Optical junction apparatus and methods employing optical power transverse-transfer

• US 20030081902A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Xponent Photonics, Inc. (Hoya Corporation)
• Inventors: Blauvelt, Henry A., Paslaski, Joel S., Vernooy, David W., Vahala, Kerry J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,987,913 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/50
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12119 Bend
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12195 Tapering
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12002 Three-dimensional structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12007 forming wavelength selective elements, e.g. multiplexer, demultiplexer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/1228 Tapered waveguides, e.g. integrated spot-size transformers for coupling with fibres G02B6/305
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/125 Bends, branchings or intersections
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2804 forming multipart couplers without wavelength selective elements, e.g. "T" couplers, star couplers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2821 using lateral coupling between contiguous fibres to split or combine optical signals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2852 using tapping light guides arranged sidewardly, e.g. in a non-parallel relationship with respect to the bus light guides (light extraction or launching through cladding, with or without surface discontinuities, bent structures)
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/30 for use between fibre and thin-film device
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/305 and having an integrated mode-size expanding section, e.g. tapered waveguide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/42 Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4204 the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms encapsulated active devices H01S5/02208, H01L33/52
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/423 using guiding surfaces for the alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4232 using the surface tension of fluid solder to align the elements, e.g. solder bump techniques flip-chip mounting techniques in assembly of semiconductor devices H01L24/81
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4246 Bidirectionally operating package structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An optical apparatus comprises an optical device fabricated on a substrate, an external-transfer optical waveguide fabricated on the substrate and/or on the optical device, and a transmission optical waveguide. The optical device and/or the external-transfer waveguide are adapted for and positioned for transfer of optical power therebetween (end-transfer or transverse-transfer). The external-transfer waveguide and/or the transmission waveguide are adapted for transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween (mode-interference-coupled or adiabatic). The transmission waveguide is initially provided as a component mechanically separate from the substrate, device, and external-transfer waveguide. Assembly of the transmission waveguide with the substrate, device, and/or external-transfer waveguide results in relative positioning of the external-transfer waveguide and the transmission waveguide for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween. Optical power transfer between the device and the transmission waveguide through the external-transfer waveguide is thereby enabled. The transmission waveguide may preferably comprise a planar waveguide on a waveguide substrate.

Claims

1. An optical apparatus, comprising:

an optical device on a substrate;

an external-transfer optical waveguide, the external-transfer optical waveguide including an optical junction region; and

a transmission optical waveguide, the transmission optical waveguide including an optical junction region,

the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being optically integrated for enabling transfer of optical power therebetween,

at least one of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween at the respective optical junction regions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the transmission optical waveguide being assembled with at least one of the substrate, the optical device, and the external-transfer optical waveguide so as to position the respective optical junction regions for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a joining element, the joining element securing the transmission optical waveguide to at least one of the substrate, the optical device, and the external-transfer optical waveguide so as to position the respective optical junction regions for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, the optical junction region of at least one of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for enabling mode-interference-coupled transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, at least one of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for maintaining transverse-offset optical power transfer loss therebetween below about 0.5 dB for transverse offsets at least as large as about ±

0.5 times a corresponding transverse optical mode size characteristic of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, the optical junction region of at least one of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, at least one of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for maintaining transverse-offset optical power transfer loss therebetween below about 0.5 dB for transverse offsets at least as large as about ±

1.0 times a corresponding transverse optical mode size characteristic of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, at least one of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for maintaining transverse-offset optical power transfer loss therebetween below about 0.5 dB for transverse offsets at least as large as about ±

1.5 times a corresponding transverse optical mode size characteristic of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

9. IB0'"'"'a. The apparatus of claim 6, at least one of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for maintaining transverse-offset optical power transfer loss therebetween within about ±

0.5 dB of a nominal optical power transfer loss level for transverse offsets at least as large as about ±

0.7 times a corresponding transverse optical mode size characteristic of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

10. IB0'"'"'b. The apparatus of claim 6, at least one of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for maintaining transverse-offset optical power transfer loss therebetween within about ±

0.5 dB of a nominal optical power transfer loss level for transverse offsets at least as large as about ±

1.0 times a corresponding transverse optical mode size characteristic of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, at least one of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for maintaining transverse-offset optical power transfer loss therebetween within about ±

0.5 dB of a nominal optical power transfer loss level for transverse offsets at least as large as about 1.5 times a corresponding transverse optical mode size characteristic of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling end-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, the optical device having an etched end face, the etched end face serving at least in part to adapt the optical device for enabling end-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling substantially spatial-mode-matched end-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being formed by quantum-well inter-mixing of a portion of the optical device.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being a low-modal-index optical waveguide.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being a high-modal-index optical waveguide.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide including a core and lower-index cladding.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, at least a portion of the cladding including a metal film.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide including a multi-layer waveguide structure, the multi-layer waveguide structure including at least one multi-layer reflector stack.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being a low-modal-index optical waveguide.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being a high-modal-index optical waveguide.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including a core and lower-index cladding.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, at least a portion of the cladding including a metal film.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including a multi-layer waveguide structure, the multi-layer waveguide structure including at least one multi-layer reflector stack.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, the transmission optical waveguide being adapted at an end thereof for enabling end-transfer of optical power to a single-mode optical fiber.

28. The apparatus of claim 1, the transmission optical waveguide being a planar waveguide on a waveguide substrate.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, the transmission optical waveguide being one of multiple planar waveguides on the waveguide substrate, the multiple planar waveguides forming a planar waveguide circuit.

30. The apparatus of claim 1, the transmission optical waveguide being an optical fiber, the optical fiber having a fiber-optic-taper segment, the optical junction region of the optical fiber including at least a portion of the fiber-optic-taper segment.

31. The apparatus of claim 1, the transmission optical waveguide being an optical fiber, at least a portion of the optical junction region thereof having cladding transversely asymmetrically removed therefrom.

32. The apparatus of claim 1, the transmission optical waveguide being an optical fiber, the optical junction region thereof being a beveled end thereof.

33. The apparatus of claim 1, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for providing a portion of functionality of the optical device.

34. The apparatus of claim 1, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for providing a portion of functionality of the optical device.

35. An optical junction apparatus, comprising:

a first optical waveguide, the first optical waveguide including an optical junction region;

a second optical waveguide, the second optical waveguide including an optical junction region; and

a joining element,

at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being adapted for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween at the respective optical junction regions thereof,

the joining element arranged to secure the first optical waveguide with the second optical waveguide so as to position the respective optical junction regions thereof for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween.

36. An optical junction apparatus, comprising:

a first optical waveguide, the first optical waveguide including an optical junction region; and

a second optical waveguide assembled with the first optical waveguide, the second optical waveguide including an optical junction region,

at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being adapted for and positioned for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween at the respective optical junction regions thereof.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being adapted for maintaining transverse-offset optical power transfer loss therebetween below about 0.5 dB for transverse offsets at least as large as about ±

1.0 times a corresponding transverse optical mode size characteristic of the first and second optical waveguides.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being adapted for maintaining transverse-offset optical power transfer loss therebetween below about 0.5 dB for transverse offsets at least as large as about ±

1.5 times a corresponding transverse optical mode size characteristic of the first and second optical waveguides.

39. The apparatus of claim 36, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being adapted for maintaining transverse-offset optical power transfer loss therebetween within about ±

0.5 dB of a nominal optical power transfer loss level for transverse offsets at least as large as about ±

0.7 times a corresponding transverse optical mode size characteristic of the first and second optical waveguides.

40. The apparatus of claim 36, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being adapted for maintaining transverse-offset optical power transfer loss therebetween within about ±

0.5 dB of a nominal optical power transfer loss level for transverse offsets at least as large as about ±

1.0 times a corresponding transverse optical mode size characteristic of the first and second optical waveguides.

41. The apparatus of claim 36, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being adapted for maintaining transverse-offset optical power transfer loss therebetween within about ±

0.5 dB of a nominal optical power transfer loss level for transverse offsets at least as large as about ±

1.5 times a corresponding transverse optical mode size characteristic of the first and second optical waveguides.

42. The apparatus of claim 36, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides including a core and lower-index cladding.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, at least one transverse dimension of at least one of the core and the cladding varying longitudinally along at least a portion of the optical junction region.

44. The apparatus of claim 42, a refractive index of at least one of the core and the cladding varying longitudinally along at least a portion of the optical junction region.

45. The apparatus of claim 42, at least a portion the optical junction region of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being beveled.

46. The apparatus of claim 42, at least a portion of at least one of the core and cladding including silica-based material.

47. The apparatus of claim 42, at least a portion of at least one of the core and cladding including silicon oxyntride.

48. The apparatus of claim 42, at least a portion of the core including silicon nitride.

49. The apparatus of claim 42, at least a portion of at least one of the core and cladding including polymer-based material.

50. The apparatus of claim 42, at least a portion of at least one of the core and cladding including semiconductor-based material.

51. The apparatus of claim 42, at least a portion of at least one of the core and cladding including silicon semiconductor-based material.

52. The apparatus of claim 42, at least a portion of at least one of the core and cladding including III/V semiconductor-based material.

53. The apparatus of claim 42, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides including multiple cores and lower-index cladding.

54. The apparatus of claim 42, at least a portion of the cladding including a metal film.

55. The apparatus of claim 36, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being a low-modal-index optical waveguide.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides including silica-based material.

57. The apparatus of claim 55, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides including polymer-based material.

58. The apparatus of claim 36, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being a high-modal-index optical waveguide.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides including semiconductor-based material.

60. The apparatus of claim 58, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides including silicon semiconductor-based material.

61. The apparatus of claim 58, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides including III/V semiconductor-based material.

62. The apparatus of claim 36, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides including a multi-layer waveguide structure, the multi-layer waveguide structure including at least one multi-layer reflector stack.

63. The apparatus of claim 36, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being a planar waveguide on a waveguide substrate.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, the planar waveguide being one of multiple planar waveguides on the waveguide substrate, the multiple planar waveguides forming a planar waveguide circuit.

65. The apparatus of claim 36, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being adapted at an end thereof for enabling end-transfer of optical power with a single-mode optical fiber.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being adapted for spatial mode expansion.

67. The apparatus of claim 65, the optical junction region of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being adapted for spatial mode expansion and for adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power.

68. The apparatus of claim 36, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being an optical fiber, the optical fiber having a fiber-optic-taper segment, the optical junction region of the optical fiber including at least a portion of the fiber-optic-taper segment.

69. The apparatus of claim 36, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being an optical fiber, at least a portion of the optical junction region thereof having cladding transversely asymmetrically removed therefrom.

70. The apparatus of claim 36, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being an optical fiber, the optical junction region thereof being a beveled end thereof.

71. An optical apparatus, comprising:

an optical device on a substrate;

a first external-transfer optical waveguide, the first external-transfer optical waveguide including an optical junction region;

a second external-transfer optical waveguide, the second external-transfer optical waveguide including an optical junction region;

a first transmission optical waveguide, the first transmission optical waveguide including an optical junction region; and

a second transmission optical waveguide, the second transmission optical waveguide including an optical junction region,

the optical device and the first external-transfer optical waveguide being optically integrated for enabling transfer of optical power therebetween,

the optical device and the second external-transfer optical waveguide being optically integrated for enabling transfer of optical power therebetween,

at least one of the first transmission optical waveguide and the first external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween at the respective optical junction regions thereof,

at least one of the second transmission optical waveguide and the second external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween at the respective optical junction regions thereof.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, at least one of the first and second transmission optical waveguides being assembled with at least one of the substrate, the optical device, and the first and second external-transfer optical waveguides so as to position the respective optical junction regions for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between at least one of the first and second transmission optical waveguides and the corresponding at least one of first and second external-transfer optical waveguides.

73. The apparatus of claim 71, further comprising a joining element, the joining element securing at least one of the first and second transmission optical waveguides to at least one of the substrate, the optical device, and the first and second external-transfer optical waveguides so as to position the respective optical junction regions for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between at least one of the first and second transmission optical waveguides and the corresponding at least one of the first and second external-transfer optical waveguides.

74. The apparatus of claim 71, at least one of the optical device and the first and second external-transfer optical waveguides being adapted for and positioned for enabling end-transfer of optical power between the optical device and at least one of the first and second external-transfer optical waveguides.

75. The apparatus of claim 71, at least one of the optical device and the first and second external-transfer optical waveguides being adapted for and positioned for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the optical device and at least one of the first and second external-transfer optical waveguides.

76. The apparatus of claim 71, at least one of the first and second transmission optical waveguides and the first and second external-transfer optical waveguides being adapted for and positioned for enabling mode-interference-coupled transverse-transfer of optical power between at least one of the first and second transmission optical waveguides and the corresponding at least one of the first and second external-transfer optical waveguides at the respective optical junction regions.

77. The apparatus of claim 71, at least one of the first and second transmission optical waveguides and the first and second external-transfer optical waveguides being adapted for and positioned for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power between at least one of the first and second transmission optical waveguides and the corresponding at least one of the first and second external-transfer optical waveguides at the respective optical junction regions.

78. The apparatus of claim 71, at least one of the first and second transmission optical waveguides being a planar waveguide on a waveguide substrate.

79. The apparatus of claim 71, the first and second transmission optical waveguides being parts of a common component, the common component being provided initially mechanically separate from the substrate and subsequently assembled with the substrate.

80. The apparatus of claim 79, the first and second transmission optical waveguides being planar waveguides on a common waveguide substrate.

81. The apparatus of claim 71, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second transmission optical waveguides being adapted for providing a portion of functionality of the optical device.

82. The apparatus of claim 71, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second external-transfer optical waveguides being adapted for providing a portion of functionality of the optical device.

83. An optical apparatus, comprising:

a planar transmission optical waveguide on a waveguide substrate, the transmission optical waveguide including an optical junction region,

the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide at the optical junction region,

at least one of the waveguide substrate and the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for receiving and positioning the second optical waveguide relative to the optical junction region of the transmission optical waveguide so as to enable transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween.

84. The apparatus of claim 83, the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide at the optical junction region.

85. The apparatus of claim 84, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including a core and lower-index cladding, at least one transverse dimension of at least one of the core and the cladding varying longitudinally along at least a portion of the optical junction region thereof.

86. The apparatus of claim 84, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including a core and lower-index cladding, a refractive index of at least one of the core and the cladding varying longitudinally along at least a portion of the optical junction region thereof.

87. The apparatus of claim 84, at least a portion of the optical junction region of the transmission optical waveguide being beveled.

88. The apparatus of claim 84, transverse-transfer of optical power being wavelength-dependent.

89. The apparatus of claim 84, transverse-transfer of optical power being polarization-dependent.

90. The apparatus of claim 83, the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for enabling mode-interference-coupled transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide at the optical junction region.

91. The apparatus of claim 90, modal-index-matching being achieved passively.

92. The apparatus of claim 90, modal-index-matching being achieved actively.

93. The apparatus of claim 90, transverse-transfer of optical power being polarization-dependent.

94. The apparatus of claim 90, transverse-transfer of optical power being wavelength-dependent.

95. The apparatus of claim 83, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being a low-modal-index optical waveguide.

96. The apparatus of claim 95, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including a silica-based material.

97. The apparatus of claim 95, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including a polymer-based material.

98. The apparatus of claim 83, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being a high-modal-index optical waveguide.

99. The apparatus of claim 98, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including semiconductor-based material.

100. The apparatus of claim 98, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including silicon semiconductor-based material.

101. The apparatus of claim 98, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including III/V semiconductor-based material.

102. The apparatus of claim 83, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including a core and lower-index cladding.

103. The apparatus of claim 102, at least a portion of at least one of the core and the cladding including silica-based material.

104. The apparatus of claim 102, at least a portion of at least one of the core and the cladding including silicon oxynitride.

105. The apparatus of claim 102, at least a portion of the core including silicon nitride.

106. The apparatus of claim 102, at least a portion of at least one of the core and the cladding including polymer-based material.

107. The apparatus of claim 102, at least a portion of at least one of the core and the cladding including semiconductor-based material.

108. The apparatus of claim 102, at least a portion of at least one of the core and the cladding including silicon semiconductor-based material.

109. The apparatus of claim 102, at least a portion of at least one of the core and the cladding being III/V semiconductor-based material.

110. The apparatus of claim 102, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including multiple cores and lower-index cladding.

111. The apparatus of claim 102, at least a portion of the cladding including a metal film.

112. The apparatus of claim 83, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including a multi-layer waveguide structure, the multi-layer waveguide structure including at least one multi-layer reflector stack.

113. The apparatus of claim 83,

the transmission optical waveguide being adapted at an end thereof for enabling end-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and a single-mode optical fiber,

at least one of the waveguide substrate and the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for positioning an end of the single-mode optical fiber relative to the transmission optical waveguide so as to enable end-transfer of optical power therebetween.

114. The apparatus of claim 113, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for spatial mode expansion.

115. The apparatus of claim 113, the optical junction region of transmission optical waveguide being adapted for spatial mode expansion and for adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power with the external transfer optical waveguide.

116. The apparatus of claim 83, the transmission optical waveguide being one of multiple planar waveguides on the waveguide substrate, the multiple planar waveguides forming a planar waveguide circuit.

117. The apparatus of claim 83, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for providing a portion of functionality of an optical device, the second optical waveguide providing optical power transfer between the transmission optical waveguide and the optical device.

118. The apparatus of claim 117, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for providing at least a portion of wavelength-specific functionality of the optical device.

119. The apparatus of claim 117, the transmission optical waveguide including a waveguide grating.

120. The apparatus of claim 117, the transmission optical waveguide including a thermo-optic element.

121. The apparatus of claim 117, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for providing at least a portion of polarization-specific functionality of the optical device.

122. The apparatus of claim 117, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for providing optical power monitoring for the optical device.

123. The apparatus of claim 117, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for providing at least a portion of spatial-mode-specific functionality of the optical device.

124. The apparatus of claim 117, the transmission optical waveguide including a thermal compensator.

125. The apparatus of claim 117, the optical device including a laser source.

126. The apparatus of claim 125, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for providing at least a portion of wavelength selectivity of the laser source.

127. The apparatus of claim 125, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for providing at least a portion of spatial-mode selectivity of the laser source.

128. The apparatus of claim 125, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for providing at least a portion of polarization selectivity of the laser source.

129. An optical apparatus, comprising:

an optical device on a device substrate; and

an external-transfer optical waveguide, the external-transfer optical waveguide including an optical junction region,

the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being optically integrated for enabling transfer of optical power therebetween,

the optical junction region of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the external-transfer optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide at the optical junction region,

at least one of the device substrate, the optical device, and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for receiving and positioning the second optical waveguide relative to the optical junction region of the external-transfer optical waveguide so as to enable transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween.

130. The apparatus of claim 129, the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power between the external-transfer optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide at the optical junction region.

131. The apparatus of claim 130, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide including a core and lower-index cladding, at least one transverse dimension of at least one of the core and the cladding varying longitudinally along at least a portion of the optical junction region thereof.

132. The apparatus of claim 130, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide including a core and lower-index cladding, a refractive index of at least one of the core and the cladding varying longitudinally along at least a portion of the optical junction region thereof.

133. The apparatus of claim 130, at least a portion of the optical junction region of the external-transfer optical waveguide being beveled.

134. The apparatus of claim 130, transverse-transfer of optical power being wavelength-dependent.

135. The apparatus of claim 130, transverse-transfer of optical power being polarization-dependent.

136. The apparatus of claim 129, the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for enabling mode-interference-coupled transverse-transfer of optical power between the external-transfer optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide at the optical junction region.

137. The apparatus of claim 136, modal-index-matching being achieved passively.

138. The apparatus of claim 136, modal-index-matching being achieved actively.

139. The apparatus of claim 136, transverse-transfer of optical power being polarization-dependent.

140. The apparatus of claim 136, transverse-transfer of optical power being wavelength-dependent.

141. The apparatus of claim 129, at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling end-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

142. The apparatus of claim 141, the optical device having an etched end face, the etched end face serving at least in part to adapt the optical device for enabling end-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

143. The apparatus of claim 141, at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling substantially spatial-mode-matched end-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

144. The apparatus of claim 141, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being formed by quantum-well inter-mixing of a portion of the optical device.

145. The apparatus of claim 129, at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

146. The apparatus of claim 129, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being a low-modal-index optical waveguide.

147. The apparatus of claim 146, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being a silica-based optical waveguide.

148. The apparatus of claim 146, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being a polymer-based optical waveguide.

149. The apparatus of claim 129, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being a high-modal-index optical waveguide.

150. The apparatus of claim 149, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being a semiconductor-based optical waveguide.

151. The apparatus of claim 149, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being a silicon semiconductor-based optical waveguide.

152. The apparatus of claim 149, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being a III/V semiconductor-based optical waveguide.

153. The apparatus of claim 129, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide including a core and lower-index cladding.

154. The apparatus of claim 153, at least a portion of at least one of the core and the cladding including silica-based material.

155. The apparatus of claim 153, at least a portion of at least one of the core and the cladding including silicon oxynitride.

156. The apparatus of claim 153, at least a portion of the core including silicon nitride.

157. The apparatus of claim 153, at least one of the core and the cladding including polymer-based material.

158. The apparatus of claim 153, at least one of the core and the cladding including semiconductor-based material.

159. The apparatus of claim 153, at least one of the core and the cladding including silicon semiconductor-based material.

160. The apparatus of claim 153, at least one of the core and the cladding including a III/V semiconductor-based material.

161. The apparatus of claim 153, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide including multiple cores and lower-index cladding.

162. The apparatus of claim 153, at least a portion of the cladding including a metal film.

163. The apparatus of claim 129, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide including a multi-layer waveguide structure, the multi-layer waveguide structure including at least one multi-layer reflector stack.

164. The apparatus of claim 129, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for spatial mode expansion.

165. The apparatus of claim 129, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for providing a portion of functionality of the optical device.

166. The apparatus of claim 165, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for providing at least a portion of wavelength-specific functionality of the optical device.

167. The apparatus of claim 165, the external-transfer optical waveguide including a waveguide grating.

168. The apparatus of claim 165, the external-transfer optical waveguide including a thermo-optic element.

169. The apparatus of claim 165, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for providing at least a portion of polarization-specific functionality of the optical device.

170. The apparatus of claim 165, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for providing optical power monitoring for the optical device.

171. The apparatus of claim 165, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for providing at least a portion of spatial-mode-specific functionality of the optical device.

172. The apparatus of claim 165, the external-transfer optical waveguide including a thermal compensator.

173. The apparatus of claim 165, the optical device including a laser source.

174. The apparatus of claim 173, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for providing at least a portion of wavelength selectivity of the laser source.

175. The apparatus of claim 173, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for providing at least a portion of spatial-mode selectivity of the laser source.

176. The apparatus of claim 173, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for providing at least a portion of polarization selectivity of the laser source.

177. A method for fabricating an optical apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

fabricating an optical device on a substrate;

fabricating an external-transfer optical waveguide on at least one of the substrate and the optical device, the external-transfer optical waveguide including an optical junction region; and

assembling a transmission optical waveguide with the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide, the transmission optical waveguide including an optical junction region,

at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide,

at least one of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide at the respective optical junction regions,

the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide being positioned, upon assembly of the transmission optical waveguide with the substrate and the external-transfer optical waveguide, so as to position the respective optical junction regions for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

178. The method of claim 177, the optical junction region of at least one of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for enabling mode-interference-coupled transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

179. The method of claim 177, the optical junction region of at least one of the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

180. The method of claim 177, at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling end-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

181. The method of claim 180, further including the step of etching an end face of the optical device so as to at least in part adapt the optical device for enabling end-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

182. The method of claim 180, at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling substantially spatial-mode-matched end-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

183. The method of claim 180, further including the step of forming at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide by quantum-well inter-mixing of a portion of the optical device.

184. The method of claim 177, at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

185. The method of claim 177, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being a low-modal-index optical waveguide.

186. The method of claim 177, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being a high-modal-index optical waveguide.

187. The method of claim 177, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide including a core and lower-index cladding.

188. The method of claim 187, at least a portion of the cladding including a metal film.

189. The method of claim 177, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide including a multi-layer waveguide structure, the multi-layer waveguide structure including at least one multi-layer reflector stack.

190. The method of claim 177, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being a low-modal-index optical waveguide.

191. The method of claim 177, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being a high-modal-index optical waveguide.

192. The method of claim 177, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including a core and lower-index cladding.

193. The method of claim 192, at least a portion of the cladding including a metal film.

194. The method of claim 177, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including a multi-layer waveguide structure, the multi-layer waveguide structure including at least one multi-layer reflector stack.

195. The method of claim 177, the transmission optical waveguide being adapted at an end thereof for enabling end-transfer of optical power to a single-mode optical fiber.

196. The method of claim 177, the transmission optical waveguide being a planar waveguide on a waveguide substrate.

197. The method of claim 196, the transmission optical waveguide being one of multiple planar waveguides on the substrate, the multiple planar waveguides forming a planar waveguide circuit.

198. The method of claim 177, the transmission optical waveguide being an optical fiber, the optical fiber having a fiber-optic-taper segment, the optical junction region of the optical fiber including at least a portion of the fiber-optic-taper segment.

199. The method of claim 177, the transmission optical waveguide being an optical fiber, at least a portion of the optical junction region thereof having cladding transversely asymmetrically removed therefrom.

200. The method of claim 177, the transmission optical waveguide being an optical fiber, the optical junction region thereof being a beveled end thereof.

201. The method of claim 177, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for providing a portion of functionality of the optical device and for enabling operation of the optical device.

202. The method of claim 177, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for providing a portion of functionality of the optical device and for enabling operation of the optical device.

203. A method for fabricating an assembled optical apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

fabricating a first optical waveguide, the first optical waveguide including an optical junction region;

fabricating a second optical waveguide, the second optical waveguide including an optical junction region, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being adapted for substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween at the respective optical junction regions; and

assembling the first and second optical waveguides so as to position the respective optical junction regions for enabling substantially adiabatic optical power transfer therebetween.

204. The method of claim 203, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides including a core and lower-index cladding.

205. The method of claim 204, at least a portion of the cladding including a metal film.

206. The method of claim 203, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being a low-modal-index optical waveguide.

207. The method of claim 203, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being a high-modal-index optical waveguide.

208. The method of claim 203, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second optical waveguides including a multi-layer waveguide structure, the multi-layer waveguide structure including at least one multi-layer reflector stack.

209. The method of claim 203, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being a planar waveguide on a waveguide substrate.

210. The method of claim 209, the planar waveguide being one of multiple planar waveguides on the waveguide substrate, the multiple planar waveguides forming a planar waveguide circuit.

211. The method of claim 203, further including the step of positioning an end of a single mode optical fiber for enabling end-transfer of optical power between the planar waveguide and the optical fiber, the planar waveguide being adapted at an end thereof for enabling end-transfer of optical power to the single-mode optical fiber.

212. The method of claim 203, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being an optical fiber, the optical fiber having a fiber-optic-taper segment, the optical junction region of the optical fiber including at least a portion of the fiber-optic-taper segment.

213. The method of claim 203, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being an optical fiber, at least a portion of the optical junction region thereof having cladding transversely asymmetrically removed therefrom.

214. The method of claim 203, at least one of the first and second optical waveguides being an optical fiber, the optical junction region thereof being a beveled end thereof.

215. A method for fabricating an optical apparatus, comprising the step of fabricating at least one planar transmission optical waveguide on a waveguide substrate, the transmission optical waveguide including an optical junction region,

the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide at the optical junction region,

at least one of the waveguide substrate and the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for receiving and positioning the second optical waveguide relative to the optical junction region of the transmission optical waveguide so as to enable transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween, the second optical waveguide being provided initially as a mechanically separate component and subsequently assembled with at least one of the transmission optical waveguide and the waveguide substrate.

216. The method of claim 215, the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide at the optical junction region.

217. The method of claim 215, the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for enabling mode-interference-coupled transverse-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide at the optical junction region.

218. The method of claim 215, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being a low-modal-index optical waveguide.

219. The method of claim 215, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being a high-modal-index optical waveguide.

220. The method of claim 215, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including a core and lower-index cladding.

221. The method of claim 220, at least a portion of the cladding including a metal film.

222. The method of claim 215, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide including a multi-layer waveguide structure, the multi-layer waveguide structure including at least one multi-layer reflector stack.

223. The method of claim 215,

the transmission optical waveguide being adapted at an end thereof for enabling end-transfer of optical power between the transmission optical waveguide and a single-mode optical fiber,

at least one of the waveguide substrate and the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for positioning an end of the single-mode optical fiber relative to the transmission optical waveguide so as to enable end-transfer of optical power therebetween.

224. The method of claim 215, the transmission optical waveguide being one of multiple planar waveguides on the substrate, the multiple planar waveguides forming a planar waveguide circuit.

225. The method of claim 215, at least a portion of the transmission optical waveguide being adapted for providing a portion of functionality of an optical device and for enabling operation of the optical device when coupled thereto.

226. A method for fabricating an optical apparatus, comprising the steps of:

fabricating an optical device on a device substrate;

fabricating an external-transfer optical waveguide on at least one of the device substrate and the optical device, the external-transfer optical waveguide including an optical junction region,

at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for enabling transfer of optical power therebetween,

the external-transfer optical waveguide being positioned relative to the optical device so as to enable transfer of optical power therebetween,

the optical junction region of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the external-transfer optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide,

at least one of the device substrate, the optical device, and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for receiving and positioning the second optical waveguide relative to the optical junction region of the external-transfer optical waveguide so as to enable transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween, the second optical waveguide being provided initially as a mechanically separate component and subsequently assembled with at least one of the device substrate, the optical device, and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

227. The method of claim 226, the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for enabling substantially adiabatic transverse-transfer of optical power between the external-transfer optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide at the optical junction region.

228. The method of claim 226, the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for enabling mode-interference-coupled transverse-transfer of optical power between the external-transfer optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide at the optical junction region.

229. The method of claim 226, at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling end-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

230. The method of claim 229, further including the step of etching an end face of the optical device so as to at least in part adapt the optical device for enabling end-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

231. The method of claim 229, at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling substantially spatial-mode-matched end-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

232. The method of claim 229, further including the step of forming at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide by quantum-well inter-mixing of a portion of the optical device.

233. The method of claim 226, at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for and positioned for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide.

234. The method of claim 226, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being a low-modal-index optical waveguide.

235. The method of claim 226, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being a high-modal-index optical waveguide.

236. The method of claim 226, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide including a core and lower-index cladding.

237. The method of claim 236, at least a portion of the cladding including a metal film.

238. The method of claim 226, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide including a multi-layer waveguide structure, the multi-layer waveguide structure including at least one multi-layer reflector stack.

239. The method of claim 226, at least a portion of the external-transfer optical waveguide being adapted for providing a portion of functionality of the optical device.

240. An optical apparatus, comprising:

multiple optical devices fabricated on a common device substrate;

multiple external-transfer optical waveguides, each fabricated on at least one of the device substrate and the multiple optical devices; and

multiple planar transmission optical waveguides fabricated on a common waveguide substrate, the multiple planar transmission optical waveguides forming a planar optical waveguide circuit, the waveguide substrate being assembled with the device substrate,

at least one of the multiple optical devices and at least one of the multiple external-transfer optical waveguides being adapted for and positioned for optical power transfer therebetween,

at least two of the multiple external-transfer optical waveguides and at least two corresponding planar transmission optical waveguides among the multiple planar transmission optical waveguides being adapted for transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween,

assembly of the device substrate with the waveguide substrate serving to position at least two of the multiple external-transfer optical waveguides relative to the corresponding planar transmission optical waveguides for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power therebetween, thereby establishing at least two optical connections between the planar optical waveguide circuit and the multiple optical devices.

241. An optical apparatus, comprising:

multiple device substrates, each device substrate having fabricated thereon at least one optical device, at least one device substrate having fabricated thereon an external-transfer optical waveguide, at least one of the optical device and the external-transfer optical waveguide being positioned for and adapted for enabling optical power transfer therebetween; and

multiple planar transmission optical waveguides fabricated on a common waveguide substrate, the multiple planar transmission optical waveguides forming a planar optical waveguide circuit, the planar optical waveguide circuit being adapted at multiple device locations thereof for receiving a corresponding one of the multiple device substrates,

for each of the multiple device locations, at least one of the multiple planar transmission optical waveguides, the optical device, and the external-transfer optical waveguides being adapted for enabling optical power transfer between the optical device and the planar optical waveguide circuit,

at least one of the multiple device locations and the external-transfer optical waveguide on the corresponding one of the multiple device substrates being adapted for enabling transverse-transfer of optical power between the planar optical waveguide circuit and the external-transfer optical waveguide on the corresponding one of the multiple device substrates,

assembly of the corresponding one of the device substrates at the at least one of the multiple device locations serving to enable transverse-transfer of optical power between the planar optical waveguide circuit and the external-transfer optical waveguide on the corresponding one of the device substrates.