Patent ID: 6975798
Filing Date: 2005-12-13
Classification: B82Y,G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical apparatus, comprising: a first planar optical waveguide comprising a first waveguide core within a first cladding, an upper surface of the first cladding over the first core being substantially flat along at least a portion of the length thereof, thereby forming a first substantially flat waveguide upper cladding surface; a second planar optical waveguide comprising a second waveguide core within a second cladding, an upper surface of the second cladding over the second core being substantially flat along at least a portion of the length thereof, thereby forming a second substantially flat waveguide upper cladding surface; at least one additional area of first core material within the first cladding, the additional area of first core material forming a corresponding substantially flat first structural upper cladding surface substantially parallel to the first substantially flat waveguide upper cladding surface; and at least one additional area of second core material within the second cladding, the additional area of second core material forming a corresponding substantially flat second structural upper cladding surface substantially parallel to the second substantially flat waveguide upper cladding surface, the first and second planar optical waveguides being assembled together with at least portions of their corresponding substantially flat waveguide upper cladding surfaces positioned facing one another, thereby positioning the first and second planar optical waveguides for optical transverse-coupling between the first and second cores along corresponding transverse-coupled portions thereof, the first and second structural upper cladding surfaces being positioned against one another upon assembly of the first and second planar waveguides with the corresponding waveguide upper cladding surfaces facing one another, the additional area of first core material being positioned so as to substantially avoid optical coupling with the first waveguide core or with the second waveguide core, the additional area of second core material being positioned so as to substantially avoid optical coupling with the first waveguide core or the second waveguide core.