Provided are a dual coupler device configured to receive lights of different polarization components, a spectrometer including the dual coupler device, and a non-invasive biometric sensor including the spectrometer. The dual coupler device may include, for example, a first coupler layer configured to receive a light of a first polarization component among incident lights. and a second coupler layer configured to receive a light of a second polarization component among the incident lights, wherein a polarization direction of the light of the first polarization component is perpendicular to a polarization direction of the light of the second polarization component. The first coupler layer and the second coupler layer may be spaced apart from each other and extended along a direction in which the light propagates in the first coupler layer and the second coupler layer.

Provided are a dual coupler device configured to receive lights of different polarization components, a spectrometer including the dual coupler device, and a non-invasive biometric sensor including the spectrometer. The dual coupler device may include, for example, a first coupler layer configured to receive a light of a first polarization component among incident lights. and a second coupler layer configured to receive a light of a second polarization component among the incident lights, wherein a polarization direction of the light of the first polarization component is perpendicular to a polarization direction of the light of the second polarization component. The first coupler layer and the second coupler layer may be spaced apart from each other and extended along a direction in which the light propagates in the first coupler layer and the second coupler layer.

A wafer includes a number of die, with each die including electronic integrated circuits and optical devices. The wafer has a top surface and a bottom surface and a base layer. The bottom surface of the wafer corresponds to a bottom surface of the base layer. A wafer support system is attached to the top surface of the wafer. A thickness of the base layer is removed to expose a target layer within the wafer and to give the wafer a new bottom surface. A replacement handle structure is attached to the new bottom surface of the wafer. The replacement handle structure includes a first thickness region and a second thickness region. The first thickness region is positioned closest to the new bottom surface. The first thickness region is formed of an optical cladding material that mitigates optical coupling between optical devices within the die and the replacement handle structure.

A zero-optical-path-length-difference optical phased array built with essentially planar photonic devices determines a direction to an incoherent optical source, such as a star. The phased array can replace a 3-dimensional star tracker with a nearly 2-dimensional system that is smaller and lighter. The zero-optical-path-length-difference phased array can be optically connected to an interferometer. Driven by a light source, the zero-optical-path-length-difference phased array can be used as an optical projector.

A zero-optical-path-length-difference optical phased array built with essentially planar photonic devices determines a direction to an incoherent optical source, such as a star. The phased array can replace a 3-dimensional star tracker with a nearly 2-dimensional system that is smaller and lighter. The zero-optical-path-length-difference phased array can be optically connected to an interferometer. Driven by a light source, the zero-optical-path-length-difference phased array can be used as an optical projector.

Provided is a light receiving element with high light receiving sensitivity. The light receiving element comprises: a light absorbing layer that absorbs light to generate a carrier; and a diffraction element that converts the optical path of first polarized light, which is obliquely incident on a plane formed by the light absorbing layer, so that the first polarized light propagates in a first direction along the light absorbing layer, and that converts the optical path of second polarized light incident from the same direction as the first polarized light so that the second polarized light propagates in a second direction, opposite the first direction, along the light absorbing layer.

Unlike most MEMS device configurations which simply switch between two positions in many optical devices the state of a MEMS mirror is important in all transition positions. It may determine the characteristics of an optical delay line system and by that an optical coherence tomography system in one application and in another the number of wavelength channels and the dynamic wavelength switching capabilities in the other. The role of the MEMS is essential and it is responsible for altering the paths of the different wavelengths in either device. It would be beneficial to improve the performance of such MEMS and thereby the performance of the optical components and optical systems they form part of. The inventors have established improvements to the design and implementation of such MEMS mirrors as well as optical waveguide technologies to in-plane optical processing as well as the mid infrared for optical spectroscopy.

Unlike most MEMS device configurations which simply switch between two positions in many optical devices the state of a MEMS mirror is important in all transition positions. It may determine the characteristics of an optical delay line system and by that an optical coherence tomography system in one application and in another the number of wavelength channels and the dynamic wavelength switching capabilities in the other. The role of the MEMS is essential and it is responsible for altering the paths of the different wavelengths in either device. It would be beneficial to improve the performance of such MEMS and thereby the performance of the optical components and optical systems they form part of. The inventors have established improvements to the design and implementation of such MEMS mirrors as well as optical waveguide technologies to in-plane optical processing as well as the mid infrared for optical spectroscopy.

A mode-matched waveguide Y-junction with balanced or unbalanced splitting comprises an input waveguide, expanding from an input end to an output end, for expanding the input beam of light along a longitudinal axis; first and second output waveguides extending from the output end of the input waveguide separated by a gap. Ideally, each of the first and second output waveguides includes an initial section capable of supporting a fundamental super mode, and having an inner wall substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a mode splitting section extending from the initial section at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis.

A mode-matched waveguide Y-junction with balanced or unbalanced splitting comprises an input waveguide, expanding from an input end to an output end, for expanding the input beam of light along a longitudinal axis; first and second output waveguides extending from the output end of the input waveguide separated by a gap. Ideally, each of the first and second output waveguides includes an initial section capable of supporting a fundamental super mode, and having an inner wall substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a mode splitting section extending from the initial section at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis.