Patent ID: 8116602

Claim:
An optical power mode transformer comprising: a first waveguide including a first core and a first portion of a cladding, the first waveguide being configured to receive a plurality of optical signals, each of the plurality of optical signals having a corresponding one of a plurality of wavelengths, the plurality of wavelengths being in a C-band, such that a minimum one of the plurality of wavelengths is substantially equal to 1520 nm and a maximum one of the plurality of wavelengths is substantially equal to 1570 nm, the first waveguide having a first refractive index contrast; and a second waveguide including a second core having a tapered region and a second refractive index contrast greater than the first refractive index contrast, the second waveguide including a second portion of the cladding, the first and second waveguides being configured such that the plurality of optical signals propagates from the first waveguide to the second waveguide in a propagation direction, the tapered region widens in the propagation direction and a portion of the tapered region is provided on a portion of the first core.