Pillar structures on an optical waveguide

A package comprising:

• a layer of glass;
• a waveguide on a surface of the layer of glass;
• a plurality of pillar structures, wherein each of the plurality of pillar structures has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of each of the plurality of pillar structures is coupled to a surface of the waveguide within a region on the surface of the waveguide;
• a plurality of masses, wherein each one of the plurality of masses is coupled with the second end of a corresponding one of the plurality of pillar structures;
• and
• a photonics integrated circuit (PIC) coupled with the layer of glass, wherein the PIC and the region on the surface of the waveguide are optically coupled through at least a portion of the plurality of pillar structures.

A method comprising:

• providing a glass substrate;
• forming a waveguide on a surface of the glass substrate;
• forming a plurality of pillar structures on a surface of the waveguide, wherein the plurality of pillar structures are orthogonal to the surface of the waveguide;
• and
• further comprising forming a plurality of masses, wherein each one of the plurality of masses is coupled with an end of a corresponding one of the plurality of pillar structures that is distal to the surface of the waveguide, and wherein each one of the plurality of masses has a diameter greater than a diameter of the corresponding one of the plurality of pillar structures.

An apparatus comprising:

• a substrate;
• a waveguide on a surface of the substrate;
• a plurality of pillar structures, wherein each of the plurality of pillar structures has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of each of the plurality of pillar structures is coupled with a surface of the waveguide;
• a plurality of masses, wherein each one of the plurality of masses is coupled with the second end of a corresponding one of the plurality of pillar structures;
• and
• a layer on the surface of the waveguide, wherein the first end of each of the plurality of pillar structures is coupled with the layer, and wherein the layer primarily comprises carbon.