Optical Element Mounting Structure for Vibration-Stable Waveguides
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In optical communication networks, the unstable fixation of optical elements on optical wiring modules leads to positional deviations during vibration, increasing transmission loss and affecting communication stability.
Innovation Solution
The optical element mounting module incorporates an optical waveguide with a lower cladding layer, a core, an upper cladding layer, and a through hole, where the light emitting or receiving portion of the optical element is embedded in the upper cladding layer and extends between the upper surface of the cladding layer and the optical element's lower surface, providing stable fixation and reducing transmission loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical element is mounted on the optical wiring board using conventional methods, then the mounting process is simple, but the optical element becomes unstable and experiences positional deviations during vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting or receiving portion is embedded within the upper cladding layer of the optical waveguide, creating a nested structure where one component is housed inside another. This nesting approach provides stable fixation of the optical element while maintaining a compact integrated design, resolving the contradiction between fixation stability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the fixation function and optical transmission function into a single integrated waveguide structure. The upper cladding layer serves both as a structural element for embedding and fixing the light emitting/receiving portion and as part of the optical waveguide for light transmission, eliminating the need for separate fixation mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the light emitting or receiving portion is fully embedded in the upper cladding layer, then fixation stability improves, but pressure on the reflective mirror portion increases causing inclination changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having only a first part of the light emitting or receiving portion embedded in the upper cladding layer, while a second part extends outward. This localized embedding provides sufficient fixation stability at the critical interface without applying excessive pressure to the reflective mirror portion, thereby maintaining mirror inclination accuracy.
3Loss of energy
If conventional mounting methods are used, then the device structure is simple, but transmission loss increases due to positional deviations and foreign matter mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The embedding of the light emitting or receiving portion within the upper cladding layer creates a nested structure that eliminates gaps between components. This gapless integration prevents foreign matter from entering the interface region and reduces positional deviations, thereby minimizing light transmission loss due to scattering and interference from contaminants.
4Loss of energy
If the light emitting or receiving portion extends beyond the upper cladding layer, then fixation stability is maintained, but the distance to reflective mirrors increases causing additional light loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the embedding depth by having only a first part of the light emitting or receiving portion embedded in the upper cladding layer, while a second part extends outward to maintain proximity to reflective mirrors. This partial embedding approach balances the competing requirements of fixation stability and minimizing light transmission distance, achieving optimal light transmission efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical element mounting module includes a wiring board including an upper surface and a terminal, an optical waveguide on the upper surface and the terminal, and an optical element on the optical waveguide, including a light emitting/receiving portion having a convex shape and an electrode. The optical waveguide includes a lower cladding layer, a core on the lower cladding layer, an upper cladding layer, a cavity between the upper surface of the upper cladding layer to the lower cladding layer for dividing the core, a through hole passing through the upper to the lower cladding layer to the terminal, and a conductive material in the through hole and connected to the electrode and the terminal. The light emitting/receiving portion includes a first part on the upper cladding layer and a second part between the upper surface of the upper cladding layer and the lower surface of the optical element.