Multimode Splitter Segmentation for Low-Loss Photodetector Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical communication systems face challenges in efficiently connecting wide multimode waveguides to narrow photodetectors, resulting in significant excess loss due to prohibited propagation of higher order modes, especially when integrating silica-based AWGs with Si photonics, which leads to larger module sizes.
Innovation Solution
A multimode splitter is introduced to divide a multimode wide waveguide into narrower waveguides with similar total widths to the photodetectors, minimizing gaps and reducing excess loss, compatible with silicon microelectronics for chip-scale miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a wide multimode waveguide is directly connected to narrow photodetectors, then the module size can be reduced, but significant excess loss occurs due to prohibited propagation of higher order modes
Solution Approach 1:
The wide multimode waveguide is segmented into multiple narrower waveguides using a multimode splitter. This segmentation allows the waveguide to maintain a smaller overall footprint while preserving higher order mode propagation through multiple parallel channels, thereby reducing excess loss when connecting to photodetectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The multimode splitter acts as an intermediary component between the wide multimode waveguide and the narrow photodetectors. It provides mode transformation and distribution, enabling efficient coupling by matching the mode profiles and reducing impedance mismatch, thus minimizing excess loss while maintaining compact dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If silica-based AWGs are integrated with Si photonics, then functional integration is improved, but the module size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges silica-based AWG technology with Si photonics platform by integrating the multimode splitter design that is compatible with both material systems. This combining approach enables functional integration of wavelength division multiplexing with silicon photonic circuits while maintaining a compact footprint through efficient waveguide splitting.
3Stability of the object's composition
If higher order modes are prohibited in waveguides, then single-mode operation is achieved, but coupling efficiency to photodetectors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the wide waveguide into multiple narrower waveguides, the system preserves higher order mode propagation in each individual waveguide channel. This segmentation maintains mode diversity and improves coupling efficiency to photodetectors while each waveguide maintains stable single-mode or controlled multimode operation.
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 multimode splitter achieves low excess loss and improved waveguide splitting and coupling efficiency, enabling smaller module sizes and better integration with Si photonics.
Implementation Method 1
demultiplexing, by the optical filter, the optical signal onto a plurality of second waveguides based on different wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
The photodetector may be configured to convert optical signal propagating along the respective third waveguide to an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for implementing a multimode splitting structure that divides a multimode wide waveguide into multiple narrower waveguides for photodetector connections in an optoelectronic system are disclosed. The optoelectronic system includes an optical filter, a multimode splitter, and a plurality of photodetector. The optical filter is communicatively coupled to a first waveguide to receive an optical signal and configured to demultiplex the optical signal onto a plurality of second waveguides based on different wavelengths. The multimode splitter is adapted to divide each of the plurality of second waveguides into a plurality of third waveguides. Each of the plurality of photodetector is adapted to be connected to each of the plurality of the third waveguide.