Abstract: Structures including an optical component and methods of fabricating a structure including an optical component. The structure includes an optical component having a waveguide core, and multiple features positioned adjacent to the waveguide core. The waveguide core contains a first material having a first thermal conductivity, and the features contain a second material having a second thermal conductivity that is greater than the first thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Structures for a waveguide core and methods of forming such structures. The structure comprises a stacked waveguide core including a first waveguide core and a second waveguide core stacked with the first waveguide core, and a layer adjacent to the stacked waveguide core. The layer comprises a material having a refractive index that is variable in response to a stimulus.

Abstract: A structure includes a dielectric waveguide, and at least one grating coupler adjacent the dielectric waveguide. Each grating coupler includes a set of parallel optofluidic grating channels oriented orthogonally to the dielectric waveguide. The structure may also include a radiation source operatively coupled to the dielectric waveguide, and an optical receiver such as a photosensor adjacent the grating coupler(s). The structure may be used as part of an optofluidic sensor system for, for example, biochemical applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to waveguide structures with metamaterial structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: at least one waveguide structure; and metamaterial structures separated from the at least one waveguide structure by an insulator material, the metamaterial structures being structured to decouple the at least one waveguide structure to simultaneously reduce insertion loss and crosstalk of the at least one waveguide structure.

Abstract: Structures for an edge coupler and methods of fabricating a structure for an edge coupler. The structure comprises an edge coupler including a first waveguide core and a second waveguide core. The first waveguide core is positioned in a vertical direction between the second waveguide core and a substrate. The first waveguide core has a first longitudinal axis, the second waveguide core has a second longitudinal axis, and the second longitudinal axis of the second waveguide core is slanted at an angle relative to the first longitudinal axis of the first waveguide core.

Abstract: Photonics structures including a slotted waveguide and methods of fabricating such photonics structures. The photonics structure includes a slotted waveguide having a first waveguide core and a second waveguide core laterally positioned adjacent to the first waveguide core. The first waveguide core is separated from the second waveguide core by a slot. The photonics structure further includes a metamaterial structure having a plurality of elements separated by a plurality of gaps and a dielectric material in the plurality of gaps. The metamaterial structure and the slot of the slotted waveguide are positioned with an overlapping arrangement.

Abstract: Structures for a waveguide crossing and methods of fabricating a structure for a waveguide crossing. The structure comprises a first waveguide core and a second waveguide core each including a first section, a second section, and a first waveguide bend connecting the first section to the second section. The second section terminates the first waveguide core. The second section terminates the second waveguide core. The second waveguide bend has a side surface that is spaced from a side surface of the first waveguide bend by a gap. A third waveguide core is terminated by a section having an overlapping arrangement with the second section of the first waveguide core. A fourth waveguide core is terminated by a section having an overlapping arrangement with the second section of the second waveguide core.

Abstract: Structures for a waveguide crossing and methods of forming such structures. The structure comprises a first waveguide core including a first section, a second section, and a first longitudinal axis. The first section and the second section are aligned along the first longitudinal axis, the first section is terminated by a first end, the second section is terminated by a second end, and the first end of the first section is longitudinally spaced from the second end of the second section by a gap. The structure further comprises a second waveguide core having a second longitudinal axis angled relative to the first longitudinal axis. The second longitudinal axis of the second waveguide core crosses the first longitudinal axis of the first waveguide core within the gap.

Abstract: Structures including an edge coupler and methods of fabricating a structure including an edge coupler. The structure includes an edge coupler having a longitudinal axis, a first ring resonator, and a second ring resonator. The first ring resonator has a first center point that is spaced from the longitudinal axis of the edge coupler by a first perpendicular distance. The second ring resonator has a second center point that is spaced from the longitudinal axis of the edge coupler by a second perpendicular distance.

Abstract: Structures including a waveguide core and methods of fabricating a structure including a waveguide core. The structure comprises a photonics chip including a first chip region, a second chip region, a first waveguide core in the first chip region, and a second waveguide core in the second chip region. The first chip region adjoins the second chip region along a boundary. The first waveguide core includes a first tapered section, and the second waveguide core includes a second tapered section positioned across the boundary from the first tapered section. The first tapered section has a first width dimension that increases with increasing distance from the boundary, and the second tapered section has a second width dimension that increases with increasing distance from the boundary.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) structure including a scattering light-based monitor with photodetectors (e.g., PIN and/or avalanche photodiodes) placed adjacent to one or both sides of an end portion (i.e., a coupler) of a waveguide core at an optical interface with another optical device. The photodetectors are placed in such a way as to enable sensing of scattering light emitted from the end portion as light signals are received (e.g., either from the optical device for propagation to the main body of the waveguide core or from the main body for transmission to the optical device). Also disclosed are a monitoring system and method including the PIC chip structure with the above-described scattering light-based monitor. The system and method assess the optical interface using electric signals generated by the photodetectors.

Abstract: Structures for a grating that may be deployed in edge coupler and methods of forming such structures. The structure comprises a waveguide core positioned on a substrate. The waveguide core includes a longitudinal axis and a grating having first and second segments positioned along the longitudinal axis in a spaced-apart arrangement. The first segment has a first sidewall sloped at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis and a second sidewall oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis. The second segment has a first sidewall sloped at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis and a second sidewall oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first sidewall of the first segment positioned adjacent to the first sidewall of the second segment.

Abstract: Structures for an edge coupler and methods of fabricating a structure for an edge coupler. The structure comprises an edge coupler including a first waveguide core and a second waveguide core. The first waveguide core is positioned in a vertical direction between the second waveguide core and a substrate. The first waveguide core has a first longitudinal axis, the second waveguide core has a second longitudinal axis, and the second longitudinal axis of the second waveguide core is slanted at an angle relative to the first longitudinal axis of the first waveguide core.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structure including a polarization device with first and second waveguides. The first waveguide includes a core (e.g., a silicon nitride (SiN) core) suitable for high-power applications. The second waveguide includes: a primary core (e.g., another SiN core), which is positioned laterally adjacent to the core of the first waveguide and suitable for high-power applications, and secondary core(s) stacked vertically with the primary core to steer the optical mode and ensure that mode matching occurs between adjacent first and second coupling sections of the first and second waveguides, respectively, in order to achieve high-power splitter and/or combiner functions. Optionally, the primary and secondary cores of the second waveguide can be tapered at least within the second coupling section to increase the likelihood of mode matching.

Abstract: Structures for a waveguide core and methods of fabricating such structures. The structure comprises a waveguide core including a section having a first trapezoidal portion and a second trapezoidal portion stacked with the first trapezoidal portion. The first trapezoidal portion has a first trapezoidal shape, and the second trapezoidal portion has a second trapezoidal shape different from the first trapezoidal shape.

Abstract: Structures including a waveguide core and methods of fabricating a structure including a waveguide core. The structure comprises a photonics chip including a first chip region, a second chip region, a first waveguide core in the first chip region, and a second waveguide core in the second chip region. The first chip region adjoins the second chip region along a boundary. The first waveguide core includes a first tapered section, and the second waveguide core includes a second tapered section positioned across the boundary from the first tapered section. The first tapered section has a first width dimension that increases with increasing distance from the boundary, and the second tapered section has a second width dimension that increases with increasing distance from the boundary.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor devices for use in optoelectronic/photonic applications and integrated circuit (IC) chips. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to semiconductor devices having a reflector and a photonic component and a method of forming the same. The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device having a substrate, a photonic component arranged above the substrate, a bottom reflector arranged above the substrate and positioned below the photonic component, in which the bottom reflector has a plurality of grating structures configured to reflect electromagnetic waves towards the photonic component, and a top reflector arranged above the photonic component, in which the top reflector has a plurality of grating structures configured to reflect electromagnetic waves towards the photonic component.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a PIC structure including a photonic component on a semiconductor substrate. A passive optical guard is composed of a light absorbing material and is in proximity to the photonic component. The passive optical guard includes at least a portion in an active semiconductor layer of the semiconductor substrate and may be entirely below a first metal layer. The passive optical guard may include at least one of: a germanium body positioned at least partially in a silicon element in the active semiconductor layer, a silicon body having a high dopant concentration in the active semiconductor layer, and a polysilicon body having a high dopant concentration over the silicon body.

Abstract: Structures including an optical component and methods of fabricating a structure including an optical component. The structure includes an optical component having a waveguide core, and multiple features positioned adjacent to the waveguide core. The waveguide core contains a first material having a first thermal conductivity, and the features contain a second material having a second thermal conductivity that is greater than the first thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Structures including a waveguide core and methods of fabricating a structure including a waveguide core. The structure comprises a photonics chip including a first chip region, a first waveguide core in the first chip region, a second chip region, and a second waveguide core in the second chip region. The first chip region adjoins the second chip region along a boundary, the first waveguide core includes a first tapered section and the second waveguide core includes a second tapered section adjacent to the first tapered section. The first tapered section has a first longitudinal axis aligned substantially parallel to the boundary, and the second tapered section has a second longitudinal axis aligned substantially parallel to the boundary.