Abstract: A first chip includes a first plurality of optical waveguides exposed at a facet of the first chip. A second chip includes a second plurality of optical waveguides exposed at a facet of the second chip. The second chip includes first and second spacers on opposite sides of the second plurality of optical waveguides. The first and second spacers have respective alignment surfaces oriented substantially parallel to the facet of the second chip at a controlled perpendicular distance away from the facet of the second chip. The second chip is positioned with the alignment surfaces of the first and second spacers contacting the facet of the first chip, and with the second plurality of optical waveguides respectively aligned with the first plurality of optical waveguides. The first and second spacers define and maintain an air gap of at least micrometer-level precision between the first and second pluralities of optical waveguides.

Abstract: A strip-loaded optical waveguide includes a slab layer, a strip layer, and a cladding region. The slab layer has a first optical refractive index and a first width measured in a transverse direction that is perpendicular to a light propagation direction through the strip-loaded optical waveguide. The strip layer is disposed above the slab layer. The strip layer has a second optical refractive index and a second width as measured the transverse direction. The second width is less than the first width of the slab layer. The second optical refractive index is less than the first optical refractive index of the slab layer. The cladding region is disposed above the slab layer and above the strip layer. The cladding region has a third optical refractive index that is less than the second optical refractive index of the strip layer.

Abstract: A strip-loaded optical waveguide includes a slab layer, a strip layer, and a cladding region. The slab layer has a first optical refractive index and a first width measured in a transverse direction that is perpendicular to a light propagation direction through the strip-loaded optical waveguide. The strip layer is disposed above the slab layer. The strip layer has a second optical refractive index and a second width as measured the transverse direction. The second width is less than the first width of the slab layer. The second optical refractive index is less than the first optical refractive index of the slab layer. The cladding region is disposed above the slab layer and above the strip layer. The cladding region has a third optical refractive index that is less than the second optical refractive index of the strip layer.

Abstract: A first chip includes a first plurality of optical waveguides exposed at a facet of the first chip. A second chip includes a second plurality of optical waveguides exposed at a facet of the second chip. The second chip includes first and second spacers on opposite sides of the second plurality of optical waveguides. The first and second spacers have respective alignment surfaces oriented substantially parallel to the facet of the second chip at a controlled perpendicular distance away from the facet of the second chip. The second chip is positioned with the alignment surfaces of the first and second spacers contacting the facet of the first chip, and with the second plurality of optical waveguides respectively aligned with the first plurality of optical waveguides. The first and second spacers define and maintain an air gap of at least micrometer-level precision between the first and second pluralities of optical waveguides.

Abstract: An optical distribution network includes a fore-positioned optical multiplexer section that has a plurality of optical inputs and a plurality of intermediate optical outputs. Each of the plurality of optical inputs of the fore-positioned optical multiplexer section receives a respective one of a plurality of input light signals of different wavelengths. The fore-positioned optical multiplexer section multiplexes a unique subset of the plurality of input light signals onto each of the plurality of intermediate optical outputs. The optical distribution network also includes an optical coupler section that has a plurality of optical inputs respectively optically connected to the plurality of intermediate optical outputs of the fore-positioned optical multiplexer section. The optical coupler section distributes a portion of each light signal received at each of the plurality of optical inputs of the optical coupler section to each and every one of a plurality of optical outputs of the optical coupler section.

Abstract: An electro-optical chip includes a plurality of transmit macros, each of which includes an optical waveguide and a plurality of ring resonators positioned along the optical waveguide. An optical distribution network is implemented onboard the electro-optical chip. The optical distribution network has a plurality of optical inputs and a plurality of optical outputs. The optical distribution network conveys a portion of light received at each and every one of the plurality of optical inputs to each of the plurality of optical outputs, such that light conveyed to each of the plurality of optical outputs includes all wavelengths of light conveyed to the plurality of optical inputs. Each of the plurality of optical outputs is optically connected to the optical waveguide in a corresponding one of the plurality of transmit macros. The electro-optical chip is optically connected to a remote optical power supply.

Abstract: An electro-optical chip includes a plurality of transmit macros, each of which includes an optical waveguide and a plurality of ring resonators positioned along the optical waveguide. An optical distribution network is implemented onboard the electro-optical chip and includes a plurality of optical inputs and a plurality of optical outputs. The optical distribution network conveys a portion of light received at a subset of the plurality of optical inputs to one or more of the plurality of optical outputs, such that light conveyed to said one or more of the plurality of optical outputs includes wavelengths of light conveyed to said subset of the plurality of optical inputs. The subset of the plurality of optical inputs includes at least two of the plurality of optical inputs. Each of the plurality of optical outputs is optically connected to the optical waveguide in a corresponding one of the plurality of transmit macros.

Abstract: A first chip includes a first plurality of optical waveguides exposed at a facet of the first chip. A second chip includes a second plurality of optical waveguides exposed at a facet of the second chip. The second chip includes first and second spacers on opposite sides of the second plurality of optical waveguides. The first and second spacers have respective alignment surfaces oriented substantially parallel to the facet of the second chip at a controlled perpendicular distance away from the facet of the second chip. The second chip is positioned with the alignment surfaces of the first and second spacers contacting the facet of the first chip, and with the second plurality of optical waveguides respectively aligned with the first plurality of optical waveguides. The first and second spacers define and maintain an air gap of at least micrometer-level precision between the first and second pluralities of optical waveguides.

Abstract: A display for augmented reality (AR) includes an array of optical phased arrays (OPAs) integrated into a transparent substrate. The array of OPAs emit light encoded with four dimensional (4D) light field including 2D spatial coordinates and 2D directional coordinates to create an image of a virtual object on a retina of a viewer. By adjusting the emission directions of light beam emitted by individual OPAs in the display, the depth perception can be adjusted accordingly. The array of OPAs can also be encoded with holographic information, including intensity and phase distribution, of a virtual object to create the image of the virtual object on the retina. The AR display can further incorporate liquid crystal (LC) into the OPAs for modulating the amplitudes and relative phases of light emitted by the OPAs.

Abstract: A display for augmented reality (AR) includes an array of optical phased arrays (OPAs) integrated into a transparent substrate. The array of OPAs emit light encoded with four dimensional (4D) light field including 2D spatial coordinates and 2D directional coordinates to create an image of a virtual object on a retina of a viewer. By adjusting the emission directions of light beam emitted by individual OPAs in the display, the depth perception can be adjusted accordingly. The array of OPAs can also be encoded with holographic information, including intensity and phase distribution, of a virtual object to create the image of the virtual object on the retina. The AR display can further incorporate liquid crystal (LC) into the OPAs for modulating the amplitudes and relative phases of light emitted by the OPAs.