Patent ID: 7532783

Claim:
An integrated dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) receiver apparatus that converts a multiple-channel DWDM signal to multiple electrical signals, the apparatus comprising: a support component; a silica-on-silicon substrate overlying the support component, the silica-on-silicon substrate including a silica layer overlying a silicon layer, the silica-on-silicon substrate including a first surface region and a second surface region; an optical demultiplexer within the silica layer, the optical demultiplexer being located under the first surface region and overlying the silicon layer, the optical demultiplexer including at least an input waveguide for receiving the multiple-channel DWDM signal and a plurality of output waveguides for outputting one or more optical signals; one or more reflecting structures located in the silica layer underlying the second surface region, each of the one or more reflecting structures including in a recess in the silica layer, the recess having a silica surface configured as a reflecting surface, each of the one or more reflecting structures being optically coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of output waveguides; one or more semiconductor photodetector array chips overlying the second surface region of the silica-on-silicon substrate, each of the one or more photodetector array chips including one or more photodetectors for converting an optical signal into a corresponding electrical signal, each of the one or more photodetectors overlying and being optically coupled to a corresponding one of the reflecting structures; and one or more output terminals to output the converted electrical signals by the photodetectors.