Bulk Optic Component Integration with Optical Waveguides

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bulk optic components are difficult to integrate with optical fibers and planar waveguides, leading to issues with size, yield, robustness, and reliability in optical systems.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a bulk optic component and optical waveguides on a common substrate, where the bulk optic component is located in the optical path between the waveguides, and a refocusing lens is used to direct light between the waveguides, reducing reflections and scattering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional bulk optic components are assembled from separate elements (polarizers, Faraday rotators), then the component functions are achieved, but the integration with optical waveguides becomes difficult and the system size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration with optical waveguidesVSAvoidassembly of multiple elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple bulk optic elements (polarizers, Faraday rotators) into a single integrated bulk optic component that can be directly coupled with optical waveguides. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly of multiple elements and simplifies the integration process with waveguides, directly resolving the technical contradiction between ease of manufacture and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of moving object

If bulk optic components are integrated with optical waveguides, then system compactness is improved, but reflections and scattering at interfaces increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem sizeVSAvoidoptical losses from reflections and scattering

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an anti-reflection coating as an intermediary layer at the interfaces between the bulk optic component and optical waveguides. This coating acts as a mediator that reduces reflections and scattering losses, enabling compact integration while minimizing optical energy losses at the interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If gaps are present between waveguides and bulk optic components, then alignment is easier, but optical coupling efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovealignmentVSAvoidoptical coupling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs index-matching materials (such as optical adhesives or gels) to fill the gaps between waveguides and bulk optic components. These materials provide immediate alignment tolerance while ensuring high optical coupling efficiency, effectively eliminating the trade-off between alignment ease and coupling reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Illumination intensity

If lenses are formed on waveguide end facets, then light collimation is achieved, but fabrication complexity and alignment precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight collimationVSAvoidlens alignment with waveguides

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent forms the lenses on the bulk optic component surfaces before integration with the waveguides, rather than requiring precise alignment during assembly. This preliminary action allows the lenses to be pre-fabricated with standard tolerances, and the subsequent integration becomes much simpler while still achieving the required light collimation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach allows for efficient integration of bulk optic components with optical waveguides, reducing optical losses and reflections, and enabling the creation of compact, reliable optical systems.

Implementation Method 1

A refocusing lens that is disposed on an exit surface of the bulk component directs the light into the second optical waveguide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

reducing reflections and scattering arising at the interfaces between the various elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal Internal Reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20250076564A1Bulk optic components integrated with optical waveguides

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 LIONIX INT BV

AI summary

A bulk optic component and optical waveguides are integrated on a common substrate in a manner that reduces reflections and scattering arising at the interfaces between the various elements. In particular, the bulk optic component is located in the optical path between first and second optical waveguides such that light exiting the first optical waveguide enters the bulk optic component, which is butt-coupled to the exit facet of the first optical waveguide. A refocusing lens that is disposed on an exit surface of the bulk component directs the light into the second optical waveguide. Examples of such bulk optic components include magneto-optic components, optical filters, non-linear crystals, color centers and quantum dots.