Elastomeric Optical Interconnect for 90-Degree Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fibers face challenges in coupling with other optical fibers or components due to signal loss and reflection at connection points, particularly at 90-degree bends, which degrades signal quality and affects the reliability of optical interconnects in circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
An electro-optical device with a substrate and optical waveguides that include an elastomeric body with a refractive index matching the waveguide core, allowing for 90-degree coupling with reduced signal loss, using an elastomeric polymer body with a core and cladding to align and focus light between layers, and a reflective coating or graded index profile to minimize reflection and scattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If optical fiber is bent at a relatively sharp angle to achieve vertical interconnection, then the space requirement is reduced, but optical loss increases and signal quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
An elastomeric body is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical waveguide and the electro-optical component. This elastomeric body serves as a flexible optical guide that can accommodate sharp bends while maintaining light transmission, thereby enabling compact vertical interconnections without significant optical loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive index of the elastomeric body is specifically matched to that of the optical waveguide core. This parameter matching minimizes reflection and scattering at the interface, reducing optical loss while allowing the flexible elastomeric material to enable sharp bends for compact spacing.
2Ease of operation
If optical fiber is bent at a relatively sharp angle, then vertical interconnection is achieved, but signal quality degrades due to light reflection and losses
Solution Approach 1:
The refractive index of the elastomeric body is matched to that of the optical waveguide core to minimize reflection and scattering. This parameter optimization maintains signal quality while enabling the flexible bending required for vertical interconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a composite structure combining the rigid optical waveguide with the flexible elastomeric body. This composite approach allows the rigid waveguide to provide stable light transmission while the flexible elastomeric section enables sharp bends for vertical interconnection without degrading signal quality.
3Volume of moving object
If glass optical fiber is held in a bent condition to achieve compact routing, then space is saved, but breakage or decreased long term reliability occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid glass optical fiber with a flexible elastomeric body that can be bent to sharp angles without breaking. This elastomeric flexible structure maintains long-term reliability in bent conditions while enabling compact routing and vertical interconnections.
Solution Approach 2:
The material is changed from rigid glass to flexible elastomer with matched refractive index. This parameter change in material properties allows the optical guide to maintain flexibility and reliability in bent conditions while achieving compact routing.
4Volume of moving object
If an abrupt 90-degree bend is made using a mirror to reduce space, then vertical light path is achieved, but light becomes unguided and spreads out resulting in signal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric body serves as an intermediary optical guide between the horizontal waveguide and the vertical electro-optical component. Unlike a mirror that creates an abrupt unguided bend, the elastomeric body provides a continuous guided path that maintains light confinement even at sharp angles, preventing light spreading and signal loss.
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 solution effectively reduces signal loss and reflection, enabling reliable and efficient vertical optical interconnects by matching refractive indices and using a deformable elastomeric body to guide light through 90-degree bends with minimal divergence.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric body within the opening and having a first end face contacting the optical waveguide and having a second end face contacting the electro-optical component... an elastomeric polymer body with a core and cladding to align and focus light between layers... matching refractive indices
Implementation Method 2
forming a mirror surface on the end of the optical waveguide to deflect the light 90 degrees into the opening
Data Source
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AI summary
An electro-optical device may include a substrate having opposing first and second surfaces and an opening extending therebetween. The optical device may also include an optical waveguide extending laterally along the first surface and having an end aligned with the opening, and an electro-optical component carried by the second surface and aligned with the opening. The electro-optical device may further include an elastomeric body within the opening and having a first end face adjacent the optical waveguide and having a second end face adjacent the electro-optical component. The elastomeric body and the optical waveguide may have respective gradient refraction indices within 5% of each other.