Inventors:
Jyoti Kiron Bhardwaj - Cupertino CA
Robert James Brainard - Sunnyvale CA
David J. Chapman - San Jose CA
Douglas E. Crafts - San Jose CA
David Dougherty - Sunnyvale CA
Erik W. Egan - Oakland CA
James F. Farrell - San Jose CA
Mark B. Farrelly - San Jose CA
Niranjan Gopinathan - Santa Clara CA
Kenzo Ishida - Saratoga CA
David K. Nakamoto - Sunnyvale CA
Thomas Thuan Nguyen - San Jose CA
Suresh Ramalingam - Fremont CA
Steven M. Swain - San Jose CA
Sanjay M. Thekdi - Santa Clara CA
Anantharaman Vaidyanathan - San Jose CA
Hiroaki Yamada - San Jose CA
Yingchao Yan - Milpitas CA
Assignee:
JDS Uniphase Corporation - San Jose CA
International Classification:
G02B 634
US Classification:
385 37, 385 24, 385 46, 385 43
Abstract:
A planar lightwave circuit includes an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), with input and output waveguides, partially curved array waveguides with respective length differences, and planar waveguide regions for focusing optical energy between the input/output and array waveguides. Optimal waveguide widths and spacing along the planar waveguide region facets are disclosed, which are largely determinative of AWG size and optical performance. Also disclosed are optimal cross-sectional waveguide dimensions (e. g. , width and height); modified index of refraction difference between the waveguide core and cladding regions; and optimal array waveguide lengths, path length differences, and free spectral range. These features, especially when combined with advanced fiber attachment, passivation and packaging techniques, result in high-yield, high-performance AWGs (both gaussian and flattop versions).