text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Apr 4, 2000
|Filing date
|Dec 21, 1998
|Priority date
|Jul 16, 1996
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Andre Knoesen, Diego Yankelevich, Scott A. Hamilton, Nicholas L. Abbott, Richard A. Hill, Gary Bjorklund
|Original Assignee
|The Regents Of The University Of California, Optical Networks, Incorporated
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (7), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (28), Classifications (15), Legal Events (3)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/683,056 filed on Jul. 16, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,864.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to electro-optic devices, and more particularly to an in-line polymeric fiber construct suitable for fabrication of electro-optic devices such as high speed modulators, tunable wavelength filters, and space division switches.
2. Description of the Background Art
Much of the external optical modulator technology in use today is based on integrated optic lithium niobate devices. An example is a lithium niobate amplitude modulator which is typically based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer structure, and which has demonstrated half-wave voltages of <5 V at frequencies of <5 GHz. However, despite further development over many years, lithium niobate integrated optic modulators exhibit excessive insertion loss, are expensive and bulky, are not mechanically rugged, and exhibit high intermodulation distortion (IMD). Further, due to the fundamental mismatch in the phase velocity of radio-frequency and optical waves in lithium niobate, such modulators tend to require excessive drive power at high frequencies.
Improved electro-optic (EO) materials, however, are gaining popularity for advanced photonic devices such as efficient high speed modulators, rapidly tunable filters for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), and low switching voltage directional couplers for space division switching. Due to their cost and fabrication advantages, EO polymers are leading candidate materials for these applications. However, for EO polymers to be used as a replacement for lithium niobate in standard integrated optics devices, it is necessary for the EO polymers to be stable for brief exposure to 250� C., to have an EO coefficient of greater than 30 pm/V, and to have a loss of less than 1 dB/cm. While there has been significant progress on improving the temperature stability of EO polymer materials, there is no presently available EO polymer material that simultaneously satisfies the high EO coefficient and low loss requirement of such devices.
Conventional polymeric and lithium niobate based devices that take advantage of evanescent coupling have been developed to alleviate problems associated with the pigtailing of integrated optics devices. Because such devices rely on evanescent coupling to the electro-optic material, rather than propagation through it, insertion losses are greatly reduced and a mechanically rugged, self-pigtailed device can be fabricated. However, assembly has been complicated due to the difficulties of working with devices with attached fibers, and development of high speed devices has been limited.
Accordingly, there is a need for a device technology that permits the use of EO polymers as an alternative to lithium niobate notwithstanding the current deficiencies in EO polymers, and which provides a more facile path for near-term insertion of EO polymers into applications such as high speed modulators, tunable wavelength filters, and space division switches. The present invention satisfies those needs, as well as others, and provides for a new region of parameter space for EO polymer materials development.
The foregoing needs are satisfied by the polymeric in-line fiber (PILF) device technology of the present invention which overcomes the performance deficiencies of conventional waveguide electro-optic devices. In general terms, the present invention comprises an optic fiber half coupler substrate, spaced-apart co-planar electrodes which are deposited on the substrate, and a multimode waveguide overlay comprising an EO polymer whose index of refraction is controlled by a modulating signal or control signal applied to the electrodes. The coplanar electrodes form a transmission line and are connected to a microwave source using coaxial connectors, waveguides, wire bonding or other conventional means.
By way of example, and not of limitation, the fiber half-coupler comprises a translucent polished glass block with an embedded single mode optical fiber. The top surface of the glass block is polished down through the fiber cladding nearly to the fiber core, enabling the evanescent fields in the fiber to interact with the waveguide overlay. The electrodes are deposited on the polished surface of the glass block using photolithographic techniques after aligning the gap between the electrodes over the fiber core. This is done by sending light down the fiber, aligning the mask using the light emitted through the polished-away portion of the cladding while simultaneously illuminating the mask through the fiber half-coupler from the back side with light that will not expose the photoresist, and then exposing the photoresist through the mask with a separate light source.
Finally, the polymer layer is overlayed onto the electrode layer such that it extends into the electrode gap. This can be accomplished using a variety of techniques, such as spin coating, but preferably a lift-off decal process is employed. The lift-off decal process involves several steps. First, a release layer and EO polymer layer are spin coated onto a temporary substrate. The polymer layer is then cut to the desired size and released from the temporary substrate by dissolving the release layer. The released polymer layer is then overlayed onto the electrode layer. Due to the self-pigtailed construction of the fiber half-coupler, spin coating is possible, but difficult, and could result in irreversible damage to the embedded fiber. The lift-off decal process, however, allows the deposition of a high-quality EO polymer film onto a structure without subjecting it to spin coating or other processing steps that may damage the device, and allows for reliable deposition of films of identical thickness onto different devices.
Operation of the device is based on electro-optical control of the evanescent coupling of light from the optical fiber core to the polymer waveguide overlay. This coupling occurs efficiently for wavelengths of light that have the same effective index of refraction in the fiber as in the polymer waveguide overlay. The coupling to the polymer waveguide overlay depletes the intensity of a band of wavelengths in the fiber centered around the coupling wavelength. This causes a sharp narrow dip in the optical fiber transmission spectrum with a center wavelength that can be electro-optically tuned, since the phase matching wavelength is a function of the polymer waveguide index of refraction.
Light at certain wavelengths is evanescently coupled out of the fiber core into the polymer layer. Because the optical fiber runs through the device without interruption, the device is "self-pigtailed". In addition, the device has low insertion loss, high mechanical ruggedness, low manufacturing cost, has lower IMD than Mach-Zehnder devices, and can be fabricated with modulation bandwidths of 50 GHz or more. In particular, the short interaction length characteristic of the device makes it possible to tolerate absorption losses in the EO polymer as high as 100 dB/cm and provides for using resonant enhancement of the optical non-linearity to boost the achievable EO response. With resonant enhancement, EO coefficients in excess of 100 pm/V may be possible. Furthermore, the device technology of the present invention does not require polymeric buffer layers or channel waveguides that are necessary for conventional EO polymer waveguide devices. The properties of the present invention make it particularly well suited to the needs of wideband microwave fiber optic links and photonically controlled phased array antenna applications.
An object of the invention is to reduce optical losses by aligning the electrode gap over the fiber core.
Another object of the invention is to avoid placement of lossy electrodes in the optical path.
Another object of the invention is to minimize optical losses and to maximize modulation.
Another object of the invention is to provide for light interaction with the largest electro-optic coefficient.
Another object of the invention is to provide for the use of resonantly enhanced nonlinear polymers in electro-optic modulators.
Another object of the invention is to provide for a self-pigtailed design that is rugged, has low insertion losses, and has a low fabrication cost.
Another object of the invention is to provide a compact, integratable device.
Another object of the invention is to provide for high frequency performance.
Another object of the invention is to provide for low radio frequency (RF) loss transition to high frequency connectors.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon.
The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an in-line polymeric electro-optic construct in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 taken through line 3--3.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 taken through line 4--4.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a graph showing operating wavelength as a function of polymer thickness for multiple modes.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 with the hidden lines removed and illustrating the connection of coaxial connectors to the electrodes.
FIG. 8 is a graph showing the typical spectrum of transmitted power versus wavelength for a modulator in accordance with the present invention, showing the dip due to phase matched evanescent coupling, with the two curves showing the effects of voltage tuning of the phase matching wavelength.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of an in-line polymeric electro-optic construct in accordance with the present invention wherein the positioning of the electrodes and polymer layer have been interchanged.
FIG. 10 is a graph showing the typical transmission spectrum for a modulator in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a graph showing the typical modulation characteristics as a function of wavelength for a modulator in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a graph showing an RF spectral scan of an amplitude modulated optical signal for a modulator in accordance with the present invention.
Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the present invention is embodied in the apparatus which is generally shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5, FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 where like reference numerals denote like parts, and which is described with reference to figures as well as with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 10 through FIG. 12. It will be appreciated that the apparatus may vary as to configuration and as to details of the parts, and that fabrication methods may vary as to their steps and sequence, without departing from the basic concepts as disclosed herein.
Referring first to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, it can be seen that the present invention comprises a layered assembly on a substrate base 10, typically glass, that has first and second ends 12, 14, respectively, and top and bottom surfaces 16, 18, respectively. The substrate base 10 is a conventional fiber half-coupler, such as an SMF-28 fiber TC block available from Canadian Instrumentation and Research, having a single mode optical fiber 20 extending between ends 12, 14 and positioned arcuately between surfaces 16, 18 so as to have a central point in closer proximity to top surface 16 than to bottom surface 18. Alternatively, a commercially available "D-fiber" could be used. Optical fiber 20 is a conventional single mode optical fiber or the like, typically glass, having an outer cladding 22 and an inner core 24. Typically, the length of substrate base 10 is approximately one to three centimeters, the height is in the range of approximately 0.2 cm to 0.4 cm, and the width is in the range of approximately 0.4 cm to 0.6 cm. The outer diameter of optical fiber 20 is typically approximately 125.0 Tm, and the diameter of inner core 24 is typically approximately 9.0 Tm.
In a typical fiber half-coupler, surface 16 is a planar surface that has been polished using conventional techniques until a portion of the outer cladding 22 of optical fiber 20 is removed to within approximately 2.0 Tm of inner core 24. Therefore, a planar surface is maintained wherein the cladding is contiguous with the substrate surface. As a result, the cladding is exposed in an elliptical region approximately 100.0 Tm wide and 5.0 mm long which will permit the escape of light transmitted through inner core 24. The transfer of optical power will occur in a centrally located optical coupling region 26 which is approximately 9.0 Tm wide and 1.0 mm long where inner core 24 is closest to surface 16. It will be appreciated that variations in the radius of curvature of optical fiber 20 will cause the length of coupling region 26 to vary.
At least two spaced-apart electrodes are deposited onto surface 16 of base 10. In the embodiment shown, there are two ground electrodes 28, 30 and a signal electrode 32. While only one ground electrode is required, using two ground electrodes as shown establishes ground plane symmetry and provides for lower RF signal loss. These electrodes, typically comprising gold or like materials suitable for use at high frequencies, are deposited onto surface 16 using conventional metal deposition, lithographic patterning and electro-plating techniques. However, proper alignment in relation to coupling region 26 is essential.
As can be seen, electrodes 28 and 32 are spaced-apart so as to establish an electrode gap 34. Similarly, electrodes 30 and 32 are spaced-apart so as to establish an electrode gap 36. Only one of these electrode gaps needs to be aligned, however. In the embodiment shown, electrode gap 34 is aligned in relation to coupling region 26; that is, the longitudinal axis of electrode gap 34 is centered over the longitudinal axis of coupling region 26. Electrode alignment over coupling region 26 is an essential aspect of the invention. The process employed for electrode deposition and alignment is described below.
An electro-optic (EO) polymer layer 38 overlays the electrode layer. As can be seen, both surfaces of EO polymer layer 38 are not necessarily planar. While the outer surface 40 can be planar, it is typically depressed in the region of electrode gaps 34, 36. Additionally, the inner surface 42 includes extended portions 44, 46 which conform to the topology of electrode gaps 34, 36, respectively. In other words, the polymer layer extends into and preferably fills the electrode gaps as shown. It will be appreciated, however, that it is not necessary to completely fill the electrode gaps, so long as the portion of polymer layer 38 that extends into the electrode gap that is aligned over coupling region 26 is in contact with surface 16. Conformality of polymer layer 38 to the topology of the electrode layer so as to contact surface 16 is necessary to achieve proper coupling between optic fiber 20 and polymer layer 38 in the region of the electrode gap 34 where the electric field is the strongest. A plurality of connection recesses 48a, 48b, 48c and 50a, 50b, 50c are cut out of polymer layer 38 to provide access to the electrodes for electrical connection.
While polymer layer 38 comprises a compliant material and will essentially fall into the electrode gaps, a vacuum could be pulled to aid in the conformation of the polymer layer to the electrode gaps. It will be appreciated that, if spin coating was used for deposition of the polymer layer, electrode gaps 34, 36 would be filled without the need for using a vacuum; still, however, the upper surface of polymer layer 38 would likely be depressed in the area of the electrode gaps.
Referring also to FIG. 5, fabrication of the invention generally proceeds as follows. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the steps presented herein are illustrative only, and that the details of steps may vary and that their sequence may proceed in a different order. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that, while the following process builds upon the substrate base 10, it is also possible to fabricate the device on a sacrificial substrate base and then transfer the completed electrode/polymer assembly to the half-coupler or D-fiber as the actual substrate base.
First, the substrate base 10 is prepared by polishing surface 16 using conventional techniques until outer cladding 22 has been removed to within approximately 2.0 Tm of inner core 24. The nominal range can be from approximately zero to 10.0 Tm, with the goal of (i) not damaging inner core 24 and (ii) being sufficiently close to inner core 24 as to allow light transmitted through optic fiber 20 to pass through surface 16 for evanescent coupling between inner core 24 and polymer layer 38 through coupling region 26. These steps are normally carried out in the commercial manufacture of the optic fiber half coupler or D-fiber.
Next, coplanar electrodes 28, 30 and 32 are deposited onto surface 16 of substrate base 10 using conventional metal deposition, lithographic patterning and electroplating techniques. Preferably the electrodes have a nominal thickness of 3.0 Tm to 5.0 Tm to avoid RF losses, but their thickness can vary. It will be appreciated, however, that thicker electrodes will provide lower losses than thinner electrodes, and that a thickness of approximately 0.5 Tm will be too lossy for practical applications. Additionally, electrode gaps 34, 36 typically have a width on the order of approximately 10.0 Tm and a length on the order of approximately 1.0 mm for an overall device length of approximately 1.0 cm to 3.0 cm. The length of the electrode gaps should preferably be the same as or longer than the length of coupling region 26. The electrodes are preferably made of metals such as gold to allow high speed electrode structures to be realized.
As indicated previously, in the embodiment shown electrode gap 34 is aligned over coupling region 26. To achieve proper alignment, light is transmitted through optical fiber 20 and the mask (not shown) is backlighted through the translucent substrate base 10 with a light directed toward bottom surface 18, the mask is aligned using the light emitted through coupling region 26 as a guide, and the photoresist is exposed. In this regard, it will be noted that the light used for backlighting should have a wavelength which does not expose the photoresist, such as 550 nm or greater.
Next, the polymer layer 38 is prepared. Polymer layer 38 comprises a material that will conform to the topology of the electrodes and extend into or fill the gaps in-between. Preferably, the material is an electro-optic, resonantly enhanced non-linear material. While the material can be any compliant electro-optic material, an EO polymer is preferred.
If desired, polymer layer 38 can be prepared in-situ using spin coating techniques. For example, spin coating casting of the polymer layer 38 onto substrate base 10 would typically be performed in the following manner. Filtered nonlinear polymer spinning solution is deposited at the center of a spinning substrate base 10 using a holder which is preferably fabricated to securely hold the substrate base 10 at spinning speeds in excess of 7000 rpm. The holder includes a spool to coil the optical fiber 20 under the plane where the fiber surface 16 is spinning. Typical spinning speeds are in the range of 2000 rpm to 4000 rpm. Very high spinning speeds can damage the optical fibers and, therefore, the lower spinning speeds are preferred. The polymer layer 38 thickness is affected by the polymer solution viscosity, angular velocity, spin time, surface topology, and length of time to attain speed. In addition, the amount of spinning solution is metered and viscosity and spinning speed controlled to prevent "beading" at the perimeter of the block. Although most of the solvent is evaporated during the spin coating deposition the remaining solvent must be removed by baking the polymer layer 38 under vacuum at an elevated temperature. The last step is preferred to obtain a long term stability of the nonlinearity.
While polymer layer 38 could be prepared in-situ by spin coating as described above, polymer layer 38 is preferably prepared according to a lift-off decal process in accordance with the invention. The lift-off decal process of preparing polymer layer 38 typically comprises the following steps. First, a release layer is applied to a temporary substrate and the polymer layer is spin coated to the desired thickness, with the thickness being controlled by the spin speed and viscosity of the material being spin coated. While the thickness of polymer layer 38 is typically on the order of approximately 3.0 Tm, it can vary from approximately 1.0 Tm to 5.0 Tm depending upon the operating wavelength of the particular device. Films with thicknesses in this range can be achieved on a variety of temporary substrates such as glass, silicon and even multi-layered structures of polymers.
The release layer typically comprises a water soluble polymer such as polyacrylic acid (PAA) or the like which is deposed between the temporary substrate and the polymer layer. Following spin coating and measurement of the polymer layer, the polymer layer is cut to the desired size and released from the temporary substrate by dissolving the PAA release layer. Once released, the polymer layer is then overlayed onto the coplanar electrode layer on the previously prepared half-coupler substrate. A self-assembled monolayer is used to adhere the polymer layer to the electrodes, and a vacuum is preferably drawn so that the polymer will conform to the topology of the electrodes and fill the electrode gaps. By heating the polymer to its glass transition temperature, the polymer will be pliant and air in the electrode gaps will diffuse through the material. While the polymer will likely be soft enough so as to fall into the electrode gaps, a vacuum is preferred so that a high degree of conformation can be achieved.
As can be seen, therefore, the polymer lift-off deposition procedure of the present invention enables the preparation of a high quality polymer film before it is deposited onto the electrodes, and provides for fabrication of devices with predetermined film thicknesses. It will also be appreciated that a single film could be prepared and cut into multiple segments having identical characteristics for fabricating multiple devices.
Whether polymer layer 38 is deposited by spin coating or the lift-off decal process, reactive ion etching (RIE) is preferably used for trimming the polymer layer 38 to the desired thickness. To do so, a negative self-bias DC voltage is developed between a plasma energized by an RF generator and the sample electrode to accelerate ions from the plasma to the target sample. Etching is performed by the combined action of free radicals and ions accelerated to the target surface. Part of the etching is achieved by ions chemically reacting at the surface, and part is by the physical removal of material when it is struck by the incoming ion (sputtering).
The transmittance minima wavelength is directly related to the thickness of the polymer layer 38. Therefore, in-situ thickness monitoring is possible by observing the transmittance spectrum through the optical fiber 20 during etching. When the maximum slope region of the transmittance dip is at the design wavelength, the RIE is deactivated. Vacuum optical feedthroughs give access to the RIE vacuum chamber.
As can be seen in FIG. 6, the thickness of polymer layer 38 and the operating wavelength of a modulator in accordance with the present invention are inter-related. The polymer layer is generally thick enough to support multiple optical modes, which are labeled in FIG. 6 as m=0 to m=5. Therefore, for a given operating wavelength, there are multiple polymer layer thicknesses that can be employed, depending on which mode is chosen. For example, where m=2, an operating wavelength of approximately 1.3 Tm would require a polymer layer thickness of approximately 3.0 Tm.
The noncentrosymmetry that is required for EO activity is introduced by electric field poling of thin polymeric films. Poling is used to orient the material by conventional techniques such as heating the material and then applying an electric field, but alternatively the material is photo-poled by flooding the top with light and then applying an electric field. Contact poling is most suitable for the modulator structure described herein since the nonlinear chromophores must be aligned parallel to the plane of the film. An alternative poling technique is corona poling, which orients the nonlinear chromophores perpendicular to the plane of the film and, although a larger poling field is possible, it has not been tested in the structure described herein.
After deposition of the nonlinear polymer, a high voltage would be applied to electrodes 28 and 32. During this poling step, the entire structure would be immersed into a silicon oil bath to prevent dielectric breakdown in the area above and between the electrodes that otherwise will be an air region. Poling should be conducted at the highest possible poling field below the silicon oil and the polymer's breakdown voltage, in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature of the polymer. In a typical poling sequence, the temperature of the nonlinear polymer would be raised to above the glass transition temperature and a voltage would be applied to the electrodes 28 and 32. For a given electric field, the poling voltage is proportional to the spacing between electrodes 28 and 32. The poling orients the chromophores in a preferential direction parallel to the plane of the film and induces a large nonlinear coefficient parallel to the substrate. After poling the polymer at elevated temperatures for a set period of time, the temperature of the polymer is gradually decreased while keeping the applied voltage constant. After cooling to a sufficiently low temperature, the poling voltage is removed. The device is then removed from the silicon oil bath and the excess silicon oil is removed with isopropanol, de-ionized water and compressed air.
Note that, if a device fails, it is most likely to fail in the polymer layer. By using polymer layers in accordance with the present invention, if failure occurs the polymer layer can be removed and replaced. Further, if the operating optical wavelength changes, the dip can be moved by changing or trimming down the polymer layer.
It will be appreciated that the electrodes need to be coupled to an RF source, and this can be achieved by using microwave coaxial connectors, waveguides, wire bonding and like conventional connection techniques. Referring to FIG. 7 for illustration purposes, input and output connections are provided using microwave coaxial or like connectors attached to the electrodes. For example, an output connector 52 is attached by soldering the center conductor 54 to signal electrode 32, and by soldering the barrel portion 56 of connector 52 to the ground electrodes 28, 30. Similarly, an input connector 58 is attached to the other end of the electrodes as shown. Accordingly, the completed device would have an optical input 60, an optical output 62, and modulating signal input 64 and a modulating signal output 66. Modulation is achieved by applying an RF signal to the modulating electrodes so as to alter the phase matching conditions between the optic fiber and the polymer waveguide via the linear electro-optic effect in the nonlinear polymer. Because polymers are being employed in the present invention, due to the low permittivity dispersion the modulation bandwidth of the device is essentially limited only by the electrode structure.
Transfer of optical power in the device occurs in coupling region 26 only for matched wavelengths of light that have the same effective index of refraction in the inner core 24 as in the polymer waveguide overlay 38. Furthermore, polarized light is preferred for best interaction. Under phase-matched conditions, the transfer of optical power is efficient enough to deplete the intensity of a band of wavelengths centered around the exact phase matching wavelength. This causes a sharp narrow dip in the optical fiber transmission spectrum with a center wavelength that can be electro-optically tuned, since the phase matching wavelength is a function of the index of refraction of the polymer waveguide 38. FIG. 8 illustrates such a dip and shows how it can be tuned by an external electric field. Test results have shown dips with attenuations of greater than 30 dB.
Referring now to FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown wherein polymer layer 38 has been deposited directly on the fiber half-coupler substrate and the electrodes 28, 30 and 32 are deposited onto the polymer layer 38. This configuration will function is the same manner as described above, although the electric fields in the first embodiment will be stronger and is thus preferred.
Devices in accordance with the present invention can be used as modulators, wavelength filters, or switches. For example, operation as an optical intensity modulator for a fixed wavelength narrow band laser source is readily achieved by biasing the modulator with a voltage to bring the sloping region of one of the transmission dips in coincidence with the laser wavelength and then superimposing the modulation signal on the bias voltage. The signal strength in this instance will be proportional to the first derivative of the dip profile. In such a modulator configuration, due to the short coupling region and because only the light that is coupled out of the fiber propagates into the polymer layer, absorption coefficients of over 100 dB/cm can be tolerated in the EO polymer materials. This enables the use of EO polymers with strong resonant enhancement of the EO coefficients.
Operation as a wavelength filter is achieved by supplying a sufficient control voltage to move the dip location to the wavelength of interest. Over 30 dB attenuation of light at the selected wavelength can thus be obtained. Discrimination between adjacent WDM channels depends on the dip width relative to the WDM channel spacing. The dip width and depth are functions of the strength of the evanescent coupling and the length of the coupling region.
A wavelength selective fiber coupler switch can also be formed using two devices of the present invention on a common substrate. A channel waveguide in the EO polymer layer would be added to connect the coupling regions in such a way that light coupled out of one fiber is coupled back into the other fiber. The two devices would be tuned in tandem using separate control voltages so that the phase matching wavelengths of both are coincident.
Multiple modulators in accordance with the present invention were fabricated with the well known EO polymer poly(DR1-MMA) with an estimated r33 of 10 pm/V using spin coating. These devices exhibited good reproducibility at optical fiber communications wavelengths. FIG. 10 shows a typical transmission spectrum for such a modulator.
The modulation in percent, defined as a change in transmission divided by the transmission (-T/T), for modulator in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 12 shows an exemplary RF spectral scan of an amplitude modulated optical signal for a modulator in accordance with the present invention driven by a 30 MHz RF source.
The modulation characteristics of the present invention are governed by the change in refractive index of the polymer introduced by the electro-optic effect. This change of index is given by:
Δn=1/2n.sup.3 r.sub.33 E
where n is the refractive index of the polymer layer and E is the applied electric field. clearly, a large change in index (and therefore a large modulation) can be achieved with either a large electric field or a large electro-optic coefficient r33. Taking the already achieved modulation results as a benchmark, it is clear that at least a 10-fold increase in r33 is necessary in order to be able to achieve efficient modulation with drive voltages on the order of 1.5 V. Although modulators in accordance with the present invention have compelling cost advantages, efficient modulation at such low drive voltages is needed in order to be fully competitive in performance with conventional lithium niobate integrated optic modulator devices. In order to achieve this competitive performance, an improved EO polymer with an r33 on the order of 100 pm/V would be required.
Accordingly, it will be seen that this invention provides for EO polymer device technology based on evanescent coupling from a fiber half-coupler, D-fiber or the like to a nonlinear polymer waveguide. The technology exhibits low distortion characteristics as a direct result of a non-sinusoidal optical transfer function. Furthermore, the present invention exhibits the following additional characteristics and advantages:
Optical Advantages:
1. No lossy electrodes (metal, ITO, or other) in the optical path. Previously developed electrode geometries, such as microstrip or sandwich geometries, place electrodes in the optical path which results in increased optical losses. Also, when operated on the edge of a transmission dip, the modulation efficiency is proportional to the slope of that edge. Optical losses in the structure increase the width of a dip and decrease the slope, thereby decreasing the attainable modulation. In the coplanar electrode structure of the present invention, however, the electrode gap is aligned over the fiber core instead of the electrodes being placed in the optical path and, therefore, the invention minimizes the optical losses in the device and allows the maximum modulation to be achieved.
2. Light interacts with the largest electro-optic coefficient. In the coplanar electrode geometry of the present invention, a nonlinear polymer is poled in the plane of the film which is the optimum orientation of the nonlinear coefficients with respect to the incident light. With this poling geometry and a fiber mode with its electric field parallel to the electro-optic layer, the incident light will interact entirely with the largest electro-optic coefficient, r33. This will result in the maximum achievable index change for a given nonlinear polymer and applied voltage and therefore result in the maximum modulation of the device geometry.
3. Capability of utilizing resonantly enhanced nonlinear polymers. The strict requirement for transparency in conventional planar waveguide devices is avoided in the present invention because the optical energy is evanescently coupled over a limited distance to the polymer rather than directly propagated through the polymer. Therefore, a modulator in accordance with the present invention is able to operate with considerably larger losses in the polymer layer than traditional modulators. This permits the modulator to operate closer to the absorption band of the nonlinear polymer, while taking advantage of the resonantly enhanced electro-optic coefficients. As the operating point approaches the absorption band of the polymer, the electro-optic coefficients increase. Taking advantage of resonantly enhanced electro-optic coefficients in nonlinear polymers will allow increased modulation.
4. Ruggedness, low insertion losses, and low cost. Pigtailing of fibers to integrated optics devices is a major contributor to insertion losses, fragility, and cost. The self-pigtailed design of the present invention eliminates the need for traditional fiber pigtailing and results in rugged device with greatly reduced insertion losses that can be produced for a fraction of the cost of a standard pigtailed integrated optics device.
5. Compact, integrable devices. The evanescently coupled design of the present invention permits fabrication of extremely small modulators. The device size is primarily limited by the size of the interaction region, which is approximately 1 mm long. In addition, multiple devices can be fabricated on a single substrate. This can result in compact multiple-device structures and greatly increases the usefulness of this device.
High Frequency Advantages of the CPW-PILFM Structure
1. High frequency performance up to 100 GHz. The coplanar transmission line employed in the present invention is surrounded by almost similar dielectric regions which offer high frequency performance. In comparison to a microstrip transmission line, the impedance of the transmission line (Z0) is relatively insensitive to conductor width and thickness, electro-optic thickness height, coplanar gap, or surface roughness. From computer simulations with a nominal 3.0 Tm thick nonlinear polymer layer, the Z0 of the present invention:
(a) changes approximately 1% for a 50.0 Tm change in conductor width, while the Z0 of the microstrip changes approximately 6% for a 1.0 Tm change in conductor width;
(b) changes approximately 1% for a 1.0 Tm change in conductor thickness, while the Z0 of microstrip changes approximately 2% for a 1.0 Tm change in the conductor thickness; and
(c) is insensitive to change in dielectic height, while the Z0 of microstrip changes approximately 10% for a 0.5 Tm change in dielectric height.
2. Low loss transition to high frequency connectors. Connecting the coplanar transmission structure of the present invention is straightforward with commercially available connectors.
Process Advantages of the CPW-PILFM Structure:
1. Simplicity of Fabrication. The number of processing steps, particularly lithographic steps, directly influences the device yield. The coplanar structure of the present invention can be implemented with three or fewer photolithography patterning steps.
2. Alignment of RF transmission lines over the fiber core. In-situ alignment using light propagating through the fiber guarantees that the waveguide gap is precisely aligned over the exposed core.
3. Separation of incompatible processing steps. All processing steps are independent of other processes. The photolithography steps are completed before the EO polymer layer is deposited onto the device. This results in an elimination of concerns relating to incompatibility of the EO polymer layer with the photolithographic chemicals.
4. Self-assembled monolayers to adhere polymer layers to the gold electrodes. Self-assembled monolayers (formed, for example, from a hydroxyalkanethiol or a mercaptoalkanoic acid) on the surface of the gold electrodes can be used to control the hydrophilicity which is required to make the surface wet by water and to adhere the polymer layer to the gold surface. The molecules can be functionalized with groups that react with PAA. Also, the layers are thin so that they do not change the optical characteristics, and can be spontaneously formed on non-planar geometries and vertical surfaces. Further, the layers can be reformed in the event that overpayment of new or additional layers is desired.
5. Photopoling of the nonlinear polymer. Some nonlinear chromophores (for example, azobenzenes) can be oriented by light and thus be poled at low temperature in the presence of an electric field--i.e. photopoling. Photopoling in this device is particularly advantageous since, in the coplanar electrode geometry of the present invention, the nonlinear polymer is poled in the plane of the film. The polymer and the poled area is easily accessable with light incident normal to the plane while the poling electric field is applied to the coplanar electrodes. This poling could be performed at room temperature or at an elevated temperature where the conductivity of the polymer is sufficiently low as to maintain a large poling field.
Advantages of the EO Polymer Liftoff Deposition Process:
1. Predetermined and repeatable EO polymer thickness. The use of a temporary substrate in the lift-off deposition procedure enables the EO polymer thickness to be determined before deposition onto the final device substrate. In addition, multiple segments of the same film can be deposited onto multiple devices, ensuring identical thickness films on all devices.
2. Elimination of spin coating of fragile substrates. Spin coating is performed on a temporary substrate and the EO polymer film is then lifted-off and deposited onto the final device substrate. This results in the deposition of a high quality film onto the device without having to subject the half-coupler substrate to harsh spin coating. Direct spinning onto the half coupler could result in destruction of the half coupler due to the high spinning speeds required.
3. Remote poling of the EO polymer. The use of a temporary substrate means that the EO polymer can be poled before deposition onto the half coupler. This allows the device to be assembled with a prepoled EO polymer film and avoids the necessity of using special techniques to pole the EO polymer film after its deposition onto the metal electrodes. It will be appreciated, however, that the remote poling must be performed such that the poling occurs in the plane of the film.
4. Regeneration of the device. Since the polymer layer deposition is the last processing step and since the lift-off process is used, the device configuration lends itself to easy recycling/or reconditioning in the event that the EO-response fails.
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Jul 1, 1974
|Nov 4, 1975
|Us Navy
|Method for fabricating high efficiency semi-planar electro-optic modulators
|Oct 27, 1988
|Apr 10, 1990
|International Business Machines Corporation
|Optical modulator
|Jun 19, 1989
|Oct 22, 1991
|El Sherif Mahmoud A
|Apparatus and a method comprising an optical fiber modulator, coupler, switch, sensor and distribution system
|Mar 21, 1990
|Nov 26, 1991
|Physical Optics Corporation
|High modulation rate optical plasmon waveguide modulator
|Jun 18, 1993
|Oct 25, 1994
|At&T Bell Laboratories
|Apparatus and method employing fast polarization modulation to reduce effects of polarization hole burning and/or polarization dependent loss
|May 30, 1996
|Mar 17, 1998
|Sdl, Inc.
|Optical device employing edge-coupled waveguide geometry
|Jul 16, 1996
|Dec 29, 1998
|The Regents Of The University Of California
|In-line polymeric construct for modulators, filters, switches and other electro-optic devices
|Creany et al., "Continuous-Fiber Modulator With High-Bandwidth Coplanar Strip Electrodes", IEEE Photonics Letters, vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 355-357, Mar. 1996.
|Creany et al., Continuous Fiber Modulator With High Bandwidth Coplanar Strip Electrodes , IEEE Photonics Letters, vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 355 357, Mar. 1996.
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Jan 18, 2001
|Jul 16, 2002
|The Boeing Company
|Fiber modulator and associated method
|May 16, 2002
|Mar 18, 2003
|Kvh Industries, Inc.
|Polarization transformer
|Jun 22, 1999
|Mar 25, 2003
|Kvh Industries, Inc.
|Polarization transformer
|Dec 21, 2001
|Apr 1, 2003
|Kvh Industries, Inc.
|Apparatus and method for electronic RIN reduction in fiber-optic sensors
|Jul 13, 2000
|May 13, 2003
|Kvh Industries, Inc.
|Reduced minimum configuration fiber optic current sensor
|Jul 13, 2001
|Jul 15, 2003
|Kvh Industries, Inc
|Method for controlling fiber optic sensor scale factor using amplitude modulation
|Mar 1, 2001
|Dec 9, 2003
|Kenneth A. James
|Totally photonic evanescent switch for optical fibers
|Feb 28, 2001
|Mar 9, 2004
|Kvh Industries, Inc.
|Faraday-effect current sensor with improved vibration response
|Aug 2, 2001
|Mar 16, 2004
|Kvh Industries, Inc.
|Decreasing the effects of linear birefringence in a fiber-optic sensor by use of Berry's topological phase
|Jul 11, 2001
|Apr 6, 2004
|Kvh Industries, Inc.
|Method of incorporating optical material into an optical fiber
|Apr 17, 2002
|Jul 13, 2004
|Kvh Industries, Inc.
|Apparatus and method for electronic RIN reduction in fiber-optic sensors utilizing filter with group delay
|Oct 31, 2001
|Dec 28, 2004
|Kvh Industries, Inc.
|Angle random walk (ARW) noise reduction in fiber optic sensors using an optical amplifier
|Aug 15, 2001
|May 10, 2005
|Kvh Industries, Inc.
|Current sensor
|Aug 2, 2001
|Oct 10, 2006
|Kvh Industries, Inc.
|Reduction of linear birefringence in circular-cored single-mode fiber
|Oct 20, 2006
|Jan 8, 2008
|Kvh Industries, Inc.
|Optical fibers, devices and methods for making same
|Jun 26, 2008
|Nov 10, 2009
|Lockheed Martin Corporation
|Tunable wavelength filter device
|Jun 20, 2005
|Sep 14, 2010
|Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
|Detection of post-translationally modified peptides with liquid crystals
|Sep 23, 2004
|Mar 13, 2012
|Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
|Using liquid crystals to detect affinity microcontact printed biomolecules
|Jul 15, 2010
|Oct 29, 2013
|Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
|Detection of post-translationally modified peptides with liquid crystals
|May 3, 2012
|May 5, 2015
|University Of Washington
|Diels-Alder crosslinkable dendritic nonlinear optic chromophores and polymer composites
|Aug 2, 2001
|Mar 14, 2002
|Richard Dyott
|Reduction of linear birefringence in circular-cored single-mode fiber
|Oct 31, 2001
|May 1, 2003
|Bennett Sidney M.
|Angle random walk (ARW) noise reduction in fiber optic sensors using an optical preamplifier
|Apr 17, 2002
|Oct 23, 2003
|Bennett Sidney M.
|Apparatus and method for electronic RIN reduction in fiber-optic sensors utilizing filter with group delay
|Oct 14, 2003
|Apr 14, 2005
|Photon Dynamics, Inc.
|Method for fabricating electro-optic light modulator
|Sep 23, 2004
|Apr 14, 2005
|Wiscnsin Alumni Research Foundation -
|Using liquid crystals to detect affinity microcontact printed biomolecules
|Jun 4, 2007
|Dec 4, 2008
|Lumera Corporation
|Broadband Electro-Optic Polymer Modulators With Integrated Resistors
|Nov 30, 2010
|May 25, 2011
|W-type dispersion optical fiber with band-pass on-line filtering characteristic
|Nov 30, 2010
|Dec 19, 2012
|W-type dispersion optical fiber with band-pass on-line filtering characteristic
|U.S. Classification
|385/30, 438/29
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Oct 22, 2003
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|Apr 5, 2004
|Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
|Jun 1, 2004
|Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20040404


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Jacquard Synthrapol Detergent is an industrial strength, neutral detergent created especially for fabric dyeing with Jacquard Procion MX Fiber Reactive Dyes.
Used as a prewash or afterwash, it helps prevent backstaining by keeping loose dye particles in suspension. It also works well as a wetting agent for wool and other hard-to-wet fibers. For marbling, it can be added directly to colors to facilitate spreading.
Jacquard Synthrapol Detergent is made in the USA.
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® Jacquard is a registered trademark.
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(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
A good addition to the dying process
By Grace
from Alaska
Comments about Jacquard Synthrapol Detergent:
A little Synthrapol goes a long way. Per the Jacquard recommendations I used it to prewash my fabric before dying and as a final soak after dying. I dip dye my fabric, giving it a gradient fade from white to the dye color, and I was really pleased with how much the final Synthrapol soak helped to attract excess dye without bleeding onto the lighter side of the color gradient.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
Just as described
By Rural Traveler
from Ohio
I'm a novice dyer; these are the only dye products I've used so I really can't rank this in price or quality with similar products - but had to given Blick's review constraints. That said, Sythrapol (and other Jacquard products) win my vote for their ease of use and clear intructions. I got great results with Jacquard dyes and associated products. What most impressed me: the very clear instructions and ease of use. Good product.
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Click here to view expected shipping dates, or call our Order Dept (800)-828-4548.
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Dick Blick Art Materials · P.O. Box 1267 · Galesburg, IL 61402-1267 · Toll-free Phone (800) 828-4548 International Phone +1-309-343-6181 ext. 5402 · Fax (800) 621-8293
Dick Blick Art Materials®, Blick®, Blick Studio®, and Artists Pick Blick® are registered trademarks ofDick Blick Holdings Inc. © Copyright 1999-2017 Dick Blick Holdings Inc. All rights reserved.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
"First Born," the direct-to-video feature debut of writer/director Isaac Webb, intends to be the sort of tale that uses horror movie analogy to inflate common fears into extraordinary terror: "The Amityville Horror" as homebuyer worry, "Rosemary's Baby" as postpartum anxiety, that sort of thing. Speaking of which, "First Born" owes pretty much everything to "Rosemary's," as it, too, tackles the same area of parental panic, following the story of Laura (Elisabeth Shue), a dancer who suffers a mental breakdown after the birth of her first child.
Is she going crazy, or is something more sinister at play? We expect the latter, having already seen what happened with Mia Farrow and that chocolate mousse. But the movie is coy about the truth - which is intriguing for a while, until we gradually realize that we're being led down all these paths that go nowhere, and when the plot turns do manage to somehow work themselves out, we've already figured them out long before the script catches up to us.
We follow Laura and her husband (Steven Mackintosh) throughout her awkward pregnancy, during which she gives up her career, moves out to a secluded house in the country, and accidentally kills her dog with rat poison. Following the birth, she manages to lock herself in the basement, leave the baby in the car, and take up smoking, which means we're enjoying the misadventures of the world's worst mother.
One shady afternoon, an old lady with a strange European accent (Kathleen Chalfant) arrives at the front door, claiming to have been hired by the husband to be a nanny. She insists she has good intentions, but soon we see her placing something under the crib. A voodoo object? Part of some witchcraft ritual?
And did she, as Laura claims, leave a butcher knife in the crib, or did Laura put it there herself? And what of the stranger whom Laura saw enter the house late at night? And what of the mice that have infested the house - are they, as Laura believes, an omen of some greater evil? A doll works its way into the plot. Is it cursed? There is also a diary of the young woman who once lived in the house. What happened to her? Why is she not at the college where a grocery clerk told her she was? Did she fall victim to something bad in the house? Will Laura and her baby be next?
In its efforts to end on an ambiguous note, the screenplay goes too far into mystery. It's not that the conclusion is confounding (it's quite predictable, really, and all too simple), it's that we've grown tired of having too many questions asked without any follow-up. Consider the diary. Laura finds it, frets about it for a very long time, then decides it does not matter, returning it to its hiding place, where it can once more hide from the relevant chapters of the plot.
Webb does build plenty of workable atmosphere - the movie is far less a horror film than a slow burning psychological chiller - and there's a steady sense of dread that seeps through many of the early scenes. But his story is left to become an absolute mess, jumping around with no sense for rhythm or logic, as if large chunks of the plot are missing (which may explain the bizarre appearance of Khandi Alexander on the DVD cover and in the IMDB as a cast member, despite her not being in the movie at all). It's as if we're watching the first two-thirds of a decent creepfest, and the missing third is where Webb put all the parts that make sense.
The DVD
On the DVD cover, First Look mislabels "First Born" as being 120 minutes in length. The film actually runs slightly over 90 minutes. It also mislabels the aspect ratio; it is not 2.35:1, as stated, but instead 1.85:1.
Video & Audio
At least the thing looks nice, with the moody photography captured well in an anamorphic widescreen transfer that handles the heavy use of shadows and night quite well. Unfortunately, I cannot attest to the correct aspect ratio of the picture. At 1.85:1, the film never feels cramped, while the opening credits are bathed in such darkness that it kinda looks like letterbox bars, especially with a very faint streak of light along the top, right where a bar would meet the image. Or just the floor and curtains of the stage. Or something else. You be the judge:
(Anyone with more information on the film's OAR is politely asked to speak up and solve this matter.)
The Dolby 5.1 soundtrack comes off rather well, making for an eerie soundscape in the right spots. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are offered.
Just the film's trailer, plus previews for "A Little Trip to Heaven" and "Comeback Season," all in anamorphic widescreen.
Final Thoughts
Here's the plan: Rent It, remember to fast forward through all the redundant bits of Laura being a complete moron, stick around for the chilly, creepy bits, then turn the thing off as soon as you've figured out the ending.


text:
Hulu has worked hard to improve the amount of choice in advertising available to its viewers over the past several years, and now it's taking that innovation one step further. Hulu's new Ad Swap product, which launched on Monday to kick off Advertising Week in New York, will give its users even more control in deciding which ads they want to see.
Hulu has long advocated user choice as the best way to target more-personalized and relevant ads. The site launched with its Ad Selector format, which allows users to pick the type of ad they want to see before it plays. And it collects tons of data through its Ad Tailor product, which lets users give feedback about the relevance of a given ad shown to them and targets later ads based on that info. When faced with an ad that isn't of interest, the new Ad Swap product will now let users choose a completely different ad, based on their preferences.
It works like this: When an ad begins to play on Hulu, a user will get a prompt at the top of the video player for the Ad Swap option. Once he has decided to switch, he will get the option of three different ads that may be more relevant than the one that is currently displayed. A short promotional video on Ad Swap is embedded below:
For users, Ad Swap improves the user experience by attempting to do away with nonrelevant ads and providing only those that the user wants to see. But advertisers are the ones who stand to truly benefit from the new ad product. That's because they aren't charged for advertisements that viewers opt out of watching. More importantly, those ads that viewers do choose boast significantly better performance across the board, according to Hulu:
Unaided Recall of the brand went from 30% to 58% (+93%)
Aided Recall became near universal, from 59% to 91% (+54%)
Brand Favorability went from 34% to 43% (+27%)
Purchase Intent went from 23% to 31% (+35%)
Stated Relevancy went from 15% to 22% (+46%)
Interestingly, while Ad Swap gives more control over the ad experience users have on the site, Hulu doesn't expect many of them to actually take advantage of the offering: In a blog post, Hulu Director of Research and Sales Strategy Bryon Schafer said the company only expects response rates of around three percent for Ad Swap.


text:
Much passionate concern is flying around regarding the United Nations meeting on climate this December in Copenhagen. We hear it from honest activists and from politicians who sound trustworthy on this most crucial matter. An example is Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of Great Britain, who deserves a prize for eloquence in warning us of climate change.
However, there is something many people have not yet learned about politicians and technofixers seeking too much continuity.
What to do? In the absence of visible leadership on climate protection — leaders that aren't sell-outs or technocratic dreamers — I can only think of "do it yourself." (DIY. For ideas on DIY and living the future now, scan our Culture Change articles and contacts for networking.)
When the Prime Minister was quoted with solemn hope by the credulous news media on Oct. 19, I responded with the following statement for the Global Warming Crisis Council listserve. When my words were praised, I decided to release my statement more widely, as is:
Don't be taken in by Gordon Brown or any other approved savior regarding the climate crisis.
My prediction for the UN Copenhagen meeting is that it cannot and will not do anything but promise policies that hinge on the technofix, instead of actually moving toward the immediate slashing of greenhouse gas emissions. After all, how could any head of state or climate official in a corporate-dominated world really try to cut back on industrial activity to a significant degree? It would be not just political suicide but literally.
The only way that expected discussed "cuts" can be arrived at is by designing theoretical reductions from the switching of energy practices over time. Too much time, too many people, no way to adequately replace petroleum.
It does not matter how sincere or passionate any of the official international compromisers are who "represent' humanity. Their technofix is a lie, and that's what the so-called leaders are signed up for. So shouldn't the rest of us act accordingly, pro-actively? Perhaps a promise of reaction could be issued to them beforehand, announcing that we know they intend to only fail. At least it could make clear to a large audience, somehow, that we know that the process is set up for failure and that we're always being bullshitted.
Keep in mind that the passionate messengers of dire effects of climate change earn trust by identifying the problem, and then they revert to imbeciles or deceivers by claiming the answer is different energy technology to be expanded or developed. Never a cultural change, never the abandonment of the car, or rejection of the whole bankrupt System. A lot of people have been fooled by the technofixsers, the only "good actors" to get a consistent forum in the play of good cop/bad cop (the bad cops are fossil fuels & nuclear business-as-usual). The game is rigged and is a fraud, so another game (culture) is overdue.


text:
Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is down to the last few games, but the Bruins are already through to Round 2! They gave up one game to the Detroit Red Wings, but no more. This year's celebratory countdown of wins is in Cup-cake form. However, since I am unsure how long these cupcakes will last, we will be eating them at the conclusion of each round. These cupcakes were leftover chocolate ones from the Bacon Cupcakes I posted earlier. I will now have to make a fresh batch for the next round.
The second home game was on Easter Sunday (brilliant, NHL /sarcasm/), and dinner was at the in-laws, so there's no post about that game's food. The third home game was at 3:00 pm, so we ate our Stanley Cup dinner while watching one of the other games.
Here we have meatballs simmering in marinara sauce.
Here we have fresh pasta sheets, cut into squares.
Here we have grated Parmesan and parsley waiting to be minced.
Here we have Meatball Pasta Cups. Each muffin cup has a bit of sauce in the bottom to prevent sticking, a sheet of pasta nestled down inside, filled with meatballs and sauce (the parsley's in there), and topped with cheese. Some were left naked for The Boy, who only thinks he doesn't like Parmesan cheese when he can see it. A drizzle of olive oil, and into the oven at 375 deg F.
Oooooh, look at those. The pasta ended up providing two different textures, tender and crispy. They were a surprisingly light yet satisfying meal, and they're Cups!!
Round 2 starts Thursday night, against the Montreal Canadiens (grrrrrrr). We will be ready. The Bruins will be ready, too. See you later, on down the Road (to the Cup).


text:
CloudFlareby CloudFlare, Inc.
Content Delivery Networks
CloudFlare is a content delivery network that acts as a proxy between visitors and the server the website is hosted on. The goal of a Cloudflare CDN is to improve the availability and performance of the web content to the end-users.
Product Details
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- CloudFlare
- Company
- CloudFlare, Inc.
- HQ Location
- United States
- Year Founded
- 2009
- License
- Commercial
- Deployment
- SaaS
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Entry #2
The Unnecessary Sentience Kickstarter campaign is more than half way through it's funding period, but it has not yet reached half of its goal :(
I am extremely passionate about this project, and I want the finished game to be as good as it can possibly be. But I need your support to allow me to do that. As a backer you will get to follow the progress of the game close up, with regular updates, exclusive demos and a whole lot of other fun stuff - you may even influence how the final game turns out! So, if you want to see this game turned into a longer project, please go to www.kickstarter.com/projects/1495513399/unnecessary-sentience-a-point-and-click-adventure and BACK ME NOW!
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text:
Rocker Josh Homme threatened to walk out of Jay Z's Made in America Festival just hours before taking to the stage with his Queens of the Stone Age bandmates when one of the rapper's security guards tried to search his bag.
The No One Knows hitmakers were on the bill for the second day of the event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania earlier this month, but they almost pulled their set at the 11th hour over a bust-up with backstage workers.
Frontman Homme was stunned at the level of security demanded by organizers and he has branded festival founder Jay Z a "kook" for instructing guards to search the band's bags.
He tells CBC Radio 2, "That guy's a kook, you know. He has his security frisking the bands on the way in... I just told (the security guard) 'If you open up my bag, then we're not playing, so I guess it's up to you now to decide whether I'm playing or not'... You shouldn't frisk my guys, you should f**k off."
Homme was also left fuming after being asked to pose for photographs with Jay Z's own-brand Ace of Spades champagne at the festival, adding, "I was like, 'That's not a gift - that's a marketing tool.' I destroyed it, because I thought it was rude overall."
Listen to the full interview below: (the Jay Z-related comments come around 1:56:00 and 2:16:00.)


text:
Even though residents in the Antelope Valley are used to wild weather fluctuations, the LA County Fire Department is still warning everyone to be extra careful as they contemplate ways to stay warm.
With freezing temperatures expected early Tuesday morning, the fire department wants people to consider the safety of their indoor heating options.
For instance, never use smoke-producing open flame sources, such as hibachi grills, indoors.
When it comes to other options, like space heaters, make sure they're in good working condition and do not produce carbon monoxide, which can be fatal and go unnoticed, even while sleeping.
"A lot of people use space heaters," said Inspector Brian Riley, with the LA County Fire Department. "We recommend that if you do, you keep them at least three feet away from any type of combustible materials, which is almost anything, but specifically bedding, drapes and clothing."
The fire department recommends people check their furnaces and fireplaces, as well.


text:
Renewing Your License in Pennsylvania
For a nominal fee, you can get your new registration sticker with next day delivery. Learn more below.
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|California DMV
|Online Registration
|Online Registration
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|Same Day Processing
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|E-copy of Registration
|Alternate Mailing Address
|Alternate Mailing Address
|Phone Support
|Phone Support
|$29 Convenience Fee
|Learn more below
Renew Your Pennsylvania Driver's License
Having a valid driver's license is required to operate your vehicle in Pennsylvania, which means you'll need to renew it when the expiration date approaches. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) handles all driver's license renewal applications.
If you need specific details about renewing a different type of driver's license or permit, please visit our following pages:
- Commercial driver's license (CDL) renewals
- Identification cards
- Driver's permits
- Motorcycle licenses
Is your driver's license valid or suspended in Pennsylvania ? Find out by ordering your driving record online today.
When to Renew Your PA Driver's License
Every 4 years, your PA driver's license will need to be renewed. If you are 65 years old or older, you have the option to renew every 2 years.
NOTE: If you moved to a new address, you can handle the address change at the same time as your renewal, or online beforehand. For more information, please see our Changing Your Address page.
If you need to check the status of your driver's license renewal, contact the PA DOT.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License
If you lost your PA driver's license and you know it will be expiring soon, you may be able to renew it instead of applying for a duplicate. To verify, you'll need to contact your local PA DOT office.
You can find more information on replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged driver's license on our Replacing a Lost License in Pennsylvania page.
Expired Driver's License
It is illegal to drive on an expired driver's license in Pennsylvania. PennDOT allows up to 6 months after your license expires to renew it without having to restart the driver's licensing process.
If you're not sure if your driver's license has expired and would like to check the status, you can obtain a copy of your Pennsylvania driving record.
Did you know a single organ donor could save up to 8 lives? Become an organ donor today!
Renew Your Pennsylvania Driver's License
The Pennsylvania DOT will mail your renewal notice called the "Invitation to Renew" (Form DL60A/DL60R) approximately 3 months before your PA driver's license expires.
You can renew your PA driver's license online or in person at your local PennDOT office. To save time, make an appointment before you go.
NOTE: If you're a member of the military or a civilian temporarily living outside the state, you may be able to renew by mail (see Out-of-State PA Residents & Military below).
You must meet all of the following criteria in order to renew your PA non-commercial driver's license online:
- You do not have an out-of-state address listed on your driver's license.
- You do not currently hold a PA driver's license without a photo.
- Your PA driver's license has not been expired for more than 6 months.
If eligible, you will need to:
- Visit the PennDOT Online Driver's License/Photo ID Login website.
- Have your driver's license number ready.
- Provide a credit or debit card for the renewal fee.
- See Fees to Renew Your PA Driver's License below for more details.
In Person
To renew your PA driver's license in person, you'll need to visit your local PennDOT office and:
- Provide your Invitation to Renew (Form DL60A/DL60R) OR complete the Non-Commercial Driver's License Application For Renewal (Form DL-143).
- Have your photograph taken.
- Show your Social Security card.
- Present proof of identification (i.e., PA driver's license, ID card, passport).
- Submit payment for the driver's license renewal fee.
- See Fees to Renew Your PA Driver's License below.
NOTE: If you changed your name, you'll need to provide additional documentation proving your identity. See our Changing Your Name page for more details.
Out-of-State PA Residents & Military
If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.
For active duty service members, your driver's license will stay valid during your absences from the state, AND for 45 days after you return to Pennsylvania or are discharged from the military.
If you choose, you can renew your driver's license by mail if you plan to be outside of Pennsylvania, and you are either a:
- Federal government employee.
- State government employee.
- Member of the U.S. armed forces (your family also qualifies).
You'll need a:
- Completed Non-Commercial Driver's License Application For Renewal (Form DL-143).
- Completed an Out-of-State Address/Photo Exemption (Form DL-82).
- Letter from your employer on their letterhead indicating your status.
- Check or money order payable to PennDOT for your driver's license fee (see Fees to Renew Your PA Driver's License below).
Mail everything to:
P.O. Box 68272
Harrisburg, PA 17106
Military Status Endorsement Card
While not required, military personnel and their dependents can opt to apply for a Military Status Endorsement Card, which ensures that your driving record remains valid in PennDOT's system during an extended absence from the state.
To apply for this card:
- Complete a Military Status Endorsement Card Application for Pennsylvania Driver's License (Form DL-176).
- Provide EITHER:
- A copy of your military ID.
- A letter from your commanding officer on his or her letterhead.
Send the above to the address on the form.
Fees to Renew Your PA Driver's License
The cost for renewing your PA driver's license and the renewal period will depend on your age:
- Under 65 years old: $30.50, valid for 4 years.
- 65 years old and older: $25, valid for 2 years.
Accepted Payment Methods
Depending on how you renew your driver's license, the PA DMV will accept the following payment methods:
- Cash.
- Check.
- Money order.
- Credit/debit card: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
NOTE: Online payments must be made by credit or debit card. Check or money orders are to be made payable to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania".
Be sure to contact your local PennDOT office for specific details on how to pay your fees.
Military Status Endorsement Card Application for Pennsylvania Drivers License - DL-176
Submit this form to PennDOT if you are an active member of the military OR are the spouse or child of a military member. Submission ensures your PA driving record remains valid while you're stationed out-of-state.
Out-of-State Address/Photo Exemption Form - DL-82
Use this form if you have grounds to use an out-of-state address AND/OR photo exemption when it comes to applying for a Pennsylvania driver's license.
Non-Commercial Drivers License Application For Renewal - DL-143
Submit this form when you need to renew your driver's license with the PA Department of Transportation.


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FitbitIt's August, and summer will soon be over. For thousands of university students around the British Isles, this usually marks the beginning of packing and preparing for the year of studying ahead of them.
For new students about to move away from their parents' for the first time, the whole period can be rather daunting. Making new friends, learning a subject you're not familiar with, and leaving home, can be a stressful time.
One of the main causes of anxiety is usually packing though. So we created a slideshow of all the gadgets that should be on every university student's packing list, so that you can relax and enjoy the excitement of it all.


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Jeff Green had 27 points and 10 rebounds, Russell Westbrook added 25 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 99-92 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.
The Thunder won despite playing without Kevin Durant, the league's fourth-leading scorer with a 26.0 average, who suffered a right ankle sprain in Friday night's 110-108 overtime loss to Dallas. Durant is listed as day-to-day.
Thabo Sefolosha, playing only his fourth game for Oklahoma City after a trade from Chicago, recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds, season-highs in both categories. Nenad Krstic also scored 10 points.
Rudy Gay scored 20 points to lead Memphis, which lost its seventh straight. O.J. Mayo finished with 18 points, while Mike Conley had 17.
Oklahoma City led by 12 with 7:25 left before Memphis cut into the advantage, eventually getting within 95-92 when Mayo hit one of two free throws with 18.1 second left. But Memphis couldnt overtake the Thunder.
Memphis didn't help its situation with trouble from the free-throw line, shooting 63 percent (19-of-30).
Both teams shot well from the field early. Memphis was hitting at a 60 percent clip, but the Thunder hit nine of their first 10 shots for an early 13-point lead.
Sixteen of the Thunders 29 first-quarter points were in the paint.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies failed to reach 20 points in the opening stanza for the 21st time this season. Memphis has only won once when it doesnt score at least 20 to in the first quarter.
And if the scoring wasnt bad enough, Memphis was throwing the ball all over the place with wild passes, even after good plays. The 10 turnovers led to 15 first-half points for Oklahoma City.
Memphis improved its shooting, but still couldn't overtake the Thunder, who took a 56-45 lead into halftime. Westbrook had 15 for the Thunder, while Green collected 13. Mayo and Darrell Arthur had 11 apiece for Memphis.
The Thunder continued to maintain a double-digit lead through the early minutes of the third quarter, the advantage eventually reaching 15. Memphis would chip away, cutting it to 64-58 when Conley stole the ball and scored on a layup.
But Oklahoma City scored 10 straight to get the lead back to double digits before carrying a 77-61 lead into the final period.
Notes:@ Gay left the court limping after hitting the floor hard on a drive to the basket with 9:19 left in the third. Trainers retaped his ankle and he returned at the start of the fourth quarter. ... In an interesting comparison, the No. 5 Memphis Tigers drew 18,454 for the afternoon part of the doubleheader where the Tigers defeated Southern Mississippi 58-42. Between the two games, a couple of inches of snow fell in the Memphis area, and a Grizzlies game that probably wasnt going to draw a big crowd anyway was affected even more. The announced attendance was 10,074, and that seemed a bit generous. ... Because of the weather, the Grizzlies announced that those who missed Saturdays game could exchange their tickets for next Saturdays game against the Philadelphia 76ers. ... Durant had missed only one other game this season, on Nov. 12 with left ankle soreness. ... Both teams entered the game without a win since the All-Star break. ... Memphis G Marko Jaric entered the game 0-for-17 and had not hit a shot in February. He missed all four of his shots Saturday. It also has been noted that in the midst of the slump, he married supermodel Adriana Lima on Valentine's Day. "I would like to see him do whatever he can to make a hoop," Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. "Whether it is go to the basket, get a steal, go down, and make a layup. Something." ... The game featured two of the top three rookie scorers in the league. Mayo averages 19.2, while Westbrook is scoring at a 15.6 clip.


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Jon Mercer - The Art of Abundance Webrip - 20 Videos (M4V, MOV) + 37 Audio (MP3) + 4 Other (EXE, PDF, INI)
English | Size: 2.535 GB (2,721,603,255 bytes)
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