An integrated isolator array is provided having a plurality of waveguides
fabricated in a planar optical substrate, each waveguide having input and
output sections. An isolator subassembly is received within a transverse
trench formed in the substrate between the input and output sections such
that it intersects the optical paths of the waveguides. The isolator
subassembly, which may consist of layers of Faraday rotator material
sandwiched between layers of birefringent crystal material, permits the
forward passage of light from the input sections to the output sections
of the waveguides while preventing the backward passage of light from the
output to the input sections. Each waveguide input section is preferably
adapted with a mode-expanding input taper to collimate light propagating
through the waveguide. Similarly, each output section is preferably
adapted with a mode-reducing output taper to reduce the mode size of
forward-traveling light to match that of an output fiber, as well as to
collimate light traveling backward within the output section.