Optical Fiber Coupling Structure With Sloped Silicon Mirror
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in improving the integration and efficiency of optical and electrical signal transmission and processing, particularly in devices combining long-range optical components with short-range electrical components, necessitating advancements in optical fiber coupling structures for enhanced signal conversion and processing.
Innovation Solution
The development of fiber coupling structures utilizing reflective silicon surfaces formed through semiconductor processing, which include low-roughness and high-angle precision mirrors, coupled with optical fibers or waveguides, to facilitate efficient optical signal redirection and alignment, using techniques such as anisotropic etching and deposition of reflection layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional optical fiber coupling structures are used, then device integration is achieved, but optical coupling efficiency and alignment precision are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective silicon surface is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical fiber and the photonic component. This mirror structure acts as a mediator that redirects optical signals with high precision, enabling efficient coupling without requiring direct precise alignment between the fiber and component, thus resolving the contradiction between coupling efficiency and alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with a reflective silicon surface that uses optical reflection principles. Instead of mechanically adjusting fiber positions to achieve precise alignment, the system uses the law of reflection to redirect light paths, substituting mechanical precision requirements with optical geometric precision, thereby improving both coupling efficiency and alignment precision
2Productivity
If reflective silicon surfaces with high angle precision are fabricated, then optical signal redirection efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes anisotropic etching to create reflective silicon surfaces with specific geometric parameters (angles and slopes) that optimize optical reflection. By controlling etching parameters such as etch depth, etch rate, and surface orientation, the system achieves high-angle-precision mirrors without requiring complex multi-step manufacturing processes, thus improving signal redirection efficiency while managing manufacturing complexity through parameter optimization rather than process 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 proposed solution enhances optical coupling efficiency and reliability, improving system transmission speed and alignment between photonic components and optical fibers, thereby supporting more effective signal transmission and processing.
Implementation Method 1
The fiber coupling structure may include a reflective surface that redirects optical signals
Implementation Method 2
a lens structure that includes a lens
Data Source
AI summary
A structure includes an upper silicon structure that includes a recess in a first side of the upper silicon structure, wherein the recess has a sloped sidewall; a lower silicon structure that includes a lens recessed in a first side of the lower silicon structure, wherein the first side of the upper silicon structure is bonded to the first side of the lower silicon structure, wherein the sloped sidewall of the upper silicon structure is vertically aligned with the lens of the lower silicon structure; and a waveguide structure within the recess, wherein the waveguide structure is optically coupled to the lens by the sloped sidewall.