Example polarization splitter and rotator devices are described. In one example, an optical apparatus includes a splitter configured to split a light signal into a first signal having a first polarization and a second signal having a second polarization, a polarization rotator configured to rotate the second polarization of the second signal into a third polarization, and a polarization mode converter configured to convert the third polarization of the second signal into the first polarization. In certain aspects of the embodiments, the splitter can be a curved multi-mode inference (MMI) polarization splitter, and the polarization rotator comprises input and output ports, with the output port being wider than the input port. The polarization mode converter can be an asymmetrical waveguide taper mode converter. The devices described herein can overcome the deficiencies of conventional devices and provide low insertion loss, flat and/or wide wavelength response, high fabrication tolerance, and compact size.

A device includes a scattering structure and a collection structure. The scattering structure is arranged to concurrently scatter incident electromagnetic radiation along a first scattering axis and along a second scattering axis. The first scattering axis and the second scattering axis are non-orthogonal. The collection structure includes a first input port aligned with the first scattering axis and a second input port aligned with the second scattering axis. A method includes scattering electromagnetic radiation along a first scattering axis to create first scattered electromagnetic radiation and along a second scattering axis to create second scattered electromagnetic radiation. The first scattering axis and the second scattering axis are non-orthogonal. The first scattered electromagnetic radiation is detected to yield first detected radiation and the second scattered electromagnetic radiation is detected to yield second detected radiation. The first detected radiation is phase aligned with the second detected radiation.

An optical device that can be used as an optical hybrid, e.g., in CMOS-compatible PICs. In an example embodiment, the optical device has a single optical input and four optical outputs. The two optical input signals to be mixed in the optical device are applied to the single optical input as transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarization components, respectively, of the corresponding polarization-multiplexed optical input signal. In response to the latter, the optical device causes the four outputs to receive four different relative-phase combinations of the two optical input signals, each combination being coupled into a TE waveguide mode at the respective optical output. A PIC having one or more instances of the optical device can be used, e.g., to implement a coherent optical receiver, wherein the TE and TM polarization components of the optical input signal are populated by a communication signal and a local-oscillator signal.

A reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer includes N input ports, N output ports, M add ports and M drop ports. Each of the N input ports and each of the M add ports is respectively connected to one first polarizer. Each of the N output ports and each of the M drop ports is respectively connected to one second polarizer. A first end of the first polarizer is connected to a second end of the first polarizer, forming a loop including the first polarizer. A first end of the second polarizer is connected to a second end of the second polarizer, forming a loop including the second polarizer. An annular waveguide array is between a loop L.sub.Ii and a loop L.sub.Oj. A first polarizer included in the loop L.sub.Ii is connected to an i.sup.th input port. A second polarizer included in the loop L.sub.Oj is connected to a j.sup.th output port.

A device includes a scattering structure and a collection structure. The scattering structure is arranged to concurrently scatter incident electromagnetic radiation along a first scattering axis and along a second scattering axis. The first scattering axis and the second scattering axis are non-orthogonal. The collection structure includes a first input port aligned with the first scattering axis and a second input port aligned with the second scattering axis. A method includes scattering electromagnetic radiation along a first scattering axis to create first scattered electromagnetic radiation and along a second scattering axis to create second scattered electromagnetic radiation. The first scattering axis and the second scattering axis are non-orthogonal. The first scattered electromagnetic radiation is detected to yield first detected radiation and the second scattered electromagnetic radiation is detected to yield second detected radiation. The first detected radiation is phase aligned with the second detected radiation.

A wavelength converter includes an excitation light source outputting excitation light, a beam splitter receiving an input of the excitation light and an input of the optical signal and to divide both the inputted excitation light and the inputted optical signal into a first polarization component and a second polarization component, a non-linear optical fiber as a non-polarization-maintaining fiber, an accommodation section securing and accommodating the non-linear optical fiber, a first collimator lens disposed between the beam splitter and a first end of the non-linear optical fiber, and a second collimator lens disposed between the beam splitter and a second end of the non-linear optical fiber, wherein the optical signal is inputted to the beam splitter from a direction different from the input of the excitation light.

Example polarization splitter and rotator devices are described. In one example, an optical apparatus includes a splitter configured to split a light signal into a first signal having a first polarization and a second signal having a second polarization, a polarization rotator configured to rotate the second polarization of the second signal into a third polarization, and a polarization mode converter configured to convert the third polarization of the second signal into the first polarization. In certain aspects of the embodiments, the splitter can be a curved multi-mode inference (MMI) polarization splitter, and the polarization rotator comprises input and output ports, with the output port being wider than the input port. The polarization mode converter can be an asymmetrical waveguide taper mode converter. The devices described herein can overcome the deficiencies of conventional devices and provide low insertion loss, flat and/or wide wavelength response, high fabrication tolerance, and compact size.

A wavelength selective switching device comprises a plurality of input paths for receiving optical signals, a plurality of output paths for emitting the optical signals, and a switching unit for selectively directing the optical signals from the input paths to the output paths. The switching unit comprises a reflective area adapted to be concurrently illuminated by a first optical signal from a first input path among the plurality of input paths, and by a second optical signal from a second input path among the plurality of input paths, the second input path being different from the first input path, and to concurrently direct the first optical signal to a first output path among the plurality of output paths and the second optical signal to a second output path among the plurality of output paths, the second output path being different from the first output path. Said first output path and said second output path are spatially separated by said first input path and said second input path, or vice-versa.

Embodiments of the invention describe polarization insensitive optical devices utilizing polarization sensitive components. Light comprising at least one polarization state is received, and embodiments of the invention select a first optical path for light comprising a first polarization state or a second optical path for light comprising a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. The optical paths include components to at least amplify and/or modulate light comprising the first polarization state; the second optical path includes a polarization rotator to rotate light comprising the second polarization state to the first polarization state. Embodiments of the invention further describe optical devices including a polarization mode converter to convert light comprising a first and a second polarization state to light comprising different spatial modes of the first polarization state; light comprising the different spatial modes of the first polarization state is subsequently amplified and modulated.

An optical modulator carrier assembly includes a optical modulator, a transmission line substrate, a first via, a second via and a wire having an inductor component provided on a second surface of the transmission line substrate, and electrically connecting between the another end of the first via and the another end of the second via. The one end of the first via, the cathode electrode pad, the terminating resistor, the one end of the second via are arranged on the in this order.