Integrated lateral mode converter
US7539373B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 26, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/14
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention describes method and apparatus for a mode converter enabling an adiabatic transfer of a higher order mode into a lower order optical mode within a photonic integrated circuit exploiting integrated semiconductor ridge waveguide techniques. As disclosed by the invention, such a mode conversion is achievable by using an asymmetric coupler methodology. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the invention is used to provide a low insertion loss optical connection between laterally-coupled DFB laser operating in first order mode and passive waveguide operating in the zero order optical mode. The integrated arrangement fabricated by using one-step epitaxial growth allows for a launch of the laser's light into the waveguide circuitry operating in the zero order lateral mode or efficiently coupling it to single-mode fiber, an otherwise high loss interface due to the difference in laser and optical fiber modes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.