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Integrated photonics mode expander

  • US 9,977,188 B2
  • Filed: 02/23/2016
  • Issued: 05/22/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2011
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A waveguide mode expander comprising:

  • a substrate;

    a first cladding layer;

    a metal layer that bonds the first cladding layer to the substrate;

    a tapered shoulder portion, formed of a first layer of a high bandgap semiconductor material and disposed atop the first cladding layer, wherein;

    the first layer defines a thickness;

    the shoulder portion forms;

    a length from an input end to an output end,a first width at the input end, anda second width that is larger than the first width, at the output end; and

    a tapered ridge portion, overlying the shoulder portion and formed of one or more additional tapered portions of high bandgap semiconductor materials, wherein;

    each of the additional portions is formed of an additional layer having an individual layer thickness;

    each of the additional portions forms;

    a sequentially shorter length than the length of the shoulder portion and the length of any underlying additional portions;

    a first additional portion width at an end of the additional portion that is closest to the input end, anda second additional portion width that is larger than the first additional portion width, at the output end;

    such that the tapered ridge portion and the tapered shoulder portion are configured to expand an optical beam propagating through the waveguide mode expander from the input end to the output end.

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