Photonic integrated detector having a plurality of asymmetric waveguides

A device for operating on an optical signal comprising:

• a first waveguide for guiding primarily a first mode of light;
• a second waveguide for guiding primarily a second mode of light, said second waveguide positioned vertically relative to said first waveguide, wherein said second waveguide has a lateral taper formed therein for guiding said first mode of light between said first waveguide and said second waveguide and wherein said first mode of light has an effective index of refraction different from that of said second mode of light;
• and
• at least one further waveguide for guiding primarily a third mode of light, said further waveguide positioned vertically relative to said second waveguide and separated from said first waveguide by said second waveguide, wherein said further waveguide has a lateral taper formed therein for guiding said second mode of light between said second waveguide and said further waveguide and wherein said third mode of light has an effective index of refraction different from that of said second mode of light.

A detector for operating on an optical signal comprising:

• a first waveguide for guiding primarily a first mode of light;
• a second waveguide for guiding primarily a second mode of light, said second waveguide positioned vertically relative to said first waveguide, wherein said second waveguide has a lateral taper formed therein for guiding said first mode of light between said first waveguide and said second waveguide and wherein said first mode of light has an effective index of refraction different from that of said second mode of light;
• at least one further waveguide for guiding primarily a third mode of light, said further waveguide positioned vertically relative to said second waveguide and separated from said first waveguide by said second waveguide, wherein said further waveguide has a lateral taper formed therein for guiding said second mode of light between said second waveguide and said further waveguide and wherein said third mode of light has an effective index of refraction different from that of said second mode of light;
• and
• a photo-detector for detecting light propagating in said further waveguide, said photo-detector positioned vertically relative to said further waveguide and being separated from said second waveguide by said further waveguide.

A device for operating on an optical signal comprising:

• a first waveguide for guiding primarily a first mode of light;
• a second waveguide for guiding primarily a second mode of light, said second waveguide positioned vertically relative to said first waveguide, wherein said second waveguide has a lateral taper formed therein for guiding said first mode of light between said first waveguide and said second waveguide and wherein said first mode of light has an effective index of refraction different from that of said second mode of light, and said second waveguide comprises an optical amplifier for amplifying the optical signal;
• at least one further waveguide for guiding primarily a third mode of light, said further waveguide positioned vertically relative to said second waveguide and separated from said first waveguide by said second waveguide, wherein said further waveguide has a lateral taper formed therein for guiding said second mode of light between said second waveguide and said further waveguide and wherein said third mode of light has an effective index of refraction different from that of said second mode of light;
• and
• a photo-detector for detecting light propagating in said further waveguide, said photo-detector positioned vertically relative to said further waveguide and being separated from said second waveguide by said further waveguide.