Patent ID: 7943894
Filing Date: 2011-05-17
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical apparatus comprising: (a) a waveguide substrate having at least one substrate alignment mark; (b) a first optical waveguide formed on the waveguide substrate; (c) an optical element mounted on the waveguide substrate, the optical element comprising a volume of substantially transparent material having opposing first and second transmission surfaces, a substantially flat mounting surface arranged between the transmission surfaces, at least one element alignment mark, and an optical coating on the first transmission surface; and (d) a photodetector mounted on the waveguide substrate, or a second optical waveguide formed on the waveguide substrate, wherein: the optical element is mounted on the waveguide substrate with the substantially flat mounting surface on a substantially flat mating portion of the substrate surface, the mounting surface being arranged so that the optical element is self-supporting on the substrate surface; the optical element is arranged and positioned, with the element alignment mark substantially aligned with the substrate alignment mark, so as to position the first and second transmission surfaces at respective orientations relative to the substrate surface and the first waveguide so that a portion of an optical signal emerging as an optical beam from an end face of the first optical waveguide enters the optical element through the first transmission surface, propagates as an optical beam through the optical element with the mounting surface between the optical beam and the substrate surface, and exits the optical element as an optical beam through the second transmission surface without being internally reflected within the optical element; and the photodetector or the second optical waveguide is positioned so as to receive, without transmission through an additional optical element, the portion of the optical signal propagating as the optical beam exiting the optical element through the second transmission surface.