High Index-Contrast Waveguide Resonant Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photonic systems rely on discrete components and serial fabrication, lacking the integration and efficiency of silicon-based electronics, hindering the development of compact, cost-effective resonant structures for optical and opto-electronic signal processing, communications, and sensing applications.
Innovation Solution
A high index-contrast waveguide device with a substrate and thin-ridge waveguide elements that exploit resonant coupling between slab and guided modes, allowing for efficient energy transfer and reflection, enabling compact, tunable, and wavelength-selective photonic processing modules using silicon-on-insulator technology or alternative materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If discrete components and serial fabrication are used in photonic systems, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but device integration and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple photonic functions (resonant filtering, wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing, sensing) into a single integrated device structure fabricated on SOI substrates. This merging approach enables simultaneous realization of multiple functions that would otherwise require separate discrete components, thereby improving device integration while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through CMOS-compatible fabrication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonant structures and waveguide devices described in the patent are designed to perform multiple functions across different applications. The same basic device architecture can be configured for wavelength filtering, multiplexing/demultiplexing, or sensing applications by adjusting geometric parameters and material compositions, demonstrating universal applicability that reduces the need for application-specific discrete components.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional photonic structures are used, then fabrication simplicity is maintained, but device compactness and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs high index-contrast materials (such as silicon nitride or silicon oxide layers) with specifically engineered thicknesses and refractive indices to achieve resonant coupling between layers. By changing the optical parameters (refractive index, layer thickness) rather than the basic structural configuration, the device achieves compact form factor with enhanced efficiency while remaining compatible with standard fabrication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite layered structures combining materials with different refractive indices (e.g., silicon nitride on silicon oxide, or alternating high-index and low-index layers). These composite structures enable resonant photonic effects in compact geometries while being fabricable using conventional semiconductor processing techniques, thus achieving both compactness and fabrication simplicity.
3Loss of energy
If resonant structures are designed for high efficiency, then energy transfer is improved, but device complexity and fabrication difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits optical resonance phenomena where incident light at specific wavelengths and angles couples efficiently with guided modes in the layered structure, analogous to mechanical resonance. By designing the layer thicknesses and refractive indices to satisfy resonant conditions, the device achieves high energy transfer efficiency for specific wavelengths while maintaining a relatively simple planar waveguide structure that is easy to fabricate.
4Adaptability or versatility
If high index-contrast materials are used, then device performance and tunability are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves device tunability by varying geometric parameters (layer thicknesses, ridge widths) and material properties (refractive indices) of the high index-contrast layers. These parameter changes enable adjustment of resonant wavelengths and coupling efficiencies to optimize performance for different applications. The use of standard semiconductor fabrication techniques ensures that the required manufacturing precision can be achieved with existing process capabilities.
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
Enables the creation of compact, efficient, and tunable photonic processing modules for various applications, including wavelength filters, multiplexers, and sensors, with improved spectral response and integration capabilities, overcoming the limitations of existing photonic systems.
Implementation Method 1
a relatively thin second layer disposed on the first layer which has a second refractive index providing a high index-contrast with the first layer, the device including at least one thin-ridge waveguide element formed in the second layer which supports a guided mode in a longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 2
the beam being directed to propagate at a predetermined angle θ to the longitudinal direction of the thin-ridge waveguide element, wherein the predetermined angle θ is associated with a resonant coupling between the slab mode of the second layer and the guided mode of the thin-ridge waveguide element
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2~3(b)
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A photonic processing module (100) comprises a high index-contrast waveguide device comprising a substrate (102), a first layer (104) disposed on the substrate having a first refractive index, and a relatively thin second layer (106) disposed on the first layer. The second layer has a second refractive index providing a high index-contrast with the first layer, and the device includes at least one thin-ridge waveguide element (108) formed in the second layer which supports a guided mode in a longitudinal direction. An optical input port (110) is configured to direct an input beam into a slab mode of the second layer, the beam being directed to propagate at a predetermined angle θ to the longitudinal direction of the thin-ridge waveguide element. The angle θ is associated with a resonant coupling between the slab mode of the second layer and the guided mode of the thin-ridge waveguide element. An output beam is thus generated when the input beam includes one or more optical components corresponding with the resonant coupling. An optical output port (112) is configured to receive the output beam.