Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a system for transferring an optical signal from one photonics chip or integrated circuit (PIC) to another. The system includes a first PIC having (i) an optical emitter or optical transmission mechanism and (ii) a focusing mirror thereon, and a second PIC having an optical receiver and a reflecting mirror thereon. The reflecting mirror is configured to reflect light transmitted by the optical emitter or optical transmission mechanism back to the first PIC. The focusing mirror is configured to (i) further reflect the light reflected by the reflecting mirror and (ii) focus the further reflected light on the optical receiver. Methods of using and manufacturing the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical phase shifter and a method of making the same are disclosed. The phase shifter includes a substrate, a p-doped electrode and an n-doped electrode on the substrate, a first doped semiconductor layer on the p-doped electrode or the n-doped electrode and in electrical contact with the other electrode, a second doped semiconductor layer on the first doped semiconductor layer, a first vertical region electrically connecting the second doped semiconductor layer with the one electrode, and a cladding layer on or over the second semiconductor layer, the first vertical region, and at least a first sidewall of each of the first and second semiconductor layers. The p-doped electrode and the n-doped electrode form a p-n junction at an interface therebetween. The first and second doped semiconductor layers have the same doping type as the other electrode and the one electrode, respectively.

Abstract: An optical phase shifter and a method of making the same are disclosed. The phase shifter includes a substrate, a p-doped electrode and an n-doped electrode on the substrate, a first doped semiconductor layer on the p-doped electrode or the n-doped electrode and in electrical contact with the other electrode, a second doped semiconductor layer on the first doped semiconductor layer, a first vertical region electrically connecting the second doped semiconductor layer with the one electrode, and a cladding layer on or over the second semiconductor layer, the first vertical region, and at least a first sidewall of each of the first and second semiconductor layers. The p-doped electrode and the n-doped electrode form a p-n junction at an interface therebetween. The first and second doped semiconductor layers have the same doping type as the other electrode and the one electrode, respectively.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a system for transferring an optical signal from one photonics chip or integrated circuit (PIC) to another. The system includes a first PIC having (i) an optical emitter or optical transmission mechanism and (ii) a focusing mirror thereon, and a second PIC having an optical receiver and a reflecting mirror thereon. The reflecting mirror is configured to reflect light transmitted by the optical emitter or optical transmission mechanism back to the first PIC. The focusing mirror is configured to (i) further reflect the light reflected by the reflecting mirror and (ii) focus the further reflected light on the optical receiver. Methods of using and manufacturing the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to an optical modulator including an m*n optical coupler, first and second waveguides coupled or connected to the m*n optical coupler, a first phase shifter coupled to the first waveguide, and first and second loop mirrors at respective ends of the first and second waveguides opposite from the m*n optical coupler. The m*n optical coupler is configured to combine substantially similar or identical continuous light beams (at least one of which may be phase-shifted) returned through the first and second waveguides by the first and second loop mirrors to form a modulated optical signal. A compound optical modulator, a modulated or modulatable laser, and methods of using and manufacturing the optical modulators, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to an optical modulator including an m*n optical coupler, first and second waveguides coupled or connected to the m*n optical coupler, a first phase shifter coupled to the first waveguide, and first and second loop mirrors at respective ends of the first and second waveguides opposite from the m*n optical coupler. The m*n optical coupler is configured to combine substantially similar or identical continuous light beams (at least one of which may be phase-shifted) returned through the first and second waveguides by the first and second loop mirrors to form a modulated optical signal. A compound optical modulator, a modulated or modulatable laser, and methods of using and manufacturing the optical modulators, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical-to-optical (O2O) signal path, O2O and hybrid transceivers including the same, a network system or device including one or more of the transceivers, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The O2O signal path generally includes first and second ports and an optical amplifier configured to receive an optical signal from a host or a network through the first port and provide an amplified optical signal for the other of the host and the network through the second port. In some examples, the O2O signal path further includes one or more optical isolators and/or clock and data recovery functions. The optical signals in the O2O signal path are processed entirely in the optical domain. The transceiver includes the O2O signal path and may include an optoelectronic signal path, a pass-through connector, or a second O2O signal path.

Abstract: Optical multiplexers, optical demultiplexers, optical modules including the same, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The optical multiplexers include first and second structural blocks and a beam combiner. The first and second structural blocks each include at least one mirror and at least one filter, and are configured to combine a plurality of individual optical signals into a multi-channel optical signal. The beam combiner includes one or more mirrors and one or more filters, and is configured to combine the multi-channel optical signals into a further multi-channel optical output signal having the same number of channels as the multi-channel optical signals. The optical demultiplexers are structurally similar to the optical multiplexers, but provide a complementary or reverse function.

Abstract: An optical-to-optical (O2O) signal path, O2O and hybrid transceivers including the same, a network system or device including one or more of the transceivers, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The O2O signal path generally includes first and second ports and an optical amplifier configured to receive an optical signal from a host or a network through the first port and provide an amplified optical signal for the other of the host and the network through the second port. In some examples, the O2O signal path further includes one or more optical isolators and/or clock and data recovery functions. The optical signals in the O2O signal path are processed entirely in the optical domain. The transceiver includes the O2O signal path and may include an optoelectronic signal path, a pass-through connector, or a second O2O signal path.

Abstract: Optical multiplexers, optical demultiplexers, optical modules including the same, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The optical multiplexers include first and second structural blocks and a beam combiner. The first and second structural blocks each include at least one mirror and at least one filter, and are configured to combine a plurality of individual optical signals into a multi-channel optical signal. The beam combiner includes one or more mirrors and one or more filters, and is configured to combine the multi-channel optical signals into a further multi-channel optical output signal having the same number of channels as the multi-channel optical signals. The optical demultiplexers are structurally similar to the optical multiplexers, but provide a complementary or reverse function.

Abstract: An optical or optoelectronic receiver and module, and methods of making and using the same, are disclosed. The receiver includes a photodetector, a first microelectromechanical device configured to reflect a multi-wavelength optical signal, a thin film filter configured to receive the multi-wavelength optical signal reflected by the first microelectromechanical device and separate a single-wavelength optical signal from the multi-wavelength optical signal, a first lens configured to focus the single-wavelength optical signal on the photodetector, and a second microelectromechanical device configured to reflect the single-wavelength optical signal towards the first lens. Each wavelength of the multi-wavelength optical signal represents or corresponds to a unique channel over which the receiver receives optical signals. The present receiver and methods enable low-cost, high-volume manufacturing of multi-channel optical or optoelectronic receivers.

Abstract: An optical or optoelectronic receiver and module, and methods of making and using the same, are disclosed. The receiver includes a photodetector, a first microelectromechanical device configured to reflect a multi-wavelength optical signal, a thin film filter configured to receive the multi-wavelength optical signal reflected by the first microelectromechanical device and separate a single-wavelength optical signal from the multi-wavelength optical signal, a first lens configured to focus the single-wavelength optical signal on the photodetector, and a second microelectromechanical device configured to reflect the single-wavelength optical signal towards the first lens. Each wavelength of the multi-wavelength optical signal represents or corresponds to a unique channel over which the receiver receives optical signals. The present receiver and methods enable low-cost, high-volume manufacturing of multi-channel optical or optoelectronic receivers.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer and methods of making and calibrating the same are disclosed. A method of aligning components in a multichannel optical/optoelectronic transmitter includes passively fixing a plurality of light emitters in place on a substrate; adjusting positions of a first lens passing light from a first light emitter and an optical signal transmission medium receiving the light from the first light emitter until a far field spot of the light from the first light emitter is at or near an end of the transmission medium; fixing one or more optical subassemblies on the substrate; and adjusting positions of the optical subassembly(ies) to align light from the remaining light emitters with the far field spot. Some embodiments include multiple optical subassemblies, each including a lens and a filter. Other embodiments include one optical subassembly including a mirror and a beam combiner.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer and methods of making and calibrating the same are disclosed. A method of aligning components in a multichannel optical/optoelectronic transmitter includes passively fixing a plurality of light emitters in place on a substrate; adjusting positions of a first lens passing light from a first light emitter and an optical signal transmission medium receiving the light from the first light emitter until a far field spot of the light from the first light emitter is at or near an end of the transmission medium; fixing one or more optical subassemblies on the substrate; and adjusting positions of the optical subassembly(ies) to align light from the remaining light emitters with the far field spot. Some embodiments include multiple optical subassemblies, each including a lens and a filter. Other embodiments include one optical subassembly including a mirror and a beam combiner.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer and methods of making and calibrating the same are disclosed. A method of aligning components in a multichannel optical/optoelectronic transmitter includes passively fixing a plurality of light emitters in place on a substrate; adjusting positions of a first lens passing light from a first light emitter and an optical signal transmission medium receiving the light from the first light emitter until a far field spot of the light from the first light emitter is at or near an end of the transmission medium; fixing one or more optical subassemblies on the substrate; and adjusting positions of the optical subassembly(ies) to align light from the remaining light emitters with the far field spot. Some embodiments include multiple optical subassemblies, each including a lens and a filter. Other embodiments include one optical subassembly including a mirror and a beam combiner.

Abstract: An optical or free space isolator, and optical or optoelectronic transmitter and methods of transmitting an optical signal and making the transmitter are disclosed. The optical/free space isolator includes a first polarizer, configured to polarize light at a first polarization angle and block light at a second polarization angle; a Faraday rotator, configured to rotate the light polarized by the first polarizer by a predetermined number of degrees; and a half waveplate in the optical/light path, having a fixed or predetermined orientation angle. The first polarizer, Faraday rotator/isolator, and half waveplate have respective polarization, rotation and orientation values that allow light to pass through the optical isolator in a first direction, and block reflected light traveling through the optical isolator along a direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: Methods, architectures, circuits, and/or systems for monitoring operating parameters and/or generating status indications associated with electronic device operation are disclosed. The method can include (i) monitoring a first operating parameter related to operation of the electronic device to determine a first parameter value, (ii) calculating a difference between the first parameter value and a predetermined value for the first operating parameter, (iii) monitoring a second operating parameter on which thresholds for operational warnings and/or alarms are based to determine a second parameter value, (iv) updating or changing the thresholds based on a predetermined change or event in the second parameter value, (v) comparing the difference to the updated or changed thresholds, and (vi) generating a corresponding one of the operational warnings and/or alarms when the difference crosses at least one of the thresholds in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer and methods of making and calibrating the same are disclosed. A method of aligning components in a multichannel optical/optoelectronic transmitter includes passively fixing a plurality of light emitters in place on a substrate; adjusting positions of a first lens passing light from a first light emitter and an optical signal transmission medium receiving the light from the first light emitter until a far field spot of the light from the first light emitter is at or near an end of the transmission medium; fixing one or more optical subassemblies on the substrate; and adjusting positions of the optical subassembly(ies) to align light from the remaining light emitters with the far field spot. Some embodiments include multiple optical subassemblies, each including a lens and a filter. Other embodiments include one optical subassembly including a mirror and a beam combiner.

Abstract: An optical transceiver, optical network and methods for using the same are disclosed. The optical transceiver and/or optical network and related methods may be useful for independently monitoring the optical transceiver and/or optical network. The optical transceiver generally includes an optical receiver configured to receive optical information; circuitry configured to calculate signal strength values of the received optical information from a plurality of remote optical transmitters; logic configured to process the signal strength values for each of the plurality of remote optical transmitters; and one or more memories configured to store the signal strength values. Optionally, the optical transceiver may notify a system or host when the transceiver, network or component thereof is operating outside a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The multiplexer generally includes a beam splitter and a polarization beam splitter. The beam splitter is generally configured to combine first and second polarized optical signals by reflecting a first polarized optical signal towards a first target and allowing a second polarized optical signal to pass through towards the first target. The polarization beam splitter is generally configured to combine the first and second polarized optical signals with a third polarized optical signal by either (i) reflecting the third polarized optical signal towards a second target and allowing the first and second polarized optical signals to pass through towards the second target, or (ii) reflecting the first and second polarized optical signals towards the second target and allowing the third polarized optical signal to pass through towards the second target.