Optical Device Reflection Groove Light Reception Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical devices with light-receiving elements outside the substrate result in increased package size due to external attachment, and internal adhesive air bubbles cause light reflection issues, reducing light reception efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with a substrate featuring an optical waveguide and a reflection groove that reflects light internally to the light-receiving element, preventing adhesive ingress and minimizing light loss by using a reflection film and carefully designed groove geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the light-receiving element is disposed outside the substrate, then the light reception function is achieved, but the package size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-receiving element is integrated onto the substrate surface, merging previously separate components (substrate and light-receiving element) into a unified structure. This integration eliminates the need for external attachment, reducing package size while maintaining light reception functionality through the groove-based light guiding mechanism.
2Volume of moving object
If adhesive is used to bond the light-receiving element to the substrate, then the element can be fixed internally, but air bubbles in the adhesive cause light reflection and reduce reception efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful adhesive layer containing air bubbles is completely removed from the light path. Instead of bonding the light-receiving element directly to the substrate with adhesive, the invention uses a groove structure that guides light from the waveguide to the element's light-receiving surface, eliminating the need for adhesive in the optical path and thus preventing air bubble-related light reflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure acts as an intermediary medium between the optical waveguide and the light-receiving element. Rather than using adhesive as the connecting medium (which introduces air bubbles), the groove filled with cladding material or air serves as a clean optical interface that guides light without introducing reflective interfaces.
3Reliability
If a groove is formed to prevent adhesive flow, then light path protection is improved, but the groove cannot traverse the optical waveguide
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is positioned locally adjacent to the optical waveguide rather than traversing it, creating a localized light guiding structure. This local groove configuration protects the light path by providing a dedicated channel for light to travel from the waveguide to the light-receiving element without requiring the groove to cross the entire waveguide structure, thus simplifying the overall device complexity.
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 allows for a compact optical device design with improved light reception efficiency, increasing sensitivity and reducing package size by ensuring light is directed to the light-receiving element without external adhesive-related reflections.
Implementation Method 1
a reflection groove having a bottom face that reflects light output from the optical waveguide
Implementation Method 2
an optical waveguide that guides light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device includes a substrate having an electrooptical effect, and including an optical waveguide that guides light and a reflection groove having a bottom face that reflects light output from the optical waveguide; and a light-receiving element positioned above the reflection groove and fixed to the substrate. The light output from the optical waveguide into the reflection groove is reflected by the bottom face of the reflection groove while traveling through a space inside the reflection groove and is incident to the light-receiving element.