Fiber Block Alignment Structure for Passive PIC Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for aligning optical fibers in fiber attach units (FAUs) with photonic integrated circuits (PICs) require powering optoelectrical devices, making the process cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
An alignment structure and method that enables the alignment of optical fibers in an optical fiber mounting block with waveguides and other optical features in a PIC without the need to power optoelectrical devices on the PIC substrate. This is achieved using an external testing apparatus that sends an optical signal to the optical components and detects the signal to assess alignment quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If active alignment processes are used to align optical fibers with PIC components, then alignment quality can be ensured, but the process becomes cumbersome and costly due to requiring powered optoelectrical devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary alignment structure containing passive optical components (alignment waveguides, mirrors, beam splitters, and detectors) that mediates the alignment process. This intermediary structure enables alignment assessment without requiring the PIC's active optoelectrical devices to be powered, thereby reducing process complexity and cost while maintaining alignment quality through the use of dedicated alignment features
2Manufacturing precision
If active alignment processes are used to align optical fibers with PIC components, then alignment quality can be ensured, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PIC structure into dedicated alignment features (passive optical components) separate from the active optoelectrical devices. This segmentation allows alignment to be performed using only the passive alignment features, eliminating the need to power expensive active devices during alignment, thereby reducing implementation cost while maintaining alignment quality
3Measurement precision
If optoelectrical devices on the PIC are powered during alignment, then alignment assessment can be performed, but the alignment process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment structure is self-service in that it contains all necessary passive optical components (alignment waveguides, mirrors, beam splitters, and detectors) required to perform alignment assessment independently. The structure serves its own alignment function without requiring external active optoelectrical devices from the PIC, enabling measurement precision while reducing process complexity
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 method allows for efficient and cost-effective alignment of optical fibers with PICs, eliminating the need for powered optoelectrical devices and simplifying the alignment process.
Implementation Method 1
An external testing apparatus sends an optical signal to one or more of the first or second optical component and detects the optical signal from the other of the first and second optical components
Implementation Method 2
the optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber and reflected by the upturned mirror yields, for example, a maximum signal intensity to indicate alignment
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of alignment structures are disclosed that enable the alignment of a fiber attach unit (FAU) and the optical fibers contained therein to optical components on optical interposers or substrates on which photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are formed. Alignment of the optical fibers is enabled without the requirement for powering of the active optoelectrical devices in the PIC, but rather use an external testing apparatus to provide one or more optical signals to facilitate alignment. Methods for alignment using embodiments of the alignment structure is also disclosed.