Abstract: An electro-optical deflector device, having a thin ferroelectric oxide film and a method of fabricating the deflector device is described. One embodiment of a thin film electro-optic deflector device includes: a planar optical waveguide, having a thin ferroelectric oxide layer; a first electrode, having a conductive substrate and a conductive epoxy; a second electrode coupled to the planar optical waveguide; a supporting substrate; a cladding layer attached to the second electrode deposited on the supporting substrate; and a hole through the supporting substrate and the cladding layer for connecting the second electrode to an external voltage source.

Abstract: An optical coupling structure useful in optical switching devices is described. The optical coupling structure includes a core layer for guiding a light beam exiting a core layer of an optical fiber into a slab waveguide layer. The core layer of the optical coupling structure avoids a power loss of a light beam and establishes an adiabatic coupling. The core layer of the optical coupling structure may have a tapered surface.

Abstract: The intensity of signals in optical networks can be controlled using a variable optical attenuator (VOA). The present invention is a VOA that is particularly well suited for optical networks, for example to provide channel-by-channel normalization of gain control of wavelength division multiplexed signals. The inventive VOA includes a waveguide having a cladding that includes an electro-optical material and electrodes that produce an electric field within the electro-optical material when a voltage difference is applied to the electrodes. The VOA also includes a layer that is parallel to the core of the waveguide and that optically couples to the core to receive light from the attenuated signal. A power meter receives light from the layer as an indication of the amount of light attenuated from the signal and for controlling the voltage to the electrodes.

Abstract: The intensity of signals in optical networks can be controlled using a variable optical attenuator (VOA). The present invention is a VOA that is particularly well suited for optical networks, for example to provide channel-by-channel normalization of gain control of wavelength division multiplexed signals. The inventive VOA includes a waveguide having an electro-optical material and electrodes that produce an electric field within the electro-optical material when a voltage difference is applied to the electrodes. The electro-optical material can either be a substrate or can be a layer deposited on a substrate. In an alternative embodiment, a polarization independent VOA is formed from a waveguide that includes two, end-to-end waveguides. In one embodiment, a 90 degree polarization rotator is provided between the two waveguides. In another embodiment, each of the two waveguides has a different electro-optical material selected to selectively pass one of two 90 degree polarizations.

Abstract: A tunable micro-lens and micro-lens array for use in optical communications are disclosed. The micro-lens uses thermo optical material and a temperature controller to adjust the temperature and, hence, the index of refraction of the thermo optical material. In one embodiment, a single temperature controller is used to maintain an array of micro-lenses at a desired temperature. In an alternate embodiment, the individual lenses in an array are separately tunable. The invention may be used with either 2D or 3D lenses, and is well suited for use with existing planar lightwave circuit (PLC) technology.

Abstract: A hybrid integration process for fabrication of an optical cross-connect switching apparatus. The switching element is based on the deflection of light beam in electro-optic materials by applying electric field across electrodes of an appropriate configuration. The integration process includes fabrication of a substrate (e.g. silicon substrate) with 2D imaging optics from polymeric materials (or silica), fabrication of the light deflecting element, and assembly of the deflecting element on the substrate with imaging optics. The fabrication of the light deflecting element includes fabrication of a LN (lithium niobate) block. The LN block assembled in an optical switching apparatus includes a two-dimensional waveguide formed on a surface of the LN block and an electrode on a surface of the LN block.

Abstract: An electro-optical deflector device, having a thin ferroelectric oxide film and a method of fabricating the deflector device is described. On embodiment of a thin film electro-optic deflector device includes: a planar optical waveguide, having a thin ferroelectric oxide layer; a first electrode, having a conductive substrate and a conductive epoxy; a second electrode coupled to the planar optical waveguide; a supporting substrate; a cladding layer attached to the second electrode deposited on the supporting substrate; and a hole through the supporting substrate and the cladding layer for connecting the second electrode to an external voltage source.

Abstract: The intensity of signals in optical networks can be controlled using a variable optical attenuator (VOA). The present invention is a VOA that is particularly well suited for optical networks, for example to provide channel-by-channel normalization of gain control of wavelength division multiplexed signals. The inventive VOA includes a waveguide having an electro-optical material and electrodes that produce an electric field within the electro-optical material when a voltage difference is applied to the electrodes. The electro-optical material can either be a substrate or can be a layer deposited on a substrate. In an alternative embodiment, a polarization independent VOA is formed from a waveguide that includes two, end-to-end waveguides. In one embodiment, a 90 degree polarization rotator is provided between the two waveguides. In another embodiment, each of the two waveguides has a different electro-optical material selected to selectively pass one of two 90 degree polarizations.

Abstract: Substrates with embedded free space light guiding channels for optical interconnects, and methods for making such substrates are shown. The method comprising steps of a groove in a first generally planar body, and combining the first body with a second generally planar body to form the substrate, and providing input and output ports to enable light to travel into and out of the groove. The first and second bodies may be made of silicon, polymers or combinations of the two. Additional generally planar bodies may be incorporated to provide for complex, 3D optical signal routing within the substrate.

Abstract: It is disclosed that an optical switching apparatus enables to increase a number of channels to be accommodated within an optical switching apparatus. The optical switching apparatus includes a common waveguide. The common waveguide is located between a first plural light deflection elements and a second plural light deflection elements, each including prisms made by electro-optic material. The side surface of the prisms is constructed to have a lens. When a light beam which passes through the prisms, the divergence of light beam is corrected. When a plurality of deflected light beams are propagated from the first plural light deflection elements to the second plural light deflection elements within the common waveguide, widening width of light beam can be avoided.

Abstract: Substrates with embedded free space light guiding channels for optical interconnects, and methods for making such substrates are shown. The method comprising steps of forming a groove in a first generally planar body, and combining the first body with a second generally planar body to form the substrate, and providing input and output ports to enable light to travel into and out of the groove. The first and second bodies may be made of silicon, polymers or combinations of the two. Additional generally planar bodies may be incorporated to provide for complex, 3D optical signal routing within the substrate.

Abstract: An electro-optical deflector device, having a thin ferroelectric oxide film and a method of fabricating the deflector device is described. On embodiment of a thin film electro-optic deflector device includes: a planar optical waveguide, having a thin ferroelectric oxide layer; a first electrode, having a conductive substrate and a conductive epoxy; a second electrode coupled to the planar optical waveguide; a supporting substrate; a cladding layer attached to the second electrode deposited on the supporting substrate; and a hole through the supporting substrate and the cladding layer for connecting the second electrode to an external voltage source.

Abstract: It is disclosed that an optical switching apparatus enables to increase a number of channels to be accommodated within an optical switching apparatus. The optical switching apparatus includes a common waveguide. The common waveguide is located between a first plural light deflection elements and a second plural light deflection elements, each including prisms made by electro-optic material. The side surface of the prisms is constructed to have a lens. When a light beam which passes through the prisms, the divergence of light beam is corrected. When a plurality of deflected light beams are propagated from the first plural light deflection elements to the second plural light deflection elements within the common waveguide, widening width of light beam can be avoided.

Abstract: An interposer and method for producing an interposer. The method comprises forming in a substrate a cladding layer having a known density value; and forming in the substrate a waveguide core layer in contact with the cladding layer and also having a known density value which is greater than the density value of the cladding layer. The method further includes forming in the substrate a second cladding layer in contact with the waveguide core layer and having a known density value less than the density value of the waveguide core layer. A method for producing a light-guiding structure comprising forming in a substrate a cladding layer having a top substrate surface and a porosity value; and forming in the substrate a waveguide core layer in contact with the cladding layer and having a porosity value less than the porosity value of the cladding layer.

Abstract: An interposer and method for producing an interposer. The method comprises forming in a substrate a cladding layer having a known density value; and forming in the substrate a waveguide core layer in contact with the cladding layer and also having a known density value which is greater than the density value of the cladding layer. The method further includes forming in the substrate a second cladding layer in contact with the waveguide core layer and having a known density value less than the density value of the waveguide core layer. A method for producing a light-guiding structure comprising forming in a substrate a cladding layer having a top substrate surface and a porosity value; and forming in the substrate a waveguide core layer in contact with the cladding layer and having a porosity value less than the porosity value of the cladding layer.

Abstract: A coupling structure is disclosed. An optical device includes a core layer for guiding a light beam exiting a core layer of an optical fiber. The core layer of the optical device avoids a power loss of a light beam and establishes an adiabatic coupling. The core layer of the optical device may have a tapered surface.

Abstract: A hybrid integration process for fabrication of an optical cross-connect switching apparatus. The switching element is based on the deflection of light beam in electro-optic materials by applying electric field across electrodes of an appropriate configuration. The integration process includes fabrication of a substrate (e.g. silicon substrate) with 2D imaging optics from polymeric materials (or silica), fabrication of the light deflecting element, and assembly of the deflecting element on the substrate with imaging optics. The fabrication of the light deflecting element includes fabrication of a LN (lithium niobate) block. The LN block assembled in an optical switching apparatus includes a two-dimensional waveguide formed on a surface of the LN block and an electrode on a surface of the LN block.

Abstract: An optical device that is a waveguide with a heating element thereon that is formed on a silicon substrate is disclosed. The waveguide is formed on a region of porous silicon formed in the silicon substrate. The porous silicon region provides greater resistance to the flow of heat than the silicon substrate on which the device is formed. Optionally, the porous silicon region also provides greater resistance to the flow of heat than the waveguide.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a silica-based optical device on a silicon substrate is disclosed. The device has a cladding formed in a silicon substrate. The device also has an active region, and that active region is formed on the cladding. The cladding is fabricated by forming a region of porous silicon in the silicon substrate. The porous silicon is then oxidized and densified. After densification, the active region of the device is formed on the cladding.