Electro-Optic Polymer Composition for Low O-Band Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electro-optic polymers are unsuitable for short- and medium-distance optical interconnects due to high absorption coefficients in the O-band, limiting their use across the entire optical communication wavelength range, and precise evaluation of absorption coefficients is difficult due to low optical densities and reflection losses.
Innovation Solution
Development of an electro-optic polymer with an electro-optic coefficient of 30 pm/V or more and a figure of merit of 10×10−6 cm/dBV or more, calculated across the optical communication wavelength range of 1260 nm to 1625 nm, using a π-electron donor and acceptor conjugated via a π-conjugation bridge, to meet specific thresholds for absorption and electro-optic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional electro-optic polymers are used for optical communications, then electro-optic effect is achieved, but absorption coefficient is too high in the O-band for short- and medium-distance interconnects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure parameters of the electro-optic polymer by changing the π-conjugation bridge length and composition. Specifically, it uses a π-conjugation bridge comprising 4-6 π-conjugated bonds instead of shorter bridges, which shifts the absorption spectrum to longer wavelengths and reduces absorption in the O-band (1260-1360 nm) while maintaining electro-optic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electro-optic polymer material combining specific donor groups (e.g., triphenylamine, carbazole), π-conjugation bridges (e.g., vinylene, phenylene), and acceptor groups (e.g., nitrile, fluorophenyl). This composite molecular structure achieves both low O-band absorption and high electro-optic coefficient by synergistically combining the properties of different molecular components.
2Reliability
If EO molecules are designed for the C-band with high EO coefficient, then electro-optic performance is improved, but absorption coefficient becomes too high for O-band applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the π-conjugation bridge parameters (length and composition) to shift the absorption spectrum. By using 4-6 π-conjugated bonds with specific compositions (e.g., vinylene-phenylene-vinylene units), the absorption edge is moved to longer wavelengths, reducing O-band absorption while preserving strong electro-optic effect in both O-band and C-band.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical modulators are designed to work across entire wavelength range for WDM, then versatility is improved, but precise evaluation of absorption coefficients becomes difficult due to low optical densities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of the electro-optic polymer at multiple wavelengths (O-band, E-band, S-band, C-band) before device fabrication. By measuring absorption coefficients and electro-optic coefficients at each wavelength separately using appropriate light sources and detectors, the patent establishes baseline material properties that guide the design of modulators optimized for specific wavelength ranges.
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 new electro-optic polymer enables ultra-high-speed and low-power data communications, supports higher integration of optical control devices, and facilitates the production of miniaturized, high-speed optical phased arrays and efficient terahertz wave generators, suitable for applications in optical modulators and digital coherent communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
Organic electro-optic polymers (organic EO polymers) are promising materials that would play a vital role in next-generation optical communications because they have higher electro-optic effect as compared with inorganic ferroelectric materials
Implementation Method 2
The basic structure of EO molecules is composed of a donor, a π-conjugation bridge, and an acceptor. A known approach for increasing the EO coefficient of EO molecules is using a strong electron acceptor and a strong electron donor and extending a π-conjugation bridge
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electro-optic polymer (EO polymer) comprising an electro-optic molecule (EO molecule) and a base polymer, the EO molecule having a structure in which a π-electron donor and a π-electron acceptor are conjugated via a 7-conjugation bridge, the EO polymer having an electro-optic coefficient (EO coefficient) of 30 pm/V or more and a figure of merit (FOM) of 10×10−6 cm/dBV or more in an entire optical communication wavelength range of 1260 nm to 1625 nm, the FOM being defined by the following formula:FOM=n3ramaxλ[10-6 cm/dBV]wherein n indicates a refractive index, indicates an EO coefficient, amax indicates a maximum absorption coefficient in a wavelength range of interest, and λ indicates a wavelength.The EO polymer of the present invention has good performance over the entire optical communication wavelength range and therefore can preferably be used for the production of optical modulators, optical switches, optical transceivers, optical phased arrays, LiDAR (light detection and ranging) devices, electric field sensors, terahertz wave generators and detectors, etc.