Bidirectional Thermal Control for Micro Ring Modulator Resonance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Micro ring modulators (MRMs) in photonic systems often fail to resonate with the desired signal wavelength due to manufacturing variations, leading to high power consumption and reduced lifespan due to excessive heating, as they can only adjust refractive index in one direction.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating both a heating component and a cooling component, using doped regions with opposite dopant types to adjust the refractive index of MRMs in both heating and cooling directions, allowing for precise resonance with the target wavelength while reducing power consumption and extending device life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If only a heater is used to adjust the refractive index of the MRM, then the refractive index can be increased to enhance optical coupling, but the device experiences excessive heating and reduced lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefractive index adjustment capabilityVSAvoiddevice lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cooling element that operates in opposition to the heater, enabling bidirectional temperature control. This inversion approach allows the system to decrease temperature when the heater causes excessive heating, thereby preventing device damage and extending lifespan while maintaining the ability to adjust refractive index for optimal optical coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Use of energy by moving object

If a heater is used to adjust the refractive index for optimal coupling, then optical coupling efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases due to continuous heating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical coupling efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements bidirectional temperature control using both heating and cooling elements, enabling precise adjustment of the MRM's refractive index. This allows the system to reach optimal coupling conditions with minimal energy input and maintain stability without continuous high-power heating, thereby reducing overall power consumption while preserving coupling efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the refractive index is adjusted in one direction only, then the MRM can be tuned for resonance, but manufacturing variations cause failure to resonate with desired wavelength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresonance wavelength accuracyVSAvoidrefractive index adjustment range

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static, unidirectional refractive index adjustment to dynamic, bidirectional control. By incorporating both heating and cooling elements, the system can adaptively tune the MRM's refractive index in both directions to compensate for manufacturing variations and achieve precise resonance with the desired wavelength, enhancing both accuracy and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables efficient optical coupling by adjusting the refractive index of MRMs in both heating and cooling directions, reducing power consumption and prolonging the device's lifespan by minimizing temperature fluctuations and avoiding excessive heating.

Implementation Method 1

Semiconductor photonics, e.g., silicon photonics, is based on manipulating the thermo-optic effect exhibited by a semiconductor material. A material which exhibits a thermo-optic effect (TOE) changes refractive index in response to changes in temperature.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermo-optic effect:

Implementation Method 2

a heater is used to adjust a refractive index of the MRM

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

A material which exhibits a thermo-optic effect (TOE) changes refractive index in response to changes in temperature.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermo-optic effect:

Data Source

PatentUS20240248256A1Photonic system including micro ring modulator and method of using

Publication Date: 2024.07.25 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

A photonic system includes a waveguide. The photonic system further includes a micro ring modulator (MRM) spaced from the waveguide. The photonic system further includes a heater configured to increase a temperature of the MRM in response to the heater receiving a first voltage. The photonic system further includes a cooling element configured to decrease a temperature of the MRM in response to the cooling element receiving a second voltage.