Abstract: The optical device includes a waveguide positioned on a base and a modulator positioned on the base. The modulator includes a ridge that includes Si1-xGex where x is greater than or equal to 0.4 and less than or equal to 0.8. The modulator is configured to guide a light signal through the modulator such that the light signal contacts the Si1-xGex. A local heater is configured to heat the modulator.

Abstract: An optical device includes a waveguide on a base and a taper on the base. The waveguide and the taper are optically aligned such that the taper and the waveguide exchange light signals during operation of the device. The taper is configured to guide the light signals through a taper material and the waveguide is configured to guide the light signals through a waveguide medium. The taper material and the waveguide medium are different materials and/or have different indices of refraction.

Abstract: Forming an optical device includes growing an electro-absorption medium in a variety of different regions on a base of a device precursor. The regions include a component region and the regions are selected so as to achieve a particular chemical composition for the electro-absorption medium included in the component region. An optical component is formed on the device precursor such that the optical component includes at least a portion of the electro-absorption medium from the component region. Light signals are guided through the electro-absorption medium from the component region during operation of the component.

Abstract: An optical device includes a waveguide on a base and a taper on the base. The waveguide and the taper are optically aligned such that the taper and the waveguide exchange light signals during operation of the device. The taper is configured to guide the light signals through a taper material and the waveguide is configured to guide the light signals through a waveguide medium. The taper material and the waveguide medium are different materials and/or have different indices of refraction.

Abstract: Forming an optical device includes growing an electro-absorption medium in a variety of different regions on a base of a device precursor. The regions include a component region and the regions are selected so as to achieve a particular chemical composition for the electro-absorption medium included in the component region. An optical component is formed on the device precursor such that the optical component includes at least a portion of the electro-absorption medium from the component region. Light signals are guided through the electro-absorption medium from the component region during operation of the component.

Abstract: An optical device is formed from a device precursor having a layer of a light-transmitting medium on a base. A first feature is formed on the device precursor. The device precursor is then processed such that a stop layer protects the first feature and a portion of the device precursor is above the top of the stop layer. The first feature is between the base and the stop layer. The device precursor is planarized such that the portion of the device precursor located above the top of the stop layer becomes flush with the top of the portion of the stop layer that is present on the device precursor after the planarization. During the planarization, the stop layer acts as a planarization stop that slows or stops the rate of planarization.

Abstract: Forming an optical device includes growing an electro-absorption medium in a variety of different regions on a base of a device precursor. The regions include a component region and the regions are selected so as to achieve a particular chemical composition for the electro-absorption medium included in the component region. An optical component is formed on the device precursor such that the optical component includes at least a portion of the electro-absorption medium from the component region. Light signals are guided through the electro-absorption medium from the component region during operation of the component.

Abstract: The optical device includes an active component on a base. The active component is a light sensor and/or a light modulator. The active component including an active medium that includes a ridge and slab regions. The ridge extends upwards from the base and is positioned between the slab regions. The ridge defines a portion of a waveguide on the base. One or more isolation trenches each extends into the slab regions of the active medium and is at least partially spaced apart from the ridge of the active medium.

Abstract: Forming an optical device includes growing an electro-absorption medium in a variety of different regions on a base of a device precursor. The regions include a component region and the regions are selected so as to achieve a particular chemical composition for the electro-absorption medium included in the component region. An optical component is formed on the device precursor such that the optical component includes at least a portion of the electro-absorption medium from the component region. Light signals are guided through the electro-absorption medium from the component region during operation of the component.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical device includes generating a device precursor having a layer of a light-transmitting medium on a base. The method also includes forming an etch stop on the layer of light-transmitting medium. An active medium is grown on the etch stop and on the light-transmitting medium such that the light-transmitting medium is between the base and the grown active medium. The grown active medium is etched down to the etch stop so as to define a ridge in the active medium. The ridge of active medium defines a portion of a component waveguide that will guide a light signal through an active component on the device.

Abstract: An optical device is formed from a device precursor having a layer of a light-transmitting medium on a base. A first feature is formed on the device precursor. The device precursor is then processed such that a stop layer protects the first feature and a portion of the device precursor is above the top of the stop layer. The first feature is between the base and the stop layer. The device precursor is planarized such that the portion of the device precursor located above the top of the stop layer becomes flush with the top of the portion of the stop layer that is present on the device precursor after the planarization. During the planarization, the stop layer acts as a planarization stop that slows or stops the rate of planarization.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical device includes generating a device precursor having a layer of a light-transmitting medium on a base. The method also includes forming an etch stop on the layer of light-transmitting medium. An active medium is grown on the etch stop and on the light-transmitting medium such that the light-transmitting medium is between the base and the grown active medium. The grown active medium is etched down to the etch stop so as to define a ridge in the active medium. The ridge of active medium defines a portion of a component waveguide that will guide a light signal through an active component on the device.

Abstract: The optical device includes an active component on a base. The active component is a light sensor and/or a light modulator. The active component including an active medium that includes a ridge and slab regions. The ridge extends upwards from the base and is positioned between the slab regions. The ridge defines a portion of a waveguide on the base. One or more isolation trenches each extends into the slab regions of the active medium and is at least partially spaced apart from the ridge of the active medium.

Abstract: A device includes an input waveguide on a base. The input waveguide guides a light signal through a light-transmitting medium to a light sensor. The light sensor includes a sensor waveguide on the base. The sensor waveguide includes a light-absorbing medium that receives the light signal from the input waveguide. The light-absorbing medium has one or more continuous doped regions that are each positioned such that an application of electrical energy to the doped regions forms an electrical field in the light-absorbing medium. One or more of the doped regions has a first portion that is located within the light-absorbing medium and a second portion located outside of the light-absorbing medium. The device also includes an electrical conductor for applying the electrical energy to one of the doped regions. The electrical conductor contacts the portion of the doped regions that is located outside of the light-absorbing medium.

Abstract: A device includes an input waveguide on a base. The input waveguide guides a light signal through a light-transmitting medium to a light sensor. The light sensor includes a sensor waveguide on the base. The device also includes a sensor waveguide on the base. The sensor waveguide includes a light-absorbing medium that receives the light signal from the input waveguide. The light-absorbing medium has one or more continuous doped regions that are each positioned such that an application of electrical energy to the doped regions forms an electrical field in the light-absorbing medium. One or more of the doped regions has a first portion that is located within the light-absorbing medium and a second portion located outside of the light-absorbing medium. The device also includes an electrical conductor for applying the electrical energy to one of the doped regions. The electrical conductor contacts the portion of the doped regions that is located outside of the light-absorbing medium.

Abstract: An optical device includes a light-transmitting medium on a base. The light-transmitting medium at least partially defines a free propagation region through which light signals travel. A reflective grating is positioned such that light signals can travel through the free propagation region and be received by the optical grating. The optical grating is configured to reflect the received light signal back into the free propagation region. The optical grating reflects the light signals such that light signals associated with different wavelengths separate as the light signals travel through the free propagation region. The portion of the light-transmitting medium that defines the free propagation region has a facet through with the light signals are transmitted. The grating includes a buffer layer between the facet and a reflecting layer that is configured to reflect the light signals received by the grating.

Abstract: The optical device includes a plurality of waveguides and an optical grating. A first portion of the waveguides act as input waveguide configured to carry a light beam that includes multiple light signals to the optical grating. The optical grating is configured to demultiplex the light signals. A second portion of the waveguides act as output waveguides configured to carry the demultiplexed light signals away from the optical grating. A method of forming the optical device includes sequentially forming the waveguides and the optical grating while a single mask defines the location of the waveguides and the optical grating.

Abstract: An optical device includes a light-transmitting medium on a base. The light-transmitting medium at least partially defines a free propagation region through which light signals travel. A reflective grating is positioned such that light signals can travel through the free propagation region and be received by the optical grating. The optical grating is configured to reflect the received light signal back into the free propagation region. The optical grating reflects the light signals such that light signals associated with different wavelengths separate as the light signals travel through the free propagation region. The portion of the light-transmitting medium that defines the free propagation region has a facet through with the light signals are transmitted. The grating includes a buffer layer between the facet and a reflecting layer that is configured to reflect the light signals received by the grating.

Abstract: The multiplexer includes multi-mode waveguides positioned on a base such that a plurality of the waveguides serve as input waveguides and one or more of the waveguides serve as an output waveguide. The waveguides intersect one another such that light signals traveling along a plurality of the input waveguides are combined onto an output waveguide. At least a portion of the input waveguides including a taper configured to taper the width of a light signal traveling along the input waveguide toward the output waveguide.

Abstract: An optical device includes a waveguide immobilized on a base. The device includes a port configured to receive light signals from the waveguide such that the light signals travel through the port. The light signals enter the port traveling in a first direction. The port is configured to change the direction of the light signals from the first direction to a second direction that is toward a location above the device or below the device. The device also includes a wedge configured to receive the light signals from the port such that the light signals travel through the wedge and then exit the wedge traveling in a direction that is at an angle in a range of 88° to 92° relative to the device and that is toward a location above or below the device.