Light Director for Photonic Integrated Circuit Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photonic systems face challenges in achieving consistent light coupling efficiency due to inconsistent tilt angles and non-optimal divergence angles of light sources, which affect the coupling of light into waveguides, and require additional fabrication steps for electrical coupling.
Innovation Solution
The use of a light director, such as a microlens or metalens, to shape illumination light by adjusting the tilt and divergence angles, allowing for improved optical coupling efficiency and enabling flat mounting of light sources with conventional fabrication techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional fabrication techniques are used for mounting light sources, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but light coupling efficiency is insufficient due to inconsistent tilt angles and non-optimal divergence angles
Solution Approach 1:
A light director component is introduced as an intermediary between the light source and the waveguide. This mediator shapes the illumination light to achieve optimal tilt and divergence angles for coupling into the waveguide, while allowing the light source itself to be mounted flat using conventional techniques. The light director thus bridges the gap between simple mounting and efficient coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The light director modifies the angular parameters of the illumination light by shaping it to have specific tilt and divergence angles. This parameter transformation allows the light to be optimally coupled into the waveguide without requiring precise angular control during the mounting process, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving coupling efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If light sources are mounted at tilted angles to optimize coupling, then light coupling efficiency is improved, but fabrication complexity increases due to additional steps required for electrical coupling
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of tilting the light source to achieve optimal coupling angles, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the light source mounted flat and using a light director to provide the necessary angular transformation. This inversion eliminates the need for complex tilted mounting procedures and associated electrical coupling steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The light director serves as an intermediary that handles the angular transformation function, allowing the light source to be mounted in the simpler flat configuration. This mediator thus eliminates the need for complex fabrication steps while achieving the desired coupling efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional fabrication steps are implemented to achieve optimal tilt angles, then light coupling efficiency is improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light director is integrated into the waveguide structure using standard fabrication techniques, allowing it to be manufactured alongside other photonic components. This intermediary component provides the necessary light shaping function without requiring separate mounting steps or additional time-consuming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The light director is combined with the waveguide structure in a single integrated device, allowing both components to be fabricated using the same process steps. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting operations and reduces overall manufacturing time while maintaining improved light coupling efficiency.
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 approach enhances light coupling efficiency by optimizing tilt and divergence angles, reducing fabrication complexity, and allowing for consistent electrical coupling of light sources to photonic systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light director configured to receive the illumination light and shape the illumination light to increase an efficiency of light that is incoupled into the waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a light source, a waveguide layer, and a light director layer. The light source emits illumination light. The waveguide layer includes a cladding layer and an optical waveguide. The cladding layer provides a top planar surface of the waveguide layer and the optical waveguide is immersed in the cladding layer and includes a light input coupler. The light director layer includes a bottom planar surface that is disposed on the top planar surface of the waveguide layer. The light director layer also includes a light director that receives and directs the illumination light to the light input coupler as shaped light. The light director is configured to tilt the illumination light to give the shaped light a tilt angle with respect to the light input coupler.