A coupling system for photonic integrated circuits and integrated optical waveguides
is provided. A recess is formed in a substrate on which one or more integrated
optical waveguides are disposed, the recess being located at the desired mounting
location of the photonic integrated circuit. At least one end wall of the recess
is inclined with respect to a normal to the substrate surface. At least one end
face of a photonic integrated circuit is inclined to match the inclined end wall
of the recess. The length, width, and depth of the recess are controlled so that
inserting the photonic integrated circuit into the recess passively provides both
lateral and vertical alignment of the photonic integrated circuit with the integrated
optical waveguide(s).
