Multichannel Optical Coupler Array With Vanishing Core Waveguides

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical coupler technologies face challenges in achieving low-loss, high-accuracy connections between optical waveguide devices with dissimilar numerical aperture (NA) and closely spaced waveguides, leading to increased insertion losses and decreased coupling efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A multichannel optical coupler array with a common housing structure featuring vanishing core waveguides, where the inner and outer core sizes and refractive indices are gradually reduced along the optical element, allowing light to transition between the core and cladding effectively, and the coupler housing structure is designed to accommodate varying refractive indices to optimize coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional optical fibers are used to interface with waveguide devices having dissimilar NA and smaller channel spacing, then the device can be compact and integrated, but insertion losses increase and coupling coefficient decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidinsertion loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary coupling structure comprising a first coupling region and a second coupling region with gradually varying refractive indices. This intermediary structure acts as a mediator between the optical fiber and the waveguide device, enabling smooth optical mode transformation and reducing insertion losses by bridging the mismatch between dissimilar NA waveguides and conventional fibers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by gradually varying the refractive index in the coupling regions from the fiber side to the waveguide side. The refractive index transitions smoothly through multiple regions, enabling adaptive mode matching and reducing optical loss at the interface between dissimilar waveguide structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If waveguides are placed closer together to reduce channel spacing, then the device integrates more channels in a compact space, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to smaller spacing tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel densityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform refractive index distributions localized at the coupling regions. The refractive index varies differently in the first coupling region compared to the second coupling region, allowing optimized optical coupling for each specific interface while maintaining compact channel spacing throughout the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability through the gradual variation of refractive index parameters along the coupling regions. This dynamic refractive index profile allows the coupling structure to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and achieve optimal coupling efficiency despite variations in waveguide positioning and dimensional tolerances.

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

The solution enables low-loss, high-accuracy optical coupling with improved cross-sectional positioning and reduced channel spacing, enhancing the coupling efficiency between optical fibers and devices with different NA characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

optical waveguide devices based on refractive index contrast... advantageous and desirable in applications

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

light traveling from said first end to said second end escapes from said inner vanishing core into said corresponding outer core proximally to said second end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10101536B2Multichannel optical coupler array

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 CHIRAL PHOTONICS INC

AI summary

A multichannel optical coupler array comprises a coupler housing structure and longitudinal waveguides. At least one of the longitudinal waveguides is a vanishing core waveguide. Light traveling from a first end to a second end can escape from an inner vanishing core into a corresponding outer core proximally to an intermediate cross section, and can escape from the outer core into a combined waveguide formed by at least two neighboring outer cores proximally to the second end.