Thermo-optic devices providing thermal recirculation

A waveguide optical device, comprising:

• a waveguide comprising an input section, an output section, and a non-linear thermal tuning section having an open path length extending between the input section and the output section,
• the waveguide further including a cladding layer and a core layer provided on the cladding layer, the core layer having a first refractive index and the cladding layer having a second refractive index less than the first refractive index, a difference between the first refractive index and the second refractive index being greater than 0.5;
• and
• a heater in thermal communication with the non-linear thermal tuning section of the waveguide.

An integrated circuit comprising:

• at least one waveguide comprising an input section, an output section, and a non-linear thermal tuning section having a path length extending between the input section and the output section
• the waveguide further including a cladding layer and a core layer provided on the cladding layer, the core layer having a first refractive index and the cladding layer having a second refractive index less than the first refractive index, a difference between the first refractive index and the second refractive index being greater than 0.5;
• and
• a thermal device extending only a portion of a length of the integrated optical device and in thermal communication with the non-linear thermal tuning section of the waveguide.