Abstract

Synchronous distribution of optical power to an array of optical components is of inter- estforsystem applications in very-large-scale integrated (VLSI) electronics, photonic switching, and optical computing. A variety of possibilities exists for optical clock distribution, including the use of integrated waveguides, fiber optics, and free-space optics. We present a technique in which integrated free-space optics are used to distribute power from a single source. The optical signal propagates through N successive stages of 12 beamsplitters to achieve a fanout of 2N. In this study, a single glass substrate is used with gratings and lenses integrated on one side of the substrate. The optical signal travels under an angle inside the substrate from one component to the next. The complete optical system is fabricated by lithographic techniques. This approach can be extended for building a parallel optical bus with two-dimensional input signals.

© 1990 Optical Society of America