One example includes an optical isolator system. An optical isolator element transmits a first optical beam provided at a first port to be output from a second port and blocks a second optical beam provided at the second port from being output from the first port. The optical beams each include a first component and a second component that are orthogonally linearly polarized. The optical isolator element can provide optical isolation based on transverse shifting the first and second components of the optical beams relative to each other to provide propagation of the first optical beam from the first port to the second port and to prevent propagation of the second optical beam from the second port to the first port. At least one phase adjuster adjusts a relative phase of the first and second components of the first optical beam to align the components of the first optical beam.

A non-reciprocal phase shift device may include an optical waveguide (e.g., a silicon waveguide) on a substrate; and a magneto-optical cladding layer on the optical waveguide, wherein the magneto-optical cladding layer includes a plurality of segments arranged having alternating magnetization directions aligned transverse to a longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide.

An electronic power cell memory back-up battery is disclosed. The electronic power cell memory back-up battery utilizes stored light photons to produce usable energy, and can be used to replace batteries or other power sources in electronic devices. The electronic power cell memory back-up battery disclosed includes a light source and a photovoltaic device in optical communication with the light source. The photovoltaic device creates electrical power in response to receiving light from the light source. A portion of the electrical power generated by the photovoltaic device is used to power the light source. In some embodiments power input contacts are included for use in providing initial start-up power to the light source. In some embodiments the light source comprises a light-emitting device and a photoluminescent material optically coupled to the light-emitting device, where the photoluminescent material emits light in response to receiving light from the light-emitting device.

An optical logic device includes a distributed feedback laser configured to generate a first signal corresponding to distributed feedback laser output signal, the first signal being at a first wavelength. The device further includes a bandpass filter having a center frequency corresponding to the first wavelength. Additionally, the device can include an optical circulator having a first port coupled to a logic device input signal, a second port coupled to the first signal, and a third port coupled to the bandpass filter, wherein when the logic device input signal has a power above a predetermined threshold and there is a wavelength difference between the first wavelength and an input wavelength of the logic device input signal, a suppression of the first signal occurs.

A planar lightwave circuit may include a set of components. The set of components may include an input waveguide to couple to an optical communications transceiver. The set of components may include an output waveguide to couple to the optical communications transceiver. The set of components may include a common port to couple to an optical fiber. The set of components may include a first polarization beam splitter. The set of components may include a second polarization beam splitter. The set of components may include a third polarization beam splitter. The set of components may include a rotator assembly including a Faraday rotator and a quarter-wave plate.

An apparatus comprises a photonic integrated circuit comprising a first optical coupler coupled to an optical source and a second optical coupler coupled to one or more photonic circuit elements integrated in the photonic integrated circuit; and a non-reciprocal optical element optically coupled to the first optical coupler and the second optical coupler. At least one of the first optical coupler or the second optical coupler is configured as a polarization-sensitive optical antenna that has an angular radiation function comprising at least (1) a peak intensity of a transverse magnetic optical field associated with a first angular direction, and (2) a peak intensity of a transverse electric optical field associated with a second angular direction different from the first angular direction.

An optical modulator and method of fabricating an optical modulator. The optical modulator includes a first optical waveguide with an input port configured to receive an unmodulated optical signal and an output port; an magneto-optical layer located adjacent to the first optical waveguide, wherein optical attributes of the magneto-optical layer vary in relation to a magnetic field: and a conductive layer located in close proximity to a portion of the magneto-optical layer located adjacent to the first optical waveguide, wherein current injected to the conductive layer generates a magnetic field oriented perpendicular to a direction of propagation of light within the first optical waveguide.

Example gratings, grating characteristic adjustment methods and devices are provided. One example grating includes a first optical waveguide region, a second optical waveguide region, and an arrayed waveguide region comprising a plurality of optical waveguides, where the first optical waveguide region is connected to the arrayed waveguide region, and the second optical waveguide region is connected to the arrayed waveguide region. The grating has at least one of the following characteristics: a refractive index of an optical waveguide in the first optical waveguide region can be changed, a refractive index of an optical waveguide in the second optical waveguide region can be changed, a refractive index of an optical waveguide in the arrayed waveguide region can be changed, or an optical waveguide in an arrayed waveguide region can be eliminated.

An isolator includes a first waveguide with a linear shape and a second waveguide with an annular shape on a substrate including a substrate surface, the first waveguide being positioned along the substrate surface. The first waveguide and the second waveguide each include a core and a cladding. The first waveguide includes a first end, a second end, and a port at each of the first end and the second end for input and output of electromagnetic waves. The core of the second waveguide includes a non-reciprocal member in at least a portion of a cross-section intersecting a direction in which the second waveguide extends.

An apparatus includes a first coupler configured to input input light through an input waveguide and branch the input light into first and second branch waveguides; a second coupler configured to combine the first and second branch waveguides and to output the output light through an output waveguide; a phase adjuster having a birefringent property, provided to the second branch waveguide; and a polarization converter having a birefringent property, provided to the output waveguide and configured to, when reflected light corresponding to the output light is input to the output waveguide, convert a polarization state of the reflected light such that a first part of the reflected light for traveling through the first path and a second part of the reflected light for traveling through the second path are in antiphase at the input waveguide.