Abstract: A method for constructing an area array waveguide power splitter includes preparing a reflective layer on a substrate and forming a core of an area array waveguide layer and alignment features for an optical fiber input and a plurality of optical fiber outputs atop the reflective layer, wherein the core of the area array waveguide layer and the alignment features are formed concurrently. The method also includes applying a reflective layer to the top and side surfaces of the core of the area array waveguide layer and exposing an input and exposing a plurality of outputs in the reflective layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a telecentric optical assembly comprising a first portion of a telecentric optical link including a first kinematic mount having alignment structures, where the first kinematic mount can be attached to a first substrate having a first array of active optical elements; and a second portion of the telecentric optical link 202 including a second kinematic mount having recesses configured to mate with the alignment structures, where the second kinematic mount can be attached to a second substrate having a second array of active optical elements. Additionally, the first and second kinematic mounts, when mated, can align optical beams between the first array of active optical elements and the second array of active optical elements.

Abstract: An optical device includes a substantially planar substrate and a lens array disposed on the substantially planar substrate. The lens array is formed of a plurality of distinct sub-wavelength gratings, in which the sub-wavelength gratings are selected to produce a desired phase change in beams of light that are at least one of reflected and refracted by the sub-wavelength gratings of the lens array.

Abstract: An optical bus is described for optical signal broadcasting. The optical bus can include a substrate and input optical waveguides formed on the substrate. First and second sets of output optical waveguides can also be formed on the substrate. Optical power splitters on the substrate can have an input and multiple outputs. The optical power splitters can be optically coupled to an input optical waveguide and can split an input optical beam into multiple output optical beams. The optical bus can include a waveguide shuffle network formed on the substrate. The waveguide shuffle network can include intersecting optical waveguides and can optically couple outputs from each of the optical power splitters to the first set of output optical waveguides and optically couple different outputs from each of the optical power splitters to the second set of output optical waveguides.

Abstract: An optical interconnect includes an optical fiber which terminates in a interconnect body and a micro lens which collimates light exiting the optical fiber to produce a collimated beam. A first personality module is configured operate on the collimated beam; the first personality module being aligned with and detachably connected to the interconnect body. The optical interconnect is configured to be inserted into a socket in an optical backplane, the first personality module being further configured to operate on light passing from the optical backplane into the optical interconnect.

Abstract: A waveguide array can comprise a base portion having a metalized inner surface, an outer surface, and a clean end surface. The inner surface can include a plurality of waveguide channels that are metalized. The clean end surface can be prepared by breaking the base portion along a groove positioned on the outer surface prior to breaking, where the groove is oriented to intersect the waveguide channels. A metalized cover portion is attached to the inner surface of the base portion to close the waveguide channels.

Abstract: Waveguide apparatuses and methods are provided. A waveguide method (700) can include stacking (710) a plurality of layers (110) to form a plurality of waveguides (120). Each of the plurality of layers can include at least one waveguide surface (140). The method can further include aligning (720) the plurality of layers using at least one alignment device (160). The method can also include trapping (730) the aligned, stacked plurality of layers between a first member (170) and second member (180).

Abstract: An optical channel tap assembly comprises a first N by M waveguide array including a first set of optical channels to convey optical signals along a first set of conveyance paths. The optical channel tap assembly also comprises a second N by M waveguide array including a second set of optical channels to convey the optical signals along a second set of conveyance paths, the optical signals received from the first set of conveyance paths. Additionally, the optical channel tap assembly comprises a beam splitter, disposed between the first N by M waveguide array and the second N by M waveguide array, to divert a first portion of power from the optical signals away from the second N by M waveguide array while allowing a second portion of power from the optical signals to propagate into the second N by M waveguide array.

Abstract: An angled coupling for optical fibers can comprise a body (10) having an incoming aperture (18a) and an outgoing aperture (18b), from which an incoming hollow waveguide (12a) and an outgoing hollow waveguide (12b) extend into the body at an angle (22). A reflective surface (24) is situated at the vertex of the angle and is oriented substantially perpendicular to a bisector of the angle. The coupling also comprises an incoming coupling structure (32a) and an outgoing coupling structure (32b), each configured to attach an optical fiber to the corresponding aperture.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector is disclosed. The optical fiber connector comprises a form having a curved surface with a first end near the bottom surface of the form. The curved surface is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the form at the first end. A first plurality of active optical fibers are positioned along the curved surface of the form in a side-by side arrangement with the tips of each of the first plurality of optical fibers adjacent to the first end of the curved surface. The ends of each of the first plurality of active optical fibers have been striped down to cladding and the cladding of each optical fiber contacts the cladding of the adjacent optical fibers. An inner cover is attached to the form thereby capturing the first plurality of active optical fibers between the curved surface of the form and an inside curved surface in the inner cover.

Abstract: An optical bus is described for optical signal broadcasting. The optical bus can include a substrate and input optical waveguides formed on the substrate. First and second sets of output optical waveguides can also be formed on the substrate. Optical power splitters on the substrate can have an input and multiple outputs. The optical power splitters can be optically coupled to an input optical waveguide and can split an input optical beam into multiple output optical beams. The optical bus can include a waveguide shuffle network formed on the substrate. The waveguide shuffle network can include intersecting optical waveguides and can optically couple outputs from each of the optical power splitters to the first set of output optical waveguides and optically couple different outputs from each of the optical power splitters to the second set of output optical waveguides.

Abstract: A method for connecting adjacent computing board devices. A source computing board may be provided. An optical engine attaches to the source computing board. A plurality of source optical connectors couples to the optical engine. A first optical connector may be positioned at a location on the source computing board for a first preset type of computing component on an adjacent computing board. A second optical connector may be positioned at a fixed coordinate related to the first optical connector on the source computing board.

Abstract: A system (10) and methods (800, 900) for routing optical signals are disclosed. The system includes a large core hollow waveguide (30) having a reflective coating (40) covering an interior surface (32) of the hollow waveguide configured to guide a light beam (104). At least one area based beam splitter (50) is integrally formed with the hollow waveguide and has an angled reflective surface (52) with a selectable height (H) relative to the interior surface. The angled reflective surface is oriented to redirect a predetermined amount of the light beam (114) based on the height of the angled reflective surface.

Abstract: A configurable optical communications system (100) for establishing point-to-point communications between multiple computer servers (160) coupled to a common midplane or backplane communications bus (132), wherein at least two of the servers include an optical input/output device (170) for sending and receiving an optical signal (112). The system further includes an optical communications pathway (140) that is configured to carry the optical signal, and at least two pivotable mirrors (150) located within the optical pathway and in-line with the optical input/output devices that are selectively orientated to direct the optical signal between the optical input/output devices to establish the point-to-point communication between the at least two servers.

Abstract: A device for optically coupling two photonic elements may comprise an interposer where each photonic element is axially aligned with an optical pathway in the interposer. Also included is an optics assembly configured to direct a photonic signal along the optical pathway; and a mechanical guide assembly configured to reduce the relative tilt and rotation of photonic elements. Another such device may comprise two connectors where each connector comprises an optical pathway element in which an optics assembly is situated and a photonic element aligned with the optical pathway element. A mechanical guide assembly secures the optical pathway elements in a position so as to reduce the relative tilt and rotation of the photonic elements. A connection for optically coupling two computing units can comprise a partition situated between the computing units and on which an interposer is mounted.

Abstract: A component for an optical interconnect includes a waveguide having at least one surface that is configured at an angle equal to or less than 90° relative to an axis of the waveguide. A tap is operatively connected to the waveguide. The tap has an angled surface that is adhered to the angled surface of the waveguide. An angle of the angled surface of the tap is substantially identical to the angle of the angled surface of the waveguide. An axis of the tap is positioned at an angle that is two times the angle of the angled surface of the tap. An at least partially reflective coating established on at least a portion of the angled surface of the tap.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to optical broadcast buses configured with shared optical interfaces for fan-in and fan-out of optical signals. In one aspect, an optical broadcast bus (100,200,300) comprises a number of optical interfaces (121-123,210,212,216,218,301-303), a fan-in bus (102,202) optically coupled to the number of optical interfaces, and a fan-out bus (104,204) optically coupled to the number of optical interfaces. Each optical interface is configured to convert an electrical signal produced by the at least one node into an optical signal that is received and directed by the fan-in bus to the fan-out bus and broadcast by the fan-out bus to the number of optical interfaces. Each optical interface also converts the optical signal into an electrical signal that is sent to the electronically coupled at least one node for processing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to computer buses that can be used to distribute data between components of various computer systems. In one aspect, a computer bus includes multiple opto-electronic engines disposed within a housing and multiple flexible connectors. Each flexible connector extends through an opening in the housing and is coupled at a first end to an opto-electronic engine and at a second to an electronic device. The flexible connectors enable the bus to be placed in different orientations and positions in order to optimize space and connectivity requirements or limitations.

Abstract: Systems and a method for routing optical signals are disclosed. One system includes a first large core hollow metal waveguide configured to guide a substantially coherent optical beam. A second large core hollow waveguide is optically coupled to the first waveguide with a coupling device. The coupling device is configured to divide the coherent optical beam into a transmitted beam and a reflected beam. Beam walk-off within the coupling device causes the transmitted beam to be shifted by an offset amount. The second large core hollow metal waveguide is shifted from the first large core hollow metal waveguide by approximately the offset amount to receive the shifted transmitted beam.

Abstract: A waveguide apparatus is provided. The apparatus can include a base member including a first surface having at least one first attachment feature and a waveguide member including a first surface and a second surface. The waveguide member first surface is complimentary to and disposed proximate the base first surface. The waveguide member second surface can include at least one channel. The apparatus can further include a cover member, comprising a plurality of second attachment features adapted to engage at least a portion of the at least one first attachment features disposed thereabout. At least a portion of the cover member can be disposed proximate the at least one channel, to provide at least one hollow core waveguide.