Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein describe photonic integrated circuits and associated optical measurement systems. The photonic integrated circuit may be configured to simultaneously output light of different wavelengths from different outputs of a multiplexer. A switch network, which may include a multiplexing photonic switch, may be used to selectively route the different wavelengths to a common set of launch groups, from which the light may be emitted from the photonic integrated circuit.

Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit as discussed herein may include one or more multimode waveguide interfaces that define a corresponding transition between a waveguide and a free propagation region of a photonic integrated circuit. Specifically, a multimode waveguide interface may include an input waveguide that is connected to an interferometric waveguide, and a slab waveguide connected to the interferometric waveguide. The input waveguide and interferometric waveguide are positioned and configured to convert a portion of a first mode of light into a second mode of light, such that the first and second modes interfere within the interferometric waveguide. The interferometric waveguide is configured such that these modes are in phase for a first target wavelength and out of phase for a second target wavelength at an interface between the interferometric waveguide and the slab waveguide.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to embodiments of optical measurement systems that are configured to perform spectroscopic measurements. The optical measurement systems are configured to provide compact arrangements for introducing light into a sample and collecting light returned from the sample. Reducing the size of the launch and/or collection architecture of an optical measurement system may make the overall optical measurement system smaller, thereby providing flexibility in integrating an optical measurement system into various form factors.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the layout of optical components included in a photonics integrated circuit (PIC) and the routing of optical traces between the optical components. The optical components can include light sources, a detector array, and a combiner. The optical components can be located in different regions of a substrate of the PIC, where the regions may include one or more types of active optical components, but also may exclude other types of active optical components. The optical traces can include a first plurality of optical traces for routing signals between light sources and a detector array, where the first plurality of optical traces can be located in an outer region of the substrate. The optical traces can also include a second plurality of optical traces for routing signals between the light sources and a combiner, where the second plurality of optical traces can be located in regions between banks of the light sources.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation detector pixel includes a set of epitaxial layers and a lens. The set of epitaxial layers defines an electromagnetic radiation absorber. The lens is directly bonded to the set of epitaxial layers.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation detectors includes anti-reflective epitaxial structures incorporated into an epitaxial stack of the electromagnetic radiation detector. An anti-reflective structures as described herein are grown between (and thereby connect) two lattice-matched epitaxial layers that have different refractive indices. The anti-reflective structure reduces Fresnel reflections that would otherwise occur if the two epitaxial layers were directly connected.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to optical measurement systems that utilize multiple emitters to emit light during a measurement, as well as methods of performing measurements using these optical measurement systems. The optical measurement systems may include a light generation assembly that is configured to generate light via a light source unit, and a photonic integrated circuit that includes a launch group having a plurality of emitters. Each of these emitters is optically coupled to the light generation assembly to receive light generated from the light generation assembly, and may emit this light from a surface of the photonic integrated circuit. The optical measurement system may perform a measurement in which the light generation assembly generates light and each of the plurality of emitters simultaneously emit light received from the light generation assembly.

Abstract: Configurations for an optical splitter that includes a continuous curved reflector and methods thereof are disclosed. The optical splitter includes an input waveguide, one or more continuous curved reflector, and multiple output waveguides. The one or more continuous curved reflector may direct light toward the output waveguides. The optical splitter may include a single continuous curved reflector, or may include multiple continuous curved reflectors. In other instances, an optical splitter may include a lensed reflector that includes a plurality of continuous curved segments.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to optical measurement systems that utilize multiple emitters to emit light during a measurement, as well as methods of performing measurements using these optical measurement systems. The optical measurement systems may include a light generation assembly that is configured to generate light via a light source unit, and a photonic integrated circuit that includes a launch group having a plurality of emitters. Each of these emitters is optically coupled to the light generation assembly to receive light generated from the light generation assembly, and may emit this light from a surface of the photonic integrated circuit. The optical measurement system may perform a measurement in which the light generation assembly generates light and each of the plurality of emitters simultaneously emit light received from the light generation assembly.

Abstract: Configurations for an optical system used for guiding light and reducing back-reflection back in an output waveguide is disclosed. The optical system may include an output waveguide defined in a slab waveguide. The output waveguide may terminate before an output side of the slab waveguide, which may reduce the back-reflection of light from the output side back into the output waveguide. The output side may define an optical element that may steer the output light. The optical element may collimate the output light, cause the output light to converge, or cause the output light to diverge.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein describe photonic passive delay lines that have a waveguide wound into a plurality of straight segments and bends. The photonic passive delay lines are configured to reduce losses from parasitic modes of light generated at the bends. Embodiments of the photonic passive delay lines vary the dimensions of the straight segments to provide different amounts of dephasing between a mode of input light received by the photonic passive delay line and one or more parasitic modes.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein describe optomechanical phase shifters. The optomechanical phase shifters may be configured with an asymmetry that improves the performance of the OM phase shifter as a function of wavelength. In some instances, the optomechanical phase shifter includes a section of a waveguide having an asymmetric cross-sectional shape. In other instances an optomechanical phase shifter is incorporated into a controllable optical switch, such that OM phase shifters may be actuated to selectively route light to different outputs of the controllable optical switch.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein describe optical measurement systems for characterizing a sample. The optical measurement systems may selectively emit light from different numbers of launch groups, and may include a multi-stage optical switch network that may be controlled to route light to a desired number of launch groups. The optical measurement systems may further measure light using a corresponding number of detector groups. The optical measurement systems may perform measurements using a plurality of different wavelengths, where different groups of these wavelengths may be measured using different numbers of launch groups (as well as corresponding detector groups).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the layout of optical components included in a photonics integrated circuit (PIC) and the routing of optical traces between the optical components. The optical components can include light sources, a detector array, and a combiner. The optical components can be located in different regions of a substrate of the PIC, where the regions may include one or more types of active optical components, but also may exclude other types of active optical components. The optical traces can include a first plurality of optical traces for routing signals between light sources and a detector array, where the first plurality of optical traces can be located in an outer region of the substrate. The optical traces can also include a second plurality of optical traces for routing signals between the light sources and a combiner, where the second plurality of optical traces can be located in regions between banks of the light sources.

Abstract: Configurations for an optical system used for guiding light and reducing back-reflection back in an output waveguide is disclosed. The optical system may include an output waveguide defined in a slab waveguide. The output waveguide may terminate before an output side of the slab waveguide, which may reduce the back-reflection of light from the output side back into the output waveguide. The output side may define an optical element that may steer the output light. The optical element may collimate the output light, cause the output light to converge, or cause the output light to diverge.

Abstract: Configurations for an optical system used for guiding light and reducing back-reflection back in an output waveguide is disclosed. The optical system may include an output waveguide defined in a slab waveguide. The output waveguide may terminate before an output side of the slab waveguide, which may reduce the back-reflection of light from the output side back into the output waveguide. The output side may define an optical element that may steer the output light. The optical element may collimate the output light, cause the output light to converge, or cause the output light to diverge.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the layout of optical components included in a photonics integrated circuit (PIC) and the routing of optical traces between the optical components. The optical components can include light sources, a detector array, and a combiner. The optical components can be located in different regions of a substrate of the PIC, where the regions may include one or more types of active optical components, but also may exclude other types of active optical components. The optical traces can include a first plurality of optical traces for routing signals between light sources and a detector array, where the first plurality of optical traces can be located in an outer region of the substrate. The optical traces can also include a second plurality of optical traces for routing signals between the light sources and a combiner, where the second plurality of optical traces can be located in regions between banks of the light sources.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation detector pixel includes a set of epitaxial layers and a lens. The set of epitaxial layers defines an electromagnetic radiation absorber. The lens is directly bonded to the set of epitaxial layers.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device includes a substrate, having a recess formed therein. An optical isolator is mounted in the recess. A laser includes a stack of epitaxial layers on the substrate and emits a beam of radiation toward the recess along a direction parallel to a surface of the substrate. A waveguide directs the beam emitted by the laser into the optical isolator.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device includes a substrate, having a recess formed therein. An optical isolator is mounted in the recess. A laser includes a stack of epitaxial layers on the substrate and emits a beam of radiation toward the recess along a direction parallel to a surface of the substrate. A waveguide directs the beam emitted by the laser into the optical isolator.