Patent ID: 11402752

Abstract:
A method of fabricating an optical connection to at least one planar optical waveguide integrated on a planar integrated circuit (PIC) uses a machine vision system or the like to detect one or more positions at which one or more optical connections are to be made to at least one planar optical waveguide located on the PIC. A spatial light modulator (SLM) is used as a programmable photolithographic mask through which the optical connections are written in a volume of photosensitive material using a photolithographic process. The SLM is programmed to expose the photosensitive material to an illumination pattern that defines the optical connections. The programming is based at least in part on the positions that have been detected by the vision system. The optical connections are printed by exposing the photosensitive material to illumination that is modulated by the pattern with which the SLM is programmed.