National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC

Galen Hoffman

Gregory A Vawter

Matt Eichenfield

Michael Gehl

Nils Otterstrom

An integrated photonics polarization controller that converts an input optical signal having a TEmode into an output optical signal having any polarization on the Poincare sphere is disclosed. This polarization conversion and control requires splitting the input optical signal into two optical signals. The first optical signal retains its TEmode, while the second optical signal must have a TMmode, with the integrated photonics polarization controller generating this TMmode either directly from the TEmode or indirectly via an intermediate signal having a TEmode. The magnitude and phase of the first and second optical signals are each controlled independently. The first and second optical signals are then combined to form an output optical signal and, due to the independent control of magnitude and phase of the first and second optical signals, the output optical signal may have any polarization on the Poincare sphere.

Integrated photonics with active polarization control

In an optical apparatus, an introduced semiconductor device is heterointegrated on a silicon-based platform containing a silicon-based waveguide. A polymeric waveguide is optically coupled to the introduced semiconductor device and overlies at least a portion of the silicon-based waveguide. The polymeric waveguide is conformed as a multimode interference (MMI) coupler between the introduced semiconductor device and the silicon-based waveguide. At least the polymeric waveguide, and in embodiments, also the silicon-based waveguide, is tapered with a shape that effectuates optical coupling to the silicon-based waveguide.

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Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Galen Hoffman