Mirror-Based Optical Coupling for Relaxed Alignment Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges exist in coupling optical signals and integrating optical components with electrical components, particularly in achieving accurate alignment and reducing assembly tolerance requirements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a self-aligning optical surface coupling scheme using a novel mirror arrangement, which transfers accuracy and tolerance requirements from the assembly domain to the production domain, enabling relaxed assembly tolerances and facilitating optical and electro-optical integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional side coupling methods are used to couple optical signals, then optical coupling can be achieved, but assembly tolerance requirements become extremely strict and the assembly process becomes tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mirror arrangement as an intermediary element between optical components to enable coupling. The mirror reflects optical signals to achieve coupling without requiring direct alignment between components, thereby reducing assembly tolerance requirements while maintaining coupling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical alignment system with an optical system using mirrors. Instead of relying on precise mechanical positioning and alignment of optical components, the system uses mirror reflection to achieve coupling, substituting mechanical precision requirements with optical path design.
2Reliability
If highly accurate alignment is required for optical fiber coupling, then coupling efficiency is maintained, but assembly time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror arrangement acts as a mediator that decouples the alignment requirements from the coupling efficiency. By introducing the mirror as an intermediate optical element, the system maintains high coupling efficiency through optimized optical paths while allowing greater tolerance in component positioning, thereby enabling faster assembly.
3Ease of operation
If optical components are coupled in the same plane, then alignment is simplified, but design flexibility and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the mirror arrangement to enable optical coupling between components in different planes. The mirror reflects optical signals at angles, allowing coupling between components that are not coplanar, thereby adding spatial dimensionality to the coupling configuration and significantly increasing design flexibility.
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 assembly process by reducing accuracy requirements in optical coupling, allowing for high-volume packaging of photonic devices and efficient integration of optical and electrical components, while enabling optical connections between components in different planes.
Implementation Method 1
a novel mirror arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems and methods for optical coupling, optical integration, electro-optical coupling, and electro-optical packaging are described herein. Optical couplers may comprise various optical elements (e.g., mirrors as described herein) to relax optical assembly requirements and improve producibility. Optical couplers may improve fiber-to-chip, fiber-to-fiber and chip-to-chip optical connection. Optical couplers and optical components may be used to improve integration of, connection of, and/or packaging of optical systems and/or components with electrical systems and/or components.