Apparatus, method and system for transmitting optical signals

The present disclosure relates to devices, methods, and systems for transmitting optical signals. Techniques and mechanisms for facilitating horizontal communication with photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chips and lens structures optically coupled thereto. In an embodiment, the PIC chip includes an integrated circuit, a photonic waveguide, and an integrated edge directional coupler (IEC) coupled to the integrated circuit via the photonic waveguide. The PIC chips form respective first diverging lens surfaces of the IECs, each at a respective end of a corresponding one of the photonic waveguides. A lens structure adjacent to the IEC includes a second diverging lens surface having an orientation substantially orthogonal to a respective orientation of the first diverging lens surface. In another embodiment, the edge of the PIC chip forms one or more groove structures, and the lens structure includes one or more tenon portions, each tenon portion extending into a respective one of the one or more groove structure