Patent attributes
A semiconductor photonic device includes a substrate, facet(s), and optical coupler(s) associated with the facet(s). Each optical coupler can couple an electromagnetic field incident on the respective facet towards the substrate as the electromagnetic field proceeds into the semiconductor photonic device. In some examples, each coupler has waveguides extending in a longitudinal direction and at least partly encapsulated within corresponding cladding layers. A first waveguide extends farther from the facet in the longitudinal direction than does a second waveguide. The second waveguide is located farther above the silicon substrate than is the first waveguide. The coupler can include a stack of waveguide assemblies. A lower waveguide assembly can include one waveguide. An intermediate or upper waveguide assembly can include multiple waveguides. In some examples, at least one waveguide tapers along its length.
