US 12,619,120 B2 · Photodetector with split inputs

Abstract

The present disclosure describes photodetectors with multiple inputs and methods of operating photodetectors with multiple inputs. An apparatus includes a substrate, an optical absorber, an optical device, and a tuner. The optical absorber is positioned on the substrate. The optical device produces a first optical signal and a second optical signal from an optical signal received at a first port of the optical device and directs the first optical signal and the second optical signal to the optical absorber. The tuner adjusts a first phase of the first optical signal and a second phase of the second optical signal such that a reflection of the first optical signal from the optical absorber destructively interferes with a reflection of the second optical signal from the optical absorber at the first port.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

a substrate;
an optical absorber positioned on the substrate;
a set of metal contacts arranged on the optical absorber and along a line that divides the optical absorber into a first portion and a second portion;
an optical device arranged to:
produce a first optical signal and a second optical signal from an optical signal received at a first port of the optical device;
direct the first optical signal through the first portion of the optical absorber without intersecting the line;
and
direct the second optical signal through the second portion of the optical absorber without intersecting the line;
and
a tuner arranged to adjust a first phase of the first optical signal and a second phase of the second optical signal such that a reflection of the first optical signal from the optical absorber destructively interferes with a reflection of the second optical signal from the optical absorber at the first port.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Photodetector with split inputs

Life of this patent

Photodetector with split inputs

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20