Elastic Spacer Segmentation for Optical Waveguide Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices face challenges in achieving high dimensional accuracy and efficient light emission with uniform intensity and accurate angle control, particularly in optical waveguide structures.
Innovation Solution
The optical device incorporates a first and second substrate with overlapping and non-overlapping regions, featuring elastic spacers and partition walls to maintain uniform gap spacing and protect sensitive components, along with adjustable refractive indices and phase shifters for precise light control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If elastic spacers are disposed only in overlapping regions between substrates, then manufacturing is simplified, but dimensional accuracy of the optical waveguide deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer arrangement is segmented into two distinct portions: a first portion in the overlapping region and a second portion in the non-overlapping region. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function - the first portion maintains gap spacing in the overlapping area while the second portion provides reference positioning in the non-overlapping area, thereby achieving both manufacturing simplicity and high dimensional accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic spacers act as intermediary elements between the first and second substrates. By strategically placing spacers in both overlapping and non-overlapping regions, they mediate the positioning relationship between substrates, ensuring uniform gap spacing while providing accurate dimensional references for the optical waveguide structure
2Device complexity
If substrates are bonded directly without spacers, then device complexity is reduced, but uniform gap spacing and light emission accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic spacers are introduced as intermediary elements between the first and second substrates. These spacers maintain a uniform gap spacing between the substrates, which is critical for the optical waveguide's light emission characteristics. The spacers prevent direct bonding while ensuring consistent dimensional relationships, thereby achieving both structural simplicity and manufacturing precision
3Manufacturing precision
If spacers are placed in non-overlapping regions, then dimensional accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer configuration is divided into two functional segments: spacers in the overlapping region for gap maintenance and spacers in the non-overlapping region for positioning reference. This segmentation justifies the increased complexity by providing distinct functional benefits - the non-overlapping region spacers serve as stable reference points that improve dimensional accuracy without interfering with the optical waveguide's light emission path
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 configuration enhances the accuracy and intensity of light emission, ensuring uniform gap spacing and protecting sensitive components, while allowing for precise control of light direction through refractive index adjustments and phase manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of spacers, disposed on at least either the first surface or the second surface, that include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the plurality of elastic spacers is at least one elastic spacer located in a region between the first substrate and the second substrate
Implementation Method 2
at least one optical waveguide extending along the first direction between the first substrate and the second substrate
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device includes a first substrate having a first surface, a second substrate having a second surface, at least one optical waveguide, and a plurality of spacers, disposed on at least either the first surface or the second surface, that include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the plurality of elastic spacers is at least one elastic spacer located in a region between the first substrate and the second substrate in which the first substrate and the second substrate overlap each other as seen from an angle parallel with a direction perpendicular to the first surface. The second portion of the plurality of elastic spacers is at least one elastic spacer located in a region in which the first substrate and the second substrate do not overlap each other as seen from an angle parallel with the direction perpendicular to the first surface.