a corresponding portion of the output optical signal according to the corresponding spectral and spatial transformation information, each corresponding portion of the output optical signal having a corresponding spectral passband with a corresponding center wavelength and propagating within the optical element to a corresponding output optical port at the optical output region. 26. The optical apparatus of claim 25, wherein the multiple corresponding spectral passbands are substantially uniformly spaced across an operating spectral range of the optical apparatus. 27. The optical apparatus of claim 25, wherein the corresponding output optical ports are arranged in a single row so that the center wavelength of each corresponding spectral passband varies monotonically along the row of output optical ports. 28. The optical apparatus of claim 25, wherein the corresponding spectral passbands are centered at corresponding selected target wavelengths within an operating spectral range of the optical apparatus. 29. The optical apparatus of claim 25, wherein each of the corresponding output optical ports is spatially distinct from the others. 30. The optical apparatus of claim 22, wherein: each diffractive element of each set is individually contoured and positioned so as to preferentially route a portion of the input optical signal between the input optical port and the optical output region as the optical signals propagate within the optical element; and the diffractive elements of each set are collectively arranged so as to exhibit a positional variation in amplitude, optical separation, or spatial phase over some portion of the set. 31. The optical apparatus of claim 22, wherein: each diffractive element of each set diffracts a corresponding diffracted component of the input optical signal with a corresponding diffractive element transfer function between the input optical port and the optical output region; each diffractive element comprises at least one diffracting region having at least one altered optical property so as to enable diffraction of a portion of the input optical signal; and the diffracting regions of each diffractive element are arranged so as to collectively provide the corresponding diffractive element transfer function between the input optical port and the optical output region. 32. The optical apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one photodetector: comprises multiple photodetectors, each of the multiple photodetectors being positioned for receiving a corresponding portion of the output optical signal from a corresponding portion of the optical output region; comprises a photodetector array positioned for receiving the output optical signal from the optical output region; comprises an imaging photodetector positioned for receiving the output optical signal from the optical output region; or is arranged to move among multiple positions of the optical output region for receiving a corresponding portion of the output optical signal at each of the multiple positions. 33. The optical apparatus of claim 22, wherein the multiple diffractive element sets are at least partly stacked, at least partly interleaved, or at least partly overlaid. 34. The optical apparatus of claim 22, wherein the optical element comprises a slab waveguide arranged to substantially confine in one transverse dimension optical signals propagating in two dimensions therein. 35. The optical apparatus of claim 34, further comprising: an input channel waveguide positioned and arranged to (i) receive the input optical signal, (ii) substantially confine the input optical signal in two dimensions as the input optical signal propagates along the input channel waveguide, and (iii) transmit the input optical signal into the slab waveguide at the input optical port; or multiple output channel waveguides, each positioned and arranged to (i) receive a corresponding portion of the output optical signal from the slab waveguide at the optical output region, (ii) substantially confine the corresponding portion of the output optical signal in two dimensions as the corresponding portion of the output optical signal propagates along the output channel waveguide, and (iii) transmit the corresponding portion of the output optical signal to the photodetector. 36. The optical apparatus of claim 35, wherein the input channel waveguide comprises a channel waveguide integrally formed with the slab waveguide, or the multiple output channel waveguides each comprise a channel waveguide integrally formed with the slab waveguide. 37. The optical apparatus of claim 35, wherein the input channel waveguide comprises an optical fiber, or the multiple output channel waveguides each comprise an optical fiber. 38. The optical apparatus of claim 34, wherein the slab waveguide is arranged to receive the input optical signal in a single transverse optical mode. 39. The optical apparatus of claim 34, wherein the slab waveguide is arranged to receive the input optical signal in multiple transverse optical modes. 40. A method, comprising: receiving at an input optical port of an optical element an input optical signal from a sample chamber of the optical element; and detecting at least one output optical signal at a corresponding optical output region of the optical element, wherein: the optical element includes a set of diffractive elements collectively arranged so as to comprise corresponding spectral and spatial transformation information; the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so as to transform a portion of the input optical signal into the output optical signal according to the spectral and spatial transformation information, the input optical signal propagating within the optical element from the input optical port, the output optical signal propagating within the optical element to the optical output region of the optical element; the spectral and spatial transformation information varies among the diffractive elements of the set so that an optical spectrum of the output optical signal varies with spatial position at the optical output region of the optical element; at least one photodetector is positioned for receiving at least a portion of the output optical signal from at least a portion of the optical output region; and at least a portion of the sample chamber is positioned at the input optical port so that at least a portion of light emitted from the sample chamber is transmitted as the input optical signal into the optical element at the input optical port. 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising illuminating the portion of the sample chamber positioned at the optical input port. 42. The method of claim 41, wherein: the optical element comprises a slab waveguide arranged to substantially confine in one transverse dimension optical signals propagating in two dimensions therein; and the optical element and an optical excitation source are arranged so that illuminating light propagates from the optical excitation source to the sample chamber substantially confined by the slab waveguide. 43. The method of claim 41, wherein: the optical element comprises a slab waveguide arranged to substantially confine in one transverse dimension optical signals propagating in two dimensions therein; and the optical element and an optical excitation source are arranged so that illuminating light propagates from the optical excitation source to the sample chamber in a direction with a substantial component parallel to the confined transverse dimension of the slab waveguide. 44. The method of claim 41, wherein: the optical element further comprises a set of diffractive elements defining an optical resonator within the optical element, the portion of the sample chamber at the input optical port being positioned within a modal volume of the optical resonator; and the optical resonator and the optical excitation source are arranged so that illuminating light propagates from the optical excitation source to the optical resonator and excites at least one optical mode of the optical resonator. 45. The method of claim 44, further comprising altering with a wavelength shifter a resonance wavelength of the optical resonator in response to a wavelength of the illuminating light. 46. The method of claim 41, wherein: the optical element further comprises a set of diffractive elements defining an optical resonator within the optical element, at least one supported optical mode of the resonator being partially transmitted through a diffractive element set of the resonator and defining the input optical port; and the optical resonator is arranged so that light emitted by the sample excites at least one optical mode of the optical resonator. 47. The method of claim 40, wherein the sample chamber comprises a fluid flow channel formed within the optical element. 48. A method, comprising: receiving an input optical signal at an input optical port of an optical element; detecting at least one output optical signal at a corresponding optical output region of the optical element, wherein: the optical element includes a set of diffractive elements collectively arranged so as to comprise spectral and spatial transformation information; the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so as to transform a portion of the input optical signal into the output optical signal according to the spectral and spatial transformation information, the input optical signal propagating within the optical element from the input optical port, the output optical signal propagating within the optical element to the optical output region of the optical element; the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so that the spectral and spatial transformation information results in an optical spectrum of the output optical signal that comprises a spectral passband having a center wavelength that varies monotonically with spatial position at the optical output region of the optical element; and at least one photodetector is positioned for receiving at least a portion of the output optical signal from at least a portion of the optical output region. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein: the spectral and spatial transformation information varies among subsets of the diffractive elements; the diffractive elements of each subset are collectively arranged so as to comprise corresponding spectral and spatial transformation information for each subset; at least two of the diffractive element subsets differ with respect to their corresponding spectral transformation information and with respect to their corresponding spatial transformation information; and the diffractive elements of each subset are collectively arranged so as to transform a portion of an input optical signal into a corresponding portion of the output optical signal according to the corresponding spectral and spatial transformation information, each corresponding portion of the output optical signal having a corresponding spectral passband with a corresponding center wavelength and propagating within the optical element to a corresponding output optical port at the optical output region. 50. The method of claim 49, wherein the multiple corresponding spectral passbands are substantially uniformly spaced across an operating spectral range of the optical apparatus. 51. The optical apparatus of claim 49, wherein the corresponding output optical ports are arranged in a single row so that the center wavelength of each corresponding spectral passband varies monotonically along the row of output optical ports. 52. The optical apparatus of claim 49, wherein the corresponding spectral passbands are centered at corresponding selected target wavelengths within an operating spectral range of the optical apparatus. 53. The optical apparatus of claim 49, wherein each of the corresponding output optical ports is spatially distinct from the others. 54. A method, comprising: forming an optical element having a set of diffractive elements and a sample chamber; and positioning at least one photodetector for receiving at least a portion of an output optical signal at an optical output region of the optical element, wherein: the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so as to comprise spectral and spatial transformation information; the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so as to transform a portion of an input optical signal into an output optical signal according to the spectral and spatial transformation information, the input optical signal propagating within the optical element from an input optical port, the output optical signal propagating within the optical element to an optical output region of the optical element; the spectral and spatial transformation information varies among the diffractive elements of the set so that an optical spectrum of the output optical signal varies with spatial position at the optical output region of the optical element; at least one photodetector is positioned for receiving at least a portion of the output optical signal from at least a portion of the optical output region; and at least a portion of the sample chamber is positioned at the input optical port so that at least a portion of light emitted from the sample chamber is transmitted as the input optical signal into the optical element at the input optical port. 55. The method of claim 54, further comprising positioning an optical excitation source to illuminate the portion of the sample chamber positioned at the optical input port. 56. The method of claim 55, wherein: the optical element comprises a slab waveguide arranged to substantially confine in one transverse dimension optical signals propagating in two dimensions therein; and the optical element and an optical excitation source are arranged so that illuminating light propagates from the optical excitation source to the sample chamber substantially confined by the slab waveguide. 57. The method of claim 55, wherein: the optical element comprises a slab waveguide arranged to substantially confine in one transverse dimension optical signals propagating in two dimensions therein; and the optical element and an optical excitation source are arranged so that illuminating light propagates from the optical excitation source to the sample chamber in a direction with a substantial component parallel to the confined transverse dimension of the slab waveguide. 58. The method of claim 55, wherein: the optical element further comprises a set of diffractive elements defining an optical resonator within the optical element, the portion of the sample chamber at the input optical port being positioned within a modal volume of the optical resonator; and the optical resonator and the optical excitation source are arranged so that illuminating light propagates from the optical excitation source to the optical resonator and excites at least one optical mode of the optical resonator. 59. The method of claim 58, further comprising a wavelength shifter arranged to alter a resonance wavelength of the optical resonator in response to a wavelength of the illuminating light. 60. The method of claim 55, wherein: the optical element further comprises a set of diffractive elements defining an optical resonator within the optical element, at least one supported optical mode of the resonator being partially transmitted through a diffractive element set of the resonator and defining the input optical port; and the optical resonator is arranged so that light emitted by the sample excites at least one optical mode of the optical resonator. 61. The method of claim 54, wherein the sample chamber comprises a fluid flow channel formed within the optical element. 62. A method, comprising: forming an optical element having a set of diffractive elements; and positioning at least one photodetector for receiving at least a portion of an output optical signal at an optical output region of the optical element, wherein: the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so as to comprise spectral and spatial transformation information; the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so as to transform a portion of an input optical signal into an output optical signal according to the spectral and spatial transformation information, the input optical signal propagating within the optical element from an input optical port, the output optical signal propagating within the optical element to an optical output region of the optical element; the diffractive elements of the set are collectively arranged so that the spectral and spatial transformation information results in an optical spectrum of the output optical signal that comprises a spectral passband having a center wavelength that varies monotonically with spatial position at the optical output region of the optical element; and at least one photodetector is positioned for receiving at least a portion of the output optical signal from at least a portion of the optical output region. 63. The method of claim 62, wherein: the spectral and spatial transformation information varies among subsets of the diffractive elements; the diffractive elements of each subset are collectively arranged so as to comprise corresponding spectral and spatial transformation information for each subset; at least two of the diffractive element subsets differ with respect to their corresponding spectral transformation information and with respect to their corresponding spatial transformation information; and the diffractive elements of each subset are collectively arranged so as to transform a portion of an input optical signal into a corresponding portion of the output optical signal according to the corresponding spectral and spatial transformation information, each corresponding portion of the output optical signal having a corresponding spectral passband with a corresponding center wavelength and propagating within the optical element to a corresponding output optical port at the optical output region. 64. The method of claim 63, wherein the multiple corresponding spectral passbands are substantially uniformly spaced across an operating spectral range of the optical apparatus. 65. The method of claim 63, wherein the corresponding output optical ports are arranged in a single row so that the center wavelength of each corresponding spectral passband varies monotonically along the row of output optical ports. 66. The method of claim 63, wherein the corresponding spectral passbands are centered at corresponding selected target wavelengths within an operating spectral range of the optical apparatus. 67. The method of claim 63, wherein each of the corresponding output optical ports is spatially distinct from the others.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.