Abstract: A method of producing a PLC based optical component comprising: defining a waveguide; etching a notch thereby defining a facet of the waveguide; and cutting a trench in front of the notch, the cutting being accomplished subsequent to the etching, whereby at least a portion of the trench is displaced from the facet by the notch. The invention also provides for a PLC based optical component comprising: a substrate; a waveguide deposited above the substrate, the waveguide exhibiting a facet; a notch etched in front of the facet of the waveguide; and a trench cut in front of the notch.

Abstract: A planar lightwave circuit and a method of producing such a planar lightwave circuit, the planar lightwave circuit having an element secured thereon. The planar lightwave circuit comprises: a substrate; a trench cut in the substrate; at least one solder pad deposited on a top surface deposited above the substrate; at least one of a waveguide defined in a layer deposited above the substrate and an optical fiber; and an optical element placed within the trench and in optical communication with the at least one of a waveguide and an optical fiber; at least one metal contact configured on the optical element to be adjacent to the metal pad, the solder pad being connected to the metal contact providing physical support to the optical element and an electrical connection between the metal pad and the metal contact.

Abstract: A planar lightwave circuit and a method of producing such a planar lightwave circuit, the planar lightwave circuit having an element secured thereon. The planar lightwave circuit comprises: a substrate; a trench cut in the substrate; at least one solder pad deposited on a top surface deposited above the substrate; at least one of a waveguide defined in a layer deposited above the substrate and an optical fiber; and an optical element placed within the trench and in optical communication with the at least one of a waveguide and an optical fiber; at least one metal contact configured on the optical element to be adjacent to the metal pad, the solder pad being connected to the metal contact providing physical support to the optical element and an electrical connection between the metal pad and the metal contact.

Abstract: A method of producing a PLC based optical component comprising: defining a waveguide; etching a notch thereby defining a facet of the waveguide; and cutting a trench in front of the notch, the cutting being accomplished subsequent to the etching, whereby at least a portion of the trench is displaced from the facet by the notch. The invention also provides for a PLC based optical component comprising: a substrate; a waveguide deposited above the substrate, the waveguide exhibiting a facet; a notch etched in front of the facet of the waveguide; and a trench cut in front of the notch.

Abstract: A polarization independent, frequency selective coupler for coupling an optical signal having at least one wavelength and an arbitrary polarization state, the polarization independent, frequency selective optical coupler comprising: a first waveguide; and at least one second waveguide, a first portion of the at least one second waveguide being in close proximity to the first waveguide thus forming at least one evanescent coupling region, the at least one evanescent coupling region exhibiting a first phase match condition coupling the TM mode of an optical signal propagating in the first waveguide to the at least one second waveguide and a second phase match condition coupling the TE mode of the optical signal propagating in the first waveguide to the at least one second waveguide, the first phase match condition being different than the second phase match condition.