Abstract: An optical modulator includes a splitter, phase modulators, amplitude modulators, intensity modulators, and a combiner. The splitter is configured to receive light, and split the light into portions of the light. Each of the phase modulators is configured to receive a corresponding one of the portions of the light, and modulate a phase of the portion of the light to provide a phase-modulated signal. Each of the amplitude modulators is configured to receive a corresponding one of the phase-modulated signals, and modulate an amplitude of the phase-modulated signal to provide an amplitude-modulated signal. Each of the intensity modulators is configured to receive a corresponding one of the amplitude-modulated signals, and modulate an intensity of the amplitude-modulated signals to provide an intensity-modulated signal. The combiner is configured to receive the intensity-modulated signals, combine the intensity-modulated signals into a combined signal, and output the combined signal.

Abstract: A device may include a substrate. The device may include a carrier mounted to the substrate. The device may include a transmitter photonic integrated circuit (PIC) mounted on the carrier. The transmitter PIC may include a plurality of lasers that generate an optical signal when a voltage or current is applied to one of the plurality of lasers. The device may include a first microelectromechanical structure (MEMS) mounted to the substrate. The first MEMS may include a first set of lenses. The device may include a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) mounted to the substrate. The PLC may be optically coupled to the plurality of lasers by the first set of lenses of the first MEMS. The device may include a second MEMS, mounted to the substrate, that may include a second set of lenses, which may be configured to optically couple the PLC to an optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical device may include a substrate; an arrayed waveguide grating provided on the substrate and having first and second slabs; multiple first waveguides extending from the first slab, the multiple first waveguides may supply respective first optical signals to the first slab; multiple second waveguides extending from the second slab, the multiple second waveguides may supply respective second optical signals to the second slab; a third waveguide extending from the second slab, the third waveguide outputting a third optical signal from the second slab, the third optical signal including the first optical signals; a fourth waveguide extending from the first slab, the fourth waveguide may output a fourth optical signal from the first slab, the fourth optical signal including the second optical signals; and a first scattering device optically coupled to a portion of an edge of the first slab between the multiple first waveguides and the fourth waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarization converter, and a method for fabricating the same. The polarization converter includes a geometric shape which induces rotation of a polarization of an optical signal from a first polarization state to a second polarization state as the optical signal propagates along the polarization converter. The performance of the polarization converter is maintained in light of inconsistencies in fabrication processes resulting in improved manufacturability.

Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a current blocking layer is provided between output waveguides carrying light to be sensed by the photodiodes in a balanced photodetector, and the photodiodes themselves. Preferably, the photodiodes are provided above the waveguides and sense light through evanescently coupling with the waveguides. In addition, the current blocking layer may include alternating p and n-type conductivity layers, such that, between adjacent ones of such layers, a reverse biased pn-junction is formed. The pn-junctions, therefore, limit the amount of current flowing from one photodiode of the balanced detector to the other, thereby improving performance.

Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a non-adiabatic polarization rotator is provided that can rotate the polarization of an incoming over a relatively short length. Light is supplied to the polarization rotator via a polarizer, which insures that the optical input to the polarization polarization rotator has a desired polarization. Preferably, the polarization rotator has a structure that is readily implemented with semiconductor materials and can be fabricated with known processing techniques. In addition, the polarization rotator and polarizer may include similar materials and/or layers, such that both may be readily integrated on a common substrate, such as an indium phosphide (InP) substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarization converter, and a method for fabricating the same. The polarization converter includes a geometric shape which induces rotation of a polarization of an optical signal from a first polarization state to a second polarization state as the optical signal propagates along the polarization converter. The performance of the polarization converter is maintained in light of inconsistencies in fabrication processes resulting in improved manufacturability.

Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a current blocking layer is provided between output waveguides carrying light to be sensed by the photodiodes in a balanced photodetector, and the photodiodes themselves. Preferably, the photodiodes are provided above the waveguides and sense light through evanescently coupling with the waveguides. In addition, the current blocking layer may include alternating p and n-type conductivity layers, such that, between adjacent ones of such layers, a reverse biased pn-junction is formed. The pn-junctions, therefore, limit the amount of current flowing from one photodiode of the balanced detector to the other, thereby improving performance.

Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a non-adiabatic polarization rotator is provided that can rotate the polarization of an incoming over a relatively short length. Light is supplied to the polarization rotator via a polarizer, which insures that the optical input to the polarization polarization rotator has a desired polarization. Preferably, the polarization rotator has a structure that is readily implemented with semiconductor materials and can be fabricated with known processing techniques. In addition, the polarization rotator and polarizer may include similar materials and/or layers, such that both may be readily integrated on a common substrate, such as an indium phosphide (InP) substrate.