Hybrid edge couplers with stacked inverse tapers

A structure for an edge coupler, the structure comprising:

• a first waveguide core including a first section that has a tapered shape and a second section that is adjoined to the first section, the second section of the first waveguide core having an end surface;
• a first plurality of segments positioned with a first spaced arrangement adjacent to the end surface of the second section of the first waveguide core;
• a slab layer adjoined to the first section of the first waveguide core;
• and
• a second waveguide core having a first section that overlaps with the first section of the first waveguide core to define a layer stack, the first section of the second waveguide core having a tapered shape, and the second waveguide core comprised of a different material than the first waveguide core,
• wherein the first section of the first waveguide core has a first thickness, and the slab layer has a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.