Compact Photonics Platform With Angled Facets And Grating Couplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical interconnect systems face challenges with high power consumption and limited data bandwidth, and integrating light sources and detectors with waveguides presents complexities in photonics applications.
Innovation Solution
Compact photonic platforms with a layered structure, including an active region, angled facets, and grating couplers, which allow for efficient emission and detection of photons, and the use of optical reflectors to create a resonance cavity for enhanced light manipulation and amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If light sources and detectors are integrated with waveguides, then photonic functionality is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The photonic device is divided into distinct functional modules: light sources (lasers/LEDs) are separated from detectors (photodiodes), with each module independently coupled to the waveguide. This segmentation allows for optimized design of each component while simplifying the overall integration process, as each module can be fabricated and tested separately before assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide serves as an intermediary element that couples light from separate source modules to detector modules. By using the waveguide as a mediating transmission medium rather than directly integrating sources and detectors, the system achieves photonic functionality while reducing the complexity of direct integration through standardized coupling interfaces.
2Productivity
If electrical interconnect systems are used, then data transmission is achieved, but power consumption is high and data bandwidth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical signal transmission through conductors with optical signal transmission through waveguides. Light sources convert electrical signals to optical signals for transmission, and detectors convert optical signals back to electrical signals. This substitution enables higher data bandwidth due to the higher frequency of optical carriers, while reducing power consumption through more efficient light-based transmission compared to electrical interconnects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables versatile applications such as light sources, optical modulators, and photodetectors, improving data bandwidth and reducing power consumption by effectively utilizing photons in waveguides for various photonic components and circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a facet having an angle no less than a critical angle formed at at least one longitudinal end of the active region
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide having at least one grating coupler positioned in alignment with the angled facet to couple light out to or in from the waveguide
Implementation Method 3
optical reflectors can be formed (e.g., as etched waveguide facets, distributed Bragg reflectors, distributed feedback gratings, among others) within and/or outside the active region to partially or totally reflect light, thereby creating an optical resonance cavity
Data Source
AI summary
Compact photonics platforms and methods of forming the same are provided. An example of a compact photonics platform includes a layered structure having an active region along a longitudinal axis, a facet having an angle no less than a critical angle formed at at least one longitudinal end of the active region, and a waveguide having at least one grating coupler positioned in alignment with the angled facet to couple light out to or in from the waveguide.