Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a circuit for increasing a time delay in an optical signal in an integrated optoelectronic circuit without a proportionate increase in the circuit area. The method uses multiple layers of optical waveguide fabricated in a vertical hierarchy in combination with concentric circular paths. The different sections of the optical waveguide delay line 103, 107 on the multiple layers are connected by electro-optic couplers to pass the optical signal between the sections. In a preferred embodiment, the optical couplers 105, 108 are a poled Electro-Optic (EO) region of cladding 506 allowing the coupler to be electrically addressed. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the couplers 105, 108 may be fabricated with a polymer that is optically nonlinear 406. This type of coupler could be addressed, or activated, by an optical signal, or a component of the optical signal traveling through the coupler.

Abstract: A method for etching a tapered edge on a cladding layer 10 of an integrated optical waveguide by simultaneously etching a cured droplet of photoresist 16 and the core cladding material to translate the profile of the droplet to the cladding to provide a larger cladding thickness at the interface to the optical fiber 20 and a taper to the cladding thickness needed to control the performance of the integrated optic device. Advantages include selective thinning of the core cladding while maintaining a low loss coupling of the optical fiber to the waveguide core on the integrated device, and higher yield in production during edge polishing.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention is an optically controlled optical waveguide circuit comprising a substrate 30, an inorganic waveguide core 34 disposed within one or more cladding layers 36 upon the substrate 30 and an active cladding drop-in component 40 comprising a non-linear optical material adjacent to the waveguide core wherein the phase of an optical signal within the waveguide core may be modulated by controlling the index of refraction of the active cladding region. An embodiment of the present invention uses an inorganic optical waveguide 34 with a drop-in component of non-linear silica 40 as an active cladding to provide a phase modulator for a Mach-Zender interferometer which can be used to implement high speed low loss switching of optical signals.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention is an optical waveguide circuit comprising a substrate 30, a non-organic waveguide channel 34 disposed within one or more cladding layers 32, 36 upon the substrate and an active cladding region comprising electro-optic 40, 43 or optically non-linear polymer material 46 adjacent to the waveguide channel wherein the phase of an optical signal within the waveguide channel may be modulated by controlling the index of refraction of the active cladding region. An embodiment of the present invention uses an inorganic optical waveguide 34 with a region of active organic cladding to provide a phase modulator for a Mach-Zender interferometer which can be used to implement high speed low loss switching of optical signals.