Fiber Pigtail Lid Segmentation for Waveguide Coupler Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber pigtail assemblies lack precise horizontal motion and pressure control during butt-coupling with waveguide couplers, leading to improper alignment and potential damage to fragile waveguide couplers due to excessive force.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a fiber lid with a compliant region and an adhesive region, where the compliant region has a lower adhesion strength than the adhesive region, allows for fiber mobility and alignment correction while reducing frictional force during insertion, protecting the waveguide couplers from excessive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive is applied across the entire bottom surface of the lid to fixate the lid to the optical fibers, then the lid is securely attached to the fiber array, but the frictional force during insertion becomes excessive and can damage the waveguide couplers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adhesion region into two distinct zones: a first adhesion region with stronger adhesive bonding and a second adhesion region with weaker adhesive bonding. This segmentation allows the lid to be securely attached to the fiber array while providing a compliance region that reduces frictional force during insertion, preventing damage to the waveguide couplers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different adhesion strengths in different regions of the lid. The first adhesion region has stronger bonding to secure the lid to the fiber array, while the second adhesion region has weaker bonding to allow for compliance and reduced friction during the butt-coupling process, protecting the fragile waveguide couplers.
2Ease of operation
If the motion arm is used to place the chip component on the substrate, then the component can be positioned on the chip, but the motion arm lacks the capability to make precise horizontal motion for butt-coupling the fibers and waveguide coupler
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service by designing the fiber pigtail assembly with an integrated lid that provides self-alignment capabilities. The compliant region allows the assembly to self-adjust during insertion, achieving precise horizontal alignment without requiring the motion arm to have precise horizontal motion control capability.
3Strength
If the adhesive region extends to the inner side of the lid, then the lid is fully secured to the optical fibers, but the fiber mobility and alignment correction capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adhesion region to create a first adhesion region that extends from the outer edge toward the inner edge but terminates before reaching it. This leaves a second adhesion region (compliance region) that maintains fiber mobility and alignment correction capability while still providing sufficient attachment strength through the first adhesion region.
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 design enables precise alignment and secure butt-coupling of optical fibers with waveguide couplers, reducing the force required for realignment and protecting the fragile structures from damage, even with non-uniform fiber lengths.
Implementation Method 1
A lower surface of the fiber lid is attached to a portion of the optical fiber array so as to form an adhesion region and a compliance region
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber component includes an optical fiber array and at least one fiber lid. The optical fiber array has a plurality of individual optical fibers extending between a first end and an opposing second end. The fiber lid has a first surface and an opposing second surface. A portion of the second surface is attached to a portion of the optical fiber array adjacent the second end so as to partially define an adhesion region of the optical fiber component and a compliance region of the fiber pigtail assembly to enable high-yield fiber re-alignment in grooves.