Editing Openai/69109937-2170-8005-9304-da49840bb5b9 (section)

===== - Active alignment involves using real-time optical feedback (laser on, detectors monitoring power) to precisely position and bond components — typically lasers, fibers, and photonic chips. It’s extremely accurate but slow, costly, and capital-intensive. Every module must be tuned and fixed individually. =====
* Passive alignment, as pioneered by POET Technologies through its Optical Interposer, uses fabrication-defined mechanical and optical alignment features (etched waveguides, alignment trenches, fiducials) that make the components self-align with sub-micron precision during assembly. This allows wafer-scale, automated packaging — no feedback loops, no human intervention.