Photodetector coupled to a planar waveguide
First Claim
1. An electro-optical system comprising a planar optical structure and an electro-optical interface, the planar optical structure comprising a planar waveguide that terminates at the edge of the planar structure and the electro-optical interface comprising a transparent substrate attached at the edge of the planar structure to receive light from the waveguide and a first photodetector secured to the transparent substrate at a position to receive the light from waveguide through the transparent structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved electro-optical system has a planar waveguide coupled to a photodetector through a transparent substrate. The planar waveguide is within a planar optical structure that can be part of optical communication network. The photodetector is positioned to receive light that passes from the waveguide through the transparent substrate. The photodetector can be electrically coupled to electrical circuitry along the transparent substrate for connection to a electrical apparatus. Corresponding methods for forming the electro-optical structure are described. These improved electro-optical systems can be used for terminating an optical transmission system at an end user or a local network associated with a group of end users.
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Citations
38 Claims
- 1. An electro-optical system comprising a planar optical structure and an electro-optical interface, the planar optical structure comprising a planar waveguide that terminates at the edge of the planar structure and the electro-optical interface comprising a transparent substrate attached at the edge of the planar structure to receive light from the waveguide and a first photodetector secured to the transparent substrate at a position to receive the light from waveguide through the transparent structure.
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22-28. -28. (canceled)
- 29. A method for interfacing an optical communication system with an electrical circuit, the method comprising converting an optical signal into an electrical signal wherein the optical signal is transmitted to a photodetector from a planar waveguide and wherein the optical detector is mounted on a transparent substrate that is attached to the planar waveguide to form an optical pathway substantially directly from the planar waveguide through the transparent substrate to the detector.
Specification