Integrated Micro-Optics for Beam Phase Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated photonic devices face challenges in achieving optimal beam quality and complexity in designing collimation optics for arrays of laser emitters on semiconductor substrates.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an array of micro-optics, such as microlenses, aligned with the emitters on a semiconductor substrate to condition the phases of the beams, allowing for different beams to be transmitted with varying phase qualities, and the use of spot-size converters to control beam spot sizes and divergences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional collimation optics are used for arrays of laser emitters, then beam quality can be maintained, but the design complexity and optical component requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (collimation, focusing, beam shaping) into a single integrated photonic device structure. The semiconductor substrate integrates laser emitters, waveguides, spot-size converters, and microlenses into one monolithic component, eliminating the need for separate collimation optics and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining beam quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional planar optical designs to three-dimensional integrated photonics. By stacking functional layers (emitters, waveguides, spot-size converters, microlenses) in the vertical dimension, the device achieves complex optical functionality without increasing lateral footprint or requiring complex external optical assemblies
2Adaptability or versatility
If spot-size converters with different tapers are used to control beam spot sizes, then beam divergence can be optimized, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by providing each spot-size converter with a specific taper angle optimized for its particular function. Different regions of the device have differently tailored optical characteristics (some converters have steeper tapers for narrow beams, others have gentler tapers for wider beams), allowing each beam to be independently optimized while using standard semiconductor fabrication processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls beam characteristics by varying the taper angle parameter of spot-size converters. By adjusting this geometric parameter during fabrication, the device achieves different beam divergences and spot sizes without requiring fundamentally different structures or materials, simplifying the manufacturing approach while providing versatile beam control
3Adaptability or versatility
If microlenses are offset to direct beams at different angles, then field of view coverage is improved, but the alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-positioning microlenses at specific offset locations during the fabrication process. The offset distances and angles are predetermined based on the desired field of view coverage, allowing beams to be directed at different angles without requiring complex post-fabrication alignment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses curved or spheroidal microlens surfaces to focus and direct beams. The spherical symmetry of the lenses, combined with their offset positions, naturally produces the desired beam angles and simplifies alignment requirements compared to asymmetric or flat lens designs
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 simplifies the design and reduces the complexity of collimation optics, enabling the creation of integrated photonic devices with improved optical qualities and optimized beam characteristics for applications like LiDAR systems.
Implementation Method 1
an array of microlenses, each receiving respective output from the arrayed waveguides and focusing the received output to respective points on a curved locus
Implementation Method 2
The spot-size converters include tapered waveguides. In a disclosed embodiment, different ones of the spot-size converters have different, respective tapers selected so as to form spots of different, respective spot sizes
Implementation Method 3
the tapered waveguides have respective output ends, which are offset relative to an output facet of the semiconductor substrate selected such that the output ends are disposed along a curve
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device (20A, 20B, 100, 200, 800) includes a first array of emitters (28A, 28B) disposed on a semiconductor substrate (218) and configured to emit respective beams of optical radiation. A second array (36A, 36B, 224, 808) of micro-optics (34A, 34B, 226, 802) is positioned in alignment with the respective beams of the optical emitters and arranged to condition phases of the beams so that different ones of the beams are transmitted with different phase qualities