High-efficiency arrayed-waveguide grating router by wavefront formation
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsRongchung Tyan, Dmitri E. Nikonov
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Abstract
Interface loss, diffraction loss, and physical sizes of arrayed-waveguide (AWG) devices, such as AWG routers, are reduced via use of an array of asymmetric waveguide couplers that is inserted between arrayed waveguides. The asymmetric waveguide couplers operate to couple leaked optical power back to the arrayed waveguides. A lenslet matrix may also be used to pre-channel portions of an optical wavefront. The lenslet matrix includes lenslet columns that are aligned with gaps between the arrayed waveguides, such that the portions of the optical wavefront are directed towards the arrayed waveguides rather than towards the gaps.
Claims24
An apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of optical waveguides arranged in an array;
- a star coupler coupled to the array of optical waveguides at an interface region;
- and
- a plurality of insert elements located adjacent to the interface region, the plurality of insert elements being positioned to substantially direct portions of an optical wavefront near the interface region to propagate along the optical waveguides.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of optical waveguides arranged in an array;
- a coupler coupled to the array of optical waveguides at an interface region;
- and
- a lenslet matrix located in the coupler adjacent to the interface region, the lenslet matrix including lenslet columns positioned to pre-channel portions of an optical wavefront to propagate towards the optical waveguides.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of optical waveguides arranged in an array;
- a coupler coupled to the array of optical waveguides at an interface region;
- and
- a plurality of waveguide couplers inserted in gaps between the optical waveguides and located adjacent to the interface region, the plurality of waveguide couplers being shaped to couple portions of an optical wavefront scattered near the interface region to propagate via the optical waveguides.
A method, comprising:
- receiving an optical wavefront at a coupler;
- and
- near an interface region between the coupler and an array of optical waveguides, substantially directing portions of the optical wavefront to propagate along the optical waveguides while reducing portions of the optical wavefront that propagate in gaps between the optical waveguides.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.