Abstract: An optical component including an acceptance fiber, e.g. a photonic crystal fiber, for propagation of pump and signal light, a number of pump delivery fibers and a reflector element that reflects pump light from the pump delivery fibers into the acceptance fiber. An optical component includes a) a first fiber having a pump core with an NA1, and a first fiber end; b) a number of second fibers surrounding the pump core of the first fiber, at least one of the second fibers has a pump core with an NA2 that is smaller than NA1, the number of second fibers each having a second fiber end; and c) a reflector element having an end-facet with a predetermined profile for reflecting light from at least one of the second fiber ends into the pump core of the first fiber.

Abstract: An optical device wherein an optical waveguide is formed on a dielectric substrate, the optical device includes an input part and an output part where the optical waveguide and corresponding optical fibers are connected. A stress layer is provided for at least one of the input part and the output part. The stress layer applies a stress to the optical waveguide so that an index of refraction of the optical waveguide is reduced.

Abstract: The multiplexer includes multi-mode waveguides positioned on a base such that a plurality of the waveguides serve as input waveguides and one or more of the waveguides serve as an output waveguide. The waveguides intersect one another such that light signals traveling along a plurality of the input waveguides are combined onto an output waveguide. At least a portion of the input waveguides including a taper configured to taper the width of a light signal traveling along the input waveguide toward the output waveguide.

Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a first waveguide region and a second waveguide region. The first waveguide region includes a first core, a first clad provided around the first core, and a light reflecting surface. The light reflecting surface has at least one function of (i) reflecting light from a longitudinal direction of the first core toward a direction crossing the longitudinal direction and (ii) reflecting light from the crossing direction toward the longitudinal direction of the first core. The second waveguide region continues from the first waveguide region. The second waveguide region that includes a second core, and a second clad provided around the second core. The second core of the second waveguide region is thinner than the first core of the first waveguide region. A total thickness of the second core and the second clad is smaller than that of the first core and the first clad.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a waveguide structure, and methods for making the same. The waveguide structure has a polarization rotator for rotating the polarization of the electromagnetic signal, preferably by about ninety-degrees. In one embodiment, the polarization rotator has a midsection with a first level and a second level. The first level of the midsection has a width that decreases along the length of the first level, while the second level has a substantially constant width along the length of the second level. Further, the waveguide structure can include an input conditioning section and the output conditioning section to facilitate matching between the polarization rotator and other waveguide elements.

Abstract: An ultrasensitive optical detector with high resolution in time, using a waveguide, and a processes for manufacturing this detector. The detector is configured to detect at least one photon and includes a dielectric substrate and at least one detection element on the substrate, configured to generate an electrical signal starting from energy of the photon received, and a guide element to guide the photon, the energy of which is then absorbed by the detection element at an absorption zone which is less than 100 nm thick. The detection element is substantially straight on the substrate and is short, and the guide element includes a single mode light waveguide with strong confinement, placed on the detection element. The detector is particularly applicable to detection and localization of operating defects in a semiconducting circuit.

Abstract: An optical transmission fiber is formed to include a relatively low-index, relatively thin outer cladding layer disposed underneath the protective polymer outer coating. Stray light propagating along an inner cladding layer(s) within the fiber will be refracted into the thin outer cladding (by proper selection of refractive index values). The thin dimension of the outer cladding layer allows for the stray light to “leak” into the outer coating in a controlled, gradual manner so as to minimize heating of the coating associated with the presence of stray light. The inventive fiber may also be bent to assist in the movement of stray light into the coating.

Abstract: Discrete first and second optical transmission subunits are formed each having a corresponding transmission optical waveguide with a corresponding optical junction region. The first transmission optical waveguide is a planar optical waveguide formed on a substrate. The first transmission optical waveguide or the second transmission optical waveguide is adapted for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power between the optical waveguides at the respective optical junction regions. The first and second optical transmission subunits are assembled together to form an optical apparatus.

Abstract: A method of forming a waveguide, the method comprising the steps of: forming a multilayer stack of light guiding layers; and delaminating the multilayer stack between at least two of the light guiding layers to form a waveguide between the light guiding layers; in which the patterned region has converging sides and the waveguide is tapered, the multilayer stack having increased transmissivity at a region corresponding to a selected thickness of the waveguide. A tapered waveguide is also disclosed, comprising: a multilayer stack of light guiding layers; the multilayer stack defining a channel between at least a first waveguiding layer and a second waveguiding layer; the channel having a diminishing thickness in a first direction; and at least one of the first waveguiding layer and the second waveguiding layer having a region of increased transmissivity adjacent a selected thickness of the core. Methods for the use of the tapered waveguide as an optical coupler or spectrometer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A backlight assembly for feeding illuminating light to a passive display panel is disclosed. The backlight assembly comprises a plurality of waveguides being formed and/or embedded in at least one substrate and arranged to feed illuminating light to each sub-pixel position of the passive display panel in a manner such that each pixel region is illuminated by at least two waveguides, wherein each waveguide of the at least two waveguides is disposed to illuminate one sub-pixel position of the pixel region by a respective color channel.

Abstract: Fiber optic sensors commonly require a 180 degree turnaround to form a continuous optical circuit. Methods and apparatus for providing 180 degree turnarounds in a fiber optic system that include a shorter radius turnaround then provided by micro-bending the optic fiber are desired. An embodiment of a turnaround apparatus includes a first optic fiber pigtail, a second optic fiber pigtail, and an optical waveguide forming a U-shaped path having an input end optically connected to a first end of the first pigtail and an output end optically connected to a first end of the second pigtail.

Abstract: A multimode fiber coupler has a structure in which a plurality of tapered pump fibers are coupled laterally to a multi-clad fiber, such as a double clad fiber (DCF). Such coupler is produced by first forming a plurality of tapered pump fibers and positioning them around the multi-clad fiber, thus forming a fiber bundle. Then, the fiber bundle is twisted and fused so that the input pump fibers converge towards a waist and then diverge from it. The diverging portions of the pump fibers may be removed from the structure. Also, at the waist, the structure may be cleaved and the portion with the converging pump fibers is then spliced with a multi-clad fiber which is similar or identical to the one in the middle of the bundle.

Abstract: An optical transmission fiber is formed to include a relatively low-index, relatively thin outer cladding layer disposed underneath the protective polymer outer coating. Stray light propagating along an inner cladding layer(s) within the fiber will be refracted into the thin outer cladding (by proper selection of refractive index values). The thin dimension of the outer cladding layer allows for the stray light to “leak” into the outer coating in a controlled, gradual manner so as to minimize heating of the coating associated with the presence of stray light. The inventive fiber may also be bent to assist in the movement of stray light into the coating.

Abstract: A planar waveguide circuit includes a silica-based planar optical waveguide circuit having a lower cladding, a core and an upper cladding. At least one input waveguide and one output waveguide are each coupled to the optical waveguide circuit. At least one tapered waveguide section is located in the waveguide circuit, which has an upper cladding segment that tapers down to at least the core to define a tapered recess. A filler material having a negative thermo-optic coefficient fills the tapered recess so that the optical waveguide circuit has an optical characteristic with a reduced temperature dependence.

Abstract: With the width d of the incidence-side light guide portion of a first light guide and the width d of the incidence-side light guide portion of a second light guide, the width W1 of the emission-side light guide portion of the first light guide and the width W2 of the emission-side light guide portion of the second light guide are set to satisfy the relationship of d<W1=W2. In the first light guide, substantially all of the light that has been emitted from the incidence-side light guide portion and has been transmitted through the intersection can be captured by the emission-side light guide portion without being leaked out. In the second light guide, substantially all of the light that has been emitted from the incidence-side light guide portion and has been transmitted through the intersection can be captured by the emission-side light guide portion without being leaked out. Consequently, light loss can be reduced significantly.

Abstract: An optical filter and methods of filtering are provided. The optical filter includes a hollow-core fiber including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a hollow core having a first diameter and a cladding having a second diameter. The second portion includes a hollow core having a third diameter smaller than the first diameter and a cladding having a fourth diameter smaller than the second diameter.

Abstract: Provided is an optical device, which includes a substrate, a first cladding disposed on the substrate, a first optical waveguide extended in a first direction on the first cladding, and having a first refractive index, a side grating formed in at least one side of the first optical waveguide, a second optical waveguide filling a space of the side grating, extended in a second direction across the first direction on the first cladding, and having a second refractive index, and a second cladding disposed on the second optical waveguide, and having a third refractive index, wherein the first refractive index is greater than the second refractive index, and the second refractive index is greater than the third refractive index.

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: An optical coupler is provided for a passive coherent combination of fiber lasers/amplifiers. A plurality of optical fibers are arranged in a close-packed hexagonal array having 1+3n(n+1) fibers with (3/2)(n2?n)+3 interferometrically dark fibers and (3/2)(n2+3n)?2 light fibers, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Each optical fiber has a first end and a second end. The plurality of optical fibers are fused together along a section of each optical fiber proximate the first end of each optical fiber to form a fused section having a fiber axis. The fused section of the plurality of optical fibers is tapered to form a tapered region. A facet is at an end of the fused section. The facet is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the fiber axis. The coherent pattern is highly stable against perturbation.

Abstract: A device for coupling multimode pump light and a laser signal into or out of a cladding-pumped fibre laser is disclosed, comprising an output optical fibre, a substantially un-tapered feed-through optical fibre, an annular waveguide having a tapered section, and a plurality of multimode pump fibres such that: the signal feed-through fibre is located within the annular waveguide; the signal feed-through fibre is fused into the annular waveguide in the tapered section so that the annular waveguide becomes an additional cladding layer of the feed-through fibre; the end of the feed-through fibre that is fused into the annular waveguide is optically coupled to the output optical fibre; the multimode pump fibres are optically coupled to the annular waveguide in the un-tapered section. Methods of forming the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A light coupler emitting a high power laser with a high beam quality and a fiber laser system including the light coupler is disclosed. The light coupler includes a first optical fiber bundle comprising a plurality of first optical fibers having either a single-mode core or a few-mode core and a second optical fiber, which guides multi-mode beams and is connected to the first optical fiber bundle. The optical fiber laser system includes a light coupler having a first optical fiber bundle comprising a plurality of first optical fiber having either a single-mode core or a few-mode core and a second optical fiber, which is connected to the first optical fiber bundle, is either a single cladding optical fiber or a double cladding optical fiber, and guides multi-mode beams, and one or more gain medium optical fiber, which is connected to the light coupler and emits light.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first waveguide configured to focus an electromagnetic wave to a focal region, and a second waveguide to further condense the light to an optical spot. The second waveguide includes a metallic structure defining an opening having one end positioned adjacent to the focal region and a multilayer structure positioned in the opening, the multilayer structure including a first layer of dielectric material, and second and third layers of dielectric material positioned on opposite sides of the first layer. A layer of lower index of refraction than that of the first dielectric layer may be positioned adjacent to the inner walls of the opening in the second waveguide to efficiently excite surface plasmons, and propagate them with low loss.

Abstract: A laser handpiece is disclosed, including a shaped fiber optic tip having a side-firing output end with a double bevel-cut shape. The shaped fiber optic tip can be configured to side-fire laser energy in a direction away from a laser handpiece and toward sidewalls of a treatment or target site.

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: A hybrid EO polymer/sol-gel modulator in which the sol-gel core waveguide does not lie below the active EO polymer waveguide increases the higher electric field/optical field overlap factor ? and reduces inter-electrode separation d thereby lowering the modulator's half-wave drive voltage V?, reducing insertion loss and improving extinction.

Abstract: A transceiver for use in a bidirectional optical communication link over a multimode channel is provided. The transceiver includes a single transverse mode light source in a transmitter. A waveguide or fiber based bidirectional coupler projects the transmitter mode to the high modes of the multimode channel. A detector coupled to predominantly all the modes of the channel via the waveguide or fiber based bidirectional coupler.

Abstract: A fiber loop formed by bending of a connection section between the first fiber and the second fiber includes a coupling region and an upper taper region as well as a down taper region arranged symmetrically on two sides of the coupling region. Then the fiber optic splitter with the fiber loop is assembled with a splitting ratio modulation mechanism. Thus the manufacturing of the fiber optic power splitter with variable splitting ratio is simplified and this favors production and applications of the device. Moreover, the splitting and modulation quality of the splitter are stable and are controlled precisely. Thus the economic benefits of the device in manufacturing, operation quality and product competitiveness are all improved.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for tuning an optical delay line. In one embodiment, an optical delay line includes at least one ring resonator in which light is guided or is confined and at least one heater positioned laterally from the ring resonator. The heater produces heat in a localized area, allowing for the tuning of individual delay elements with minimal crosstalk.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated optoelectronic subassembly having a waveguide layer stack which is applied on a substrate and has a fiber light-receiving waveguide layer in which at least one photodiode is waveguide-integrated is proposed. A plurality of photodiodes is integrated in the waveguide which is structured laterally and/or vertically in such a manner that there is connected to a coupling waveguide an optical distribution network which in turn feeds the plurality of waveguide-integrated photodiodes in parallel via waveguide parts, which photodiodes are connected electrically in series. All the components are integrated on one chip and conversion of an optical input power into an electrical power is undertaken for current supply purposes. A photodiode can be configured as a signal diode which is supplied from the remaining of the plurality of diodes, as a result of which a self-supplied photodetector is formed.

Abstract: A spot size converter has a first core, a larger second core, and a clad disposed on a substrate. The first core has a rectilinear cross-sectional shape and is embedded in the clad, except at its ends. One of these ends has a sloping surface along which the thickness of the first core tapers gradually to zero. The second core, which has a refractive index intermediate between the refractive indexes of the first core and clad, sits on the clad and covers the sloping end surface of the first core. Light propagates through the first core, then through the second core into an external optical device, or propagates from an external optical device through the second core into the first core. This arrangement provides a spot size converter having an easily manufacturable structure and no polarization dependency.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed is an optical waveguide structure that has a first waveguide provided with the opposite ends A and B, a second waveguide with the opposite ends C and D, a third waveguide with the opposite ends E and F, and a coupling waveguide having its first beam incoming/outgoing end connected to the end B of the first waveguide and its second beam incoming/outgoing end connected to the end C of the second waveguide and the end E of the third waveguide. The optical waveguide is characterized in that the first waveguide and the coupling waveguide are longitudinally dimensioned so that light beam at its peak of light intensity can transit the point of axial mal-alignment at the end A of the first waveguide and further transit the axial zone at the second beam incoming/outgoing end of the coupling waveguide.

Abstract: A spot size converter has a first core, a larger second core, and a clad disposed on a substrate. The first core has a rectilinear cross-sectional shape and is embedded in the clad, except at its ends. One of these ends has a sloping surface along which the thickness of the first core tapers gradually to zero. The second core, which has a refractive index intermediate between the refractive indexes of the first core and clad, sits on the clad and covers the sloping end surface of the first core. Light propagates through the first core, then through the second core into an external optical device, or propagates from an external optical device through the second core into the first core. This arrangement provides a spot size converter having an easily manufacturable structure and no polarization dependency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficient coupling between a silicon photonic chip and an optical fiber is described. In one embodiment, an apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention includes: a first optical waveguide having a first end to optically couple to a first external device and a second end, the second end having a taper with a tip at the second end, a second optical waveguide optically coupled to the taper of the first optical waveguide, having a taper with a tip at a second end, and a third optical waveguide optically coupled to the taper of the second optical waveguide, the third optical waveguide to optically couple to a second external device having a larger cross-sectional area than the first external device.

Abstract: An exemplary liquid crystal display (200) includes a plurality of gate lines (201), data lines (202), common lines (210), first pixel electrodes (204) and second pixel electrodes (214). Each of areas defined by one of the first pixel electrodes and an adjacent one of the second pixel electrodes is a pixel unit (208). Each pixel unit is driven by a first TFT (203) and a second TFT (213). The first thin film transistor and the second thin film transistor in each pixel unit are connected to a same one of the gate lines and a same one of the data lines, and to the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode respectively. A channel width/length ratio of the first thin film transistor is different from a channel width/length ratio of the second thin film transistor.

Abstract: An optical filter module for wavelength multiplexing and demultiplexing and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The optical filter module for wavelength multiplexing and demultiplexing includes: at least one or more input waveguides; an input-stage star coupler in the form of a slab waveguide connected to the input waveguides; array waveguide which is connected to the input-stage star coupler and in which a plurality of individual waveguides, each of which has an optical path having a predetermined length different to those of the other waveguides and has a heterogeneous waveguide interval formed of a material having a different refraction index from that of a core of the waveguides, are sequentially arranged; an output-stage star coupler in the form of a slab waveguide connected to the array waveguides; and at least one or more output waveguides connected to the output-stage star coupler.

Abstract: An optical coupler is formed of a low index material and exhibits a mode field diameter suitable to provide efficient coupling between a free space optical signal (of large mode field diameter) and a single mode high index waveguide formed on an optical substrate. One embodiment comprises an antiresonant reflecting optical waveguide (ARROW) structure in conjunction with an embedded (high index) nanotaper coupling waveguide. Another embodiment utilizes a low index waveguide structure disposed in an overlapped arrangement with a high index nanotaper coupling waveguide. The low index waveguide itself includes a tapered region that overlies the nanotaper coupling waveguide to facilitate the transfer of the optical energy from the low index waveguide into an associated single mode high index waveguide. Methods of forming these devices using CMOS processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical intermediary component is suitable for guiding a light from an output optical path into an input optical path. The optical intermediary component includes a light guiding portion extending along a light axis. The light guiding portion has a light incident surface and a light emitting surface at two opposite ends thereof respectively. The light from the output optical path passes through the light incident surface and the light emitting surface of the light guiding portion in sequence, and is guided into the input optical path. The area of the light incident surface is greater than that of the light emitting surface. Therefore, a high assembly tolerance may reduce the manufacturing and assembly cost.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical fiber probe includes the steps of providing an optical fiber including a core and a outer protective layer disposed therearound; removing a portion of the outer protective layer to expose a portion of the core; etching the exposed portion of the core to achieve a predetermined shape and thus form a detector; surrounding the detector with a gel solution containing metal particles; and evaporating a solvent in the gel solution to form a metal layer on the surface of the detector.

Abstract: An optical device and an optical system are provided for coupling of light. The optical device comprises a planar substrate; and an optical waveguiding layer disposed on the planar substrate. The optical waveguiding layer comprises a grating portion for coupling light between a planar waveguide and an optical fiber; and a tapered guiding portion for converting the mode size between the fiber and the planar waveguide. The grating portion comprises a first grating section having non-uniform periods.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for propagating electromagnetic radiation of a selected vacuum wavelength beyond the diffraction limit. The apparatus comprises a waveguide core and a cladding disposed about the core. The waveguide core may include a material with an anisotropic dielectric permittivity, with the optical axis of the material primarily aligned with direction of light propagation. In addition, the waveguide core may have a cross-sectional dimension smaller than about ½ of the selected wavelength at least at one portion of the waveguide core. The cross-sectional dimension of the waveguide core may decrease along the length of the waveguide core creating a taper to provide a photonic funnel. The waveguide core may comprise a homogeneous anisotropic material, anisotropic metamaterial, or a photonic crystal.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical transmission structural body capable of preferably transmitting an optical signal between an optical wiring and an optical waveguide irrespective of a shape of a portion of the optical wiring, the portion being connected to a core part of the optical waveguide. The optical transmission structural body of the present invention is constituted so that at least an optical wiring and an optical waveguide are connected to each other and an optical signal can be transmitted between a core of the optical wiring and a core part of the optical waveguide, wherein a portion of the optical wiring, the portion being connected to the core part of the optical waveguide, is not specially subjected to a planarization processing or has a surface roughness Ra based on JIS B 0601 of 0.1 ?m or more.

Abstract: A laser handpiece is disclosed, including a shaped fiber optic tip having a side-firing output end with a non-cylindrical shape. The shaped fiber optic tip can be configured to side-fire laser energy in a direction away from a laser handpiece and toward sidewalls of a treatment or target site.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for displays are disclosed that utilize light concentration array between mechanical light modulators and the viewing surface of the display. The light concentration array includes an array of optical elements that concentrate light on respective ones of the light modulators to maximize the contrast ratio and off axis viewing of the display.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for operation therefore. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes an optical coupling structure disposed within a cladding region, wherein the optical coupling structure includes a first guiding portion and a second guiding portion. In this embodiment the first guiding portion has a first end proximate a core of a planar waveguide, and a second end proximate the second guiding portion and having a first thickness. Moreover, in this embodiment the second guiding portion has a first end proximate the first guiding portion and a second end, the second end of the second guiding portion having a second thickness less than the first thickness.

Abstract: An optical fiber part includes an optical fiber having a main fiber, a taper fiber and a small-diameter fiber. The core diameter of the taper fiber decreases along an optical axis. Further, a heat-radiation silicon adhesive that is a highly heat-conductive material having heat conductivity of 4 W/m·K or higher has been applied to the entire area of the outer circumference of the taper fiber and a part of the small-diameter fiber next to the taper fiber. An input end of the optical fiber is connected to a semiconductor laser having an output power of 10 W. Light output from the laser propagates through the optical fiber and output from the output end. A part of light that has propagated through the main fiber and entered the taper fiber is output through the cladding thereof. Heat generated by light output from the cladding is transferred through the heat-radiation silicon adhesive and radiated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical waveguide film that has a high optical coupling efficiency at a light input portion and an excellent flexibility at least a part of the film. Specifically, the present invention provides an optical waveguide film that has a core and a clad comprising a resin and has a light input portion, wherein there is a portion having a thickness smaller than that of the light input portion. Further, the present invention provides an electrical and optical hybrid film in which an electrical wiring board is joined to the optical waveguide film or an electronic device in which these films are built in.

Abstract: A device for providing an expanded mode field from a single mode optical waveguide is formed by fusing a length of single mode optical fiber with a length of fiber rod absent a cladding and adiabatically tapering the fused region. The length of single mode fiber has a core having a refractive index nco and a cladding having a refractive index ncl, wherein ncl<nco and wherein the cladding has an outer diameter ?. The length of fiber rod absent the cladding has a refractive index of the fiber rod is substantially the same as the cladding index ncl of the single mode optical fiber. The outer diameter of the length of fiber rod is ?, the same as the cladding diameter of the single mode fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an optical-mode-converter structure. The optical-mode-converter structure includes a tapered optical core on a planar substrate, an optical cladding layer covering the tapered optical core and a mode-expanding layer. The mode-expanding layer covers the tapered optical core and is located in-between the tapered optical core and the optical cladding layer. The mode-expanding layer has a refractive index that is in-between a refractive index of the tapered optical core and a refractive index of the optical cladding layer.

Abstract: A receiver includes a waveguide defined in a layer of silicon positioned on a base. The waveguide is immobilized relative to the base along the length of the waveguide. The waveguide is unbranched and is a multi-mode waveguide. The receiver also includes a groove configured to receive an optical fiber. The groove is positioned such that when the optical fiber is positioned in the groove the waveguide receives a light signal that exits a facet of the optical fiber. The receiver also includes a light sensor configured to receive the light signal from the waveguide after the light signal is received by the waveguide, is guided through the waveguide, and exits the waveguide. The receiver also includes a tunable optical attenuator configured to attenuate the light signal as the light signal travels along the waveguide. The receiver can be formed on a chip such that the waveguide is the only optical waveguide on the chip.

Abstract: A light switch is disclosed to turn on or off the light signal in a light channel by means of the response of piezoelectric material to the electric field of light in the light channel. The LIGHT TRIGGERED LIGHT SWITCH is a light switch that is actuated by light of sufficient power. Light of different frequencies may travel in a light channel together without hindering each other, as long as the channel is the right size for both frequencies of light. The light that actuates the switch may be a different frequency than the light signal that is switched on or off. Fiber optic communication channels are among the channels that these switches may be used for.