Abstract: Methods for making a photonic guiding system for directing coherent light are disclosed. The methods include forming a channel in a host layer using at least one process of sawing, laser ablation, laser direct write of a photoresist, photo-structuring, and etching. A layer of highly reflective material is applied to substantially cover an interior of the channel. A cover having a layer of highly reflective material is coupled over the channel to form a large core hollow waveguide.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to optical multiprocessing buses. In one embodiment, an optical broadcast bus includes a repeater, a fan-in bus optically coupled to a number of nodes and the repeater, and a fan-out bus optically coupled to the nodes and the repeater. The fan-in bus is configured to receive optical signals from each node and transmit the optical signals to the repeater, which regenerates the optical signals. The fan-out bus is configured to receive the regenerated optical signals output from the repeater and distribute the regenerated optical signals to the nodes. The repeater can also serve as an arbiter by granting one node at a time access to the fan-in bus.

Abstract: A method for installing an optical tap into an optical waveguide formed in a printed circuit board which comprises obtaining a printed circuit board having an optical waveguide formed therein, cutting a transverse groove that has a front plane and a back plane into the optical waveguide, such that the back plane of the groove forms an oblique angle relative to the incident beam of light, and inserting a pre-fabricated beamsplitter into the groove so that the beamsplitter is positioned at the oblique angle of incidence relative to the beam of light to enable a predetermined portion of the beam of light to be directed out of the waveguide.

Abstract: A flexible optical interconnect and method of forming the interconnect is disclosed. The optical interconnect includes a waveguide base formed from a flexible dielectric material. A three-sided channel is formed in the flexible material. Each side of the channel is coated with a reflective metallic coating. A cover piece is formed from the flexible material and coated with a reflective metallic coating on an underside. The cover piece is coupled to the waveguide base to form a flexible optical bus having at least one hollow metallized waveguide. The hollow metallized waveguide is configured to carry an optical signal. A transverse slot is formed in the cover piece and the waveguide base to form an aperture bisecting the hollow metallized waveguide to enable the optical signal to be detected and/or redirected.

Abstract: A solid core, multi-channel optical coupler comprising an elongate mixer body having an input end, an output end and sidewalls forming a length of the mixer body, where the input end is configured for coupling to a plurality of input channels providing an optical signal for transmission through the mixer body, and a plurality of output tapers coupled to the output end. Each of the output tapers has a reception area adjacent the output end of the mixer body for receiving a portion of the optical signal transmitted through the mixer body. Furthermore, the reception area of each output taper is variable to vary the intensity of the optical signal received by the output taper.