Abstract: A spot-size converter for coupling light between a first waveguide and a second waveguide extends along a longitudinal waveguiding axis and includes a transition region. The transition region includes a first part of waveguiding structure, which is coupled to the first waveguide, and a second part of waveguiding structure, which is coupled to the second waveguide. The second part of waveguiding structure includes high-index elements arranged in multiple vertically spaced rows and horizontally spaced columns, and extends along the longitudinal waveguiding axis at least partially over the first part of waveguiding structure so as to define a low-index region where the mode of the first waveguide progressively transforms into the mode of the second waveguide, thereby enabling light propagation via a mode of the combined system of the first and second parts of waveguiding structures.

Abstract: An optoelectronic integrated circuit includes (i) a first back-to-back-junction component (BBJC) and a second BBJC that conform to a first fabrication pattern, where the first BBJC includes a first A-type p-n junction (APNJ) in series with a first B-type p-n junction (BPNJ), where the second BBJC includes a second APNJ in series with a second BPNJ, and (ii) an optical component conforming to a second fabrication pattern that superimposes the first fabrication pattern. The APNJs and BPNJs may be identified based overlapping with separate arms of the optical component. The optical component overlaps the APNJs and BPNJs to provide modulation to optical signals using the modulation voltage from the electrodes. The first APNJ, the first BPNJ, the second APNJ, and the second BPNJ are disposed along respective directions, where metal bridges may be used, to reduce an imbalance in the modulation of the optical signals resulting from a fabrication misalignment.

Abstract: A spot-size converter having a waveguiding structure. The first part of the waveguiding structure receives light from or transmits light to a first waveguide in a first propagation mode. The first part of the waveguiding structure has a longitudinally varying effective refractive index that decreases away from the first waveguide. The second part of the waveguiding structure transmits light to or receives light from a second waveguide in a second propagation mode. The second part of the waveguiding structure has a number of high-index elements arranged in a single plane, extending along a longitudinal waveguiding axis and at least partially overlapping the first part of the waveguiding structure. The first propagation mode of the first waveguide progressively transforms into the second propagation mode of the second waveguide along the longitudinal waveguiding axis through an overlap region between the first part and the second part of the waveguiding structure.

Abstract: A connectorized optical chip assembly connectable to an external optical fiber having a fiber connector is provided. The connectorized optical chip assembly includes a substrate, an optical chip having an on-chip optical waveguide and a connectorized interface. The connectorized interface includes an optical coupling element mounted in optical alignment with the on-chip optical waveguide. The connectorized interface includes a chip connector engaging the optical coupling element and configured for mating with the fiber connector of the external optical fiber, so as to provide an optical coupling of light between the optical coupling element and the external optical fiber. The connectorized optical chip assembly also includes a mechanical support structure supporting the connectorized interface onto the substrate. Preferably, the components of the connectorized optical assembly are made of materials heat resistant to temperatures used to melt solder in surface mount processes.

Abstract: An optical system may include a substrate that includes an etched region and a laser-induced breakage region. The optical system may further include an optical waveguide disposed on the substrate. The optical system may further include an optical device coupled to the optical waveguide within the etched region. The laser-induced breakage region may produce a predetermined coupling gap between the optical waveguide and the optical device.

Abstract: A spot-size converter for coupling light between first and second waveguides respectively supporting first and second propagation modes having substantially different dimensions is provided. The spot-size converter includes a lower and an upper waveguiding structure each characterized by an effective refractive index. The lower waveguiding structure is coupled to the first waveguide to receive light therefrom or transmit light thereto in the first propagation mode. The upper waveguiding structure is coupled to the second waveguide to transmit light thereto or receive light therefrom in the second propagation mode. The upper waveguiding structure includes a plurality of longitudinally extending high-index elements arranged in multiple vertically spaced rows.

Abstract: A connectorized optical chip assembly connectable to an external optical fiber having a fiber connector is provided. The connectorized optical chip assembly includes a substrate, an optical chip having an on-chip optical waveguide and a connectorized interface. The connectorized interface includes an optical coupling element mounted in optical alignment with the on-chip optical waveguide. The connectorized interface includes a chip connector engaging the optical coupling element and configured for mating with the fiber connector of the external optical fiber, so as to provide an optical coupling of light between the optical coupling element and the external optical fiber. The connectorized optical chip assembly also includes a mechanical support structure supporting the connectorized interface onto the substrate. Preferably, the components of the connectorized optical assembly are made of materials heat resistant to temperatures used to melt solder in surface mount processes.

Abstract: A spot-size converter for coupling light between first and second waveguides respectively supporting first and second propagation modes having substantially different dimensions is provided. The spot-size converter includes a lower and an upper waveguiding structure each characterized by an effective refractive index. The lower waveguiding structure is coupled to the first waveguide to receive light therefrom or transmit light thereto in the first propagation mode. The upper waveguiding structure is coupled to the second waveguide to transmit light thereto or receive light therefrom in the second propagation mode. The upper waveguiding structure includes a plurality of longitudinally extending high-index elements arranged in multiple vertically spaced rows.

Abstract: A low white frequency noise tunable semiconductor laser source is presented. The laser source includes a single-mode semiconductor laser assembly which generates a laser beam having a tunable frequency over a spectral range of interest. An optical filter is provided in the path of the laser beam. The optical filter has multiple spectral features distributed over the entire spectral range of interest. Each spectral feature has a narrow spectral range. A locking mechanism is further provided and is controllable for locking a spectral alignment between the frequency of the laser beam and any selected one of the spectral features of the optical filter.

Abstract: A low white frequency noise tunable semiconductor laser source is presented. The laser source includes a single-mode semiconductor laser assembly which generates a laser beam having a tunable frequency over a spectral range of interest. An optical filter is provided in the path of the laser beam. The optical filter has multiple spectral features distributed over the entire spectral range of interest. Each spectral feature has a narrow spectral range. A locking mechanism is further provided and is controllable for locking a spectral alignment between the frequency of the laser beam and any selected one of the spectral features of the optical filter.

Abstract: There is provided a complex frequency response filter providing a frequency response having a desired shape. A first complex frequency response filter includes a first and a second reflecting surfaces defining a resonant cavity therebetween. Each of the reflecting surfaces respectively has a predetermined surface finish providing a given reflectivity, therefore providing resonances with a predetermined shaped frequency response of a predetermined amplitude and of a predetermined periodicity. Those frequency responses can then be summed to generate an arbitrarily complex spectral response. In another embodiment, the complex frequency response filter includes a transmission medium and a first and a second reflecting surfaces defining a resonant cavity therebetween.

Abstract: A method and a system for filtering a user light beam using a periodic filter having a frequency response stabilized at an absolutely calibrated value are provided. A primary light beam is generated by a tunable laser source and portions thereof are filtered by an absolute reference filter and the periodic filter. First the frequency of the laser source is automatically locked on the absolute reference filter, and then the frequency response of the periodic filter is locked relative to the frequency of the laser source. The frequency response of the periodic filter is therefore continuously maintained at the proper calibration. User input and output are provided to pass the user light beam through the stabilized periodic filter independently of the filter stabilization process. A broadband absolutely calibrated optical source and a method for absolutely calibrating an optical spectrum analysis device are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a complex frequency response filter providing a frequency response having a desired shape. A first complex frequency response filter includes a first and a second reflecting surfaces defining a resonant cavity therebetween. Each of the reflecting surfaces respectively has a predetermined surface finish providing a given reflectivity, therefore providing resonances with a predetermined shaped frequency response of a predetermined amplitude and of a predetermined periodicity. Those frequency responses can then be summed to generate an arbitrarily complex spectral response.

Abstract: A method and a system for filtering a user light beam using a periodic filter having a frequency response stabilized at an absolutely calibrated value are provided. A primary light beam having a tunable frequency is generated by a tunable laser source, and then split into first and second beams respectively sent to an absolute reference filter and the periodic filter. The signal from the absolute reference filter is first used for automatically locking the frequency of the tunable laser source relative to a selected absorption features of the absolute reference filter. Once the laser source is locked, the frequency response of the periodic filter is stabilized using the filtered second beam, with a selected spectral feature of the periodic filter frequency response being locked relative to the frequency of the tunable laser source. The frequency response of periodic filter is therefore continuously maintained at the proper calibration.

Abstract: Calibration of a variable frequency light source is performed by a control unit which has a knowledge of the known transmission pattern of an optical filter, such as gas cell or a calibrated interferometer, having a number of known frequency dependent transmission characteristics in the tuning range of the optical source. This unit scans the frequency of the optical source via a frequency control signal over a frequency range and measures the optical intensity of the optical source output light after it has passed through the optical filter The measured transmission and frequency control signal values are processed and stored in memory and constitute a measured absorption pattern. Once acquired for a frequency range, this pattern is compared to the theoretical transmission pattern of the optical filter. Correspondences are made to identify the transmission features against their known counterparts. A relationship between the frequency control signal and actual frequency of the optical source is established.