INTEGRATED-OPTIC ARRAY ILLUMINATOR - A NEW DESIGN FOR GUIDED-WAVE OPTICAL INTERCONNECTIONS

An integrated array illuminator can be used not only as an optical pow er distributor for an array of guided-wave optic devices but also as a key element for guided-wave optical interconnections. We present a ne w design for an integrated-optic array illuminator with focusing waveg uide diffractive doublet arrays. This integrated array illuminator all ows independent optimizations of efficient and uniform optical power d istribution and focusing performance. Furthermore, the device can be f abricated with all-optical lithographic technology and hence has the a dvantages of mass production with low cost. (C) 1998 Optical Society o f America.