Folded Waveguide Phase Shifter Boundary Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional phase shifters in optical communications have limitations due to their fixed boundary area between p-type and n-type semiconductor materials, which restricts the phase shift and efficiency of light modulation.
Innovation Solution
A folded waveguide phase shifter with an increased boundary area, achieved through two-dimensional and three-dimensional patterns such as zig zags, circles, and multi-pointed stars, between p-type and n-type semiconductor materials, allowing for enhanced phase shift without increasing the length of the waveguide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional phase shifter with a fixed boundary area is used, then the device structure is simple, but the phase shift effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional one-dimensional linear boundary into two-dimensional and three-dimensional folded waveguide structures. The waveguide path is folded multiple times within a compact footprint, creating an extended boundary area between p-type and n-type semiconductor regions. This dimensional transformation enables significantly increased phase shift effectiveness without proportionally increasing the device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded waveguide structure nests multiple segments of the waveguide path within a compact three-dimensional space. The waveguide is folded back on itself multiple times, with each fold containing additional boundary area between the semiconductor types. This nesting approach allows the boundary area to be multiplied while maintaining a small overall device volume.
2Reliability
If the boundary area between p-type and n-type semiconductor materials is increased, then the phase shift is enhanced, but the device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional folding of the waveguide path to achieve extended boundary area within a compact footprint. By transitioning from a planar to a three-dimensional structure, the waveguide can be folded back on itself multiple times, multiplying the effective boundary length without proportionally increasing the device area.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded waveguide structure creates multiple dynamic interaction regions between the p-type and n-type semiconductor materials along the light propagation path. Each fold creates additional boundary areas that contribute to phase shifting, allowing the system to achieve enhanced phase shift effectiveness through multiple interaction zones rather than a single extended boundary.
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 increased boundary area in the folded waveguide phase shifter enhances the phase shift, improving the efficiency of light modulation and overcoming the limitations of traditional phase shifters.
Implementation Method 1
Typical phase shifters include an n-type semiconductor material contacting a p-type semiconductor material along a boundary area
Implementation Method 2
Destructive interference may occur when the copy of the light beam is subjected to a phase delay of pi radians and combined with the original light beam itself
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a phase shifter includes: a light input end; a light output end; a p-type semiconductor material, and an n-type semiconductor material contacting the p-type semiconductor material along a boundary area, wherein the boundary area is greater than a length from the light input end to the light output end multiplied by a core width of the phase shifter.