An apparatus includes a waveguide extending along a light-propagation direction between a light source and a media-facing surface. The waveguide comprises an assistant layer configured to receive light from a light source, truncated with an intermediate bottom cladding layer. A core layer comprises a coupling end configured to receive light from the assistant layer. The coupling end comprises a taper that widens toward the media-facing surface. A near field transducer is disposed proximate the media-facing surface and is configured to receive the light from the core layer.

A heterogenous device includes a passive waveguide structure and an active waveguide structure. The passive waveguide structure is attached to a substrate and includes a dielectric layer. The active waveguide structure is attached to a top surface of the passive waveguide structure and includes a quantum well layer overlying an InGaP layer. The InGaP layer provides n-contact functionality.

A heterogenous device includes a passive waveguide structure and an active waveguide structure. The passive waveguide structure is attached to a substrate and includes a semiconductor layer. The active waveguide structure is attached to a top surface of the passive waveguide structure and includes a quantum well layer overlying an InGaP layer. The InGaP layer provides n-contact functionality.

A structure for coupling an optical signal between an integrated circuit photonic structure and an external optical fiber is disclosed as in a method of formation. The coupling structure is sloped relative to a horizontal surface of the photonic structure such that light entering or leaving the photonic structure is substantially normal to its upper surface.

A structure for coupling an optical signal between an integrated circuit photonic structure and an external optical fiber is disclosed as in a method of formation. The coupling structure is sloped relative to a horizontal surface of the photonic structure such that light entering or leaving the photonic structure is substantially normal to its upper surface.

An integrated circuit is described. This integrated circuit includes an optical waveguide defined in a semiconductor layer, and a dielectric optical waveguide disposed on the semiconductor layer and that overlaps a region of the optical waveguide. Moreover, the dielectric optical waveguide includes an optical device (such as a mirror) on a facet separating a first portion of the dielectric optical waveguide and a second portion of the dielectric optical waveguide. The facet may be at an angle relative to a plane of the dielectric optical waveguide and may include a metal layer. During operation, an optical signal conveyed by the optical waveguide is evanescent coupled to the dielectric optical waveguide. Then, the optical signal may be reflected by the optical device. For example, the angle of the facet may be 45, so that the optical signal is reflected normal to the plane of the dielectric optical waveguide.

A method of forming an optical device includes obtaining a wafer having multiple optical device dies that each includes a waveguide. The method also includes forming a facet on the waveguide of different dies. The method further includes separating the dies from the wafer after forming the facets. The dies are separated from the wafer such that the facets are positioned at an edge of the dies.

An apparatus includes a waveguide extending along a light-propagation direction between a light source and a media-facing surface. The waveguide comprises an assistant layer configured to receive light from a light source, truncated with an intermediate bottom cladding layer. A core layer comprises a coupling end configured to receive light from the assistant layer. The coupling end comprises a taper that widens toward the media-facing surface. A near field transducer is disposed proximate the media-facing surface and is configured to receive the light from the core layer.

A structure for coupling an optical signal between an integrated circuit photonic structure and an external optical fiber is disclosed as in a method of formation. The coupling structure is sloped relative to a horizontal surface of the photonic structure such that light entering or leaving the photonic structure is substantially normal to its upper surface.

In part, the disclosure relates to an optical coupler. The optical coupler may include two ridge waveguides that include a first waveguide and a second waveguide. One or more segments of the two waveguides extend over a coupling length or other distance. One or more sections of each ridge waveguide is at least partially defined by a set of cross-sectional profiles, a plurality of sections of each ridge waveguide have a width that tapers along a length of the two ridge waveguides. Within the coupling length, a subset of the set of cross-sectional profiles may define a first pair of transition regions and a second pair of transition regions. The coupler may include a coupling region between the two ridge waveguides and spanning at least a section of the coupling length.

A method for producing a planar light circuit is specified. The method comprises: providing a substrate free of light producing regions, depositing a waveguide layer, applying a photostructurable mask on the waveguide layer, photostructuring of the photostructurable mask such that the photostructurable mask is removed in regions, etching of the waveguide layer in the regions such that channels are produced in the waveguide layer, wherein the channels confine waveguides, removal of the photostructurable mask layer, and singulating into a planar light circuit. Furthermore, a planar light circuit is specified.