Abstract: A polarization-insensitive optical receiver for demodulating a phase-modulated input optical signal is provided. The optical receiver includes successively a polarization splitter, a first and second interferometric modules including respective delay lines, and a plurality of detectors. The input optical signal is split into two substantially orthogonally-polarized components, which are launched along respective optical paths into the corresponding interferometric modules where they demodulated and subsequently recombined prior to being detected by the plurality of detectors. Advantageously, the optical receiver allows mitigating undesired discrepancies between the optical paths traveled by the two polarization components by arranging the respective delay lines of the interferometric modules into intertwined spiraling structures.

Abstract: A SOI optical structure is provided, including a succession of a substrate, insulator layer, patterned silicon layer and first and second cladding layer. In one embodiment the substrate is made of silicon, the insulator layer and first cladding are made of silicon oxide, and the second cladding layer is made of silicon nitride. The double cladding configuration provides both light confinement within the waveguides defined by the patterned silicon layer and optical isolation, for example from metal absorption when the optical structure is metallized. The double cladding configuration may also help reducing stresses within the optical structure.