A method of forming an optical bridge waveguide between an optical element and an optical waveguide layer fabricated on a substrate such as a PIC platform. An optical element is heterogeneously integrated on the substrate. A first dielectric layer is deposited on the substrate and etched to a predetermined height. A second dielectric layer having a higher k than the first dielectric layer is deposited on the first dielectric layer, and a third dielectric layer having a lower k than the second dielectric layer is deposited on the second dielectric layer. The dielectric layers are formed such that the second dielectric layer provides an optical bridge waveguide between the optical element and optical waveguide layer, with the first and third dielectric layers providing a lower and upper cladding, respectively, for the optical bridge waveguide.

An optical interconnect structure including a base substrate, an optical waveguide, a first reflector, a second reflector, a dielectric layer, a first lens, and a second lens is provided. The optical waveguide is embedded in the base substrate. The optical waveguide includes a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion. The first reflector is disposed between the base substrate and the first end portion of the optical waveguide. The second reflector is disposed between the base substrate and the second end portion of the optical waveguide. The dielectric layer covers the base substrate and the optical waveguide. The first lens is disposed on the dielectric layer and located above the first end portion of the optical waveguide. The second lens is disposed on the dielectric layer and located above the second end portion of the optical waveguide.

A integrated light source module includes a planar optical waveguides layer having N light incident ports aligned with respect to each other, M light exit ports aligned with respect to each other, and optical waveguides connected to the N light incident ports and the M light exit ports, and N optical semiconductor devices facing each of the N light incident ports arranged so that light emitted from each of the N optical semiconductor devices can be incident on each of the N light incident ports, wherein light emitted from the M light exit ports can be applied to an object to be irradiated.

A mirror and method of fabricating the mirror, the method comprising: providing a silicon-on-insulator substrate, the substrate comprising: a silicon support layer; a buried oxide (BOX) layer on top of the silicon support layer; and a silicon device layer on top of the BOX layer; creating a via in the silicon device layer, the via extending to the BOX layer; etching away a portion of the BOX layer starting at the via and extending laterally away from the via in a first direction to create a channel between the silicon device layer and silicon support layer; applying an anisotropic etch via the channel to regions of the silicon device layer and silicon support layer adjacent to the channel; the anisotropic etch following an orientation plane of the silicon device layer and silicon support layer to create a cavity underneath an overhanging portion of the silicon device layer; the overhanging portion defining a planar underside surface for vertically coupling light into and out of the silicon device layer; and applying a metal coating to the underside surface.

A mirror and method of fabricating the mirror, the method comprising: providing a silicon-on-insulator substrate, the substrate comprising: a silicon support layer; a buried oxide (BOX) layer on top of the silicon support layer; and a silicon device layer on top of the BOX layer; creating a via in the silicon device layer, the via extending to the BOX layer; etching away a portion of the BOX layer starting at the via and extending laterally away from the via in a first direction to create a channel between the silicon device layer and silicon support layer; applying an anisotropic etch via the channel to regions of the silicon device layer and silicon support layer adjacent to the channel; the anisotropic etch following an orientation plane of the silicon device layer and silicon support layer to create a cavity underneath an overhanging portion of the silicon device layer; the overhanging portion defining a planar underside surface for vertically coupling light into and out of the silicon device layer; and applying a metal coating to the underside surface.

In integrated optical structures (e.g., silicon-to-silicon-nitride mode converters) implemented in semiconductor-on-insulator substrates, wire waveguides whose sidewalls substantially consist of portions coinciding with crystallographic planes and do not extend laterally beyond the top surface of the wire waveguide may provide benefits in performance and/or manufacturing needs. Such wire waveguides may be manufactured, e.g., using a dry-etch of the semiconductor device layer down to the insulator layer to form a wire waveguide with exposed sidewalls, followed by a smoothing crystallographic wet etch.

In integrated optical structures (e.g., silicon-to-silicon-nitride mode converters) implemented in semiconductor-on-insulator substrates, wire waveguides whose sidewalls substantially consist of portions coinciding with crystallographic planes and do not extend laterally beyond the top surface of the wire waveguide may provide benefits in performance and/or manufacturing needs. Such wire waveguides may be manufactured, e.g., using a dry-etch of the semiconductor device layer down to the insulator layer to form a wire waveguide with exposed sidewalls, followed by a smoothing crystallographic wet etch.

The present disclosure provides a waveguide structure including an optical component. The optical component includes a plurality of grating coupler teeth over a semiconductive substrate and a plurality of grating coupler openings between adjacent grating coupler teeth, wherein the grating coupler openings are configured to receive a light wave. Each of the grating coupler teeth includes a dielectric stack and an etch stopper embedded in the dielectric stack, wherein the etch stopper has a resistance to a fluorine solution that is higher than that of the dielectric stack. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is also provided.

The present disclosure provides a waveguide structure including an optical component. The optical component includes a plurality of grating coupler teeth over a semiconductive substrate and a plurality of grating coupler openings between adjacent grating coupler teeth, wherein the grating coupler openings are configured to receive a light wave. Each of the grating coupler teeth includes a dielectric stack and an etch stopper embedded in the dielectric stack, wherein the etch stopper has a resistance to a fluorine solution that is higher than that of the dielectric stack. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is also provided.

A structure of a silicon photonics device for LIDAR includes a first insulating structure and a second insulating structure disposed above one or more etched silicon structures overlying a substrate member. A metal layer is disposed above the first insulating structure without a prior deposition of a diffusion barrier and adhesion layer. A thin insulating structure is disposed above the second insulating structure. A first configuration of the metal layer, the first insulating structure and the one or more etched silicon structures forms a free-space coupler. A second configuration of the thin insulating structure above the second insulating structure forms an edge coupler.