Abstract: System, apparatus, and method embodiments are provided for optical waveguide crossings. In an embodiment, a system for transmitting an optical signal across an optical obstruction includes a first optical waveguide optically coupled to a first surface grating coupler (SGC); a second optical waveguide optically coupled to a second SGC; and a reflector configured to reflect an optical signal from the first SGC to the second SGC.

Abstract: System and method embodiments are provided for monitor photodiode multiplexers for integrated photonic switches. Embodiment monitor photodiode multiplexers provide simplified control circuits, reduced power consumption, and improved manufacturability as compared to other solutions. In an embodiment, a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), includes a plurality of input terminals; a plurality of output terminals; and a plurality of monitor elements wherein each of the monitor elements is connected between one of the input terminals and one of the output terminals, wherein each monitor element comprises a photodiode and a rectifier diode, wherein the photodiode comprises a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the rectifier diode comprises a third terminal and a fourth terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the third terminal, and wherein the first and third terminals comprise a same polarity.

Abstract: An optical transmitter is provided. The optical transmitter includes a first optical modulator configured to modulate a first optical carrier signal having a first wavelength and a first power using a first data bit to generate a first modulated output signal, a second optical modulator configured to modulate a second optical carrier signal having a second wavelength and a second power using a second data bit to generate a second modulated output signal, wherein the second optical modulator and the first optical modulator modulate in parallel, and an optical wavelength multiplexer configured to sum the first modulated output signal and the second modulated output signal into an analog signal suitable for transmission over an optical fiber.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for an apparatus and method for differential thermal optical switch control. The optical switch is operated based on the interferometric principle by modifying the optical phase between waves propagating in waveguides via refractive index change in the waveguides using the thermo-optic effect. A heat pump designed as part of the optical switch is used to generate a temperature difference across the waveguides based on the thermo-electric effect. The thermo-electric effect is obtained using thermo-electric material or elements, also referred to as Peltier elements. An embodiment apparatus includes a dielectric base, a pair of waveguides extended in parallel on the dielectric base, and on the dielectric base a thermo-electric material in contact with the pair of waveguides. Additionally, a pair of electrodes extended, on the thermo-electric material, next to and along the length of the waveguides.

Abstract: System, apparatus, and method embodiments are provided for optical waveguide crossings. In an embodiment, a system for transmitting an optical signal across an optical obstruction includes a first optical waveguide optically coupled to a first surface grating coupler (SGC); a second optical waveguide optically coupled to a second SGC; and a reflector configured to reflect an optical signal from the first SGC to the second SGC.

Abstract: System and method embodiments are provided for monitor photodiode multiplexers for integrated photonic switches. Embodiment monitor photodiode multiplexers provide simplified control circuits, reduced power consumption, and improved manufacturability as compared to other solutions. In an embodiment, a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), includes a plurality of input terminals; a plurality of output terminals; and a plurality of monitor elements wherein each of the monitor elements is connected between one of the input terminals and one of the output terminals, wherein each monitor element comprises a photodiode and a rectifier diode, wherein the photodiode comprises a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the rectifier diode comprises a third terminal and a fourth terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the third terminal, and wherein the first and third terminals comprise a same polarity.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for an apparatus and method for differential thermal optical switch control. The optical switch is operated based on the interferometric principle by modifying the optical phase between waves propagating in waveguides via refractive index change in the waveguides using the thermo-optic effect. A heat pump designed as part of the optical switch is used to generate a temperature difference across the waveguides based on the thermo-electric effect. The thermo-electric effect is obtained using thermo-electric material or elements, also referred to as Peltier elements. An embodiment apparatus includes a dielectric base, a pair of waveguides extended in parallel on the dielectric base, and on the dielectric base a thermo-electric material in contact with the pair of waveguides. Additionally, a pair of electrodes extended, on the thermo-electric material, next to and along the length of the waveguides.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided herein for an apparatus and method for controlling an integrated photonic switching device on a photonic lightwave circuit (PLC). The apparatus includes the optical switch with a plurality of input optical signal channels and a plurality of output optical signal channels. The apparatus further includes a plurality of photodetectors that are coupled, via corresponding optical taps, to at least one of the input optical signal channels and at least one of the output optical signal channels. Additionally, a passive electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the photodetectors. The circuit is configured to generate an output electrical signal as a function of the at least one of the input optical signal channels and the at least one of the output optical signal channels. The output electrical signal has a substantially lower frequency than the input optical signal channels and the output optical signal channels.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for an apparatus and method for differential thermal optical switch control. The optical switch is operated based on the interferometric principle by modifying the optical phase between waves propagating in waveguides via refractive index change in the waveguides using the thermo-optic effect. A heat pump designed as part of the optical switch is used to generate a temperature difference across the waveguides based on the thermo-electric effect. The thermo-electric effect is obtained using thermo-electric material or elements, also referred to as Peltier elements. An embodiment apparatus includes a dielectric base, a pair of waveguides extended in parallel on the dielectric base, and on the dielectric base a thermo-electric material in contact with the pair of waveguides. Additionally, a pair of electrodes extended, on the thermo-electric material, next to and along the length of the waveguides.

Abstract: An optical source with a light output which may be set to a desired wavelength out of a specified range of wavelengths is described. This optical source includes a housing and a laser arrangement for causing light to lase over the specified range of wavelengths. The laser arrangement is supported in the housing such that a light path is defined in the housing along which light path the specified range of wavelengths is potentially producible. The optical source further includes at least one tuning cartridge for setting the light output of the optical source to the desired wavelength out of the specified range of wavelengths. The tuning cartridge in turn includes a wavelength selective element and is configured to cooperate with said housing in a way which positions the wavelength selective element in the light path to set the light output of the optical source to the desired wavelength out of the specified range of wavelengths.