Abstract: An optical apparatus is made by mounting segments of a GRIN optical medium on a substrate in at least one groove thereon. The GRIN segments are longitudinally spaced apart from one another on the substrate, and are arranged so that a free-space optical beam received through the distal end face of the first GRIN segment is transmitted through the proximal end face of the first GRIN segment, propagates to the proximal end face of the second GRIN segment, is received through the proximal end face of the second GRIN segment, and is transmitted as a free-space optical beam through the distal end face of the second GRIN segment.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises: a semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor optical device integrally formed on the substrate and having a device end face; and a low-index planar optical waveguide integrally formed on the semiconductor substrate at the device end face. The waveguide is end-coupled at its proximal end to the optical device through the device end face and is arranged so as to comprise a waveguide mode converter. The waveguide is arranged at its distal end to transmit or receive an optical signal through its distal end to or from another low-index optical waveguide end-coupled with the integrally-formed waveguide and assembled with the integrally-formed waveguide, optical device, or substrate. The optical apparatus can further comprise a discrete low-index optical waveguide assembled with the integrally-formed waveguide, optical device, or substrate so as to be end-coupled with the integrally-formed waveguide at its distal end.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises segments of a GRIN optical medium mounted on a substrate in at least one groove thereon. The GRIN segments are longitudinally spaced apart from one another on the substrate, and are arranged so that a free-space optical beam received through the distal end face of the first GRIN segment is transmitted through the proximal end face of the first GRIN segment, propagates to the proximal end face of the second GRIN segment, is received through the proximal end face of the second GRIN segment, and is transmitted as a free-space optical beam through the distal end face of the second GRIN segment. The GRIN segments can be derived from a single GRIN optical medium mounted on the substrate.

Abstract: An optical component may comprise a horizontal member with two side walls and a substantially transparent end wall protruding from the horizontal member. The end wall, side walls and horizontal member may partially enclose an interior volume, and optical functionality is imparted in any suitable manner on at least a portion of the end wall. An optical assembly may comprise such an optical component mounted on a waveguide substrate along with a planar waveguide and a second waveguide, which are end-coupled by either reflection from the optical component end wall or transmission through the optical component end wall. An end portion of a planar waveguide may be received within the interior volume of the mounted component. Proper positioning of the optical component relative to the waveguides may be facilitated by alignment surfaces and/or alignment marks on the component and/or waveguide substrate.

Abstract: A segment of optical fiber is engaged with a fiber groove on a device substrate, which positions the fiber segment for optical coupling with an optical component on the substrate. A fiber retainer maintains the fiber segment in engagement with the groove. The fiber retainer may be secured to the substrate with adhesive means. The adhesive means forms at least one retaining member that at least partially fills at least one recessed region formed on the device substrate or on the fiber retainer. That recessed region is spatially separate from the fiber groove and from an area of the fiber retainer engaged with the fiber.

Abstract: Discrete first and second optical transmission subunits are formed each having a corresponding transmission optical waveguide with a corresponding optical junction region. The first transmission optical waveguide is a planar optical waveguide formed on a substrate. The first transmission optical waveguide or the second transmission optical waveguide is adapted for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power between the optical waveguides at the respective optical junction regions. The first and second optical transmission subunits are assembled together to form an optical apparatus.

Abstract: A multiple-core planar optical waveguide comprises: a substantially planar waveguide substrate; a lower waveguide core; an upper waveguide core; lower cladding between the substrate and the lower waveguide core; middle cladding between the waveguide cores; and upper cladding above the upper waveguide core. Overlapping portions of the waveguide cores are positioned one above the other and substantially parallel. The lower, middle, and upper claddings have refractive indices less than refractive indices of the lower and upper waveguide cores. The widths of the waveguide cores are substantially larger their thicknesses along their overlapping portions. The overlapping portions of the waveguide cores jointly support a propagating optical mode.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises an optical device fabricated on a substrate, an external-transfer optical waveguide fabricated on the substrate and/or on the optical device, and a transmission optical waveguide. The optical device and/or the external-transfer waveguide are adapted for and positioned for transfer of optical power therebetween (end-transfer or transverse-transfer). The external-transfer waveguide and/or the transmission waveguide are adapted for transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween (mode-interference-coupled or adiabatic). The transmission waveguide is initially provided as a component mechanically separate from the substrate, device, and external-transfer waveguide. Assembly of the transmission waveguide with the substrate, device, and/or external-transfer waveguide results in relative positioning of the external-transfer waveguide and the transmission waveguide for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween.

Abstract: A substantially flat upper cladding surface over a waveguide core facilitates transverse-coupling between assembled waveguides, and/or provides mechanical alignment and/or support. An embedding medium may be employed for securing optical assemblies and protecting optical surfaces thereof. Structural elements fabricated with a low-profile core may be employed for providing mechanical alignment and/or support, aiding in the encapsulation process, and so forth.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises: a substrate; a photodetector formed on an area of a surface of the substrate; an electrical contact formed on a portion of the photodetector; and a reflector formed over a portion of the photodetector distinct from the portion of the photodetector having the electrical contact formed thereon. The substrate, the photodetector, and the reflector are arranged so that an optical signal to be detected is incident on the photodetector from within the substrate, and at least a portion of the optical signal incident on the photodetector and transmitted thereby on a first pass is reflected by the reflector to propagate through the photodetector for a second pass.

Abstract: An optical component may comprise a horizontal member with two side walls and a substantially transparent end wall protruding from the horizontal member. The end wall, side walls and horizontal member may partially enclose an interior volume, and optical functionality is imparted in any suitable manner on at least a portion of the end wall. An optical assembly may comprise such an optical component mounted on a waveguide substrate along with a planar waveguide and a second waveguide, which are end-coupled by either reflection from the optical component end wall or transmission through the optical component end wall. An end portion of a planar waveguide may be received within the interior volume of the mounted component. Proper positioning of the optical component relative to the waveguides may be facilitated by alignment surfaces and/or alignment marks on the component and/or waveguide substrate.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises an optical device fabricated on a substrate, an external-transfer optical waveguide fabricated on the substrate and/or on the optical device, and a transmission optical waveguide. The optical device and/or the external-transfer waveguide are adapted for and positioned for transfer of optical power therebetween (end-transfer or transverse-transfer). The external-transfer waveguide and/or the transmission waveguide are adapted for transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween (mode-interference-coupled or adiabatic). The transmission waveguide is initially provided as a component mechanically separate from the substrate, device, and external-transfer waveguide. Assembly of the transmission waveguide with the substrate, device, and/or external-transfer waveguide results in relative positioning of the external-transfer waveguide and the transmission waveguide for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises an optical device fabricated on a substrate, an external-transfer optical waveguide fabricated on the substrate and/or on the optical device, and a transmission optical waveguide. The optical device and/or the external-transfer waveguide are adapted for and positioned for transfer of optical power therebetween (end-transfer or transverse-transfer). The external-transfer waveguide and/or the transmission waveguide are adapted for transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween (mode-interference-coupled or adiabatic). The transmission waveguide is initially provided as a component mechanically separate from the substrate, device, and external-transfer waveguide. Assembly of the transmission waveguide with the substrate, device, and/or external-transfer waveguide results in relative positioning of the external-transfer waveguide and the transmission waveguide for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a semiconductor optical device waveguide formed on a semiconductor substrate, and an integrated end-coupled waveguide formed on the semiconductor substrate. The integrated waveguide may comprise materials differing from those of the device waveguide and the substrate. Spatially selective material processing may be employed for first forming the optical device waveguide on the substrate, and for subsequently depositing and forming the integrated end-coupled waveguide on the substrate. Spatially selective material processing enables accurate spatial mode matching and transverse alignment of the waveguides, and multiple device waveguides and corresponding integrated end-coupled waveguides may be fabricated concurrently on a common substrate on a wafer scale.

Abstract: Formation of a substantially flat upper cladding surface over a waveguide core facilitates transverse-coupling between assembled waveguides, and/or provides mechanical alignment and/or support. An embedding medium may be employed for securing optical assemblies and protecting optical surfaces thereof. Structural elements fabricated with a low-profile core may be employed for providing mechanical alignment and/or support, aiding in the encapsulation process, and so forth.

Abstract: An optical device assembly comprises a substrate with a component and fiber groove thereon. A segment of optical fiber is engaged with the fiber groove, which positions the fiber segment for optical coupling with a component on the substrate. A fiber retainer maintains the fiber segment in engagement with the groove. The fiber retainer may be secured to the substrate with adhesive means. Recessed regions formed on the substrate/retainer are filled with adhesive means, forming retaining members. Alternatively, the fiber retainer comprises a resilient member engaged with the device substrate and biased so as to urge the fiber segment into the groove. The resilient member may be variously configured and/or adapted for enhancing engagement of the fiber segment with the fiber groove. Either embodiment may include a housing, which may be variously configured and/or adapted for engaging a mating fiber-optic connector, providing fiber pigtail(s), mechanical splicing, and so forth.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises an optical device fabricated on a substrate, an external-transfer optical waveguide fabricated on the substrate and/or on the optical device, and a transmission optical waveguide. The optical device and/or the external-transfer waveguide are adapted for and positioned for transfer of optical power therebetween (end-transfer or transverse-transfer). The external-transfer waveguide and/or the transmission waveguide are adapted for transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween (mode-interference-coupled or adiabatic). The transmission waveguide is initially provided as a component mechanically separate from the substrate, device, and external-transfer waveguide. Assembly of the transmission waveguide with the substrate, device, and/or external-transfer waveguide results in relative positioning of the external-transfer waveguide and the transmission waveguide for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween.

Abstract: A grating-stabilized semiconductor laser comprises a semiconductor laser gain medium, an integrated low-index waveguide, and a waveguide grating segment providing optical feedback for laser oscillation. The laser may be adapted for multi-mode or single-mode operation. A multiple-mode laser may oscillate with reduced power and/or wavelength fluctuations associated with longitudinal mode wavelength shifts, relative to Fabry-Perot lasers lacking gratings. A single-mode laser may include a compensator, wavelength reference, and detector for generating an error signal, and a feedback mechanism for controlling the compensator for maintaining the laser wavelength locked to the reference. The laser may include means for altering, enhancing, tuning, and/or stabilizing the waveguide grating reflectivity spectral profile. The laser may be adapted for optical transverse-coupling to another waveguide.

Abstract: An optical component may comprise a horizontal member with two side walls and a substantially transparent end wall protruding from the horizontal member. The end wall, side walls and horizontal member may partially enclose an interior volume, and optical functionality is imparted in any suitable manner on at least a portion of the end wall. An optical assembly may comprise such an optical component mounted on a waveguide substrate along with a planar waveguide and a second waveguide, which are end-coupled by either reflection from the optical component end wall or transmission through the optical component end wall. An end portion of a planar waveguide may be received within the interior volume of the mounted component. Proper positioning of the optical component relative to the waveguides may be facilitated by alignment surfaces and/or alignment marks on the component and/or waveguide substrate.

Abstract: A packaged fiber-coupled optical device comprises an alignment housing with a fiber retainer, optical fiber segment(s), and optical component(s) (on substrate(s) with fiber groove(s)). Upon assembly the protruding end(s) of the fiber segment(s) is/are positioned against the fiber retainer, and the fiber groove(s) is/are aligned with the protruding end(s) of the fiber segment(s). The fiber retainer urges the protruding end(s) of the fiber segment(s) into the fiber groove(s). The fiber groove(s) position the protruding end(s) of the optical fiber(s) seated therein for optical coupling with optical component(s). The alignment housing and/or a fiber subassembly may be configured for engaging a mating fiber-optic connector.