Abstract: An integrated optical device for tapping signal power provides a tap which is substantially independent of wavelength and polarization. The optical device includes a first tap consisting of a first optical waveguide carrying an input signal S disposed in coupling relation with a second optical waveguide for providing an output cross-state transmission T.sub.1. The cross-state transmission T.sub.1 is polarization and wavelength dependent. The optical device further includes a second tap consisting of a third optical waveguide disposed in coupling relation with and in series with the second optical waveguide carrying the output cross-state transmission T.sub.1 for providing an output bar-state transmission T.sub.2. The bar-state transmission T.sub.2 has an opposite dependency on waveguide coupling than that of the cross-state transmission T.sub.1 and, thus, compensates for wavelength and polarization dependencies of the cross-state transmission signal T.sub.

Abstract: A turning mirror in an optical waveguide structure is made by etching in the upper surface of the structure a cavity (18) that intercepts the path of light propagated by the waveguide (15, 16, 13). Preferably, the cavity is made to be asymmetric with the side (25) of the cavity remote from the waveguide sloping at typically a forty-five degree angle. The asymmetry can be introduced by using mask and etch techniques and treating the surface of the structure such that the etchant undercuts the mask on the side of the cavity remote from the waveguide to a greater extent than it undercuts the mask on the side of the cavity adjacent the waveguide.

Abstract: A turning mirror in an optical waveguide structure is made by etching in the upper surface of the structure a cavity (18) that intercepts the path of light propagated by the waveguide (15, 16, 13). Preferably, the cavity is made to be asymmetric with the side (25) of the cavity remote from the waveguide sloping at typically a forty-five degree angle. The asymmetry can be introduced by using mask and etch techniques and treating the surface of the structure such that the etchant undercuts the mask on the side of the cavity remote from the waveguide to a greater extent than it undercuts the mask on the side of the cavity adjacent the waveguide.