Abstract: An integrated grating element system includes a first transparent layer formed on an optoelectronic substrate layer which includes at least two optoelectronic components, a first grating layer disposed on the first transparent layer which includes at least two sub-wavelength grating elements formed therein aligned with active regions of the optoelectronic components, and a second grating layer placed at a distance from the first grating layer such that light propagates between a diffraction grating element formed within the second grating layer and the at least two sub-wavelength grating elements.

Abstract: A hybrid electro-optical package for an opto-electronic engine. The package includes a carrier substrate, and a package base. Electrical vias and an optical via of the carrier substrate communicate between a back side and a front side of the carrier substrate. The package base is coupled to the carrier substrate by intra-package electrical interconnects. The carrier substrate is to interconnect electrically with an opto-electronic component mounted on its back side, and includes an optical aperture at its front side for communication of optical signals. Similarly, lands disposed at a front side of the package base provide for communication of electrical signals to an integrated circuit and the opto-electronic component. A system and an opto-electronic engine that include the hybrid electro-optical package are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to route optical signals are disclosed. An example apparatus to route optical signals includes a plurality of hollow metal waveguide optical switch arrays. Each of the arrays comprises a plurality of optical input ports and a plurality of optical output ports. The input ports and the output ports for a first one of the arrays are arranged in a first plane, the input ports and the output ports for a second one of the arrays are arranged in a second plane, and the plurality of arrays are stacked such that the first and second planes are adjacent. The first one of the arrays is to convey optical signals from a first communication device to a second communication device and the second one of the arrays is to convey optical signals from the second communication device to the first communication device.

Abstract: An integrated sub-wavelength grating element includes a transparent layer formed over an optoelectronic substrate layer and a sub-wavelength grating element formed into a grating layer disposed on said transparent layer. The sub-wavelength grating element is formed in alignment with an active region of an optoelectronic component within the optoelectronic substrate layer. The sub-wavelength grating element affects light passing between said grating element and said active region. A method for forming an integrated sub-wavelength grating element is also provided.

Abstract: Techniques related to optical connectors are described. A ferrule includes an optical pathway for light transmission through the ferrule. In examples, a sub-wavelength grating (SWG) assembly is integrated in the ferrule, aligned with an end of the optical pathway.

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 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 system for routing optical signals includes a waveguide array and a cylindrical resonator lying across the waveguide array, the cylindrical resonator having independently controllable tangential interfaces with each of the waveguides within the waveguide array. A method of selectively routing an optical signal between waveguides includes selecting a optical signal to route; determining the desired path the optical signal; tuning a first controllable interface between a cylindrical resonator and a source waveguide to extract the optical signal from the source waveguide; and tuning a second independently controllable interface between the cylindrical resonator and a destination waveguide to deposit the optical signal into the destination waveguide.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to route optical signals are disclosed. An example apparatus to route optical signals includes a plurality of hollow metal waveguide optical switch arrays, the arrays being stacked, each of the arrays including: a first number of optical input ports; and a second number of optical output ports different than the first number of input ports.

Abstract: A method for configuring components in a networked computer system comprising providing a configuration map that includes installation locations and sequences for network components. The configuration map is used to indicate component installation locations and sequences through a series of indicators. The component installation locations and sequences are confirmed after the components are configured according to the configuration map by an electrical connectivity test of each affected component.

Abstract: A computer system has a plurality of computer servers, each including at least one central processing unit (CPU). A memory appliance is spaced remotely from the plurality of computer servers. The memory appliance includes random access memory (RAM). A photonic CPU link is operatively attached to the at least one CPU. A photonic circuit switch is operatively attached to the photonic CPU link. An allocated portion of the RAM is addressable by a predetermined CPU selected from the plurality of computer servers.

Abstract: A computer system has a plurality of computer servers, each including at least one central processing unit (CPU). A memory appliance is spaced remotely from the plurality of computer servers. The memory appliance includes random access memory (RAM). A photonic CPU linkis operatively attached to the at least one CPU. An optical-electrical converter is operatively attached to the photonic CPU link. An electronic circuit switch is operatively attached to the optical-electrical converter and the memory appliance. An allocated portion of the RAM is addressable by a predetermined CPU selected from the plurality of computer servers.

Abstract: A computer system has a plurality of computer servers, each including at least one central processing unit (CPU). A memory appliance is spaced remotely from the plurality of computer servers. The memory appliance includes a memory controller and random access memory (RAM). At least one photonic interconnection is between the plurality of computer servers and the memory appliance. An allocated portion of the RAM is addressable by a predetermined CPU selected during a configuration event from the plurality of computer servers.

Abstract: An optical splitter array can include a single branched waveguide core situated on a planar substrate and having an input optically connected to n outputs via n?1 splitters, where n is an integer of at least 2. The array can also include a single cladding layer overlying the single branched waveguide core from the input to the outputs, and a plurality of alignment channels aligned with the input and the outputs.

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: A circuit module can include a substrate, photonic conversion units placed on the substrate; and a retention assembly. The retention assembly can include a heat sink in thermal contact with the photonic conversion units and a fastener. The fastener can be mechanically coupled to both the substrate and the heat sink, and configured to press the heat sink against the photonic conversion units. The plurality of photonic conversion units are removably secured to the substrate by the retention assembly without the use of a bonding material.

Abstract: An interconnect system has an optical transmitter mounted on a first circuit board and an optical receiver mounted on a second circuit board. The optical receiver can be nominally aligned to receive an optical signal through free space from the optical transmitter. Further, the optical receiver includes one or more light detectors, and an optical antenna coupled to direct incident light into the one or more light detectors.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a system has a transmitter and a receiver, where the transmitter includes a beam source and an optical element. The beam source produces a beam that represents information, and the optical element alters the beam so that the beam has a uniform intensity over a cross-sectional area. The receiver is separated from the transmitter by free space through which the beam propagates and includes an active area positioned to receive a portion of the beam that the receiver converts into a received signal. To accommodate possible misalignment, the cross-sectional area of the beam is larger than the active area by an amount that accommodates a range of misalignment of the receiver with the transmitter.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to optical-based methods and expansion memory systems for disaggregating memory of computer systems. In one aspect, an expansion memory system comprises a first optical/electronic interface in electrical communication with a processor, a memory expansion board configured with memory, and a second optical/electronic interface attached to the memory expansion board. The first interface converts optical signals into electronic signals that are sent to the processor and converts electronic signals produced by the processor into optical signals. The second interface converts optical signals into electronic signals that are sent to the memory and converts electronic signals produced by the memory into optical signals. The optical signals are exchanged between the first and second interfaces. Embodiments also include methods for sending and receiving data in an expansion memory system.

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.