Abstract: A resonator for thermo optic devices is formed in the same process steps as a waveguide and is formed in a depression of a lower cladding while the waveguide is formed on a surface of the lower cladding. Since upper surfaces of the resonator and waveguide are substantially coplanar, the aspect ratio, as between the waveguide and resonator in an area where the waveguide and resonator front one another, decreases thereby increasing the bandwidth of the resonator. The depression is formed by photomasking and etching the lower cladding before forming the resonator and waveguide. Pluralities of resonators are also taught that are formed in a plurality of depressions of the lower cladding. To decrease resonator bandwidth, waveguide(s) are formed in the depression(s) of the lower cladding while the resonator is formed on the surface. Thermo optic devices formed with these resonators are also taught.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical apparatus having a multimode interference coupler configured to optically couple a strip waveguide to a slot photonic crystal waveguide. The multimode interference coupler has a coupling efficiency to the slot photonic crystal waveguide greater than or equal to 90%, a width that is approximately equal to a defect width of the slot photonic crystal waveguide, a length that is equal to or less than 1.5 ?m, and interfaces with the slot photonic crystal waveguide at an edge of a period that gives a termination parameter of approximately zero. The optical apparatus may also include an insulation gap disposed between the multimode interference coupler and the slot photonic crystal waveguide, wherein the length of the multimode interference coupler is reduced by approximately one half of a width of the insulation gap.

Abstract: A waveguide parametric device including a multi-mode waveguide having orientation layers formed in a propagation direction of a signal beam and a pump beam propagating down the waveguide. The orientation layers are oppositely oriented to provide non-linear coupling between the pump beam and the signal beam and have a periodicity that provides quasi-phase matching for a fundamental propagation mode, where the waveguide has a size to accommodate multi-mode wave propagation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a printed circuit board for an optical waveguide, including a base board, and an optical waveguide formed on the base board. The optical waveguide includes a lower clad layer formed on the base board, an insulation layer formed on the lower clad layer and having a core-forming through-hole, a core part formed on a region of the lower clad layer, which is exposed through the through-hole, and an upper clad layer formed in the through-hole and on the insulation layer.

Abstract: A light guide of the tapered-waveguide type includes an input slab (30) for expanding a projected image between an input end and an output end, and an output slab (10) arranged to receive rays from the said output end, and to emit them at a point on its face that corresponds to the angle at which the ray is received. The input slab and output waveguide are matched so that all rays injected into the input end undergo the same number of reflections before leaving the output surface. With the invention the input slab (30) is itself tapered slightly towards the output waveguide. This means that input and output waveguides can be made the same length, in the direction of ray travel, and can therefore be folded over each other with no wasted space.

Abstract: A single-mode, etched facet distributed Bragg reflector laser includes an AlGaInAs/InP laser cavity, a front mirror stack with multiple Fabry-Perot elements, a rear DBR reflector, and a rear detector. The front mirror stack elements and the rear reflector elements include input and output etched facets, and the laser cavity is an etched ridge cavity, all formed from an epitaxial wafer by a two-step lithography and CAIBE process.

Abstract: A diffractive beam expander (50) comprises an input grating (10), a crossed grating (20), and an output grating (30) implemented on a planar transparent substrate (7). The crossed grating (20) comprises a plurality of diffractive features (23) arranged along the lines of a first set of parallel lines (25) and along the lines of a second set of parallel lines (26) such that the lines (25) of the first set are parallel to the lines (26) of the second set. The lines of the first set have a first grating period and the lines of the second set have a second grating period. A light beam (B1) coupled into the substrate (7) by the input grating (10) impinges on the crossed grating (20) at a first location (EC1) and further locations (EC2). Interaction at the first location (EC1) provides several sub-beams (S00, S01, S10) which propagate in different directions.

Abstract: An acid-stop structure for a rib waveguide comprises a fin structure formed between the sidewalls in each rib channel of the rib waveguide, thereby preventing acids and other etchants from flowing down the rib channel and under a die that has been bonded to a wafer.

Abstract: In an optical interferometer, polarization dependence attributable to the optical path difference has conventionally been eliminated by inserting a half-wave plate at the center of the interferometer. However, light induced by polarization coupling produced in directional couplers used in the optical interferometer causes interference having different interference conditions from those of the normal light. Polarization rotators that effect any one of 90° rotation and ?90° rotation of all states of polarization of incoming light are inserted in the optical interferometer, and thereby the interference conditions of light induced by polarization coupling are made the same as those of the normal light. Each of the polarization rotators is implemented by using two half-wave plates and by varying an angle of combination of these half-wave plates. Alternatively, each of the polarization rotators is implemented through a combination of one half-wave plate and a waveguide having birefringence properties.

Abstract: A spot-size converter is equipped with a substrate, a clad that is formed on the substrate, a core that is embedded inside the clad, and an input/output end face. The core is tapered toward the input/output end face along a light propagation direction. In the clad, groove portions that expose a substrate face are formed extending as far as the input/output end face and on both sides of the core along the light propagation direction.

Abstract: Provided is a thermo-optical phase shifter including a composite body having an optical waveguide formed by a core and a clad and having a ratio ? of a difference between a core refractivity and a clad refractivity against the core refractivity which is 4% or above and a heater attached to the optical waveguide. The composite body has: a bridge structure portion arranged along a substrate surface and separate from the substrate surface via a void; and a fixed portion which supports the bridge structure portion with respect to the substrate and is continuous to the both ends of the bridge structure portion. The bridge structure has a half-circle-arc shape in the plane along the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method is described that allows a first mobile device to persistently lock onto a second mobile device, thereby allowing the first mobile device to not only constantly monitor the dynamic location of the second mobile device but also to adaptively navigate in real-time to the dynamic location associated with the second mobile device. The dynamic location may include a current location of the second mobile device or a final destination for travel of the second mobile device.

Abstract: A two-dimensional photonic crystal according to the present invention includes a first layer having a dielectric first layer slab in which first layer holes having a refractive index lower than that of the first layer slab are arranged cyclically, a second layer formed on the first layer, including dielectric columns having a refractive index higher than the air arranged in the air with the same cycle as the first layer hole, and a third layer having a dielectric third layer slab in which third layer holes having a refractive index lower than that of the third layer slab are arranged cyclically. Thus, it is possible to obtain the two-dimensional photonic crystal that can create a wider complete PBG than before regardless of the polarization of light and can be manufactured easily.

Abstract: Provided are an optical waveguide and a production method thereof which can constrict both the width and thickness of the SOI optical waveguide core layer in the same process and at the same time, simplify production process, and reduce optical losses. An optical waveguide includes a first clad layer formed on a semiconductor substrate; a first core layer formed on the upper side of the first clad layer with the use of a semiconductor material the refractive index of which is higher than that of the first clad layer; and a second clad layer formed on the upper side of the first core layer with the use of a material the refractive index of which is lower than that of the first core layer. The width of the first core layer is defined based on the width of an unoxidized semiconductor material sandwiched between oxide films the parts of which are thermally oxidized.

Abstract: An optical chip according to the present invention is formed into a projecting shape expanded toward either side at the center. A waveguide substrate has a layout in which arrayed waveguide grating type optical multiplexer/demultiplexer circuits, each having a curve direction of an array waveguide reverse to each other, are arranged in combination, and the optical chips are cut out of the waveguide substrate. A method for fabricating the optical chip according to the present invention can enhance an optical chip yield rate, and further, can fabricate an optical chip having the shape for stabilizing optical characteristics of the arrayed waveguide grating type optical multiplexer/demultiplexer circuit.

Abstract: A novel electroabsorption modulator based on tuning the Fermi level relative to mid-gap states in a semiconductor. The modulator includes a semiconductor waveguide that has an input port and an output port. Between the input port and the output port is a section of the waveguide that functions as an electroabsorptive region. Adjacent to the electroabsorptive region are electrical contacts. In operation by adjusting voltages on the electrical contacts, the quasi-Fermi level in the electroabsorptive region of the semiconductor waveguide is brought above or below mid band-gap electronic states. As these states transition between occupancy and vacancy, the absorption coefficient for optical radiation in the electroabsorptive region of the semiconductor changes.

Abstract: The invention includes optical signal conduits having rare earth elements incorporated therein. The optical signal conduits can, for example, contain rare earth elements incorporated within a dielectric material matrix. For instance, erbium or cerium can be within silicon nanocrystals dispersed throughout dielectric material of optical signal conduits. The dielectric material can define a path for the optical signal, and can be wrapped in a sheath which aids in keeping the optical signal along the path. The sheath can include any suitable barrier material, and can, for example, contain one or more metallic materials. The invention also includes methods of forming optical signal conduits, with some of such methods being methods in which the optical signal conduits are formed to be part of semiconductor constructions.

Abstract: A method comprises a first multilayer body forming step of forming a first multilayer body on a first cladding layer, the first multilayer body including a core layer and a first polishing stop layer in order from the first cladding layer side; a first multilayer body patterning step of pattering the first multilayer body, so as to expose the first cladding layer about the patterned first multilayer body; a second multilayer body forming step of forming a second multilayer body on the exposed first cladding layer and patterned first multilayer body, the second multilayer body including a second cladding layer and a second polishing stop layer in order from the first cladding layer side; and a removing step of polishing away a part of the second multilayer body formed on the first multilayer body.

Abstract: A light pipe is configured to provide a wide effective angle of illumination while simultaneously providing a substantially uniform distribution of light along a length of the light pipe. One or more reflective surfaces not aligned with an inner surface are disposed such that when at least one reflective surface is illuminated, light is emitted from the light pipe at one or more specified angles of light emission. A plurality of reflection points are formed on the inner surface to cause the specified angles when at least one of the reflective surfaces is illuminated. A light pipe is also provided having one or more exterior protrusions configured to function as a secondary light source. A second portion of an outer surface of the light pipe has a radius of curvature which differs from the radius of curvature of the first portion of the outer surface.

Abstract: The invention includes optical signal conduits having rare earth elements incorporated therein. The optical signal conduits can, for example, contain rare earth elements incorporated within a dielectric material matrix. For instance, erbium or cerium can be within silicon nanocrystals dispersed throughout dielectric material of optical signal conduits. The dielectric material can define a path for the optical signal, and can be wrapped in a sheath which aids in keeping the optical signal along the path. The sheath can include any suitable barrier material, and can, for example, contain one or more metallic materials. The invention also includes methods of forming optical signal conduits, with some of such methods being methods in which the optical signal conduits are formed to be part of semiconductor constructions.

Abstract: A lumenaire for mixing and emitting light from multiple light sources which has at least one first light source of a particular type and at least one second light source of a differing type. There is an optical system which includes at least one individual light collecting optical element at least partially surrounding each light source. There is a substantially planar light guide that receives and transports the light from each of the individual optical elements and optically mixes and emanates the light from both types of light sources simultaneously, through a common surface of the planar light guide. The planar light guide is segmented and the segmented sections are angularly disposed, in section in relationship to each other and the individual optical elements project light into at least one of the segments.

Abstract: A chip for nucleic acid analysis includes a body (2, 9), in which a detection chamber (7) is formed for accommodating nucleic acid probes (12, 12?). A waveguide (8) is integrated in the body (2, 9) is and is arranged at the bottom of the detection chamber (7) so that an evanescent wave (EW), produced at an interface (8a) of the waveguide (8) when a light radiation is conveyed within the waveguide (8), is irradiated towards the inside of the detection chamber (7). An apparatus for inspection of nucleic acid probes includes: a holder (22), on which a chip (1) for nucleic acid analysis is loaded, the chip containing nucleic acid probes (12, 12?); a light source (24) for supplying an excitation radiation to the nucleic acid probes (12, 12?); and an optical sensor (25) arranged so as to receive radiation coming from the nucleic acid probes (12, 12?).

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved design for the transmit and receive optical elements of a waveguide-based optical touch screen sensor, where at least one converging lens is incorporated within the body of each transmit and receive element. The optical elements of the improved design are more mechanically robust, easier to incorporate into the touch screen assembly, and are less susceptible to stray light and the ingress of foreign matter. In one embodiment the converging lens collimates the light into a plane wave. In another embodiment the converging lens focuses the light to an external point. In yet another embodiment, each transmit and receive element also includes at least one diverging lens. The transmit and receive elements and associated waveguides preferably comprise photo-patternable polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a waveguide structure comprising a supporting substrate and a waveguide comprising at least one guide layer having a refractive index n1. This layer comprises a zone of birefringence B which comprises voids provided in the thickness of the guide layer filled with a fluid or material having a refractive index n2.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus encompasses an apparatus that may have: a predetermined length, the self-imaging semiconductor waveguide having first and second opposed sides; quantum wells disposed within the self-imaging semiconductor waveguide along the length of the self-imaging semiconductor waveguide, the quantum wells being formed of a quantum well gain material; microchannel cooler that extends substantially the width of the self-imaging semiconductor waveguide, the microchannel cooler located adjacent the first side of the self-imaging semiconductor waveguide; and a plurality of pump arrays arranged along the microchannel cooler opposed from the first side of the self-imaging semiconductor waveguide; wherein the quantum well gain material is photopumped through the microchannel cooler.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a light modulation device capable of not only restricting the faint light propagating in the adhesive layer from being re-incident on the thin substrate but also increasing an adhesive strength of the thin substrate and the supplementing plate. The invention is characterized in a light modulation device having a thin substrate 1 made of material with an electro-optical effect and with a thickness of below 20 ?m; an optical waveguide 2 formed on a surface of the thin substrate or the other surface thereof; and a modulation electrode 3 formed on the surface of the thin substrate and for modulating light passing through the optical waveguide, comprising: a supplementing plate 5 adapted to be bonded to the thin substrate via an adhesive layer 4, wherein a bonding surface of the supplementing plate is formed as a rough surface 10 relative to a bonding surface of the thin substrate.

Abstract: A transmitter apparatus (2) is described that comprises one or more lasers (4), modulation means (10) to intensity modulate radiation output by each of said one or more lasers (4), and output means for outputting the modulated radiation produced by the modulation means into, for example, an optical fiber (22). The apparatus comprises hollow core optical waveguides (20) formed in a substrate (18) which, in use, guide radiation from the one or more lasers (4) to the modulation means (10) and from the modulation means (10) to the output means. An associated receiver apparatus (30) is also described that comprises one or more detectors (32) and one or more optical fiber attachment means, the one or more optical fiber attachment means being arranged to receive one or more one optical fibers (42). The receiver is characterized in that radiation is guided from the one or more optical fibers (42) to the one or more detectors (32) by at least one hollow core optical waveguide (40) formed in a substrate.

Abstract: A phase modulation waveguide structure includes one of a semiconductor and a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate, a doped semiconductor layer formed over the one of a semiconductor and a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate, the doped semiconductor portion including a waveguide rib protruding from a surface thereof not in contact with the one of a semiconductor and a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate, and an electrical contact on top of the waveguide rib. The electrical contact is formed of a material with an optical refractive index close to that of a surrounding oxide layer that surrounds the waveguide rib and the electrical contact and lower than the optical refractive index of the doped semiconductor layer. During propagation of an optical mode within the waveguide structure, the electrical contact isolates the optical mode between the doped semiconductor layer and a metal electrode contact on top of the electrical contact.

Abstract: An optical waveguide 30 having a bending groove 34 parallel to two long sides of a rectangular shape thereof. The optical waveguide 30 is bent along the bending groove 34 so as to come into close contact with a frame of an optical touch panel. This makes it possible to attach the optical waveguide 30 to the frame without misalignment during assembly. Therefore, the optical waveguide 30 can emit light beams in a direction perpendicular to one side of a rectangular display screen opposed to one long side of the rectangular shape thereof. Further, the width of the frame of the optical touch panel 30 can be made smaller than that of the optical waveguide 30. This makes it possible to achieve reduction in the width of the frame of the optical touch panel.

Abstract: A combined structure of optical waveguides with high accuracy can be easily materialized by arranging cutout sections 11a and 12a for half-lap joint in a light-emitting sided-optical waveguide and a light-receiving sided-waveguide to combine both of the cutout sections by a half-lap joint 13. This enables to significantly reduce time for minor adjustments after assembling.

Abstract: A buried dual taper waveguide has a flat surface after taper processing thus facilitating further processing with more complex photonic integrated circuits. This allows for light coupling between a large core size fiber and a small waveguide photonic integrated circuit. The taper structure disclosed enables monolithic integration of silicon photonic components and passive alignment for low-cost packaging.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can be an inexpensive biosensor capable of measuring a number of samples in a short time, and suitable for only one-time use (expendable). The biosensor according to the invention can include a light transmissive substrate, a probe fixing region provided on one face of the light transmissive substrate, a light emitting element provided on the other face of the substrate that irradiates the probe fixing region from the back side thereof, and a light receiving element provided on the other face of the substrate that detects the light intensity of the reflected light from the back side of the probe fixing region. Thereby, a biosensor formed in one substrate can be obtained.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a photonic band-gap assembly comprising at least one input wave guide and at least one output wave guides, and at least one routing element responsive to signals to selectively route a signal from the input wave guide to one or more of the output wave guides.

Abstract: A magneto-optical structure is provided. The magneto-optical structure includes a substrate. A waveguide layer is formed on the substrate for guiding electromagnetic radiation received by the magneto-optical structure. The waveguide layer includes magnetic oxide material that comprises ABO3 perovskite doped with transition metal ions on the B site, or transition metal ions doped SnO2, or transition metal ions doped CeO2.

Abstract: A system in one general embodiment includes a waveguide structure comprising a core of an alloy of Group III-V materials surrounded by an oxide (which may include one or more Group III-V metals), wherein an interface of the oxide and core is characterized by oxidation of the alloy for defining the core. A method in one general approach includes oxidizing a waveguide structure comprising an alloy of Group III-V materials for forming a core of the alloy surrounded by an oxide.

Abstract: There are provided a substrate mounted with a photoelectric hybrid circuit having an optical path conversion mirror structure and optical waveguide wiring by reducing the number of parts and the number of fabrication steps, as well as most effectively implement high-density wiring for an optical connection between the optical waveguide and the photoelectric conversion element or optical waveguide array connector that are formed on the substrate, and a device.

Abstract: New circuit architecture for electro-optic modulator based on free-carrier dispersion effect is invented, in which the waveguide capacitor of the modulator is embed in the circuits and physically layout together with transistors, the switching of the modulator occurs in transistors, and as the result, the electro-optical modulation occurs in the waveguide capacitor. The invented modulator is not one physical device, it is actually a circuit. Several circuit design techniques are imported, leading to several new modulator circuits that have very high operation speed and very small power consumption. Several new waveguide capacitor structures are also invented that allow high efficient modulator circuits to be built.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a photonic band-gap assembly comprising at least one input wave guide and at least one output wave guides, and at least one routing element responsive to signals to selectively route a signal from the input wave guide to one or more of the output wave guides.

Abstract: The new single mode circuit (SMC) architecture is invented for photonic integrated circuits (PIC). This architecture allows using multimode waveguides or structures to construct a single mode operated PIC. The multimode sections used in such SMC based PIC possess strong lateral confinement so that the PIC can have high circuit density and high optical performance at the same time. A parallel mode converter structure is also invented here. Based on this parallel mode converter, a low loss optical splitter can be constructed for high index contrast waveguide system.

Abstract: A method for fabricating selectively coupled optical waveguides on a substrate is disclosed. Initially, a first layer of waveguide material is deposited on a substrate. The first layer of waveguide material is then etched to form multiple level one waveguides and fill shapes. A dielectric layer is deposited on top of the level one waveguides and fill shapes. The surface profile of the dielectric layer deposition tracks the pattern density of the fill shapes. After the surface of the dielectric layer has been polished, a second layer of waveguide material is deposited on the substrate. At least one optically coupled waveguide structure, which is formed by a first level one waveguide and a first level two waveguide, is located adjacent to at least one non-optically coupled waveguide structure, which is formed by a second level one waveguide and a second level two waveguide.

Abstract: A modulator includes an electro-optical substrate and a first and second waveguide formed of a doped semiconductor material positioned on a surface of an electro-optical substrate forming a slot therebetween. A doping level of the semiconductor material being chosen to make the first and second waveguide conductive. A dielectric material is positioned in the slot which increases confinement of both an optical field and an electrical field inside the slot. A refractive index of the semiconductor material and a refractive index of the dielectric material positioned in the slot being chosen to reduce the V?·L product of the modulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an MMI optical device that can prevent a possible decrease in transmission rate in spite of miniaturization and integration. The optical device includes a rectangular multimode waveguide and an electromagnetic wave absorber of a light source wavelength. The electromagnetic wave absorber is located on at least one side surface of the rectangular multimode waveguide and is located at a predetermined gap from a core of the rectangular multimode waveguide.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device comprises a plurality of mirrors, wherein at least one mirror comprises a first and second reflective end that reflect and transmit light. The plurality of mirrors comprises at least one first material having at least one first refractive index; an axis line; a first cladding comprising a second material having a second refractive index; a second cladding, formed above the first, comprising a third material having a third refractive index; a core comprising a fourth material; and a plurality of core parts formed within at least one of the first or second claddings. The fourth material has a fourth refractive index that is greater than the second and third refractive indices and the core parts have a plurality of core part ends coupled to one of the reflective ends where at least one core part end is approximately parallel to one of the reflective ends.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an opto-electric hybrid board which is capable of reducing the number of steps for the manufacture of the opto-electric hybrid board and which achieves the reduction in thickness of the opto-electric hybrid board to be manufactured, and an opto-electric hybrid board obtained thereby. A plurality of protruding cores (optical interconnect lines) 3 are formed in a predetermined pattern. Thereafter, a thin metal film 4 is formed in grooves defined between adjacent ones of the cores 3. Electroplating is performed on the thin metal film 4 to fill the above-mentioned grooves with an electroplated layer 6a. The electroplated layer 6a serves as electrical interconnect lines 6.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid optical/electrical circuit board in which an optical waveguide prepared by an exposing and developing step is combined with an electric circuit, wherein a printed wiring board containing an inorganic filler and a light absorber is used, and it has an optical waveguide core pattern having a high resolution and makes it possible to raise a density of optical wiring.

Abstract: An optical waveguide film includes at least one optical waveguide area having an X-direction and a Y-direction orthogonal to the X-direction. Such an optical waveguide film includes a plurality of core portions arranged side by side within the same layer so as to extend along the X-direction, each of the core portions having side surfaces, and the core portions adjoining to each other in the Y-direction being arranged through a gap therebetween; and a plurality of cladding portions provided so as to cover the side surfaces of each of the core portions, each of the cladding portions formed of a resin having an optical refractive index smaller than that of each of the core portions, and the cladding portion between the adjoining core portions providing each gap. In the optical waveguide film, a size of the gap between the adjoining core portions varies along the X-direction in at least a part of the optical waveguide area.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: A reconfigurable add-drop multiplexer (R-OADM) comprises an array of channel waveguides coupling two groups of diffractive element sets on a slab waveguide. The channel waveguides include switchable reflectors or are coupled to other channel waveguides by optical switches. Switching a reflector to reflect or setting a switch to couple two waveguides results in a corresponding wavelength channel being added or dropped. Switching the reflector to transmit or setting the switch to uncouple the two waveguides allows the corresponding wavelength channel to pass through the R-OADM without being added or dropped.

Abstract: An optical multiplexing device includes an optical element having at least one set of diffractive elements, and an optical reflector. The reflector routes, between first and second optical ports, that portion of an optical signal transmitted by the diffractive element set. The diffractive element set routes, between first and multiplexing optical ports, a portion of the optical signal that is diffracted by the diffractive element set. More complex optical multiplexing functionality(ies) may be achieved using additional sets of diffractive elements, in a common optical element (and possibly overlaid) or in separate optical elements with multiple reflectors. Separate multiplexing devices may be assembled with coupled ports for forming more complex devices. The respective portions of an optical signal transmitted by and reflected/diffracted from the diffractive element set typically differ spectrally.