An optical modulator that uses adiabatic tapers to change the width of the waveguides between multimode waveguides and single mode waveguides on a low-loss, e.g. thin-film lithium niobate, electro-optic platform. The architecture enables the utilization of the fundamental mode of multimode wide optical waveguides that have lower optical propagation loss without sacrificing the benefit of the signal integrity and ease of control of single mode operation.

Methods and apparatus for tuning a photonics-based component. An opto-electrical detector is configured to output an electrical signal based on a measurement of light intensity of the photonics-based component, the light intensity being proportional to an amount of detuning of the photonics-based component. Analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) circuitry is configured to output a digital signal based on the electrical signal output from the opto-electrical detector. Feedback control circuitry is configured to tune the photonics-based component based, at least in part, on the digital signal output from the ADC circuitry.

A fiber ring resonator having a relatively long loop of standard single-mode fiber with a short nanofiber segment. The evanescent mode of the nanofiber segment allows the cavity-enhanced field to interact with atoms in close proximity to the nanofiber surface.

The invention relates to an optoelectronic switch comprising: a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (10); a switching device (20) comprising: at least two thermo-optical phase-shifters (21a, 21b), and a switching module (22) designed to apply a continuous signal, referred to as switching signal, of constant intensity to the thermo-optical phase-shifters (21a, 21b); at least two electro-refractive phase-shifters (23a, 23b), and a compensation module (24) designed to apply a transient signal, referred to as compensation signal, of variable intensity to the electro-refractive phase-shifters (23a, 23b).

Application of an electric field to nanorods can control their alignment, thus providing techniques for ultra-fast switching and optical modulators, for example those that might serve as display indicators.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a photorefractive layer stack. A plurality of layers are stacked along in a stacking direction and designed so as to enable a photorefractive response. That is, a refractive index of the plurality of layers modulates in response to illuminating the plurality of layers with an optical pattern of modulated intensity. A plurality of electrically insulated areas are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction. The plurality of electrically insulated areas are optically homogenous and prevent lateral diffusion between any two electrically insulated areas of the plurality of electrically insulated areas.

Embodiments are directed to a method for manufacturing a graphene electro-optic modulator, which is freely attachable to and detachable from an optical waveguide and modulates a light according to an electric signal. The method includes: forming two metal electrodes on an oxide film formed on a substrate, the two metal electrodes being spaced apart from each other; synthesizing a first graphene film at a metal foil; coating the first graphene film with a polymer membrane; removing the metal foil at which the first graphene film is synthesized; and transferring the first graphene film coated with the polymer membrane onto the oxide film, wherein the first graphene film is electrically connected to any one of the two metal electrodes. There is also provided a graphene electro-optic modulator manufactured by the method.

Embodiments are directed to a method for manufacturing a graphene electro-optic modulator, which is freely attachable to and detachable from an optical waveguide and modulates a light according to an electric signal. The method includes: forming two metal electrodes on an oxide film formed on a substrate, the two metal electrodes being spaced apart from each other; synthesizing a first graphene film at a metal foil; coating the first graphene film with a polymer membrane; removing the metal foil at which the first graphene film is synthesized; and transferring the first graphene film coated with the polymer membrane onto the oxide film, wherein the first graphene film is electrically connected to any one of the two metal electrodes. There is also provided a graphene electro-optic modulator manufactured by the method.

A method for in situ synthesis of graphene along a lengthwise direction of a waveguide applied to a photonic device includes processing an evanescent field of laser propagating in the waveguide to spread outward the waveguide, depositing a nickel thin film on a surface of the waveguide, growing graphene between a surface of the waveguide and a nickel thin film by irradiating telecommunication laser to a core of the waveguide, and removing the nickel thin film from the waveguide. Accordingly, graphene with high optical nonlinearity is in situ synthesized in the photonic device.

An optical system has a beam-steering device having a planar waveguide region between a tapered incoupler and a tapered outcoupler that respectively define opposing incoupler and outcoupler facets of the BS device. Each region has a substrate, a subcladding layer over the substrate, a core layer over the subcladding, and a top cladding layer over the core. Within the incoupler, at least one of the subcladding and the top cladding has a material having a refractive index that varies with an applied field (e.g., an electric field) applied at the incoupler. The optical system also has a field-applying device that applies the applied field at the incoupler, an output detector that generates a feedback signal based on detected outgoing light output from the outcoupler, and a controller that controls the field-applying device based on the feedback signal to alter the light output from the outcoupler.