An optical switch device and a related method for defining a topological light transport channel in a photonic lattice are provided. An exemplary optical switch device includes a photonic lattice including a photonic topological microring array comprising a plurality of site rings coupled via a plurality of anti-resonant link rings, a plurality of input light ports and a plurality of output light ports located at the plurality of site rings, wherein the plurality of input light ports and the plurality of output light ports are respectively connected by a plurality of topological light transport channels. The optical switch device is further configured such that each of the topological light transport channels is defined by a gain domain area that is produced by a corresponding patterned optical pumping beam emitted onto the photonic topological microring array.

An optical switch device and a related method for defining a topological light transport channel in a photonic lattice are provided. An exemplary optical switch device includes a photonic lattice including a photonic topological microring array comprising a plurality of site rings coupled via a plurality of anti-resonant link rings, a plurality of input light ports and a plurality of output light ports located at the plurality of site rings, wherein the plurality of input light ports and the plurality of output light ports are respectively connected by a plurality of topological light transport channels. The optical switch device is further configured such that each of the topological light transport channels is defined by a gain domain area that is produced by a corresponding patterned optical pumping beam emitted onto the photonic topological microring array.

Integrated Optical Phased Array device is a good potential solution for the solid-state LIDAR technology in the application of autonomous driving technique. However, some difficulties still limit the development of OPA devices, one of them is the conflict between the requirement of fewer units in the phase-tuning system and more elements in the emitting system. The present disclosure provides an approach of a Phase-Combining Waveguide Doubler (PCWD) to address this issue. This device can double the waveguide number without any phase mismatch. It enables the capability to control 2N−1 emitting elements with N phase shifters. The device is competitive to any grating coupler array based or end-fire based emitting method, which can potentially satisfy the requirement of a sub-wavelength pitch.

An optical switch includes 2-input 2-output optical switches connected in a multistage, an optical gate provided at each of N-th optical output ports, a driving circuit for operating the 2-input 2-output optical switch, and a driving circuit for operating the optical gate. The driving circuits for operating the 2-input 2-output optical switches are integrated in the vicinity of a control electrode on a waveguide of the 2-input 2-output optical switch. The driving circuits for operating the optical gates are integrated in the vicinity of a control electrode on a waveguide of the optical gates. The waveguide of the 2-input 2-output optical switch and the waveguide of the optical gate each has a p layer, an i layer, and an n layer sequentially formed on a semi-insulating substrate. The optical switch has a trench reaching the semi-insulating substrate between the 2-input 2-output optical switch and the optical gate.

An optical switch includes 2-input 2-output optical switches connected in a multistage, an optical gate provided at each of N-th optical output ports, a driving circuit for operating the 2-input 2-output optical switch, and a driving circuit for operating the optical gate. The driving circuits for operating the 2-input 2-output optical switches are integrated in the vicinity of a control electrode on a waveguide of the 2-input 2-output optical switch. The driving circuits for operating the optical gates are integrated in the vicinity of a control electrode on a waveguide of the optical gates. The waveguide of the 2-input 2-output optical switch and the waveguide of the optical gate each has a p layer, an i layer, and an n layer sequentially formed on a semi-insulating substrate. The optical switch has a trench reaching the semi-insulating substrate between the 2-input 2-output optical switch and the optical gate.

An approach for realizing low-power, high-port-count optical switching systems, such as OXCs, WXCs, and ROADMs is presented. Optical switching systems in accordance with the present disclosure include arrangements of frequency-filter blocks, each of which includes a cascaded arrangement of tunable couplers and tunable Mach-Zehnder Interferometers (MZIs) that provides a substantially flat-top broadband transfer function for the frequency-filter block. The tunability for these devices is achieved by operatively coupling a low-power-dissipation phase controller, such as a stress-optic phase controller or liquid-crystal-based phase controller with one arm of the device, thereby enabling control over the coupling coefficient of the device.

An optical coupling device includes a light receiving element including a first output terminal and a second output terminal, a light emitting element provided on the light receiving element, a first switching element, a first electrode plate, and a sealing member. The first switching element includes a first main terminal connected to the first output terminal, a first control terminal connected to the second output terminal, and a second main terminal. An upper surface of the first electrode plate is connected to the second main terminal. The sealing member covers the light receiving element, the light emitting element, and the first switching element. A lower surface of the first electrode plate is exposed on a lower surface of the sealing member. The lower surface of the first electrode plate and the lower surface of the sealing member form the same plane.

A distance measurement sensor that detects a distance to an object based on heterodyne detection using light generated from a light source and another light received by a light receiver, includes: a scanning unit which scans the light in a first direction; a diffusing lens which diffuses the light in a second direction; multiplexers which multiplex the light and the another light to provide optical signals, respectively; and a processor which detects the distance to the object based on the optical signals. The light receiver has light receiving antennas in the second direction. The multiplexers are connected to the light receiving antennas, respectively. The processor performs a parallel processing for detecting the distance to the object based on the optical signals with respect to the light receiving antennas individually.

A problem is to provide a planar lightwave circuit optical device capable of facilitating mounting of connection to a printed circuit board and realizing downsizing of a device chip. A planar lightwave circuit optical device of the present invention is characterized by mounting an electrical connector (FPC connector) by means of soldering on an electrode pad of an electrical wire connected to an electrical drive unit (such as a heater) in a device formed by using a planar lightwave circuit (PLC).

A vehicle, Lidar system and method of detecting an object. The Lidar system includes an optical phase array and a mirror. The optical phase array directs a transmitted light beam generated by a laser along a first direction within a first plane. The mirror receives the transmitted light beam from the optical phase array and directs the transmitted light beam along a second direction within a second plane.