Abstract: Methods of using an optical device capable of distributing the optical power presented at an input to specified ratios in two output ports. The devices and methods described herein have the ability to broaden the range of wavelengths over which the splitting ratio is even, or substantially even. Methods involve achieving a desired splitting ratio over a broad or ultra-broad wavelength range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling waveguide birefringence by selection of a waveguide core width for a tuned top clad is described herein. In one example, a dopant concentration within a top cladding material is between 3-6% (wt.). Given a tuned top cladding composition, a width of the waveguide core is pre-selected such that birefringence is minimized, i.e., a zero, or near zero. The desirable width of the waveguide core is determined by calculating the distribution of stress in the top cladding over a change in temperature. From this distribution of stress, a relationship between the polarization dependent wavelength and variable widths of the waveguide in the arrayed waveguide grating are determined. This relationship determines a zero value, or near zero value, of polarization dependent wavelength for a given range of waveguide widths. Accordingly, the width of the waveguide may be selected such that the polarization dependent wavelength is minimized.

Abstract: Polarization dependent loss may be reduced by providing at least one dummy waveguide or at least one dummy metal structure. Polarization dependent loss may also be reduced by imposing a mechanical force on the OIC to exert mechanical stress thereby changing at least one of the birefringence and the optical axes of at least one waveguide. And polarization dependent loss may be reduced by forming a metal heater using a first set of metal deposition parameters; forming a conductive metal structure contacting the metal heater using a second set of metal deposition parameters; and selecting the first set of metal deposition parameters and the second set of metal deposition parameters to reduce stress.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling waveguide birefringence by selection of a waveguide core width for a tuned top clad is described herein. In one example, a dopant concentration within a top cladding material is between 3-6% (wt.). Given a tuned top cladding composition, a width of the waveguide core is pre-selected such that birefringence is minimized, i.e., a zero, or near zero. The desirable width of the waveguide core is determined by calculating the distribution of stress in the top cladding over a change in temperature. From this distribution of stress, a relationship between the polarization dependent wavelength and variable widths of the waveguide in the arrayed waveguide grating are determined. This relationship determines a zero value, or near zero value, of polarization dependent wavelength for a given range of waveguide widths. Accordingly, the width of the waveguide may be selected such that the polarization dependent wavelength is minimized.

Abstract: Polarization dependent loss may be reduced by providing at least one dummy waveguide or at least one dummy metal structure. Polarization dependent loss may also be reduced by imposing a mechanical force on the OIC to exert mechanical stress thereby changing at least one of the birefringence and the optical axes of at least one waveguide. And polarization dependent loss may be reduced by forming a metal heater using a first set of metal deposition parameters; forming a conductive metal structure contacting the metal heater using a second set of metal deposition parameters; and selecting the first set of metal deposition parameters and the second set of metal deposition parameters to reduce stress.

Abstract: An optical device containing a four-port optical mixer capable of distributing the optical power presented at either or both of two input ports to specified ratios in two output ports.

Abstract: This relates to optical devices such as planar light-wave components/circuits which are designed to have a high waveguide pattern density effecting a higher etch selectivity and overall improved dimensional control of the functional waveguides on the optical device.

Abstract: A method of depositing a top clad layer for an optical waveguide of a planar lightwave circuit. A GeBPSG top clad layer for an optical waveguide structure of a planar lightwave circuit is fabricated such that the top clad layer comprises doped silica glass, wherein the dopant includes Ge (Germanium), P (Phosphorus), and B (Boron). In depositing a top clad layer for the optical waveguide, three separate doping gasses (e.g., GeH4, PH3, and B2H6) are added during the PECVD (plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition) process to make Ge, P and B doped silica glass (GeBPSG). The ratio of the Ge, P, and B dopants is configured to reduce the formation of crystallization areas within the top clad layer and maintain a constant refractive index within the top clad layer across an anneal temperature range. A thermal anneal process for the top clad layer can be a temperature within a range of 950C to 1050C.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an isothermal thin film heater are provided. The isothermal thin film heater mitigates temperature variations in an optical circuit, such as an arrayed-waveguide grating. The thin film heater comprises a conductive plate and at least one heating element trace coupled to the conductive plate for heating the optical circuit. The heating element trace(s) is arranged around a periphery portion of the conductive plate such that concentric arcs are formed by the heating element trace(s). A sensor for sensing the temperature of the thin film heater and/or the optical circuit can also be provided.

Abstract: Optical integrated circuits are disclosed having a gap traversing the lens or the waveguide grating and an actuator that controllably positions the optical integrated circuit on each side of the gap. As a result, the thermal sensitivity of the optical integrated circuits, for example, arrayed waveguide gratings, is mitigated. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating optical integrated circuits employing the gap and actuator.

Abstract: Waveplate, planar lightwave circuit incorporating the waveplate, and method of making an optical device. The waveplate is formed of a mesogen-containing polymer film having a backbone and sidechains containing mesogen groups. The waveplate may be formed by producing a mesogen-containing polymer film having a nonzero birefringence of suitable dimensions for insertion into a planar lightwave circuit. The waveplate may be so inserted into an optical circuit of a planar lightwave circuit so that an optical signal traversing the waveplate is changed, for instance, to have two polarization states.

Abstract: Devices utilize elements carried by a fluid in a microchannel toswitch, attenuate, shutter, filter, or phase shift optical signals. In certain embodiments, a microchannel carries a gaseous or liquid slug that interacts with at least a portion of the optical power of an optical signal traveling through a waveguide. The microchannel may form part of the cladding of the waveguide, part of the core and the cladding, or part of the core only. The microchannel may also have ends or may be configured as a loop or continuous channel. The fluid devices may be self-latching or may be semi-latching. The fluid in the microchannel is moved using e.g., e.g., electrocapillarity, differential-pressure electrocapillarity, electrowetting, continuous electrowetting, electrophoresis, electroosmosis, dielectrophoresis, electro-hydrodynamic electrohydrodynamic pumping, magneto-hydrodynamic magnetohydrodynamic pumping, thermocapillarity, thermal expansion, dielectric pumping, and/or variable dielectric pumping.

Abstract: Actuators facilitating mechanical beam steering for optical integrated circuits are disclosed. The mechanical beam steering can mitigate thermal sensitivity of optical circuits, for example, arrayed waveguides. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating optical integrated circuits employing actuators.

Abstract: Devices and methods utilizing dielectric pumping and variable dielectric pumping to move fluids through microchannels. Two fluids having dissimilar dielectric constants form an interface that is positioned between two electrodes in order to move the interface and therefore the fluids. Dielectric pumping and variable dielectric pumping may be used to move fluids in miniaturized analytical packages containing microchannels in which forces created by surface tension predominate over the gravitational force.

Abstract: Optical circuits are disclosed having a source waveguide, a first tap waveguide and a second tap waveguide. Optical power is transferred via evanescent coupling from the source waveguide to the first tap waveguide and from the first tap waveguide to the second tap waveguide such that power loss is minimized. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating optical integrated circuits.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of dicing a substrate containing a plurality of non-rectangular shaped optical integrated circuits, involving forming stop cracks in the wafer, each stop crack adjacent and substantially parallel one of the non-rectangular shaped optical integrated circuits, and cutting the substrate in a curvilinear manner substantially parallel to a stop crack. Another aspect of the present invention relates to an optical structure containing a substrate; a plurality of non-rectangular shaped optical integrated circuits on the substrate, each non-rectangular shaped optical integrated circuit having an active region; and at least one stop crack positioned adjacent each non-rectangular shaped optical integrated circuit.

Abstract: Optical integrated circuits are disclosed in which a polarization swapping portion is formed in a portion of a waveguide using polarized light from a laser. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating optical integrated circuits and for mitigating polarization dependence in optical integrated circuits.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to vertically route and physically pass multiple optical fibers through the walls of a package. One variation is a method to route an optical fiber ribbon through a wall of a package by routing and securing the width of the optical fiber ribbon perpendicularly to a component within the package. Another variation involves a package having an enclosure with an opening through which a group of optical fibers are arrayed in a rectangular cross-section with a width which is longer than a thickness. The package includes a component inside the enclosure, a group of optical fibers routed through the opening to the component where the width of the rectangular cross-section is perpendicularly oriented to the base of the enclosure, and a clamp to secure the width of the rectangular cross-section of the group of optical fibers perpendicularly to the base of the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arrayed waveguide such that each waveguide of the grating has a substantially uniform width, but the width of any single waveguide in the grating is selected based on a predetermined birefringence required for the waveguide. Generally, the narrowest grating waveguide has the longest overall length and the widest grating waveguide has the shortest overall length. The remaining intermediate waveguides have widths that are interpolated between the narrowest and widest waveguide gratings. With an appropriate width for each waveguide, an arrayed waveguide grating is provided that has low polarization dependent wavelength.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a PLC containing at least one waveguide on a bottom clad layer, each waveguide having a top cap layer on an upper surface thereof, and a top clad layer over the waveguides having the top cap on the upper portion thereof. The presence of the top cap reduces waveguide birefringence and resultant polarization dependence in PLCs, particularly for reducing polarization dependent wavelength shift in AWGs. Another aspect of the invention relates to methods of making PLCs involving forming a waveguide layer on a bottom clad layer, forming a top cap layer on the waveguide layer, patterning the waveguide layer and the top cap layer using a mask to form waveguides having a top cap on an upper portion thereof, and forming a top clad layer over the waveguides having the top cap on the upper portion thereof.