Patent ID: 6690025
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A planar light-wave circuit for manipulating an optical signal, said planar light-wave circuit comprising:a cladding layer having a cladding surface area; a plurality of optical waveguides on said cladding layer and forming a pattern of optical waveguides, said pattern of optical waveguides adapted to define at least one optical path, wherein each said optical path routes the optical signal; a total surface area of said pattern of optical waveguides defining an optical waveguide coverage area; a plurality of load structures on said cladding layer and forming a pattern of etch loading, wherein each of said load structures is separated from each said optical waveguide by at least a proximity correction distance; a total surface area of said pattern of etch loading defining an etch load coverage area; and wherein the sum of said optical waveguide coverage area and said etch load coverage area are at least approximately 25% of said substrate surface area.