Abstract: An optical packaging arrangement combines a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) having an array of waveguides thereon, an array of photodetectors on a substrate to receive light beams coupled out of the PLC by the output ports, and a collimating faceplate, having a plurality of glass cores, extending between the PLC and the photodetector array for coupling the output light beams to respective photodetectors. The faceplate forms a cover for a hermetic cavity encompassing the photodetectors. The PLC is disposed either co-planarly with the faceplate or transversely to it. Light from the PLC is tapped via a plurality of taps formed on the PLC for coupling to the photodetectors.

Abstract: A demultiplexer/multiplexer is disclosed wherein an arrayed waveguide grating having a reflector at an end includes selectable signal path blockers. The arrayed waveguide device has a common input/output port for launching radiation in the form of an input signal having n wavelengths therein and for receiving back via the reflector at the input/output port a selected channel of the input signal. In operation a multiplexed signal have n channels is launched therein and a selected channel is output for analysis or further processing.

Abstract: An apparatus including a base having a first opening of a dimension suitable to pass a light emission therethrough, a first side wall coupled to the base and having a second opening of a dimension suitable to pass a light emission therethrough, a second side wall coupled to the base and having a reflective component thereon, and the base, the first side wall, and the second side wall define an interior chamber with the reflective component disposed in the interior chamber; and a fiber connector extending from an exterior of the first side wall adjacent the second opening. A method including powering a laser disposed in a substrate coupling a fiber optic cable to an optical subassembly; and aligning the optical assembly over the transceiver board to capture the emitted light from the laser in the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A technique for fabricating a plurality of thin film filters (“TFFs”), and other optical devices, from a wafer. A device or TFF wafer is affixed to a carrier having a pattern of notches formed thereon corresponding to a pattern into which the wafer is to be diced to form the TFFs. The notches are sized to allow clearance of a dicing apparatus. The wafer is diced at least partially into the notches to form the TFFs, and the TFFs may be individually optically tested with a light source aligned thereto, while they remain affixed to the carrier. The TFFs are removed from the carrier for operation, and the carrier can be re-used. To facilitate re-use, a releasable adhesive is applied to the wafer and/or the carrier, and the notches receive any excess adhesive when the wafer is being affixed to the carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring an input optical signal at a plurality of distinct optical frequencies is disclosed wherein a demultiplexing arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) having a plurality of M>1 Vernier input ports is disposed between an optical switch and a photodiode array coupled to the output ports of the AWG. In operation, the optical switch sequentially provides the input optical signal into each of the Vernier ports, and signals detected by photodiodes are stored in a memory unit. The apparatus is capable of monitoring the input optical signal with a frequency step which is M times smaller than a frequency spacing between the AWG transmission bands, and obtain M frequency-resolved readings from each photodiode.

Abstract: An optical packaging arrangement combines a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) having an array of waveguides thereon, an array of photodetectors on a substrate to receive light beams coupled out of the PLC by the output ports, and a collimating faceplate, having a plurality of glass cores, extending between the PLC and the photodetector array for coupling the output light beams to respective photodetectors. The faceplate forms a cover for a hermetic cavity encompassing the photodetectors. The PLC is disposed either co-planarly with the faceplate or transversely to it. Light from the PLC is tapped via a plurality of taps formed on the PLC for coupling to the photodetectors.

Abstract: A capillary has an opening of a dimension for accommodating an insertion of a first and second optical fiber, a clamp to provide a clamping force to the capillary to removably couple the capillary to the clamp, and a capillary rotator removably coupled to the capillary to apply a rotational force to the capillary which is greater than the capillary force, to rotate the capillary to a selected position. An optical fiber rotator can be disposed adjacent to the first optical fiber to rotate the first optical fiber such that the first optical fiber has a selected orientation with respect to the second optical fiber.

Abstract: A device and method for aligning a fiber optic bundle with an array waveguide uses pins that partially extend into both the fiber optic bundle and the array waveguide to achieve course alignment. In one embodiment, the pins are inserted into holes formed by V-grooves in the fiber optic bundle. Finely aligning the fiber optic bundle and the array waveguide may be done by manual adjustment.

Abstract: An optical packaging arrangement combines a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) having an array of waveguides thereon, an array of photodetectors on a substrate to receive light beams coupled out of the PLC by the output ports, and a collimating faceplate, having a plurality of glass cores, extending between the PLC and the photodetector array for coupling the output light beams to respective photodetectors. The faceplate forms a cover for a hermetic cavity encompassing the photodetectors. The PLC is disposed either co-planarly with the faceplate or transversely to it. Light from the PLC is tapped via a plurality of taps formed on the PLC for coupling to the photodetectors.

Abstract: A device and method for aligning a fiber optic bundle with an array waveguide uses pins that partially extend into both the fiber optic bundle and the array waveguide to achieve course alignment. In one embodiment, the pins are inserted into holes formed by V-grooves in the fiber optic bundle. Finely aligning the fiber optic bundle and the array waveguide may be done by manual adjustment.

Abstract: A device and method of aligning a fiber optic bundle with an array waveguide is achieved by mounting the fiber optic bundle and the array waveguide on a base. The fiber optic bundle is held by a high viscosity epoxy. The fiber optic bundle is moved until it is aligned. In one embodiment, an epoxy with high silicate content is used.

Abstract: A planar lightwave circuit includes an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), with input and output waveguides, partially curved array waveguides with respective length differences, and planar waveguide regions for focusing optical energy between the input/output and array waveguides. Optimal waveguide widths and spacing along the planar waveguide region facets are disclosed, which are largely determinative of AWG size and optical performance. Also disclosed are optimal cross-sectional waveguide dimensions (e.g., width and height); modified index of refraction difference between the waveguide core and cladding regions; and optimal array waveguide lengths, path length differences, and free spectral range. These features, especially when combined with advanced fiber attachment, passivation and packaging techniques, result in high-yield, high-performance AWGs (both gaussian and flattop versions).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for centering a core of a waveguide amplifier. One embodiment of the invention comprises axially rotating a waveguide which has a core, shining a light through a light transmission pathway in the core of the waveguide, and shaping an outer surface of the waveguide in a predetermined pattern with respect to the light transmission pathway.

Abstract: A device and method of aligning a fiber optic bundle with an array waveguide is achieved by mounting the fiber optic bundle and the array waveguide on a base. The fiber optic bundle is held by a high viscosity epoxy. The fiber optic bundle is moved until it is aligned. In one embodiment, an epoxy with high silicate content is used.

Abstract: A package for optical components includes an inner package enclosing the optical component, and an outer package enclosing the inner package. A heater may be disposed in the inner package proximate the optical component to control its temperature, and to maintain this temperature control, the outer package creates an isolated air pocket around the inner package, which thermally insulates the inner package from the outside environment. The outer package is formed of a material having low thermal conductivity, to promote this insulating function. This package is especially useful if the optical component comprises a planar light-wave circuit (PLC), e.g. an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), which requires tight temperature control and structural integrity to maintain the integrity of the optical paths.

Abstract: Planar lightwave circuits (PLCs) are typically provided with a passivation coating layer to prevent damaging effects of environmental factors. In certain cases, deep trenching or a similar procedure after passivation removes the protective passivation coating, exposing the underlying layers. Without the passivation coating, the exposed core and cladding layers may absorb moisture resulting in an unacceptable shift in their refractive index. A supplemental hermetic sealing technique suitable for use in localized areas of a PLC, e.g., in areas where passivation may have been removed, consists of providing a sealing lid having a sealing surface, and diffusion-bonding the sealing surface of the sealing lid to the bonding surface about the PLC area. Preferably, prior to said diffusion bonding, the upper bonding surface about the PLC area and the sealing surface of the sealing lid are smoothed to facilitate the bonding.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for centering a core of a waveguide amplifier. One embodiment of the invention comprises axially rotating a waveguide which has a core, shining a light through a light transmission pathway in the core of the waveguide, and shaping an outer surface of the waveguide in a predetermined pattern with respect to the light transmission pathway.

Abstract: A device and method of aligning two or more optical fibers on an array waveguide is achieved by etching grooves into the array waveguide. The two or more optical fibers are attached together by a retainer and placed into the grooves of the array waveguide. Channels within the array waveguide are coursely aligned to the two or more optical fibers and may be more finely aligned by manual adjustment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning eccentricities in optical fibers arrayed in a fiber optic bundle is disclosed. The optical fibers are initially constrained from movement in a lateral or longitudinal direction. A light meter is used to detect the orientation of the eccentricity in the core of at least one optical fiber. The orientations of the optical fibers can be aligned such that all optical fiber cores have the same orientation relative to the fiber optic bundle.

Abstract: A planar lightwave circuit includes an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), with input and output waveguides, partially curved array waveguides with respective length differences, and planar waveguide regions for focusing optical energy between the input/output and array waveguides. Optimal waveguide widths and spacing along the planar waveguide region facets are disclosed, which are largely determinative of AWG size and optical performance. Also disclosed are optimal cross-sectional waveguide dimensions (e.g., width and height); modified index of refraction difference between the waveguide core and cladding regions; and optimal array waveguide lengths, path length differences, and free spectral range. These features, especially when combined with advanced fiber attachment, passivation and packaging techniques, result in high-yield, high-performance AWGs (both gaussian and flattop versions).