An integrated-optics MEMS-actuated beam-steering system is disclosed, wherein the beam-steering system includes a lens and a programmable vertical coupler array having a switching network and an array of vertical couplers, where the switching network can energize of the vertical couplers such that it efficiently emits the light into free-space. The lens collimates the light received from the energized vertical coupler and directs the output beam along a propagation direction determined by the position of the energized vertical coupler within the vertical-coupler array. In some embodiments, the vertical coupler is configured to correct an aberration of the lens. In some embodiments, more than one vertical coupler can be energized to enable steering of multiple output beams. In some embodiments, the switching network is non-blocking.

Electrically tunable hybrid silicon-transparent conductive oxide (Si-TCO) devices, such as dual-electrode micro-ring resonators and micro-disks for large-scale on-chip wavelength division multiplexing optical interconnects.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward techniques and configurations for optical couplers comprising a first optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide coupled to form a 22 optical unitary matrix to receive a respective first input optical signal and a second input optical signal. In embodiments the first optical waveguide and second optical waveguide form arms that converge alongside each other to direct the first input optical signal and the second input optical signal along a path that integrates a plurality of tunable phase shifters to transform the first input optical signal or the second input optical signal into a first output optical signal and second output optical signal to be output from the 22 optical unitary matrix. Additional embodiments may be described and claimed.

A directional coupler may include a first waveguide and a second waveguide. The first waveguide may include an optical input port to receive an optical signal and a first output port. The second waveguide may include a terminated port and a second output port. The first and second optical waveguides may be configured to split the optical signal such that a first portion of the optical signal is directed to the first output port and a second portion of the optical signal is directed to the second output port. The first portion of the optical signal may include first substantially equal portions of a transverse magnetic (TM) polarization mode and a transverse electric (TE) polarization mode of the optical signal. The second portion of the optical signal may include second substantially equal portions of the TM polarization mode and the TE polarization mode of the optical signal.

An optical switch device includes a first semiconductor structure configured to operate as a first waveguide and a second semiconductor structure configured to operate as a second waveguide. The second semiconductor structure is located above or below the first semiconductor structure and separated from the first semiconductor structure. The second semiconductor structure includes a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a width different from the first width and located on the first portion. The first portion is located between a first doped region and a second doped region.

Described are various embodiments of a dual optical modulator, system and method. In one embodiment, an optical modulator modulates an input optical signal having a designated optical frequency. The modulator comprises first and second tunable modulators operable around the optical frequency and operatively disposed between a bus waveguide path and an opposed waveguide path. The modulator further comprises a relative optical phase-shifter optically coupled between the tunable modulators so to impart a relative optical phase shift between the bus waveguide path and the opposed waveguide path. The tunable modulators are respectively driveable to modulate a respective resonance thereof in complimentary directions relative to the optical frequency and thereby resonantly redirect a selectable portion of the input optical signal along the opposed waveguide path such that the relative optical phase shift is imparted thereto for output. Embodiments of an optical modulation method and an IQ modulator are also described.

Described embodiments include photonic integrated circuits and systems with photonic devices, including thermal isolation regions for the photonic devices. Methods of fabricating such circuits and systems are also described.

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).

The present disclosure provides a system and method for an ultrathin optical metasurface with an array patterning formed on an optical fiber facet that enables manipulation of light passing therethrough, such as focusing and steering the light, and controlling a polarization state of light. The patterning can be non-uniform to selectively direct light passing through the metasurface. Array structures can vary in size, angle, shapes, and other non-uniform aspects. Further, the array can include materials that can be electrically activated and controlled to variably tune the metasurface characteristics for increased ability to manipulate the light passing therethrough. The materials can include a conductor, a dielectric, or a composite of a conductor, insulator, and dielectric formed on the optical fiber. The integration of an ultrathin metasurface and optical fiber can provide practical applications in optical imaging and sensing, optical communications, high power lasers, beam steering, color filters, and other applications.

Structures for a grating coupler and methods of fabricating a structure for a grating coupler. The grating coupler includes a first plurality of grating structures and a second plurality of grating structures that alternate with the first plurality of grating structures in an interleaved arrangement. The first plurality of grating structures are composed of a dielectric material or a semiconductor material. The second plurality of grating structures are composed of a tunable material having a refractive index that changes with an applied voltage.