Multi-tip waveguide coupler with improved alignment guidance

A waveguide array, comprising:

• a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) comprising a plurality of waveguides, all of the plurality of waveguides being positioned in a first layer of the photonic integrated circuit (PIC),
• the plurality of waveguides comprising:
• a first waveguide;
• a third waveguide;
• and
• a second waveguide positioned between the first waveguide and the third waveguide, the second waveguide comprising a continuously tapered body having an output end and an input end, the output end being wider than the input end;
• and
• wherein the first waveguide and the third waveguide each have a length less than that of the second waveguide, wherein a first end of each of the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the third waveguide are aligned, and wherein the continuously tapered body of the second waveguide extends between a termination end of the first waveguide opposite the first end of the first waveguide and the output interface, wherein the continuously tapered body of the second waveguide intersects the output interface.

A method of providing a waveguide array, comprising:

• forming a first waveguide in a first layer of a material;
• forming a second waveguide in the first layer of the material, the second waveguide comprising a continuously tapered body that is wider at an output end than at an input end;
• and
• forming a third waveguide in the first layer of the material, wherein the first waveguide and the third waveguide as formed each have a length less than that of the second waveguide, the second waveguide being parallel to and between the first waveguide and the third waveguide, each of the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the third waveguide intersecting an end face of an input interface, and the continuously tapered body of the second waveguide extending between a termination end of the first waveguide spaced apart from the end face of the input interface and the output interface, wherein the continuously tapered body of the second waveguide intersects the output interface.