Abstract: A lens assembly for an optical fiber includes an optical gap structure and a multi-mode optical fiber. The optical gap structure has first and second ends and a length measured therebetween. The first end of the optical gap structure is configured to attach to an end of a single-mode optical fiber. The multi-mode optical fiber has first and second ends and a length measured therebetween. The first end of the multi-mode optical fiber is attached to the second end of the optical gap structure. The length of the optical gap structure and the length of the multi-mode optical fiber are set to provide a prescribed working distance and a prescribed light beam waist diameter. The prescribed working distance is a distance measured from the second end of the multi-mode optical fiber to a location of the prescribed light beam waist diameter.

Abstract: A first reflecting region is positioned at an end of an optical fiber and includes a polarization-sensitive reflector configured to selectively reflect a first polarization of light emanating from the optical fiber into a first reflected beam and transmit light that is not of the first polarization. The first reflected beam is directed toward a first optical grating coupler on a chip. A spacer layer is disposed on the first reflecting region such that light transmitted from the first reflecting region enters and passes through the spacer layer. A second reflecting region is disposed on the spacer layer and is configured to reflect light that is incident upon the second reflecting region into a second reflected beam directed toward a second optical grating coupler on the chip. A thickness of the spacer layer is set to control a separation distance between the first reflected beam and the second reflected beam.

Abstract: A photonic chip includes a substrate, an electrical isolation region formed over the substrate, and a front end of line (FEOL) region formed over the electrical isolation region. The photonic chip also includes an optical coupling region. The electrical isolation region and the FEOL region and a portion of the substrate are removed within the optical coupling region. A top surface of a the substrate within the optical coupling region includes a plurality of grooves configured to receive and align a plurality of optical fibers. The grooves are formed at a vertical depth within the substrate to provide for alignment of optical cores of the plurality of optical fibers with the FEOL region when the plurality of optical fibers are positioned within the plurality of grooves within the optical coupling region.

Abstract: An optical cavity is formed to have a circuitous configuration. The optical cavity is configured to receive light coupled from a waveguide. At least two photodetector sections are formed over respective portions of the optical cavity. Each of the at least two photodetector sections is configured to detect light present within the optical cavity. Each of the at least two photodetector sections is configured for separate and independent control.

Abstract: A laser light generator is configured to generate one or more wavelengths of continuous wave laser light. The laser light generator is configured to collectively and simultaneously transmit each of the wavelengths of continuous wave laser light through an optical output of the laser light generator as a laser light supply. An optical fiber is connected to receive the laser light supply from the optical output of the laser light generator. An optical distribution network has an optical input connected to receive the laser light supply from the optical fiber. The optical distribution network is configured to transmit the laser light supply to each of one or more optical transceivers and/or optical sensors. The laser light generator is physically separate from each of the one or more optical transceivers and/or optical sensors.

Abstract: An optical module includes a laser light supply system and a chip disposed within a housing. The chip includes a laser input optical port and a transmit data optical port and a receive data optical port. The optical module includes a link-fiber interface exposed at an exterior surface of the housing. The link-fiber interface includes a transmit data connector and a receive data connector. The optical module includes a polarization-maintaining optical fiber connected between a laser output optical port of the laser light supply system and the laser input optical port of the chip. The optical module includes a first non-polarization-maintaining optical fiber connected between the transmit data optical port of the chip and the transmit data connector of the link-fiber interface. The optical module includes a second non-polarization-maintaining optical fiber connected between the receive data optical port of the chip and the receive data connector of the link-fiber interface.

Abstract: A laser light generator is configured to generate one or more wavelengths of continuous wave laser light. The laser light generator is configured to collectively and simultaneously transmit each of the wavelengths of continuous wave laser light through an optical output of the laser light generator as a laser light supply. An optical fiber is connected to receive the laser light supply from the optical output of the laser light generator. An optical distribution network has an optical input connected to receive the laser light supply from the optical fiber. The optical distribution network is configured to transmit the laser light supply to each of one or more optical transceivers and/or optical sensors. The laser light generator is physically separate from each of the one or more optical transceivers and/or optical sensors.