Integrated Photonics Optical Unit Bonding to Reduce Light Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated photonics devices face issues with light beam divergence and loss due to limited mirror angles and reflecting surface areas, leading to spectral-dependent light loss and undesirable properties such as spectral ripples and stray light, which are not adequately addressed by current etching methods.
Innovation Solution
A discrete optical unit is formed separately and bonded to a supporting layer, with mirrors and optics designed to reduce light loss by adjusting the reflecting surface size and location, and using fill materials to manage beam divergence, along with overhangs to further minimize light loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If mirrors are formed by etching waveguide layers with crystallographic planes, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the mirror angle is limited to a few specific angles
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate parts: a waveguide layer that generates light and a discrete optical unit that contains the mirror. This segmentation allows the mirror to be formed independently using methods that are not constrained by waveguide layer crystallographic planes, enabling arbitrary mirror angles while maintaining simple waveguide fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
A discrete optical unit serves as an intermediary component between the waveguide layer and the final optical output. This intermediate unit houses the mirror and allows for flexible mirror angle selection without modifying the waveguide fabrication process, thus resolving the conflict between manufacturing simplicity and angle versatility.
2Ease of manufacture
If the mirror height is limited by etching depth, then the manufacturing process remains simple, but the reflecting surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the mirror from the waveguide layer and placing it in a discrete optical unit, the mirror height is no longer constrained by waveguide etching depth. This allows the mirror to be formed with sufficient height to provide a large reflecting surface area while maintaining simple waveguide fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror is moved from the lateral dimension (within the waveguide layer) to the vertical dimension (in a discrete optical unit above the waveguide). This dimensional transition allows the mirror to achieve greater height and thus larger reflecting surface area without increasing the lateral footprint or complicating the waveguide fabrication process.
3Area of moving object
If the light beam diverges after exiting the waveguide, then the beam spreads to cover a larger area, but the beam size becomes greater than the mirror surface and causes light loss
Solution Approach 1:
The discrete optical unit acts as an intermediary that captures the diverging light beam from the waveguide and redirects it through a mirror and lens system. This intermediary structure allows the system to accept the natural beam divergence while subsequently correcting it to prevent light loss, maintaining both beam coverage and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accepts and utilizes the beam divergence parameter as a natural property of light exiting the waveguide, then uses optical elements (mirror and lens) within the discrete optical unit to change the beam parameters (direction, focus) to prevent light loss. This approach converts the potential problem of divergence into a manageable parameter that can be optimized through optical design.
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 solution effectively reduces light loss and controls beam divergence, ensuring efficient capture and redirection of light for accurate sample property measurement, improving the performance of integrated photonics devices.
Implementation Method 1
The mirror can have an angled wall to redirect incident light
Implementation Method 2
The collimating optics can direct the light out of the device through the system interface
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated photonics device that emits light out towards a measured sample value is disclosed. The device can include a discrete optical unit that attaches to a supporting layer. The discrete optical unit can include mirror(s), optics, detector array(s), and traces. The supporting layer can include one or more cavities having facet walls. Light emitter(s) can emit light that propagate through waveguide(s). The emitted light can exit the waveguide(s) (via termination point(s)), enter the one or more cavities at the facet walls, and be received by receiving facets of the discrete optical unit. The mirror(s) of the discrete optical unit can redirect the received light towards collimating optics, which can direct the light out of the device through the system interface. The discrete optical unit can be formed separately from the supporting layer or bonded to the supporting layer after the mirror, optics, detector arrays, and traces are formed.