The authors have achieved low-loss vertical mode transfer in an ultra-compa
ct device between a 1.55 mu m InGaAsP QW active waveguide and a well-confin
ed passive waveguide using a 100 mu m long taper. The radiation loss during
the transfer was measured to be < 0.3dB. The device was fabricated using a
single epitaxial growth and conventional fabrication schemes. This approac
h will lead to a new platform technology for integrating active and passive
photonic devices.