Abstract: A multimode interference splitter/combiner that includes a monolithic device for photonically coupling an input optical waveguide to first and second output optical waveguides. The input waveguide may be optically coupled to a first end of a MMI portion, while the first and second output waveguides may be optically coupled to a second end of the MMI portion. The input waveguide is coupled to a planar facet of the MMI portion so that the input waveguide may have a propagation axis that is oriented at an angle with respect to the planar facet of the MMI portion. A desired splitting ratio may be achieved by adjusting the angle between the input waveguide and the MMI portion.

Abstract: A method of coupling a waveguide to a multi-layered active device structure on a substrate is described. The method includes forming a junction area by etching the active device structure to form a sloped etch profile with respect to the substrate, aligning multiple layers of the multi-layered active device structure via an etch stop adjacent the multi-layered active device structure, and depositing the waveguide over the etched active device structure, wherein a sloped active passive junction is formed at the junction area that reduces residual interface reflection in a resulting coupled device. Also described is a method for removing at least one laser layer in a sloped junction region forming passive amorphous silicon waveguides. This includes depositing a SiN layer for use as an etch mask, patterning a photoresist mask, patterning the SiN layer by reactive ion etching, stripping the photoresist mask, and etching the at least one laser layer.

Abstract: An optical waveguide assembly and method of forming the same is described. The optical waveguide assembly includes a waveguide, an amorphous silicon arrayed waveguide grating communicative with the waveguide, and an integrated amorphous silicon waveguide grating laser which communicatively outputs a laser output responsive to the amorphous silicon arrayed waveguide grating. The method includes providing a waveguide, providing an amorphous silicon arrayed waveguide grating communicative with the waveguide, and providing an integrated amorphous silicon waveguide grating laser which communicatively outputs a laser output responsive to the amorphous silicon arrayed waveguide grating.

Abstract: An optical waveguide assembly and method of forming the same is described. The optical waveguide assembly includes a waveguide, an amorphous silicon arrayed waveguide grating communicative with the waveguide, and an integrated amorphous silicon waveguide grating laser which communicatively outputs a laser output responsive to the amorphous silicon arrayed waveguide grating. The method includes providing a waveguide, providing an amorphous silicon arrayed waveguide grating communicative with the waveguide, and providing an integrated amorphous silicon waveguide grating laser which communicatively outputs a laser output responsive to the amorphous silicon arrayed waveguide grating.

Abstract: A high power laser system including: a plurality of emitters each including a large area waveguide and a plurality of quantum well regions optically coupled to the large area waveguide, wherein each of the quantum well regions exhibits a low modal overlap with the large area waveguide; a collimator optically coupled to the emitters; a diffraction grating optically coupled through the collimator to the emitters; and, an output coupler optically coupled through the diffraction grating to the emitters.

Abstract: A monolithic light amplification system including: an un-doped waveguide; a ridge waveguide positioned over the un-doped waveguide; and, at least a doped layer between the un-doped waveguide and ridge waveguide; wherein, the un-doped waveguide and ridge waveguide cooperate to amplify light input to the un-doped waveguide.

Abstract: An optical amplifier including: a photonic gain clement; and, a transistor electromagnetically coupled to the gain element to inject current into the gain element responsively to the internal optical intensity of the gain element. The coupling of the transistor and the photonic gain element is such that as the optical intensity within the photonic gain element increases, the current injected by the transistor increases, thereby preventing filamentation in the photonic gain element.

Abstract: A monolithic device for photonically coupling a first optical waveguide to a second optical waveguide, including: an input being optically coupled to the first waveguide; a first portion being optically coupled to the input; a second portion being optically coupled to the first portion; and, an output being optically coupled to the second portion and the second waveguide; wherein, when an optical signal is provided on the first waveguide, a given part of the signal is provided to the second waveguide dependently upon an angle between the first and second portions. At least one of the waveguides may have an amorphous silicon material coating.

Abstract: A low-jitter optical pulse source including: a monolithic waveguide including a first section substantially perpendicular to a first facet and a second section being curved and substantially non-perpendicular to a second facet; and, an optical circulator coupled to the monolithic waveguide and forming a sigma cavity in combination with the monolithic waveguide, wherein the first facet forms a sole reflector for the sigma cavity.

Abstract: An optical system including: a substrate having a recess; and, a substantially planar, semiconductor waveguiding membrane suspended over the recess and having a thickness less than about 200 nm; wherein, the optical system supports a propagating optical mode having a majority of its energy external to the semiconductor waveguiding membrane.