Guide transition device with digital grating deflectors and method

Abstract

A guide transition device including a light source designed to generate a light beam, a light input port on a first plane and coupled to receive the light beam from the light source, a light output port on a second plane different than the first plane, the light output port designed to couple a received light beam to output equipment and plane shifting apparatus coupled to receive the light beam from the light input port on the first plane and to shift or transfer the light beam to the second plane. The plane shifting apparatus including one or more digital gratings each designed to deflect the light beam approximately ninety degrees. The plane shifting apparatus is coupled to transfer the light beam to the light output port on the second plane.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A guide transition device comprising:
 a light source designed to generate a light beam;   a light input port on a first plane, the light input port being coupled to receive the light beam from the light source;   a light output port on a second plane different than the first plane, the light output port designed to couple a received light beam to output equipment; and   plane shifting apparatus coupled to receive the light beam from the light input port on the first plane and to shift or transfer the light beam to the second plane, the plane shifting apparatus including one or more digital gratings each designed to deflect the light beam approximately ninety degrees, the plane shifting apparatus being coupled to transfer the light beam to the light output port on the second plane;   wherein the plane shifting apparatus includes a first digital grating positioned on the first plane and a second digital grating positioned on the second plane, the first digital grating positioned to receive the light beam from the light input port and to deflect the light beam to the second digital grating, and the second digital grating positioned to deflect the light beam into light communication with the output port.   
     
     
         11 . The guide transition device as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the light source includes a semiconductor laser and the semiconductor laser further includes a semiconductor waveguide with a core, the semiconductor waveguide defining the light input port, and the semiconductor waveguide being fabricated to include the first digital grating. 
     
     
         12 . The guide transition device as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the semiconductor waveguide core is tapered in cross-sectional area from a midpoint to adjacent an etched surface. 
     
     
         13 . The guide transition device as claimed in  claim 11  and further including a polymer waveguide positioned on the second plane and further positioned to couple the light beam from the second digital grating to the light output port on the second plane. 
     
     
         14 . The guide transition device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the polymer waveguide includes a lower cladding layer, a core, and an upper cladding layer, a first end of the lower cladding layer including the second digital grating, and a second end of the lower cladding layer, the core, and the upper cladding layer defining the light output port. 
     
     
         15 . The guide transition device as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the core of the polymer waveguide is tapered in cross-sectional area from a midpoint to adjacent the light output port. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of fabricating a guide transition device comprising the steps of:
 providing a platform including a semiconductor waveguide defining a light input port for receiving a light beam, the semiconductor laser being positioned on a first plane;   forming a digital grating adjacent a distal end of the semiconductor waveguide;   depositing a planarizing layer on the platform in abutting engagement with the distal end of the semiconductor waveguide to planarize the first plane;   depositing a lower polymer cladding layer on the semiconductor waveguide and the planarizing layer, depositing a polymer core on the lower polymer cladding layer, and depositing an upper polymer cladding layer on the core and lower polymer cladding layer, the lower polymer cladding layer, the polymer core, and the upper polymer cladding layer forming a polymer waveguide on a second plane different than the first plane with a first end defining a light output port; and   removing portions of the lower polymer cladding layer, the core, and the upper polymer cladding layer to form an angular deflection surface at an end of the polymer waveguide opposite the first end, the digital grating and the angular deflection surface having compatible angles so that a light beam directed into the light input port defined by the semiconductor waveguide on the first plane is deflected into the core of the polymer waveguide on the second plane.   
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the step of depositing the lower polymer cladding layer includes the step of depositing by one of spin-on-coating or CVD. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the step of depositing the lower polymer cladding layer further includes the step of photolithographic masking and etching the lower polymer cladding layer to define a taper in the core adjacent the first end defining the light output port. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the step of depositing the lower polymer cladding layer further includes the step of photolithographic masking and etching the lower polymer cladding layer to define a taper in the core adjacent the second angular deflection surface. 
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the steps of depositing the lower polymer cladding layer on the planarizing layer, depositing the polymer core on the lower polymer cladding layer, and depositing the upper polymer cladding layer on the core and lower polymer cladding layer, further includes the steps of depositing at least one protection layer between the lower polymer cladding layer and the core and depositing at least one protection layer between the upper polymer cladding layer and the core.