Patent ID: 11971574
Assignee: APPLE INC.
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 0:
1. An interferometric device for combining light from a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source, comprising:
a first input waveguide configured to receive input light of a first wavelength with a fundamental mode from the first light source;
a second input waveguide configured to receive input light of a second wavelength with the fundamental mode from the second light source, the second input waveguide physically separated from the first input waveguide by a gap;
a third input waveguide configured to receive input light of a third wavelength with the fundamental mode from the third light source;
an interferometric waveguide configured to combine the light from the first input waveguide, the second input waveguide, and the third input waveguide; and
an output waveguide physically connected to the interferometric waveguide, wherein;
the interferometric waveguide comprises:
a tapered section; and
a straight section abutting the tapered section;

the first input waveguide, the second input waveguide, and the third input waveguide are connected to the tapered section;
the tapered section is configured to generate, for the input light of each of the first, second, and third wavelengths, a first higher order mode from a first portion of the fundamental mode and a second higher order mode from a second portion of the fundamental mode, and combines the input light from the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source; and
an interface between the interferometric waveguide and the output waveguide is configured to convert, for each of the first, second, and third wavelengths, the first higher order mode and the second higher order mode to the fundamental mode.