US 12,292,597 B2
Light output devices and light outputting methods for optical systems
Mark A. Arbore, Los Altos, CA (US); Mohsen Kamandar Dezfouli, San Jose, CA (US); Yongming Tu, Redwood City, CA (US); Jeremy D. Witmer, San Jose, CA (US); Huiyang Deng, San Jose, CA (US); Alfredo Bismuto, Sunnyvale, CA (US); and Petr Markov, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to APPLE INC., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed by Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/949,096.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/247,526, filed on Sep. 23, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0094466 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
Int. Cl. G02B 6/12 (2006.01); G02B 6/124 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/124 (2013.01) [G02B 2006/12102 (2013.01); G02B 2006/12107 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A photonic integrated circuit, comprising:
a substrate;
a cladding layer; and
a waveguide layer comprising:
a slab waveguide; and
a waveguide comprising:
a first light confining region;
a second light confining region; and
a waveguide core positioned between the first light confining region and the second light confining region; wherein:
the waveguide terminates into the slab waveguide at a junction between the waveguide and the slab waveguide; and
the waveguide comprises an index adjustment region positioned at the junction in which widths of one or both of the first light confining region and the second light confining region decrease in a direction toward the junction.