PHOTODETECTOR COUPLED TO A PLANAR WAVEGUIDE

摘要

An improved electro-optical system having a planar waveguide (126, 128, 130) coupled to a photodetector (146, 148) through a transparent substrate (150). The planar waveguide is within a planar optical structure that can be part of an optical communications network. The photodetector is positioned to receive light that passes from the waveguide through the transparent substrate. The photodetector can be electrically coupled to electrical circuitry along the transparent sibstrate for connection to an electrical apparatus. Corresponding methods for forming the electro-optical structure are described. These improved electro-optical systems can be used for terminating an optical transmission system at an end user or a local network associated with a group of end users.