Integrated circuit device having optically coupled layers

Abstract

In an integrated circuit device (102) comprising a vertical arrangement of integrated circuit layers, coupling of an optical signal (S1) between a first integrated circuit layer thereof (104) and a second integrated circuit layer thereof (106 is described. The optical signal (S1) is evanescently coupled between a photonic crystal defect waveguide (110) and a photonic crystal defect cavity (112) in the first integrated circuit layer (104) and projectably coupled between the photonic crystal defect cavity (112) and an optical aperture (116) on the second integrated circuit layer (106).

Description

Technical field [0001] The invention relates to coupling signals between different layers of integrated circuit devices. Background technique [0002] Integrated circuit devices have become important components in a wide range of products from computers and robotics to household appliances and automobile control systems. As integrated circuit devices continue to decrease in physical size and power consumption, they become more useful and faster, so new applications are constantly being discovered. As used herein, an integrated circuit device broadly refers to a device having one or more integrated circuit chips that implement at least one electrical and / or optical function, and includes single-chip and multi-chip devices. In a multi-chip device, each integrated circuit chip is usually manufactured independently from a substrate or "made up" of the substrate, and the resulting chips are combined or otherwise coupled into a common physical configuration. [0003] Integrated circuit...

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Problems solved by technology

[0007] However, issues arise related to one or more of the optical coupling efficiency and optical crosstalk between different pairs of optical apertures, especially when the vertical separation between opposing layers increases

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