Abstract: A spatial light modulator (SLM) is provided that includes an optical resonator (i.e., pixel) having nanoscale size. The optical resonator having nanoscale size includes a phase-change material such as, for example, a GeSbTe alloy, sandwiched between silicon nitride cladding layers. The phase-change material can undergo a crystalline-to-amorphous phase transition which is characterized by a large change in optical properties of the resonator.

Abstract: Approaches for silicon photonics integration are provided. A method includes: forming at least one encapsulating layer over and around a photodetector; thermally crystallizing the photodetector material after the forming the at least one encapsulating layer; and after the thermally crystallizing the photodetector material, forming a conformal sealing layer on the at least one encapsulating layer and over at least one device. The conformal sealing layer is configured to seal a crack in the at least one encapsulating layer. The photodetector and the at least one device are on a same substrate. The at least one device includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor device or a passive photonics device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a demultiplexer for processing a multiplexed optical input. The demultiplexer may include a plurality of Mach-Zehnder Interferometric (MZI) stages for converting the multiplexed optical input into a plurality of component optical signals. Each of the plurality of component optical signals corresponds to a respective wavelength-space component of the multiplexed optical input. A plurality of bandpass filters, each having a respective wavelength passband, may receive one of the plurality of component optical signals. The plurality of bandpass filters generates a plurality of demultiplexed optical signals based on the plurality of component optical signals.

Abstract: Photonic circuits are disclosed having an efficient optical power distribution network. Laser chips (InP) having different wavelengths are flip-chip assembled near the center of a silicon photonic chip. Each InP die has multiple optical lanes, but a given die has only one wavelength. Waveguides formed in the photonic chip are optically connected to the lanes, and fan out to form multiple waveguide sets, where each waveguide set has one of the waveguides from each of the different wavelengths, i.e., one waveguide from each InP die. The waveguide network is optimized to minimize the number of crossings that any given waveguide may have, and no waveguide having a particular wavelength crosses another waveguide of the same wavelength. The unique arrangements of light sources and waveguides allows the use of a smaller number of more intense laser sources, particularly in applications such as performance-optimized datacenters where liquid cooling systems may be leveraged.

Abstract: Photonic circuits are disclosed having an efficient optical power distribution network. Laser chips (InP) having different wavelengths are flip-chip assembled near the center of a silicon photonic chip. Each InP die has multiple optical lanes, but a given die has only one wavelength. Waveguides formed in the photonic chip are optically connected to the lanes, and fan out to form multiple waveguide sets, where each waveguide set has one of the waveguides from each of the different wavelengths, i.e., one waveguide from each InP die. The waveguide network is optimized to minimize the number of crossings that any given waveguide may have, and no waveguide having a particular wavelength crosses another waveguide of the same wavelength. The unique arrangements of light sources and waveguides allows the use of a smaller number of more intense laser sources, particularly in applications such as performance-optimized datacenters where liquid cooling systems may be leveraged.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator (SLM) is provided that includes an optical resonator (i.e., pixel) having nanoscale size. The optical resonator having nanoscale size includes a phase-change material such as, for example, a GeSbTe alloy, sandwiched between silicon nitride cladding layers. The phase-change material can undergo a crystalline-to-amorphous phase transition which is characterized by a large change in optical properties of the resonator.

Abstract: Approaches for silicon photonics integration are provided. A method includes: forming at least one encapsulating layer over and around a photodetector; thermally crystallizing the photodetector material after the forming the at least one encapsulating layer; and after the thermally crystallizing the photodetector material, forming a conformal sealing layer on the at least one encapsulating layer and over at least one device. The conformal sealing layer is configured to seal a crack in the at least one encapsulating layer. The photodetector and the at least one device are on a same substrate. The at least one device includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor device or a passive photonics device.

Abstract: Approaches for silicon photonics integration are provided. A method includes: forming at least one encapsulating layer over and around a photodetector; thermally crystallizing the photodetector material after the forming the at least one encapsulating layer; and after the thermally crystallizing the photodetector material, forming a conformal sealing layer on the at least one encapsulating layer and over at least one device. The conformal sealing layer is configured to seal a crack in the at least one encapsulating layer. The photodetector and the at least one device are on a same substrate. The at least one device includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor device or a passive photonics device.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming an optical coupler system. The method includes forming at least one waveguide over a substrate, and forming a sacrificial optical coupler in a first region over the substrate. The method further includes configuring the sacrificial optical coupler to couple optical signals to or from the at least one waveguide, and forming a v-groove in the first region over the substrate, wherein forming the v-groove includes removing the sacrificial optical coupler from the first region.

Abstract: A dual-use thermal and electro-optic modulator. A thermal adjustment hardware set and an electric-field adjustment hardware set adjust the thermal and electrostatic properties of a common waveguide area. The hardware sets are electrically coupled. Signals for each type of modulation are conducted to the waveguide through a shared portion of a communication medium.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming an optical coupler system. The method includes forming at least one waveguide over a substrate, and forming a sacrificial optical coupler in a first region over the substrate. The method further includes configuring the sacrificial optical coupler to couple optical signals to or from the at least one waveguide, and forming a v-groove in the first region over the substrate, wherein forming the v-groove includes removing the sacrificial optical coupler from the first region.

Abstract: Approaches for silicon photonics integration are provided. A method includes: forming at least one encapsulating layer over and around a photodetector; thermally crystallizing the photodetector material after the forming the at least one encapsulating layer; and after the thermally crystallizing the photodetector material, forming a conformal sealing layer on the at least one encapsulating layer and over at least one device. The conformal sealing layer is configured to seal a crack in the at least one encapsulating layer. The photodetector and the at least one device are on a same substrate. The at least one device includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor device or a passive photonics device.

Abstract: Approaches for silicon photonics integration are provided. A method includes: forming at least one encapsulating layer over and around a photodetector; thermally crystallizing the photodetector material after the forming the at least one encapsulating layer; and after the thermally crystallizing the photodetector material, forming a conformal sealing layer on the at least one encapsulating layer and over at least one device. The conformal sealing layer is configured to seal a crack in the at least one encapsulating layer. The photodetector and the at least one device are on a same substrate. The at least one device includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor device or a passive photonics device.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming an optical coupler system. The method includes forming at least one waveguide over a substrate, and forming gratings in a first region over the substrate. The method further includes configuring the gratings to couple optical signals to or from the at least one waveguide, and forming a v-groove in the first region over the substrate, wherein forming the v-groove includes removing the gratings from the first region.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming an optical coupler system. The method includes forming at least one waveguide over a substrate, and forming a sacrificial optical coupler in a first region over the substrate. The method further includes configuring the sacrificial optical coupler to couple optical signals to or from the at least one waveguide, and forming a v-groove in the first region over the substrate, wherein forming the v-groove includes removing the sacrificial optical coupler from the first region.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming an optical coupler system. The method includes forming at least one waveguide over a substrate, and forming gratings in a first region over the substrate. The method further includes configuring the gratings to couple optical signals to or from the at least one waveguide, and forming a v-groove in the first region over the substrate, wherein forming the v-groove includes removing the gratings from the first region.

Abstract: Approaches for silicon photonics integration are provided. A method includes: forming at least one encapsulating layer over and around a photodetector; thermally crystallizing the photodetector material after the forming the at least one encapsulating layer; and after the thermally crystallizing the photodetector material, forming a conformal sealing layer on the at least one encapsulating layer and over at least one device. The conformal sealing layer is configured to seal a crack in the at least one encapsulating layer. The photodetector and the at least one device are on a same substrate. The at least one device includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor device or a passive photonics device.

Abstract: Disclosed are multi-chip modules (MCMs) that allow for chip-to-chip transmission of light signals. The MCMs can incorporate at least two components, which are attached (e.g., by interconnects). For example, in one MCM disclosed herein, the two components can be an integrated circuit chip and an interposer to which the integrated circuit chip and one or more additional integrated circuit chips are attached by interconnects. In another MCM disclosed herein, the two components can be two integrated circuit chips that are stacked and attached to each other by interconnects. In either case, the two components can each have a waveguide and a grating coupler coupled to one end of the waveguide. The grating couplers on the different components can be approximately vertically aligned, thereby allowing light signals to be transmitted between the waveguides on those different components. Also, disclosed herein are methods of forming such MCMs.

Abstract: Approaches for silicon photonics integration are provided. A method includes: forming at least one encapsulating layer over and around a photodetector; thermally crystallizing the photodetector material after the forming the at least one encapsulating layer; and after the thermally crystallizing the photodetector material, forming a conformal sealing layer on the at least one encapsulating layer and over at least one device. The conformal sealing layer is configured to seal a crack in the at least one encapsulating layer. The photodetector and the at least one device are on a same substrate. The at least one device includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor device or a passive photonics device.

Abstract: A dual-use thermal and electro-optic modulator. A thermal adjustment hardware set and an electric-field adjustment hardware set adjust the thermal and electrostatic properties of a common waveguide area. The hardware sets are electrically coupled. Signals for each type of modulation are conducted to the waveguide through a shared portion of a communication medium.