US Patent 11971577 Heterogeneously integrated photonic platform with non-linear frequency conversion element

A device comprises first, second and third elements fabricated on a common substrate. The first element comprises an active waveguide structure comprising: a first portion supporting a first optical mode. The second element comprises a passive waveguide structure supporting a second optical mode. The third element, at least partly butt-coupled to the second portion, comprises an intermediate waveguide structure supporting intermediate optical modes. At least part of the second element is non-linear, supporting frequency conversion. A tapered waveguide structure in at least one of the second and third elements facilitates efficient adiabatic transformation between the first optical mode and one intermediate optical mode. No adiabatic transformation occurs between any intermediate optical mode and the first optical mode. Mutual alignments of the elements are defined using lithographic alignment marks.