Abstract: In some implementations, a thermally-controlled photonic structure may include a suspended region that is suspended over a substrate; a plurality of bridge elements connected to the suspended region and configured to suspend the suspended region over the substrate, where a plurality of openings are defined between the plurality of bridge elements; and at least one heater element having a modulated width disposed on the suspended region. The at least one heater element having the modulated width may include at least one section of a greater width and at least one section of a lesser width. The at least one section of the greater width may be in alignment with an opening of the plurality of openings and the at least one section of the lesser width may be in alignment with a bridge element of the plurality of bridge elements.

Abstract: In some implementations, a thermally-controlled photonic structure may include a suspended region that is suspended over a substrate; a plurality of bridge elements connected to the suspended region and configured to suspend the suspended region over the substrate, where a plurality of openings are defined between the plurality of bridge elements; and at least one heater element having a modulated width disposed on the suspended region. The at least one heater element having the modulated width may include at least one section of a greater width and at least one section of a lesser width. The at least one section of the greater width may be in alignment with an opening of the plurality of openings and the at least one section of the lesser width may be in alignment with a bridge element of the plurality of bridge elements.

Abstract: In some implementations, a thermally-controlled photonic structure may include a suspended region that is suspended over a substrate; a plurality of bridge elements connected to the suspended region and configured to suspend the suspended region over the substrate, where a plurality of openings are defined between the plurality of bridge elements; and at least one heater element having a modulated width disposed on the suspended region. The at least one heater element having the modulated width may include at least one section of a greater width and at least one section of a lesser width. The at least one section of the greater width may be in alignment with an opening of the plurality of openings and the at least one section of the lesser width may be in alignment with a bridge element of the plurality of bridge elements.

Abstract: In some implementations, a thermally-controlled photonic structure may include a suspended region that is suspended over a substrate; a plurality of bridge elements connected to the suspended region and configured to suspend the suspended region over the substrate, where a plurality of openings are defined between the plurality of bridge elements; and at least one heater element having a modulated width disposed on the suspended region. The at least one heater element having the modulated width may include at least one section of a greater width and at least one section of a lesser width. The at least one section of the greater width may be in alignment with an opening of the plurality of openings and the at least one section of the lesser width may be in alignment with a bridge element of the plurality of bridge elements.

Abstract: A system includes a grating coupled laser and a photonic integrated circuit (PIC). The grating coupled laser includes a first waveguide and a transmit grating coupler optically coupled to the first waveguide. The PIC includes a second waveguide and a receive grating coupler optically coupled to the second waveguide. The receive grating coupler is in optical alignment with the transmit grating coupler. The receive grating coupler includes a first grating and a second grating spaced apart from and above the first grating within the PIC.

Abstract: A system includes a grating coupled laser and a photonic integrated circuit (PIC). The grating coupled laser includes a first waveguide and a transmit grating coupler optically coupled to the first waveguide. The PIC includes a second waveguide and a receive grating coupler optically coupled to the second waveguide. The receive grating coupler is in optical alignment with the transmit grating coupler. The receive grating coupler includes a first grating and a second grating spaced apart from and above the first grating within the PIC.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an optical waveguide located on a substrate and including a guiding portion and a taper portion, and a grating pattern located on the substrate. The grating pattern includes a plurality of low refractive index portions and a plurality of high refractive index portions, which are alternately arranged in a first direction parallel to a top surface of the substrate. Each of the plurality of high refractive index portions includes a curved inner sidewall and a curved outer sidewall having curvatures defined by circular paths. The inner sidewall and the outer sidewall of at least one of the plurality of high refractive index portions have a first focus position. The inner sidewall or the outer sidewall of at least one of the plurality of high refractive index portions or a sidewall of the taper portion has a second focus position different from the first focus position.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an optical waveguide located on a substrate and including a guiding portion and a taper portion, and a grating pattern located on the substrate. The grating pattern includes a plurality of low refractive index portions and a plurality of high refractive index portions, which are alternately arranged in a first direction parallel to a top surface of the substrate. Each of the plurality of high refractive index portions includes a curved inner sidewall and a curved outer sidewall having curvatures defined by circular paths. The inner sidewall and the outer sidewall of at least one of the plurality of high refractive index portions have a first focus position. The inner sidewall or the outer sidewall of at least one of the plurality of high refractive index portions or a sidewall of the taper portion has a second focus position different from the first focus position.

Abstract: A hybrid vertical cavity laser includes an optical circuit substrate including a grating having refractive index units having a lower refractive index and a higher refractive index with respect to each other that are alternately arranged in a first direction, and a waveguide guiding light in the first direction, a mesa structure on the optical circuit substrate, the mesa structure including a first-type semiconductor layer including an exposed portion, an active layer, a second-type semiconductor layer, and an upper reflective layer sequentially stacked in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a first electrode on the exposed portion, and a second electrode on the upper reflective layer. An overlapped length between the waveguide and a mesa aperture forming an opening through which light produced from the active layer enters the grating is D, a pitch of the grating is p, and 0<D<p.

Abstract: A hybrid vertical cavity laser includes an optical circuit substrate including a grating having refractive index units having a lower refractive index and a higher refractive index with respect to each other that are alternately arranged in a first direction, and a waveguide guiding light in the first direction, a mesa structure on the optical circuit substrate, the mesa structure including a first-type semiconductor layer including an exposed portion, an active layer, a second-type semiconductor layer, and an upper reflective layer sequentially stacked in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a first electrode on the exposed portion, and a second electrode on the upper reflective layer. An overlapped length between the waveguide and a mesa aperture forming an opening through which light produced from the active layer enters the grating is D, a pitch of the grating is p, and 0<D<p.