Spot-Size Converter for High Optical Input Power

A photonics device produced by a process, the process comprising:

• forming a chip facet configured to receive an input optical signal;
• fabricating an integrated splitter, the splitter including waveguide elements arranged to divide the input optical signal into a plurality of sub-signals;
• fabricating a waveguide separation section coupled to the splitter to route each of the plurality of sub-signals into distinct paths;
• and
• fabricating a respective spot-size converter (SSC) comprising a guiding region and a waveguide in each of the distinct paths, the respective SSC being configured to transfer each of the plurality of sub-signals into the waveguide.

A method of operating a photonics device, comprising:

• providing a high-power optical signal to a chip facet of the device;
• injecting the optical signal into an integrated splitter, the splitter dividing the optical signal into a plurality of sub-signals to reduce per-branch optical power in distinct paths;
• routing each of the plurality of sub-signals through a waveguide separation section to reduce crosstalk and prepare the sub-signals for transfer;
• performing a mode transfer of each sub-signal from a guiding region into a waveguide within a respective spot-size converter (SSC) in each of the distinct paths;
• and
• propagating the sub-signals within the waveguide to downstream photonic components.