Abstract: An optics-integrated confinement apparatus system comprises a confinement apparatus chip having a confinement apparatus formed thereon and having at least one apparatus optical element disposed and/or formed thereon.

Abstract: A low loss silicon nitride film is formed by depositing a silicon nitride film on a substrate and annealing the silicon nitride film for at least ten hours at a temperature of at least 400° C. to cause the silicon nitride film to become a low loss silicon nitride film. The low loss silicon nitride film has an optical loss of less than 1 dB per cm at a wavelength of 488 nm.

Abstract: Integrated passive/active modulator units, integrated passive/active modulators comprising one or more units, and corresponding methods of fabrication and use are provided. In an example embodiment, a unit comprises an upstream passive portion comprising a passive waveguide; a downstream passive portion comprising a continuation of the passive waveguide; and an active portion between the upstream passive portion and the downstream passive portion. The active portion comprises an active waveguide and electrical contacts in electrical communication with the active waveguide. The active waveguide comprises an upstream taper and/or a downstream taper. The upstream taper is configured to optically couple the active waveguide to the passive waveguide of the upstream portion and the downstream taper is configured to optically couple the active waveguide to the continuation of the passive waveguide of the downstream portion.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide alignment devices and methods of manufacturing and methods of using alignment devices. In an example embodiment, an alignment device includes a first substrate comprising inputs at respective input positions, outputs at respective output positions, and waveguides configured to provide optical paths from respective inputs to respective outputs. The respective input positions are fabricated in accordance with an input position array determined based on measured positions of optical fiber cores of optical fibers secured to a coupling element array. The coupling element array comprises a plurality of coupling elements having a respective one of the optical fibers secured therein. Each optical fiber is associated with a respective input and the input position array indicates the position of each respective input. The respective output positions are configured to provide respective optical signals to the respective target locations of the receiving device.

Abstract: Integrated passive/active modulator units, integrated passive/active modulators comprising one or more units, and corresponding methods of fabrication and use are provided. In an example embodiment, a unit comprises an upstream passive portion comprising a passive waveguide; a downstream passive portion comprising a continuation of the passive waveguide; and an active portion between the upstream passive portion and the downstream passive portion. The active portion comprises an active waveguide and electrical contacts in electrical communication with the active waveguide. The active waveguide comprises an upstream taper and/or a downstream taper. The upstream taper is configured to optically couple the active waveguide to the passive waveguide of the upstream portion and the downstream taper is configured to optically couple the active waveguide to the continuation of the passive waveguide of the downstream portion.

Abstract: Integrated passive/active modulator units, integrated passive/active modulators comprising one or more units, and corresponding methods of fabrication and use are provided. In an example embodiment, a unit comprises an upstream passive portion comprising a passive waveguide; a downstream passive portion comprising a continuation of the passive waveguide; and an active portion between the upstream passive portion and the downstream passive portion. The active portion comprises an active waveguide and electrical contacts in electrical communication with the active waveguide. The active waveguide comprises an upstream taper and/or a downstream taper. The upstream taper is configured to optically couple the active waveguide to the passive waveguide of the upstream portion and the downstream taper is configured to optically couple the active waveguide to the continuation of the passive waveguide of the downstream portion.

Abstract: Integrated passive/active modulator units, integrated passive/active modulators comprising one or more units, and corresponding methods of fabrication and use are provided. In an example embodiment, a unit comprises an upstream passive portion comprising a passive waveguide; a downstream passive portion comprising a continuation of the passive waveguide; and an active portion between the upstream passive portion and the downstream passive portion. The active portion comprises an active waveguide and electrical contacts in electrical communication with the active waveguide. The active waveguide comprises an upstream taper and/or a downstream taper. The upstream taper is configured to optically couple the active waveguide to the passive waveguide of the upstream portion and the downstream taper is configured to optically couple the active waveguide to the continuation of the passive waveguide of the downstream portion.