Planar Integration of Free-Space Optical Components

In this paper we address the problem of how to align and package a complex optical system with many individual components. This problem occurs, for example, when free-space optics is used for an optical digital computer or switching system. In order to reduce problems with the alignment of many components it is necessary to reduce the number of degrees of freedom by integrating these components on common substrates. This can be achieved, for example, by using planar fabrication techniques as they are well known from the fabrication of microelectronic circuits.