Abstract: Avalanche photodetector devices and methods of use thereof are provided that incorporate deep levels to increase secondary carrier generation via impact ionization under application of a reverse bias. An avalanche photodetector device may include p+ and n+ regions, an intermediate semiconductor absorption region provided therebetween, and at least one semiconductor region residing between the p+ and n+ regions that incorporates deep levels. When light is incident on the device such that the absorption depth of the light extends into the intermediate semiconductor absorption region, a photocurrent is produced under a reverse bias includes both photocarriers generated within the intermediate semiconductor absorption region and secondary carriers released from the deep levels via impact ionization.

Abstract: Avalanche photodetector devices are disclosed in which spatial asymmetry is employed to preferentially enhance avalanche multiplication of electrons. In some example embodiments, an avalanche photodetector device includes p-doped and n-doped regions and a central waveguide region, where the p-doped region is laterally offset from the central waveguide by a first lateral offset region, and where the n-doped region is laterally offset from the central waveguide by a second lateral offset region. The first and second lateral offset regions are asymmetrically defined such that impact ionization and avalanche multiplication of electrons in the second laterally offset region is enhanced relative to that of holes in the first laterally offset region. In some example implementations, the asymmetry may be provided by a difference in relative heights and/or lateral spatial extends (widths) of the lateral offset regions, such that the electric field, or a spatial extent associated therewith, is enhanced for electrons.

Abstract: A device and method for tuning a ring resonator using self-heating stabilization is provided. A light source is controlled to produce an optical signal, input to an optical ring resonator, at a power where self-heating shifts a resonance wavelength of the optical ring resonator by at least 10 picometers, the self-heating comprising absorption in the optical ring resonator of optical power from a received optical signal. Prior to using the optical ring resonator at least one of modulate and filter the optical signal at the optical ring resonator, a heater of the optical ring resonator is controlled to an operating temperature at which the resonance wavelength of the optical ring resonator is greater than a respective wavelength of the optical signal.

Abstract: A device that includes an optical coupler with a waveguide and waveguide index matched materials at an edge of a substrate, and a method of forming the device, is provided herein. The device comprises: a substrate having an edge, and an opening formed therein adjacent the edge; a layer of insulator on the substrate, which forms a bridge across the opening at the edge; a waveguide on the layer of insulator, the waveguide comprising a constant-width region and a tapered region terminating at the edge in a region of the opening; a first layer of optical epoxy in the opening, the optical epoxy indexed matched to the layer of insulator; and, a second layer of the optical epoxy on the tapered region, such that the optical epoxy optically contains an optical signal leaking from the waveguide in the tapered region.

Abstract: A device and method for tuning a ring resonator using self-heating stabilization is provided. A light source is controlled to produce an optical signal, input to an optical ring resonator, at a power where self-heating shifts a resonance wavelength of the optical ring resonator by at least 10 picometers, the self-heating comprising absorption in the optical ring resonator of optical power from a received optical signal. Prior to using the optical ring resonator at least one of modulate and filter the optical signal at the optical ring resonator, a heater of the optical ring resonator is controlled to an operating temperature at which the resonance wavelength of the optical ring resonator is greater than a respective wavelength of the optical signal.

Abstract: A device and method for post-fabrication trimming of an optical ring resonator using a dopant-based heater is provided. An optical ring resonator at the device can be heated using heaters in an optical slab from which the optical ring resonator extends, the heater including a non-uniform doping profile. A controller determines an initial resonance frequency and a target resonance frequency of the optical ring resonator. The controller applies predetermined electrical parameters to the heater using electrical connections to shift a resonance frequency of the optical ring resonator from the initial resonance frequency to the target resonance frequency by causing the dopant in the heater to migrate.

Abstract: A device that includes an optical coupler with a waveguide and waveguide index matched materials at an edge of a substrate, and a method of forming the device, is provided herein. The device comprises: a substrate having an edge, and an opening formed therein adjacent the edge; a layer of insulator on the substrate, which forms a bridge across the opening at the edge; a waveguide on the layer of insulator, the waveguide comprising a constant-width region and a tapered region terminating at the edge in a region of the opening; a first layer of optical epoxy in the opening, the optical epoxy indexed matched to the layer of insulator; and, a second layer of the optical epoxy on the tapered region, such that the optical epoxy optically contains an optical signal leaking from the waveguide in the tapered region.

Abstract: A device and method for tuning a ring resonator using self-heating stabilization is provided. A light source is controlled to produce an optical signal, input to an optical ring resonator, at a power where self-heating shifts a resonance wavelength of the optical ring resonator by at least 10 picometers, the self-heating comprising absorption in the optical ring resonator of optical power from a received optical signal. Prior to using the optical ring resonator at least one of modulate and filter the optical signal at the optical ring resonator, a heater of the optical ring resonator is controlled to an operating temperature at which the resonance wavelength of the optical ring resonator is greater than a respective wavelength of the optical signal.

Abstract: A device and method for post-fabrication trimming of an optical ring resonator using a dopant-based heater is provided. An optical ring resonator at the device can be heated using heaters in an optical slab from which the optical ring resonator extends, the heater including a non-uniform doping profile. A controller determines an initial resonance frequency and a target resonance frequency of the optical ring resonator. The controller applies predetermined electrical parameters to the heater using electrical connections to shift a resonance frequency of the optical ring resonator from the initial resonance frequency to the target resonance frequency by causing the dopant in the heater to migrate.

Abstract: A device and method for tuning a ring resonator using self-heating stabilization is provided. A light source is controlled to produce an optical signal, input to an optical ring resonator, at a power where self-heating shifts a resonance wavelength of the optical ring resonator by at least 10 picometers, the self-heating comprising absorption in the optical ring resonator of optical power from a received optical signal. Prior to using the optical ring resonator at least one of modulate and filter the optical signal at the optical ring resonator, a heater of the optical ring resonator is controlled to an operating temperature at which the resonance wavelength of the optical ring resonator is greater than a respective wavelength of the optical signal.

Abstract: The sensor includes an optical waveguide defined in a light-transmitting medium. The waveguide includes a sensing portion and an non-sensing portion. The light-transmitting medium included in the sensing portion has defects that provide the light-transmitting medium with a deep band gap level between a valence band of the light-transmitting medium and a conduction band of the light-transmitting medium. The deep band gap level is configured such that the waveguide guiding light signals through the light-transmitting medium in the sensing portion causes free carriers to be generated in the light-transmitting medium. A detector is configured to detect the free carriers in the sensing region of the waveguide.

Abstract: The sensor includes an optical waveguide defined in a light-transmitting medium. The waveguide includes a sensing portion and an non-sensing portion. The light-transmitting medium included in the sensing portion has defects that provide the light-transmitting medium with a deep band gap level between a valence band of the light-transmitting medium and a conduction band of the light-transmitting medium. The deep band gap level is configured such that the waveguide guiding light signals through the light-transmitting medium in the sensing portion causes free carriers to be generated in the light-transmitting medium. A detector is configured to detect the free carriers in the sensing region of the waveguide.

Abstract: The sensor includes an optical waveguide defined in a light-transmitting medium. The waveguide includes a sensing portion and an non-sensing portion. The light-transmitting medium included in the sensing portion has defects that provide the light-transmitting medium with a deep band gap level between a valence band of the light-transmitting medium and a conduction band of the light-transmitting medium. The deep band gap level is configured such that the waveguide guiding light signals through the light-transmitting medium in the sensing portion causes free carriers to be generated in the light-transmitting medium. A detector is configured to detect the free carriers in the sensing region of the waveguide.

Abstract: The sensor includes an optical waveguide defined in a light-transmitting medium. The waveguide includes a sensing portion and an non-sensing portion. The light-transmitting medium included in the sensing portion has defects that provide the light-transmitting medium with a deep band gap level between a valence band of the light-transmitting medium and a conduction band of the light-transmitting medium. The deep band gap level is configured such that the waveguide guiding light signals through the light-transmitting medium in the sensing portion causes free carriers to be generated in the light-transmitting medium. A detector is configured to detect the free carriers in the sensing region of the waveguide.

Abstract: An integrated optical waveguide (1) having an in-line light sensor (2) integrally formed therewith for tapping off a small proportion of the signal transmitted along the waveguide (1). A first part (1A) of the waveguide leads to a photodiode portion (2) and a second part (1B) of the waveguide leads away from the photodiode portion (2), the photodiode portion (2) comprising one or more regions (14) of light absorbing material within the waveguide (1) arranged to absorb a minor proportion of light transmitted along the waveguide (1) and thereby to generate free charge carriers within the waveguide (1). Deep band gap levels (21) are introduced into photodiode portion by ion implantation to enable it to absorb selected wavelengths. The free charge carriers are detected by a p-i-n diode formed across the waveguide (1). Wavelength selective reflectors (11, 12) may be provided either side of the photodiode portion (2) so light passes repeatedly through the photodiode portion (2).