Abstract: Tunable add-drop and cross connect devices include materials with negative refractive index dependence on temperature and temperature independent coincidence between modes of an athermal ring resonator and a set of specified frequencies, e.g. for DWDM telecommunications channels. The free spectral range may be adjusted to equal a rational fraction of the specified frequency interval. The operating frequency may be selected without substantially tuning the resonator modes by a thermo-optically tuned feedback element having a waveguide pair with differential thermal response. The operating frequency may be induced to hop digitally between the specified frequencies.

Abstract: An asymmetric waveguide pair (1440) with a differential thermal response has an optical coupling frequency that may be thermo-optically tuned. Tuning may also be accomplished by applying an electric field (1445) across a liquid crystal portion (1442) of the waveguide structure. The waveguide pair may include a grating and be used as a frequency selective coupler for an optical resonator. The differential waveguide pair may also be used as a temperature or electric field sensor, or it may be used in a waveguide array to adjust a phase relationship, e.g. in an arrayed waveguide grating.

Abstract: Laser source including materials with negative index of refraction dependence on temperature and with temperature independent coincidence between cavity modes and a set of specified frequencies such as DWDM channels in telecommunications applications. The free spectral range may be adjusted to equal a rational fraction of the specified frequency interval. The operating frequency may be defined by a frequency selective feedback element that is thermo-optically tuned by the application of heat from an actuator without substantially tuning the cavity modes. The operating frequency may be induced to hop digitally between the specified frequencies. In a particular embodiment, semiconductor amplifier and polymer waveguide segments form a linear resonator with a thermo-optically tuned grating reflector. In a further embodiment, an amplifier and two waveguides from a tunable grating assisted coupler form a ring resonator.

Abstract: The invention has multiple embodiments and applications including a digitally tunable laser source, a tapered waveguide, a lensed waveguide, and a tunable laser array. Also described are methods for making and tuning these devices. The laser source includes materials with negative index of refraction dependence on temperature and with temperature independent coincidence between resonator modes and a set of specified frequencies such as DWDM channels in telecommunications applications. The free spectral range may be adjusted to equal a rational fraction of the specified frequency interval. An advantageous embodiment of a tapered waveguide may be used to efficiently couple different size waveguides, such as in a resonator containing both a semiconductor diode amplifier waveguide and a planar waveguide structure for coupling to an optical fiber.

Abstract: Laser source including materials with negative index of refraction dependence on temperature and with temperature independent coincidence between cavity modes and a set of specified frequencies such as DWDM channels in telecommunications applications. The free spectral range may be adjusted to equal a rational fraction of the specified frequency interval. The operating frequency may be defined by a frequency selective feedback element that is thermo-optically tuned by the application of heat from an actuator without substantially tuning the cavity modes. The operating frequency may be induced to hop digitally between the specified frequencies. In a particular embodiment, semiconductor amplifier and polymer waveguide segments form a linear resonator with a thermo-optically tuned grating reflector. In a further embodiment, an amplifier and two waveguides from a tunable grating assisted coupler form a ring resonator.

Abstract: Tunable add-drop and cross connect devices include materials with negative dependence of refractive index on temperature and temperature independent coincidence between resonator modes and a set of specified frequencies, e.g. for DWDM telecommunications channels. The free spectral range may be adjusted to equal a rational fraction of the specified frequency interval. The operating frequency may be selected without substantially tuning the cavity modes by a thermo-optically tuned feedback element. This can be accomplished by means of a waveguide pair with differential thermal response. Tuning may also be accomplished by applying an electric field across an electro-optic liquid crystal portion of a waveguide pair. The resonator and coupled waveguide pair arrangement may be used as a communications signal receiver where the coupling strength is optical frequency tuned by the applied thermal or electrical field.

Abstract: A tapered waveguide couples optical waveguides of different sizes in a multi-chip optical assembly. In a particular embodiment, a resonator containing a semiconductor diode amplifier is coupled to a planar waveguide structure that optically couples to an optical fiber. A single-mode semiconductor laser waveguide is flip-chip bonded to a substrate and couples to a silica waveguide structure that couples to a single-mode tantala waveguide. In a further embodiment, high-index material is provided in a gap between chips. In another embodiment, polymer material is used in the waveguide structure to modify thermal characteristics of the waveguide structure.

Abstract: The different embodiments of the invention include tunable add-drop and cross connect devices. The add-drop and cross connect devices include materials with negative dependence of refractive index on temperature and temperature independent coincidence between resonator modes and a set of specified frequencies, e.g. for DWDM telecommunications channels. The free spectral range may be adjusted to equal a rational fraction of the specified frequency interval. The operating frequency may be selected without substantially tuning the cavity modes. This can be accomplished by means of a waveguide pair with differential thermal response.