Methods and devices for optical couplers and optoelectronic conversion.

Abstract

A method for converting the light signal, which is propagated in an optical fiber, into... The electrical output signal, which includes the following steps: preparing the optical interface. A pair of flat, opposite surfaces formed from a material whose refractive index is significantly higher than the indices of the other material. Refraction of optical fibers; the arrangement of the first surface of opposite flat surfaces of the interface. The coupling is attached to the output end of the optical fiber, and the photodetector is positioned next to it. The second surface of the opposite flat surfaces of the interface; where optical signals are transmitted. The coupler is passed into the light detector and is converted into an output signal by the light detector. Electrical;

Description

[0001] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTICAL COUPLING

[0002] AND OPTO-ELECTRONIC CONVERSION

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention relates to the field of optical communication and, more particularly to optical coupling techniques and equipment for use in conjunction with optical interconnects.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US201 1 / 01 50487, assigned to the same assignee as the present Application, discloses an optical interconnect for high speed optical communication. As described in the Publication, the disclosed interconnect has application for use in establishing a communication link between a first location and a second location, the first location having an electrical driver circuit that receives input data to be communicated, and the second location having an electrical receiver circuit for producing output data representative of the input data. The method includes the following steps: providing a tilted charge light emitting device at the first location and coupled with the driver circuit such that the light produced by the tilted charge light-emitting device is a function of the input data; providing an optical fiber between the first and second locations; coupling light from the tilted charge light emitting device into the optical fiber; and providing, at the second location, a photodetector coupled with the optical fiber and with the receiver circuit; whereby electrical signals representative of the input data are output from the receiver circuit.

[0007] At the receiver circuit of such an optical interconnect system, it is necessary to couple the optical signal from the output end of an optical fiber cable into an optical detector, typically a semiconductor photodetector, that converts the optical signal into an electrical signal. It is, of course, advantageous to perform this coupling with high efficiency; that is, with minimal loss of the light leaving the output end of the optical fiber. A problem in the art, however, is that achievement of high efficiency coupling can substantially increase the cost of the receiver subassembly, which isunacceptable when striving to achieve a relatively inexpensive optical interconnect that is suitable for widespread use in communication applications.

[0008] There are a number of cost components involved when attempting to implement an efficient optical coupling technique. Initially, it can be noted that the relative sizes (typically diameters) of the optical fiber and the photodetector active area may not be well matched and may vary for different types of optical

[0009] interconnects. One such cost component is the cost of the optical coupling element itself, for example a lens for focusing light output from the fiber into the photodetector active region. Another component of cost relates to the assembly process, including positioning, aligning, and securing the optical coupling component in place, and doing so without compromising the ultimate optical coupling efficiency of the assembly.

[0010] Examples of prior art approaches are shown in Figures 1 and 2. Both of these Figures show a receptacle 120 in which is mounted the output end of an optical fiber comprising a core 1 05 and cladding 108. A lens element 190 focuses light output from the fiber onto a photodetector. In Figure 1 , the light is focused on the backside of a photodetector 180 on a substrate 182. In Figure 2, the light is focused on the frontside of a photodetector 183 on substrate 182. (The

[0011] photodetector electrical output is not separately shown.) As illustrated, the prior art can involve the use of relatively large lens or lenses in order to couple light emitted from a fiber onto a photodetector. The lenses are usually constructed of plastic with an index of refraction similar to that of the fiber. Precision is required during assembly to match the separation of the device and the focal length of the lens. Furthermore, the difficulty of constructing a precise curved surface contributes to higher cost of the lenses.

[0012] It is among the objects of the present invention to address the drawbacks and limitations of prior art approaches, as described.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Applicant has discovered that an elegant technique of employing an easy-to- use flat optical interface can provide a refractive focusing effect and can achieve the objective of high optical coupling efficiency, while also meeting the objectives of non- complex assembly and low cost that are ideal for optical interconnects which are suitable for widespread inexpensive communication applications.In accordance with a form of the invention, a method is set forth for converting an optical signal, propagating in an optical fiber (that is, as used herein, the fiber core for a typical cladded fiber), into an electrical output signal, including the following steps: providing an optical interface having opposing flat surfaces and being formed of a material having a refractive index that is substantially higher than the refractive index of said optical fiber; disposing a first of the opposing flat surfaces of said interface adjacent an output end of said optical fiber, and disposing a photodetector adjacent a second of the opposing flat surfaces of said interface; whereby said optical signal is coupled into said photodetector and converted by said photodetector into an electrical output signal.

[0015] In an embodiment of this form of the invention, said step of providing said optical interface comprises providing an interface formed of a material having an index of refraction that is at least twenty percent higher than the index of refraction of the optical fiber. In a preferred form of this embodiment, said optical fiber has an index of refraction of about 1 .5, and said step of providing said optical interface comprises providing an optically transparent interface formed of a material having an index of refraction of about 3.1 . In this embodiment, the optical interface is formed of InP. Examples of alternative materials include, without limitation, Si, GaAs, GaN, GaP, and ZnSe. Also in this embodiment, an anti-reflection layer is provided between the output end of said optical fiber and the first of said opposing flat surfaces of said interface. Also in this embodiment, said step of disposing a photodetector adjacent a second of the opposing flat surfaces of said interface includes depositing a semiconductor photodetector on said second of said opposing flat surfaces of said interface. The photodetector may also, for example, be bonded on said second of said surfaces.

[0016] In accordance with a further form of the invention, an optical receiver subsystem is set forth for receiving an optical signal, propagating in an optical fiber, and converting said optical signal into an electrical output signal, comprising: an optical interface having opposing flat surfaces and being formed of a material having a refractive index that is substantially higher than the refractive index of said optical fiber; a first of the opposing flat surfaces of said interface being disposed adjacent an output end of said optical fiber; and a photodetector adjacent a second of the opposing flat surfaces of said interface; whereby said optical signal is coupled intosaid photodetector and converted by said photodetector into an electrical output signal.

[0017] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figures 1 and 2 are diagrams showing operation of a prior art fiber optical receiver assembly using a conventional lens, interface

[0020] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating, in cross-section, a fiber to detector coupling mechanism with a high differential index interface (HDII) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and which can be used in practicing an embodiment of the method of the invention. The flat surfaces of the HDII allows the self-alignment of respective axis of light emission and light detection.

[0021] Figure 4 shows a simulation of the structure of Figure 3 using optical Zemax software. A coupling efficiency of -88% was achieved when AR coating was not used. Coupling efficiency was improved to 99% when an appropriate AR coating was applied to the HDII surface coupled to the optical fiber.

[0022] Figure 5 is a graph of optical coupling efficiency for the example of Figures 3 and 4, from the 62.5 urn diameter fiber with NA of 0.3 into a photodetector, as a function of detector active area, with said area being varied from 45 urn to 85 urn diameters. The graphed simulation results indicate that coupling efficiencies of more than 80% could be achieved even when the photodetector active area is

[0023] substantially smaller, -40% smaller, (-49 urn active region diameter vs 62.5 urn core diameter) than the core area of the fiber waveguide.

[0024] For the example of Figures 4 and 5, with the 62.5 urn core diameter fiber emitting 13.35 μw of optical power, the table of Figure 6 lists, in the center column, the power, in microwatts, that is coupled into the photodetector for each of the photodetector active areas listed in the lefthand column. The righthand column lists the percentage of power coupled into the photodetector.

[0025] Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the fiber is mechanically pressed against the anti-reflection (AR) coated surface of the high differential index interface (HDII). This results in an air gap of approximately 5 urn. The use of a mechanical method reduces cost by reducing complexity of assemblywhen compared to use of epoxy which requires additional assembly steps including curing.

[0026] Figures 8A (partially exploded) and 8B illustrate a further embodiment wherein the HDII is coupled electrically and optically to the front side of the photodetector.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The refractive index n of an optical medium is a dimensionless number that describes how radiation, such as light, propagates through the medium. It is defined as n=c / v, where c is the speed of light in a vacuum and v is the speed of light in the medium. When optical waves enter from a medium of one index, n1 , to another medium of a second index n2, it experiences two optical phenomenon described by Snell's Law of refraction and Fresnel's Law of reflection.

[0029] According to Snell's Law:

[0030] n sin θ1= n2sin θ2

[0031] When an optical wave traverses a medium with refractive index of n1 , and a propagation angle of θι (relative to surface normal) enters another medium of a second refractive index, n2, the resulting propagation angle θ2is given by above equation.

[0032] For example, for θι = 17.45°, n1 =1 , and n2=3.1 , the resulting propagating angle in medium 2, is 5.55°. The relatively high index region could accordingly be utilized to reduce the propagating angle (less diverging or less converging) of an optical wave.

[0033] Also, according to the Fresnel Law, when an optical wave propagating in a medium with index, n1 , and a propagation angle of θι enters another medium of a second index, n2, some of the optical wave is reflected. To significantly reduce Fresnel reflection, the surface can be coated with an appropriate anti-reflective (AR) coating.

[0034] In accordance with a feature of an embodiment of the invention, a flat high differential index interface (HDII) is coupled to the optical waveguide (optical fiber) on one side, and the other side is coupled to a photodetector. The photodetector has an active region area that can be significantly smaller (up to 40% smaller) or larger than the area of the waveguide core region. The flat surface of the HDII alsosimplifies the assembly process by allowing self-alignment of the tilt axis between the waveguide emission axis and the photodetector detection axis.

[0035] In the example of the embodiment of Figure 3, there is shown the output end of a fiber optic cable mounted in a receptacle 120. The fiber optic waveguide conventionally comprises a core 105 within cladding 108. The core 105 has a refractive index of ~1 .5, core diameter of 62.5 urn and a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.3 and is coupled, using a transparent epoxy material 1 30 (n ~1 .5, and thickness of -5 urn) to one surface of a 150 urn thick InP HDII 140 with a refractive index of 3.1 . The opposing surface of the HDII is coupled to the backside of a 2 urn thick photodetector 150 with an active area diameter, in this example, of 85 urn. The photodetector can be deposited on the HDII 130, such as by known metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) technique. Alternatively, the photodetector can be bonded to the HDII. The flat surface of the HDI I allows the self-alignment of respective axes of light emission and light detection.

[0036] Optical coupling efficiency for this example was determined using ZEMAX optical software to perform a simulation (see e.g. R. Fisher et al., Optical System Design, McGraw Hill, 2008). An optical coupling efficiency of -88% from fiber to the active area of the photodetector is achieved, with most of the losses stemming from Fresnel losses associated with the difference in the index of refraction between fiber and HDII. When an appropriate antireflective coating is applied to the surface of the InP HDII coupled to the optical fiber, the coupling efficiency is further improved to -99%. The result of the structural simulation using the ZEMAX software is shown in Figure 4.

[0037] Figure 5 is a graph of optical coupling efficiency for the example of Figures 1 and 2, from the 62.5 urn diameter fiber with NA of 0.3 into a photodetector, as a function of detector active area, with said area being varied from 45 urn to 85 urn diameters. The graphed simulation results indicate that coupling efficiencies of more than 80% could be achieved even when the photodetector active area is

[0038] substantially smaller, -40% smaller (-49 urn active region diameter vs 62.5 urn core diameter), than the core area of fiber waveguide.

[0039] For the same example, with the 62.5 urn core diameter fiber emitting 13.35 μw core diameter fiber emitting 13.35 μw of optical power, the table of Figure 6 lists, in the center column, the power, in microwatts, that is coupled into the photodetectorfor each of the photodetector active areas listed in the lefthand column. The righthand column lists the percentage of power coupled into the photodetector.

[0040] Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment wherein the fiber is mechanically pressed against the anti-reflection (AR) coated surface of the high differential index interface (HDII) 140. This results in an air gap (indicated at 141 ) of approximately 5 urn. Air has an index of refraction of 1 . The use of a mechanical method (which can include a housing, not shown) reduces cost by reducing complexity of assembly when compared to use of epoxy which requires additional assembly steps including curing Simulation using the ZEMAX software indicates that a coupling efficiency of -94.5% could still be achieved. Coupling efficiency could further be improved to 99% by applying an appropriate AR coating on the surface of the fiber.

[0041] In a further embodiment, illustrated in Figures 8A and 8B, the HDII is coupled electrically and optically to the front side of the photodetector. The appropriate anti- reflective coatings are applied to both sides of the HDII and also to the front side of the photodetector. Patterned metallization (not separately shown) can be deposited on top of the HDII to electrically couple to the photodetector (output not separately shown) and can be used to integrate other components. As seen in Figures 8A and 8B, in this embodiment, the photodetector 150 is deposited or mounted on a substrate 155. When the substrate is coupled to the DHII, the gap 175 in the recess (within the bonding material) between the photodetector and the HDI I can be left as air or be epoxy filled.

Claims

1. A method for converting an optical signal propagating in an optical fiber into an electrical output signal, comprising the steps of: preparing an optical interface with opposite flat surfaces formed from a translucent material with a refractive index significantly higher than the refractive index of such optical fiber; and placing the first surface of the opposite flat surfaces of such interface against the output end of such optical fiber and placing a photodetector against the second surface of the opposite flat surfaces of such interface; where such optical signal is coupled in such photodetector and is converted by such photodetector into an optical output signal.

2. A method as defined by claim 1, in which the steps of preparing the optical interface include the preparation of an interface formed from a material with a refractive index at least twenty percent higher than the refractive index of such optical fiber. 3.The method as defined by Representation 1, where the procedure for preparing such an optical interface includes the preparation of an interface formed from a material with a refractive index of approximately 3.

14. The method as defined by Representation 1, where the optical fiber has a core with a refractive index of approximately 1.5, and the procedure for preparing such an optical interface includes the preparation of an interface formed from a material with a refractive index of approximately 3.

15. The method as defined by any one of Representations 1 through 3, where the procedure for preparing such an optical interface includes the preparation of an interface formed from InP6. The method as defined by any one of Representations 1 through 4, which is further incorporated with the procedure for preparing an anti-reflection layer between the output end of such an optical fiber and the first surface of such an opposing flat surface of such an interface.7A method as defined by any of the claims 1 through 4, which is further incorporated by the attachment of such optical interface to such fiber with epoxy of refractive index of approximately 1.

58. A method as defined by any of the claims 1 through 4, which is further incorporated by mechanical pressing, shall provide an optical interface adjacent to such optical fiber.

9. A method as defined by any of the claims 1 through 4, in which the procedure of placing the photodetector attached to the secondary surface of the opposite flat surface of such interface shall include the deposition of a semiconductor photodetector on such secondary surface of the opposite flat surface of such interface.10.

11. A method as defined by any of the claims 1 through 4, in which such procedure of deposition of the photodetector attached to the secondary surface of the opposite flat surface of such interface includes the bonding of the semiconductor photodetector to the secondary surface of the opposite flat surface of such interface.

12. A method as defined by any of the claims 1 through 4, in which such procedure includes the preparation of a metal cladding pattern on the secondary surface of the opposite flat surface of such optical interface and the electrical coupling of the photodetector to the metal cladding pattern.The photoreceptor subsystem for receiving optical signals propagated in the optical fiber and converting such optical signals into an electrical output signal consists of: an optical interface with opposite flat surfaces formed from a translucent material with a refractive index that is significantly higher than the refractive index of the optical fiber; the first surface of the opposite flat surfaces of the interface placed adjacent to the output end of the optical fiber; and a photodetector attached to the second surface of the opposite flat surfaces of the interface, in which the optical signal is coupled and converted by the photodetector into an electrical output signal.

13. The receiver subsystem as defined by claim 12, in which the optical interface is formed from a material with a refractive index that is at least twenty percent higher than the refractive index of the optical fiber.14.A receiver subsystem as defined by Relativity 12, in which the optical interface is formed from a material with a refractive index of approximately 3.

115. A receiver subsystem as defined by Relativity 12, in which the optical fiber has a core with a refractive index of approximately 1.5 and the optical interface is formed from a material with a refractive index of approximately 3.

116. A receiver subsystem as defined by any one of Relativity 12 through 15, in which the optical interface is formed from...

17. A receiver subsystem as defined by any one of the claims in P12 through 15, which shall be further incorporated with an anti-reflective layer between such opposite surfaces of such interface and such photodetector surface.

18. A receiver subsystem as defined by any one of the claims in P12 through 15, in which such photodetector is deposited on such second surface of such opposite surfaces of such interface;