Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical interconnect

A method for optical interconnection comprising:

• generating multiple optical wavelengths using a frequency comb generator;
• demultiplexing the multiple optical wavelengths using an optical spectrometer, wherein demultiplexing comprises:
• receiving optical signals at an input arranged in a two-dimensional array;
• collimating the optical signals;
• diffracting the collimated optical signals;
• focusing the diffracted optical signals to produce a linear array of single-wavelength optical signals;
• directing individual optical wavelengths to modulators that are internal to and integral with a processor chip, wherein the modulators are arranged throughout a three-dimensional volume of the processor chip;
• modulating the individual optical wavelengths based on electronic data from the processor chip;
• multiplexing the modulated optical wavelengths;
• and
• transmitting the multiplexed optical wavelengths to networked devices.

A network comprising:

• a plurality of optical interconnect systems, each optical interconnect system comprising:
• a frequency comb generator configured to generate multiple optical wavelengths;
• a demultiplexing optical spectrometer configured to separate the multiple optical wavelengths;
• a processor chip comprising a plurality of optical waveguides and modulators, wherein the optical waveguides are configured to direct individual optical signals to the modulators, wherein the modulators are internal to and integral with the processor chip, and wherein the modulators are arranged throughout a three-dimensional volume of the processor chip;
• and
• output waveguides configured to direct modulated optical signals to separate networked devices, wherein the modulated optical signals are transmitted bidirectionally in successive stages from a hub to a plurality of spokes, and wherein each spoke transmits optical signals bidirectionally to a plurality of further spokes.