A broadband polarization beam splitter/combiner based on a gradient waveguide directional coupler, comprises a gradient waveguide directional coupler, a beam combining end (1), a curved waveguide (5), a TE mode end (6) and a TM mode end (7). The coupler consists of a straight end gradient waveguide (2) and a serial end gradient waveguide (3). The trend of change of the gradient waveguide (2) is opposite to the gradient waveguide (3), and a gap is provided between the gradient waveguide (2) and the gradient waveguide (3). The beam combining end (1) is connected with one end of the gradient waveguide (2), the other end of the gradient waveguide (2) is connected with one end of the curved waveguide (5), the other end of the curved waveguide (5) is connected with the TE end (6), and the waveguide (3) is connected with the TM end (7).

Various embodiments relate to polarization splitters. A polarization splitter may include a silicon nitride (SiN) waveguide core configured to receive an input light signal having a first polarization mode and a second polarization mode. The polarization splitter may further include a silicon (Si) slot waveguide core disposed proximate the SiN waveguide core. The Si slot waveguide core may include a tapered portion at a first end configured to couple the first polarization mode to the Si slot waveguide.

An optical switching arrangement includes a plurality of input and output waveguides. Each of the input waveguides has a first plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the output waveguides has a second plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the first and second plurality of optical switches is selectively switchable between a through-state and a cross-state. The input and output waveguides are arranged such that optical losses arising for any wavelength of light only depend on a length of segments of the input and output waveguides located between adjacent ones of the 12 optical switches. Each of the first plurality of optical switches associated with each of the input waveguides is optically coupled to one of the second plurality of optical switches in a different one of the output waveguides when both optical switches are in the cross-state.

An optical switching arrangement includes a plurality of input and output waveguides. Each of the input waveguides has a first plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the output waveguides has a second plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the first and second plurality of optical switches is selectively switchable between a through-state and a cross-state. The input and output waveguides are arranged such that optical losses arising for any wavelength of light only depend on a length of segments of the input and output waveguides located between adjacent ones of the 12 optical switches. Each of the first plurality of optical switches associated with each of the input waveguides is optically coupled to one of the second plurality of optical switches in a different one of the output waveguides when both optical switches are in the cross-state.

An optical switching arrangement includes a plurality of input and output waveguides. Each of the input waveguides has a first plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the output waveguides has a second plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the first and second plurality of optical switches is selectively switchable between a through-state and a cross-state. The input and output waveguides are arranged such that optical losses arising for any wavelength of light only depend on a length of segments of the input and output waveguides located between adjacent ones of the 12 optical switches. Each of the first plurality of optical switches associated with each of the input waveguides is optically coupled to one of the second plurality of optical switches in a different one of the output waveguides when both optical switches are in the cross-state.

Integrated optical devices include various configurations of active optical switches and other passive components such as splitters that are useful for controlling signals in optical data transmission networks. An optical switch may be used to switch light between waveguides on different substrates. The active optical switch may include one or more microfluidic droplets that are controllably movable relative to the coupling region to change the amount of light couplable between the first and second switch waveguides. Different configurations of the droplets can be controlled for operating the switch in different switching states. An optical switch can be included in an end use transceiver device for remotely controlling an optical time domain measurement. A microfluidic switch can be used to control wavelength-selective reflection in a waveguide reflector.

An optical switching arrangement includes a plurality of input and output waveguides. Each of the input waveguides has a first plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the output waveguides has a second plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the first and second plurality of optical switches is selectively switchable between a through-state and a cross-state. The input and output waveguides are arranged such that optical losses arising for any wavelength of light only depend on a length of segments of the input and output waveguides located between adjacent ones of the 12 optical switches. Each of the first plurality of optical switches associated with each of the input waveguides is optically coupled to one of the second plurality of optical switches in a different one of the output waveguides when both optical switches are in the cross-state.

An optical switching arrangement includes a plurality of input and output waveguides. Each of the input waveguides has a first plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the output waveguides has a second plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the first and second plurality of optical switches is selectively switchable between a through-state and a cross-state. The input and output waveguides are arranged such that optical losses arising for any wavelength of light only depend on a length of segments of the input and output waveguides located between adjacent ones of the 12 optical switches. Each of the first plurality of optical switches associated with each of the input waveguides is optically coupled to one of the second plurality of optical switches in a different one of the output waveguides when both optical switches are in the cross-state.

An optical switching arrangement includes a plurality of input and output waveguides. Each of the input waveguides has a first plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the output waveguides has a second plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the first and second plurality of optical switches is selectively switchable between a through-state and a cross-state. The input and output waveguides are arranged such that optical losses arising for any wavelength of light only depend on a length of segments of the input and output waveguides located between adjacent ones of the 12 optical switches. Each of the first plurality of optical switches associated with each of the input waveguides is optically coupled to one of the second plurality of optical switches in a different one of the output waveguides when both optical switches are in the cross-state.

A photonic device may include a pair of piezoelectric actuators, a waveguide suspended between and mechanically coupled to the pair of piezoelectric actuators, and a voltage source configured to apply an actuation voltage to the pair of piezoelectric actuators to induce longitudinal motion in each actuator of the pair of piezoelectric actuators. The longitudinal motion of the pair of piezoelectric actuators may induce lateral motion in the waveguide. In addition, the photonic device may include optoelectronic element that is spatially separated from the waveguide by a coupling gap. The lateral motion induced in the waveguide may reduce the size of the coupling gap for evanescently coupling the waveguide to the optoelectronic element during operation.