Asymmetric Optical-Loss Flexible Waveguide Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical waveguide designs face significant fabrication tolerance penalties due to symmetrical optical-loss curves, leading to suboptimal worst-case performance, especially in low-confinement flexible waveguides with asymmetric cladding refractive indices.

Innovation Solution

A multi-segmented optical waveguide structure with novel confinement parameters that define an asymmetric optical-loss performance curve, maximizing worst-case optical-loss performance within fabrication tolerances by optimizing each segment's parameters for robustness and uniformity, enabling efficient layer-by-layer planar fabrication techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If symmetrical optical-loss curves are used in waveguide design, then peak optical-loss performance is maximized, but worst-case performance deteriorates due to fabrication tolerance penalties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeak optical-loss performanceVSAvoidworst-case performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally designing the optical waveguide with asymmetric confinement parameters, resulting in an asymmetric optical-loss performance curve. This asymmetric design accepts that peak performance will not be maximized, but ensures that the worst-case performance is significantly improved by reducing sensitivity to fabrication tolerances. The asymmetric curve has a longer tail on one side, providing a performance buffer against manufacturing variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Loss of energy

If confinement parameters are optimized for peak performance, then optical-loss performance improves, but susceptibility to fabrication tolerance variations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical-loss performanceVSAvoidfabrication tolerance sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the confinement parameters of the optical waveguide to specific asymmetric values. By adjusting parameters such as the width and height of the waveguide core and cladding regions, the design creates an asymmetric optical-loss curve. These parameter changes are specifically selected to flatten the performance curve and reduce sensitivity to fabrication tolerances, trading peak performance for robustness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional waveguide designs are used, then fabrication is simpler, but worst-case optical-loss performance is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabrication simplicityVSAvoidworst-case optical-loss performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the optical waveguide into distinct regions with different confinement parameters. The waveguide is divided into a core region and cladding regions with specifically engineered dimensions and refractive indices. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall robustness against fabrication variations, achieving both manufacturability and improved worst-case performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The approach significantly improves worst-case optical-loss performance by several decibels compared to traditional designs, making the flexible waveguide less susceptible to variations in fabrication tolerances and enhancing data transmission efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Optical waveguides can be implemented as dielectric structures that transmit various forms of radiation or electromagnetic waves in a direction along the waveguide's propagation axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The asymmetric optical-loss performance curve is a plot of the set of first waveguide segment confinement parameters, the set of second waveguide segment confinement parameters, and the set of third waveguide segment confinement parameters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical loss: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10884191B2Flexible waveguide having an asymmetric optical-loss performance curve and improved worst-case optical-loss performance

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention are directed a waveguide having a first waveguide segment that includes a set of first waveguide segment confinement parameters; a second waveguide segment having routing bends and a set of second waveguide segment confinement parameters; and a third waveguide segment having a set of third waveguide segment confinement parameters. The waveguide is configured to guide optical data according to an asymmetric optical-loss performance curve that is a plot of the sets of first, second, and third waveguide segment confinement parameters on a first axis; and a level of optical-loss performance that results from the sets of first, second, and third waveguide segment confinement parameters on a second axis. The sets of first, second, and third waveguide segment confinement parameters are configured to, collectively, maximize a predetermined worst-case optical-loss performance level of the asymmetric optical-loss performance curve within a range of waveguide fabrication tolerances.