Compression-molded three-dimensional tapered universal waveguide couplers

An optical waveguide coupler for interconnection of a plurality of electro-optical devices that transfer a photo-optic signal, comprising: a three-dimensional tapered waveguide, having an input end and an output end and a first index of refraction, said waveguide is configured to adiabatically transmit the fundamental mode of the photo-optic signal from said input end to said output end in a transmission direction, said input end of said waveguide matches the optical mode profile of the electro-optical device that transmits the photo-optic signal at said input end, said output end of said waveguide matches the optical mode profile of the electro-optical device that receives the photo-optic signal at said output end of said waveguide; a structural member coupled to said waveguide said structural member has a second index of refraction that is unequal to said first index of refraction, said structural member physically supports said waveguide and allows for proper alignment of said waveguide to the electro-optical devices to be coupled; a plurality of waveguides, each waveguide within said plurality of waveguides having an input end and an output end and a first index of refraction, each waveguide within said plurality of waveguides is configured to adiabatically transmit the fundamental mode of the photo-optic signal from said input end to said output end in a transmission direction, said input end of each waveguide within said plurality of waveguides matches the optical mode profile of the electro-optical device that transmits the photo-optic signal at said input end of each waveguide within said plurality of waveguides, said output end of each waveguide within said plurality of waveguides matches the optical mode profile of the electro-optical device that receives the photo-optic signal at said output end of each waveguide within said plurality of waveguides; and a port for receiving the photo-optic signal in a direction non-parallel with said transmission direction said port coupled to said input end of said waveguide.

A system that interconnects a plurality of electro-optical devices together by transferring a photo-optic signal, comprising: a three-dimensional tapered waveguide, having an input end and an output end and a first index of refraction, said waveguide is configured to adiabatically transmit the fundamental mode of the photo-optic signal from said input end to said output end in a transmission direction, said input end of said waveguide matches the optical mode profile of the electro-optical device that transmits the photo-optic signal at said input end, said output end of said waveguide matches the optical mode profile of the electro-optical device that receives the photo-optic signal at said output end of said waveguide; a structural member coupled to said waveguide, said structural member has a second index of refraction that is unequal to said first index of refraction, said structural member physically supports said waveguide and allows for proper alignment of said waveguide to the electro-optical devices to be coupled; and a port for receiving the photo-optic signal in a direction non-parallel with said transmission direction, said port coupled to said input end of said waveguide.

A method of interconnecting a plurality of electro-optical devices that transfer a photo-optic signal, comprising: providing a three-dimensional tapered waveguide, having an input end and an output end and a first index of refraction, said waveguide is configured to adiabatically transmit the fundamental mode of the photo-optic signal from said input end to said output end in a transmission direction, said input end of said waveguide matches the optical mode profile of the electro-optical device that transmits the photo-optic signal at said input end, said output end of said waveguide matches the optical mode profile of the electro-optical device that receives the photo-optic signal at said output end of said waveguide; coupling a structural member to said waveguide, said structural member has a second index of refraction that is unequal to said first index of refraction, said structural member physically supports said waveguide and allows for proper alignment of said waveguide to the electro-optical devices to be coupled; and a port configured to receive the photo-optic signal in a direction non-parallel with said transmission direction, said port coupled to said input end of said waveguide.

A method that transfers a photo-optic signal through an interconnection of a plurality of electro-optical devices, comprising: adiabatically transmitting the fundamental mode of a photo-optic signal through a three-dimensional tapered waveguide in a transmission direction, said waveguide having an input end and an output end and a first index of refraction, said input end of said waveguide matches the optical mode profile of the electro-optical device that transmits the photo-optic signal at said input end, said output end of said waveguide matches the optical mode profile of the electro-optical device that receives the photo-optic signal at said output end of said waveguide; structurally supporting and aligning said waveguide to the electro-optical devices to be coupled with a structural member, said structural member has a second index of refraction that is unequal to said first index of refraction; and receiving the photo-optic signal from a direction non-parallel with said transmission direction through a port, said port coupled to said input end of said waveguide.