Silicon-based optical ports providing passive alignment connectivity

An optical port comprising:

• a substrate comprising a surface;
• a photonic silicon chip secured to the substrate, the photonic silicon chip comprising:
• an electrical coupling surface, an upper surface and an optical coupling surface, wherein the optical coupling surface is positioned between the electrical coupling surface and the upper surface;
• at least one optical waveguide terminating at the optical coupling surface;
• and
• a first socket and a second socket within the upper surface;
• a first sphere and a second sphere within the first socket and the second socket, respectively, and
• a connector body secured to the substrate, the connector body comprising:
• a first alignment feature and a second alignment feature;
• a mounting surface;
• and
• a groove within the mounting surface, and at least one first contact pad extending from the mounting surface, wherein:
• the photonic silicon chip is disposed within a recess defined by the mounting surface of the connector body and the surface of the substrate;
• the first contact pad and the second contact pad contact the upper surface of the photonic silicon chip;
• and
• the first sphere and the second sphere are disposed within the groove of the connector body.