Abstract: Optical devices for guiding illumination are provided each having a body of optical material with staircase or acutely angled ramp structures on its top surface for distributing light inputted from one end of the device from the front exit faces of such structures along certain angular orientations, while at least a substantial portion of the light is totally internally reflected within the body until distributed from such front exit faces. Optical devices are also provided each have a body of optical material having a bottom surface with acutely angled ramp structures and falling structures which alternate with each other, such that light is totally internally reflected within the device until reflected by such ramp structures along the bottom surface to exit the top surface of the device or transmitted through the ramp structures to an adjacent falling structure back into the device.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device including a first waveguide, a plurality of second waveguides, and a tapered waveguide including a first end connected to the first waveguide and a second end connected to the plurality of second waveguides and configured to receive input of single-mode light from the first waveguide, the tapered waveguide widening as the tapered waveguide extends from the first end toward the second end.

Abstract: An expanded-beam all-glass retroreflector for a fiber laser cavity. The retroreflector consists of a section of a tapered double-clad fiber for beam expansion, e.g. a tapered section of the laser fiber itself, or a piece of coreless fiber spliced to the laser fiber, and a reflective surface for reflection of the expanded beam back into laser cavity through the tapered fiber section.

Abstract: An optical waveguide for a touch panel in which the intensity of light beams emitted from light-emitting portions of a plurality of light-emitting cores in the form of branches is substantially uniform independently of the branch position of the light-emitting cores, and a touch panel using the same. An optical waveguide for a touch panel is provided in which a plurality of light-emitting cores 33 are formed by dividing a tip portion of a single original core into branches. A portion extending from a basal portion 32b of the original core to a branch point 32c at which the division into the branches serving as the light-emitting cores 33 starts is an isosceles triangular portion 32 gradually widened from the basal portion 32b into the shape of an isosceles triangle. The isosceles triangle has a taper angle ? in the range greater than 0 degrees and less than 15 degrees.

Abstract: The broad range measurement exploiting the usual propagated light and the high resolution measurement mode exploiting near-field light are to be accomplished with a sole as-assembled optical probe. To this end, light radiated through an optical probe 13 having a light shielding coating layer 33 formed for defining a light radiating aperture D or light radiated at a core 31 of the optical probe 13 is propagated, as the optical probe 13 is moved in a direction towards and away from a surface for measurement 2a. The core of the optical probe is coated with a light shielding coating layer 33. In this manner, a spot of propagated light propagated through the core 31 or a spot of near-field light seeping from the light radiating aperture D is formed on the surface for measurement 2a, and light derived from the spot of light is detected.

Abstract: A hybrid, wide angle imaging system combines high sensitivity superposition arrays with a high resolution apposition array to generate distortion free images with an infinite depth of field. A conformal, superposition array of Keplerian telescope objectives focuses multiple apertures of light through the tubes of a louver baffle. The baffle tubes are terminated by field stops that separate the focused light into inverted, intermediate sub-images. A superposition array of field lenses, positioned immediately after the field stops, reverses the angles of the light beams. An apposition array of erector lenses, linked optically to the superposition arrays and field stops, refocuses and adjoins the beams into a single, upright image. The upright image is formed on the convex surface of a fiber optic imaging taper, which transfers the image to the flat bottom of the taper where it can be viewed through an eyepiece or digitized by a detector array.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises an optical device formed on a device substrate, a first optical waveguide formed on the substrate or on the optical device, and a second, mechanically discrete optical waveguide assembled with the device substrate, optical device, or first optical waveguide. The first optical waveguide is arranged for transferring an optical signal between the optical device and the first optical waveguide. The first and second optical waveguides are arranged, when the second optical waveguide is assembled with the device substrate, optical device, or first optical waveguide, for transferring the optical signal therebetween via optical transverse coupling.

Abstract: A geometrically shaped optical waveguide crossing or intersection with minimal transmission loss is described. A symmetrically tapered waveguide intersection is used to minimize loss in the intersecting region where at least two optical waveguides cross one another at 90° or nearly 90°. The present invention embodies a waveguide crossing that includes tapering the width of the waveguides as they approach the intersecting region, forcing the propagating light to contract, thereby reducing asymmetric field distortions, and thus reducing transmission loss and effectively minimizing crosstalk. This is accomplished by focusing the propagating light through a perpendicular or near perpendicular in at least two waveguide intersection by simple linear tapering rather than by the use of a lens or other previously used devices.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a passive polarization sorter includes the steps of providing first and second waveguides. The first waveguide has an input and an output. The first waveguide supporting at least one guided TE polarized mode of mode ranking mode-i-TE and at least one guided TM polarized mode of mode ranking mode-j-TM. The second waveguide is positioned adjacent to the first waveguide, and the first and second waveguides are shaped to form an adiabatic region in which light having one of the TE and TM polarized modes remains within the first waveguide, and light having the other one of the TE and TM polarized modes evanescently couples into the second waveguide.

Abstract: An optical integrated circuit with waveguide separation on a substrate includes at least one separating unit, including an optical input/output interface in relation with an external light wave guide, the interface extending in the circuit through an optical guiding input section extended by at least two optical guiding branches mutually spaced apart substantially symmetrically relative to the general direction of the input section. The input section includes as many optical guides as branches, adjacent input section optical guides being substantially rectilinear and mutually parallel, two adjacent optical guides of the input section being separated by an aperture of width D, the refractive index of the opening being lower than that of the optical guides, each input section optical guide having a determined width We1, each branch optical guide exhibiting a width increasing in the direction away from the input section from the width We1 up to a determined width Ws.

Abstract: The invention relates to: An optical coupler for coupling light from at least two input fibres into one output fibre. The invention further relates to a method of fabricating and to the use of an optical coupler. The object of the present invention is to provide an optical coupler, which is relatively easy to manufacture.

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 mode transforming structure includes a first waveguide structure. A slot waveguide region is coupled to the first waveguide structure. The slot waveguide region includes one or more complementary tapered pairs so near lossless transforming between the first waveguide structure and the slot waveguide region occurs so as to allow optical modes to be transferred between the first waveguide and the slot waveguide region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing image acquisition and/or image display in a limited region of interest (ROI). The apparatus comprises a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS), preferably integrating a light source, a cantilever, a lens, an actuator, a light detector, and a position sensor. The light source provides light for illuminating the ROI, displaying an image, providing a therapy, and/or performing other functions. The cantilever comprises a resin waveguide with a fixed end attached to a substrate that supports many or all other components. A free end of the cantilever is released from the substrate during fabrication and includes the lens. The actuator scans the free end in orthogonal directions to illuminate the ROI or display an image. The position sensors detect the position of the free end for control. The light detector receives light backscattered from the ROI separate from, or at the fixed end the cantilever.

Abstract: In a waveguide 10 including a substrate 1, a lower clad 2, an upper clad 3, and a core 4, the outline of a cross section perpendicular to the light propagating direction of the core 4 surrounded by the lower clad 2 has a shape curved with respect to the center of the cross section. The separation in the waveguide is thereby prevented, and the reliability of the optical property is enhanced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump coupler (2) and a manufacturing method. The pump coupler (2) comprises a least one signal fiber (50) for outputting optical energy, multiple pump fibers (31) for inputting optical energy into the signal fiber (50), and a coupling structure (40) for coupling the optical energy of the pump fibers (31) into the signal fiber (50). A signal feed-through fiber (32) goes through the coupling structure (40). In accordance with the invention the coupling structure (40) is a tapering capillary tube (40) having a first wide end (65) and a second narrow end (70), the pump fibers (31) are connected to the wide end of the capillary tube (40), and at least the narrow end (70) of the capillary tube (70) is collapsed around the signal fiber (32).

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump coupler (2) and a manufacturing method. The pump coupler (2) comprises a least one signal fiber (50) for outputting optical energy, multiple pump fibers (31) for inputting optical energy into the signal fiber (50), and a coupling structure (40) for coupling the optical energy of the pump fibers (31) into the signal fiber (50). A signal feed-through fiber (32) goes through the coupling structure (40). In accordance with the invention the coupling structure (40) is a tapering capillary tube (40) having a first wide end (65) and a second narrow end (70), the pump fibers (31) are connected to the wide end of the capillary tube (40), and at least the narrow end (70) of the capillary tube (70) is collapsed around the signal fiber (32).

Abstract: A broadband optical via provides a low loss interconnection between waveguides in two vertically adjacent planar waveguiding layers. Two waveguides, one in each planar layer, evanescently interact over an interaction length, and substantially all of the power on one waveguide is transferred to the second waveguide. The relative detuning between waveguides is varied along the interaction region by tapering the width of one or both guides along the direction of propagation. The interaction strength is also varied by varying the physical separation between the two waveguides such that the interaction approaches zero near the two ends of the interaction length. The performance of the broadband optical via is fabrication tolerant, polarization tolerant, wavelength tolerant, and dimensionally tolerant.

Abstract: An optical directional coupler (1) comprises first and second straight optical waveguides (2, 3) having respective cores (2a, 3a) extending longitudinally close to each other to form an optical coupler portion, and a tapered optical waveguide (4) having a core (4a) connected to the core (2a) of the first straight waveguide (2). The core (2a) of the first straight waveguide (2) has a centerline (2d). A width of the core (4a) of the tapered waveguide (4) becomes narrow toward the first straight waveguide (2) and a profile of the tapered waveguide (4) is asymmetric relative to the centerline (2d) of the core (2a) of the first straight waveguides (2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a light guide element, a light guide unit, a backlight apparatus and a light source apparatus. The light guide element is provided for guiding a light flux from a light source into a light guide plate, and the light guide element includes: an incident surface; an emitting surface; a top surface and a base surface, in which one of the top surface and the base surface inclines to the other. The light guide element further includes a structure in a light leakage reducing shape arranged on at least one of the top surface and the base surface, which reduces an amount of light to be emitted from the surfaces of the light guide element excluding the emitting surface.

Abstract: A multi-beam generating device has plural semiconductor lasers, optical fibers to propagate laser beams generated by the semiconductor lasers, an optical fiber array to propagate the laser beams passed through the optical fibers, and an optical waveguide device provided with waveguides to propagate the laser beams having passed through the optical fiber array. Each of the waveguides has a core layer and a clad layer; a pitch between adjacent waveguides in the arrangement is narrower on the output section side where the laser beams emit than on the input section side where the laser beams enter; a width of the core layer is narrower in the transverse direction that is the direction of the arrangement of the waveguides than in the vertical direction; and a difference in refractive index between the core layer and the clad layer is larger in the transverse direction than in the vertical direction.

Abstract: An optical fiber mode coupling device, capable of being readily connected to a conventional optical fiber with a high degree of ruggedness, is provided. The inventive mode coupling device only allows transmission of at least one supported fiber mode therethrough, and is preferably configured to maximize the coupling, of at least one desired fiber mode, to the at least one supported fiber mode. Advantageously, the inventive mode coupling device is capable of performing the functions of a mode filter for the signal entering its first end, or serving as a mode conditioner for the signal entering its opposite second end.

Abstract: A coupling structure for coupling optical radiation, i.e., light, between an optical fibre and an optical device, e.g., a laser diode or a photodiode. The coupling structure has an optical through-via which guides the optical radiation to or from the optical fibre. Light exiting the fibre travels through a guidance channel so it remains substantially confined to a narrow optical path that mimics the fibre core. Conversely, light enters the fibre after having traveled through the guidance channel. The guidance channel has a first core region, the “channel core”, having first refractive index surrounded by a second region, the “channel cladding” having a second refractive index smaller than the first refractive index. The coupling structure, including the guidance channel, is preferably made of semiconductor-based material, more preferably of silicon-based material. The guidance channel is preferably silicon oxide.

Abstract: An optical coupler, the optical coupler being usable with a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. The second optical fiber defines a second fiber coupling section and a second fiber transmitting section extending from the second fiber coupling section. The second fiber coupling section defines a radially outwardmost peripheral surface, the radially outwardmost peripheral surface defining a peripheral surface coupling portion. The optical coupler includes a coupler first end section and a substantially opposed coupler second end section, the coupler first end section defining a first coupling surface. The optical coupler defines a second coupling surface extending along the coupler first and second end sections. The first coupling surface is optically couplable with the first optical fiber and the second coupling surface is positionable so as to extend substantially parallel to the peripheral surface coupling portion and to be optically coupled with the peripheral surface coupling portion.

Abstract: The invention describes method and apparatus for a mode converter enabling an adiabatic transfer of a higher order mode into a lower order optical mode within a photonic integrated circuit exploiting integrated semiconductor ridge waveguide techniques. As disclosed by the invention, such a mode conversion is achievable by using an asymmetric coupler methodology. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the invention is used to provide a low insertion loss optical connection between laterally-coupled DFB laser operating in first order mode and passive waveguide operating in the zero order optical mode. The integrated arrangement fabricated by using one-step epitaxial growth allows for a launch of the laser's light into the waveguide circuitry operating in the zero order lateral mode or efficiently coupling it to single-mode fiber, an otherwise high loss interface due to the difference in laser and optical fiber modes.

Abstract: An optical device, optical system, and method of generating optical beams having high angular momenta are provided. The optical device includes a whispering gallery mode resonator defining a resonator radius and an elongated waveguide having a length defined between a first end and a second end of the waveguide. The waveguide defines a waveguide radius which increases at least along a portion of the length of the waveguide in a direction from the first end to the second end. The waveguide radius at the first end of the waveguide is smaller than the resonator radius and the resonator is integrally formed with the first end of the waveguide.

Abstract: A planar light wave circuit may be formed with a pair of waveguides arranged in close proximity to one another. At least one of the waveguides may be segmented. Through segmentation, the average mode-field diameter may be adjusted. Controlling the average mode-field diameter enables precise control over the coupling characteristics.

Abstract: An optical coupler for coupling light from at least two input fibers into one output fiber and a method of fabricating and use of an optical coupler. The coupler comprises a) an input section comprising an output end face at one end of the bundling-length of input fibers; and b) an output section comprising an output fiber comprising a confining region for confining light propagated in the input fibers and a surrounding cladding region and having an input end face; wherein the output end face of said input section is optically coupled to the input end face of the output section and at least the confining region of the output fiber is tapered down from a first cross sectional area at the input end face to a second, smaller cross sectional area over a tapering-length of the output fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to coupling of light from one or more input waveguides to an output waveguide or output section of a waveguide having other physical dimensions and/or optical properties than the input waveguide or waveguides. The invention relates to an optical component in the form of a photonic crystal fiber for coupling light from one component/system with a given numerical aperture to another component/system with another numerical aperture. The invention further relates to methods of producing the optical component, and articles comprising the optical component, and to the use of the optical component. The invention further relates to an optical component comprising a bundle of input fibers that are tapered and fused together to form an input coupler e.g. for coupling light from several light sources into a single waveguide. The invention still further relates to the control of the spatial extension of a guided mode (e.g.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device 1a is configured to include a straight waveguide 2a and bottleneck portions 3a provided in two locations in the longitudinal direction of the waveguide 2a. In the optical waveguide device 1a, light confinement is implemented in all surfaces. This permits provision of an optical waveguide device, wherein a reflector or resonator can be provided in a waveguide using a simple configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conical wedge-shaped lensed fiber and the method of making the same. The method comprises: (a) providing an optical fiber having a central axis and an end; (b) machining the end of the optical fiber to form a flat end face; (c) machining the end of the optical fiber to form a conical region; (d) machining one side of the conical region to form a flat first surface; (e) machining another side of the conical region to form a flat third surface, wherein the first surface and the third surface intersect at a intersecting line that is perpendicular to the central axis; and (f) fusing the intersecting line to form a lens. The method has simplified fabricating processes and need not to set up any particular angle of rotation of the fiber. Therefore, the fabricating time and cost are reduced, and the coupling efficiency of the lensed fiber is up to 90%.

Abstract: An optical coupling device for coupling an optical signal propagating in an optical fiber or space to an optical waveguide includes a lower cladding layer formed on a substrate, an optical waveguide formed on the lower cladding layer such that the tip of the optical waveguide points to an end portion of the lower cladding layer, and having a tapered distal end portion, and an upper cladding layer continuously formed on the lower cladding layer and on the distal end portion of the optical waveguide from the end portion of the lower cladding layer to the distal end portion of the optical waveguide, and having a refractive index higher than that of the lower cladding layer. The upper cladding layer draws light having entered the end portion of the lower cladding layer toward the upper cladding layer, and couples the light to the distal end portion of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: The invention discloses multi-channel fiber Bragg grating (FBG) interrogation systems and manufacture thereof. The multi-channel fiber Bragg-grating sensor interrogation unit comprises at least one integrated optic sensor microchip and a signal processing IC-electronics unit in a miniaturized, telecommunications standard, hermetically sealed 2-cm×5-cm SFF single fiber package.

Abstract: An arrangement for providing alignment between an optical nanotaper coupler and a free space optical signal includes the formation of a “ridge” structure around the location of the nanotaper coupler to reduce stray light-related errors in the alignment process. The ridge is preferably formed by etching vertical sidewalls through the inter-level dielectric (ILD) and buried oxide (BOX) layers of the SOI structure. When an optical source (such as an illuminated fiber, laser, etc.) is scanned across this etched arrangement, the signal received by an associated photodetector registers an increase at the boundary between the etched region and the vertical sidewall of the ridge, thus defining the bounds within which the nanotaper coupler is located. Since the dimensions of the ridge are known and controlled by the etching process, the location of the nanotaper coupler tip along the endface of the ridge can be determined from this scan.

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: A Y branch circuit according to the present invention includes; a under clad; a circuit core, formed on the under clad and having a main core and two branch cores, connected to the main core, and an over clad that embeds the circuit core. The main core and the two branch cores are connected across an interval. The two branch cores have a width-to-height ratio of 50% to 150% and have a gap, at the main core end, that is narrower at the over clad side than at the under clad side.

Abstract: A method of using a passive polarization sorter comprising the step of deploying a first waveguide and a second waveguide forming an adiabatic region along a portion of their length. Then, an input optical signal is introduced into the first waveguide wherein light having at least one guided TE polarized mode of mode ranking mode-i-TE and at least one guided TM polarized mode of mode ranking mode-j-TM remaining within the first waveguide. Light having the other one of the TE and TM polarized modes is evanescently coupled into the second waveguide in the adiabatic region.

Abstract: A data link for transmitting data between first and second optically active devices, such as in articulated electronic devices. A coupling unit is mounted above each optically active device. Each coupling unit has a convexly tapered well extending between a top surface and a bottom surface, with a larger opening in the top surface and a smaller opening at the bottom surface. The tapered well receives one end of the optical fiber and aligns the end with the corresponding optically active device. The smaller opening of the well may have a circular cross-section or a keyhole cross-section. A groove may be disposed near a top surface of each coupling unit, with the groove extending between the tapered well and a sidewall of the coupling unit. A segment of the optical fiber disposed near an end curves along the contour of the convexly tapered sidewalls when the optical fiber is inserted into the groove. A pair of opposed lips retain the optical fiber in the groove.

Abstract: An optical medium has a graded effective refractive index with a high maximum refractive index change. The medium is formed using alternating layers of two or more materials having significantly different refractive indices. The thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials is substantially less than the effective light wavelength of interest. The effective index of refraction in a local region within the medium depends on the ratio of the average volumes of the two materials in the local region. A graded index of refraction is provided by varying the relative thicknesses of the two materials.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a current sensing device. The current sensing device includes, inter alia, a three-by-three (3×3) optical coupler made of polarization-maintaining (PM) fibers and thus being a PM fiber coupler; a light source and at least one photon-detector connected to a first side of the 3×3 PM fiber coupler; and a fiber coil connected to a second side of the 3×3 PM fiber coupler. The 3×3 PM fiber coupler is adapted to split an input light from the light source into first and second optical signals while maintaining their respective polarization directions; and is adapted to cause coherent interference of third and fourth optical signals, related respectively to the first and second optical signals and received from the fiber coil.

Abstract: A fiber optic transceiver module having built-in test capability is packaged in a housing to meet small-form-factor (SFF) requirements. The module has a first optical fiber having an angled end that defines an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the first optical fiber. A second optical fiber also has an angled end that defines an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the second optical fiber. The first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are aligned with one another. An optical source emits an optical signal propagated along the first optical fiber in which a portion of the optical signal is received at the second optical fiber and is propagated along the second optical fiber. An optical detector receives a return optical signal transmitted through the angled end of the second optical fiber in response to reflection from a discontinuity in the optical path of the second optical fiber.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical fiber composite comprising an asymmetric optical fiber comprising a first end with a substantially non-circular cross-section, and a substantially circular clad optical fiber comprising a tapered end section which has a substantially non-circular cross section and where the asymmetric optical fiber and the substantially circular clad optical fiber are spliced together at the first and second ends. The invention also relates to methods of making such optical fiber composites and devices that include such optical fiber composites.

Abstract: Optical fiber probe tips and methods for fabricating the same are presented. One method entails immersing a distal end of an optical fiber having a cladding and a core into an etching solution and simultaneously etching the cladding and the core using the etching solution for tapering the cladding and the core to form a tapered cladding and a tapered core tip. The optical fiber probe tips are suitable for near-field, scanning, optical microscopy (NSOM).

Abstract: An all-fiber, phase controlled interferometer device is disclosed as well as its method of manufacture. This device is suitable for use in an optical DPSK demodulation system. It is comprised of two optical fiber couplers, each having two input and two output ports and two branches between the couplers of unequal length. The couplers have a splicing ratio of 50% over the wavelength operating range of the device. The two branches between the couplers are shaped to provide one bit of delay between the branches and are also shaped to make a compact device. Also, the two branches are formed in such a manner as to minimize birefringence in the device. In addition, a fiber heater is provided to heat the longer branch so as to obtain phase control of the interferometer. The method of producing such a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for optical communication is provided. The apparatus includes a first waveguide formed on a first surface and a second waveguide formed on a second surface. The first and second surfaces are bonded together to form an air gap between the first and second surfaces and diffraction gratings of the first and second waveguides are facing each other. A third waveguide is formed on a third surface, and the third surface is bonded to the second surface so an air gap exists between the third and second surface and diffraction gratings of the third and second wave guides face each other. The light beam passes from the second wave guide across the air gap and into the third waveguide.

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: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for minimizing losses in wavelength selective filters. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a waveguide bus defined in a first crystalline layer of the apparatus, for receiving incoming light, a resonator defined in the first crystalline layer, and a coupling structure defined in a second polysilicon or amorphous silicon layer of the apparatus, for coupling a selected wavelength of the incoming light from the waveguide bus to the resonator.

Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a first end surface; a second end surface, such that the second end surface is smaller than the first end surface; and a body extending between the first end surface and the second end surface, the body defining a complexly-contoured outer surface. An optical waveguide includes a first end surface; a second end surface, such that the second end surface is smaller than the first end surface; and a body extending between the first end surface and the second end surface, the body comprising one of a gradient-index material and a step-index material.

Abstract: An optical modulator has, on a substrate having electro-optic effect, an optical waveguide including an input optical waveguide, two branching optical waveguides which branch a light beam incident to the input optical waveguide into two beams, two interaction optical waveguides which modulate a light beam phase by applying a voltage between a center electrode and ground electrodes, a multiplexing optical waveguide which multiplexes the light beams which propagate through the two interaction optical waveguides, and an output optical waveguide which is connected to the multiplexing optical waveguide through a multiplexing point.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for modulating electromagnetic radiation are disclosed. A plasmon waveguide including an array of metallic nanoparticles disposed on a dielectric substrate is provided. The plasmon waveguide is disposed on a MEMS structure. An electromagnetic radiation signal is applied to a tapered fiber disposed proximate the MEMS structure. The intensity of the electromagnetic radiation signal passing through the tapered fiber is modified by displacing a deformable member of the MEMS structure to modify a distance between the plasmon waveguide and the tapered fiber such that an evanescent field of the tapered fiber causes a plasmon resonance in the plasmon waveguide.