Optical Component Anti-Stray Light Surface Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical components suffer from stray light leakage along unintended directions, which can interfere with the intended operation of optoelectronic modules.
Innovation Solution
The optical component incorporates a carrier substrate with a cavity and a layer stack featuring an anti-lightguide surface structure to modify stray light, reducing specular reflections and guiding stray light away from the desired path through refraction, diffraction, scattering, or absorption using structured surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a smooth continuous layer stack is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but stray light propagates laterally through multiple specular reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing anti-lightguide surface structures at specific locations within the layer stack rather than modifying the entire structure uniformly. These localized textured surfaces are positioned where they most effectively intercept and modify stray light paths, combining manufacturing efficiency with stray light reduction where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameter of selected layers by introducing textured or roughened surfaces with specific statistical properties (roughness height, correlation length) rather than smooth surfaces. This parameter change transforms the optical interaction from specular reflection to diffuse scattering, preventing stray light propagation while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If anti-lightguide surface structures are added to reduce stray light, then stray light propagation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by applying anti-lightguide surface structures only to specific layers and locations within the stack rather than uniformly to all surfaces. This localized approach maintains structural simplicity in non-critical areas while providing stray light control where most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the existing layer stack structures as intermediaries to implement stray light control. Rather than adding separate complex stray light blocking components, the solution integrates anti-lightguide surface structures into the existing layered architecture, utilizing the layer interfaces themselves as the mechanism for stray light modification.
3Manufacturing precision
If smooth surfaces are used in the layer stack, then manufacturing precision requirements are lower, but specular reflections enable stray light to act as a light guide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface finish parameter from smooth to textured for specific layers, introducing controlled roughness that transforms specular reflections into diffuse scattering. This parameter change effectively eliminates the light guiding effect of stray light while the textured surfaces can be manufactured with standard precision techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different surface quality requirements to different layers: smooth surfaces where optical performance is critical and textured surfaces where stray light control is prioritized. This localized differentiation optimizes manufacturing precision requirements by applying high precision only where absolutely necessary.
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
Substantially reduces lateral propagation of stray light, preventing it from interfering with other components and enhancing the performance of optoelectronic modules by minimizing light leakage.
Implementation Method 1
guiding stray light away from the desired path through refraction, diffraction, scattering, or absorption using structured surfaces
Implementation Method 2
guiding stray light away from the desired path through refraction, diffraction, scattering, or absorption using structured surfaces
Implementation Method 3
guiding stray light away from the desired path through refraction, diffraction, scattering, or absorption using structured surfaces
Implementation Method 4
guiding stray light away from the desired path through refraction, diffraction, scattering, or absorption using structured surfaces
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical component (11) comprises a carrier substrate (13), a cavity (14) formed in the carrier substrate (13), and a layer stack forming a membrane (15) having a cavity-spanning portion that spans the cavity (14) at its upper end. A stray light modifying element (20) is provided for modifying stray light traveling laterally through the layer stack. The stray light modifying element (20) comprises an anti-lightguide surface structure formed in or on at least one surface selected from the upper surface of the carrier substrate (13) and the upper and lower surfaces of the material layers of the layer stack, the anti-lightguide surface structure being configured to reduce specular reflections of the stray light at the selected surface.