OPTICAL JUNCTION APPARATUS AND METHODS EMPLOYING OPTICAL POWER TRANSVERSE-TRANSFER

摘要

An optical apparatus comprises an optical device (910) fabricated on a substrate (1902), an external-transfer optical waveguide (1930) fabricated on the substrate (1902) and/or on the optical device, and a transmission optical waveguide (1920). The optical device and/or the external-transfer waveguide are adapted for and positioned for transfer of optical power therebetween (end-transfer or transverse-transfer). The external-transfer waveguide and/or the transmission waveguide are adapted for transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween (mode-interference-coupled or adiabatic). The transmission waveguide is initially provided as a component mechanically separate from the substrate, device, and external-transfer waveguide. Assembly of the transmission waveguide with the substrate, device, and/or external-transfer waveguide results in relative positioning of the external-transfer waveguide and the transmission waveguide for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween. Optical power transfer between the device and the transmission waveguide through the external-transfer waveguide is thereby enabled. The transmission waveguide may preferably comprise a planar waveguide on a waveguide substrate.