Optical Memory Access Switch for Configurable Signal Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

MicroLEDs face challenges in achieving high efficiency and low energy consumption due to sidewall defects during manufacturing, which impact modulation speed and energy efficiency, particularly as they are scaled down for high-bandwidth optical interconnects in data centers.

Innovation Solution

Implementing magnesium (Mg) passivation on the sidewalls of MicroLEDs to neutralize surface states and create a depletion region, reducing non-radiative recombination and enhancing carrier lifetime, combined with a microcavity structure for improved light confinement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If MicroLEDs are scaled down for high-bandwidth optical interconnects, then data transfer rate is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to sidewall defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidsidewall defect control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful sidewall defects into a beneficial feature by applying magnesium passivation that creates a depletion region. The sidewall defects, which normally cause non-radiative recombination, are transformed into a controlled depletion region that actually enhances carrier lifetime and reduces energy loss, turning the manufacturing challenge into a performance advantage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the sidewall surface by applying magnesium passivation. This alters the surface states and creates a depletion region with specific electrical characteristics, transforming the sidewall from a defect source to a controlled functional region that improves overall device performance at scaled dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If MicroLEDs are scaled down for high-bandwidth optical interconnects, then bandwidth is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to increased non-radiative recombination

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidenergy consumption per bit

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful non-radiative recombination at sidewalls into a beneficial depletion region through magnesium passivation. This depletion region reduces carrier leakage and actually decreases energy loss, transforming the scaling penalty into an energy efficiency improvement while maintaining high bandwidth capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Volume of moving object

If MicroLEDs are scaled down, then device size is reduced for higher density, but modulation speed deteriorates due to sidewall defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidmodulation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters at the sidewall interface by applying magnesium passivation, creating a depletion region that improves carrier dynamics. This parameter change compensates for the size reduction effects, maintaining fast modulation speed despite the smaller device dimensions by optimizing the carrier injection and recombination characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 Mg passivation and microcavity structure enable MicroLEDs to maintain high efficiency and modulation speed even at smaller sizes, achieving low energy consumption per bit (0.3 pJ/bit) and high data transfer rates (>2 Tb/s) suitable for advanced optical communication applications.

Implementation Method 1

Implementing magnesium (Mg) passivation on the sidewalls of MicroLEDs to neutralize surface states and create a depletion region, reducing non-radiative recombination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPassivation:

Implementation Method 2

magnesium (Mg) passivation on the sidewalls of MicroLEDs to neutralize surface states and create a depletion region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDepletion region formation:

Implementation Method 3

combined with a microcavity structure for improved light confinement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight confinement:

Implementation Method 4

microcavity structure for improved light confinement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrocavity resonance:

Implementation Method 5

MicroLEDs to maintain high efficiency and modulation speed even at smaller sizes, achieving low energy consumption per bit (0.3 pJ/bit) and high data transfer rates (>2 Tb/s) suitable for advanced optical communication applications

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission from MicroLEDs: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS20250350372A1Optical switch to isolate data accesses in memory

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Examples described herein relate to a first circuitry, wherein the first circuitry comprises one or more of: a first memory, a first processor, or a first accelerator; a second circuitry, wherein the first circuitry and the second circuitry are communicatively coupled by optical interfaces and wherein the second circuitry comprises one or more of: a second memory, a second processor, or a second accelerator; and a switch configured to provide optical and/or electrical signal isolation between the first and second circuitries based on a configuration. In some examples, the configuration is to specify whether optical, electrical, or optical and electrical communications are permitted and an access level.