Passive Aligning Optical Coupler Array for Low-Loss Fiber Integration
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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 closely spaced waveguides and conventional optical fibers, particularly due to differences in core sizes and numerical apertures, leading to increased insertion losses and decreased coupling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The development of an optical coupler array with a common single coupler housing structure featuring vanishing core waveguides and a transversely contiguous medium, where the refractive indices and core sizes are gradually reduced along the optical element to facilitate efficient light coupling between optical fibers and devices, while maintaining precise alignment and minimizing crosstalk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical fibers are used to interface with waveguide devices having different core sizes and NAs, then the device can be designed with flexible waveguide configurations, but insertion losses increase and coupling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary coupling structure comprising a first coupler and a second coupler that mediates between optical fibers and waveguide devices. The first coupler receives light from optical fibers and converts it to waveguide modes, while the second coupler converts waveguide modes back to optical fiber modes. This intermediary structure enables efficient coupling between dissimilar optical components by providing a transition zone that matches different core sizes and NAs, thereby reducing insertion losses while maintaining design flexibility.
2Productivity
If waveguide devices with closely spaced waveguides are used, then channel density increases, but alignment precision becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-aligning features that enable the coupling structure to automatically adjust and maintain precise alignment without external intervention. The coupling structure includes self-centering mechanisms and tolerance-compensating designs that allow the waveguides to self-align with the optical fibers during assembly. This self-service approach ensures high alignment precision even when waveguides are closely spaced, thereby maintaining high channel density while simplifying the manufacturing and assembly processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the core size and NA of waveguide devices are made dissimilar to conventional fibers, then waveguide functionality is enhanced, but coupling efficiency at the interface deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coupling interface into separate functional segments: a first coupler for converting optical fiber modes to waveguide modes, and a second coupler for converting waveguide modes back to optical fiber modes. Each coupler is optimized for its specific function and can be independently designed to match the particular core size and NA requirements of the connected components. This segmentation allows the waveguide device to have enhanced functionality with dissimilar core sizes and NAs while maintaining reliable coupling efficiency through the optimized intermediate couplers.
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 high-coupling coefficient interfaces with improved cross-sectional positioning accuracy, reducing optical losses and enhancing coupling efficiency between dissimilar NA waveguide devices, even with tight channel spacings, thereby optimizing optical coupling in multichannel applications.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of longitudinal waveguides each positioned at a predetermined spacing from one another, each having a capacity for at least one optical mode
Implementation Method 2
common single coupler housing structure comprising a transversely contiguous medium having a refractive index different from that of the waveguides
Data Source
AI summary
An optical coupler array can include an elongated optical element having a coupler housing structure and at least one longitudinal waveguide embedded in said housing structure. The housing structure can have an outer cross sectional shape comprising a first side comprising one or more curved portions and a second side comprising one or more flat portions. The second side can be disposed at a distance from the at least one longitudinal waveguide such that waveguiding properties are preserved and not disturbed.