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Abstract

An integrated optical loop mirror has an optical coupler and an optical waveguide loop formed on a semiconductor substrate such that the waveguide connects two output ports of the coupler. Optical signals entering the input port of the coupler are directed around the waveguide loop and back to the input port, the device thereby provides an optical reflection or mirror function on a substrate. The integrated optical loop mirror is easily manufactured to provide accurate control of phase and magnitude of reflections and can be configured to provide wavelength dependent or independent reflections. It allows for placement flexibility, unlike cleaved facets which are restricted to chip edges. Other suitable substrates include glass and lithium niobate (LiNbO3). It can be constructed using various types of couplers and waveguides including photonic crystals. It is well suited to monolithic integrated optical designs incorporating lasers, such as distributed feedback (DFB) lasers, semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA), integrated optical taps and Mach-Zehnder interferometers.

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