Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and device for passing a plurality of light beams though an array of waveguides wherein at least one waveguide is coupled to a test structure which exhibits an insertion loss dependent on a known polarization. For each of a plurality of adjacent waveguides of the array including the one waveguide, a first wavelength response associated with a first polarization, and a second wavelength response associated with a second polarization, may be measured. The first polarization may be identified as the known polarization if the peak value of the first wavelength response of the test structure is less than the peak value of the second wavelength response of said first test structure. Conversely, the second polarization may be identified as the known polarization if the peak value of the second wavelength response of the test structure is less than the peak value of the first wavelength response of the test structure.

Abstract: Waveplate, planar lightwave circuit incorporating the waveplate, and method of making an optical device. The waveplate is formed of a mesogen-containing polymer film having a backbone and sidechains containing mesogen groups. The waveplate may be formed by producing a mesogen-containing polymer film having a nonzero birefringence of suitable dimensions for insertion into a planar lightwave circuit. The waveplate may be so inserted into an optical circuit of a planar lightwave circuit so that an optical signal traversing the waveplate is changed, for instance, to have two polarization states.

Abstract: Devices utilize elements carried by a fluid in a microchannel to switch, attenuate, shutter, filter, or phase shift optical signals. In certain embodiments, a microchannel carries a gaseous or liquid slug that interacts with at least a portion of the optical power of an optical signal traveling through a waveguide. The microchannel may form part of the cladding of the waveguide, part of the core and the cladding, or part of the core only. The microchannel may also have ends or may be configured as a loop or continuous channel. The fluid devices may be self-latching or may be semi-latching. The fluid in the microchannel is moved using e.g., e.g., electrocapillarity, differential-pressure electrocapillarity, electrowetting, continuous electrowetting, electrophoresis, electroosmosis, dielectrophoresis, electro-hydrodynamic electrohydrodynamic pumping, magneto-hydrodynamic magnetohydrodynamic pumping, thermocapillarity, thermal expansion, dielectric pumping, and/or variable dielectric pumping.

Abstract: Waveplate, planar lightwave circuit incorporating the waveplate, and method of making an optical device. The waveplate is formed of a mesogen-containing polymer film having a backbone and sidechains containing mesogen groups. The waveplate may be formed by producing a mesogen-containing polymer film having a nonzero birefringence of suitable dimensions for insertion into a planar lightwave circuit. The waveplate may be so inserted into an optical circuit of a planar lightwave circuit so that an optical signal traversing the waveplate is changed, for instance, to have two polarization states.

Abstract: Waveplates formed of mesogen-containing polymers and planar lightwave circuits containing such waveplates. Polymers have sidechains containing mesogens such as biphenyl-containing groups. Polymers may have a glass transition temperature between 100 C and 300 C, and polymers may be stretched in excess of 150% to increase birefringence of polymer and provide thin films. Waveplates formed of stretched polymer films may have high biaxial birefringence.

Abstract: Optical integrated circuits are disclosed having a gap traversing the lens or the waveguide grating and an actuator that controllably positions the optical integrated circuit on each side of the gap. As a result, the thermal sensitivity of the optical integrated circuits, for example, arrayed waveguide gratings, is mitigated. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating optical integrated circuits employing the gap and actuator.

Abstract: Waveplates formed of mesogen-containing polymers and planar lightwave circuits containing such waveplates. Polymers have sidechains containing mesogens such as biphenyl-containing groups. Polymers may have a glass transition temperature between 100 C. and 300 C., and polymers may be stretched in excess of 150% to increase birefringence of polymer and provide thin films. Waveplates formed of stretched polymer films may have high biaxial birefringence.

Abstract: Optical devices and methods for attenuating, shuttering, or switching optical signals as found in telecommunications. A platform carrying a portion of a waveguide and residing in a plane of a substrate is tipped, tilted, twisted, or otherwise moved out of the plane of the substrate to divert the path of an optical signal or to change coupling between adjacent waveguides. The platform can be formed by etching a substrate while leaving one or more connection points between the platform and the substrate to hold the platform to the substrate.

Abstract: Optical devices and methods for attenuating, shuttering, or switching optical signals as found in telecommunications. A platform carrying a portion of a waveguide and residing in a plane of a substrate is tipped, tilted, twisted, or otherwise moved out of the plane of the substrate to divert the path of an optical signal or to change coupling between adjacent waveguides. The platform can be formed by etching a substrate while leaving one or more connection points between the platform and the substrate to hold the platform to the substrate.

Abstract: Hybrid integrated planar photonics provides silica waveguides for transport and polymer or hybrid silica/polymer waveguides for refractive-based active functions within a single integrated photonic circuit. Functions include modulation, attenuation, switching, filtering, and exceptionally low-loss transport. When the active and passive optical elements are integrated onto the same substrates, the resulting composite devices can exhibit strong functional response with little total optical loss as compared to known methods.