Embedded Liquid Crystal Lens for Light Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to improve light coupling efficiency in miniaturized semiconductor devices, where the size disparity between light emitting elements and waveguides leads to misalignment issues, resulting in low light coupling efficiency, and existing solutions struggle to precisely control the relative positions of lenses and light emitting elements to direct light effectively into waveguides.
Innovation Solution
A device with an adjustable lens embedded in a substrate, capable of converging light emitted by the light emitting element into a predetermined area, utilizing a liquid crystal lens with tunable optical sectors that can be controlled by modifying driving signals to optimize light direction and intensity, thereby enhancing light coupling efficiency without requiring precise alignment of the light emitting element or lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lens is added to direct light from the light emitting element to the waveguide, then light coupling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is integrated directly into the substrate as an embedded structure, merging the light directing function with the substrate itself. This eliminates the need for separate lens mounting mechanisms and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effective light coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded lens acts as an intermediary element between the light emitting element and the waveguide, redirecting light paths without requiring precise mechanical alignment. The lens mediates the optical coupling process, improving efficiency while its integrated nature keeps complexity low.
2Reliability
If precise alignment between light emitting element and waveguide is required, then light coupling efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is designed with adjustable properties that allow dynamic optimization of light coupling. The lens can be tuned to converge light from light emitting elements at various positions onto the waveguide, making the system adaptable to manufacturing variations without requiring ultra-precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded lens parameters (such as focal length and curvature) are optimized to work with a range of light emitting element positions. By carefully selecting lens parameters during design, the system achieves good coupling efficiency across manufacturing tolerances without requiring precision alignment during assembly.
3Reliability
If the lens is made adjustable to converge light into a predetermined area, then light coupling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens incorporates adjustable parameters such as variable focal length or refractive index that can be tuned to optimize light coupling. These parameter adjustments allow the lens to adapt to different light emitting element positions and maintain high coupling efficiency without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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 adjustable lens system improves light coupling efficiency by dynamically directing light towards the waveguide, reducing the need for precise alignment and simplifying calibration processes, thereby increasing throughput and reducing the complexity of placement procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The lens is disposed adjacent to the first side of the first portion and between the light emitting element and the waveguide... The lens is adjustable to converge light emitted into a predetermined portion of the lens
Data Source
AI summary
A device is provided. The device may be an optical device, a light coupling device, or a tunable light coupling device. The device includes a first portion, a lens, a light emitting element, and a waveguide. The first portion is disposed adjacent to a surface of a substrate and has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The light emitting element is disposed adjacent to the second side of the first portion. The lens is disposed adjacent to the first side of the first portion and between the light emitting element and the waveguide.