Optical Modulator Sub-Wavelength Waveguide Diffusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical modulators face limitations in bandwidth and modulation efficiency due to difficulties in processing and applying electro-optical materials, such as organic polymers and lithium niobate thin films, which result in complex processes and high costs.

Innovation Solution

The optical modulator incorporates a sub-wavelength waveguide layer with an electro-optical material layer and electrodes, where the sub-wavelength waveguide diffuses the light field into the electro-optical material layer, simplifying the process, reducing costs, and improving practicality, using materials like silicon, silicon nitride, organic polymers, lithium tantalate, or barium titanate thin films, and graphene or transparent conductive oxides for electrodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a waveguide slot is filled with organic polymer or a waveguide layer is etched on lithium niobate thin film to increase bandwidth, then the electro-optical effect is enhanced, but the process complexity increases and preparation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electro-optical material from the waveguide structure and places it as a separate layer on the waveguide surface. This eliminates the need for complex slot-filling or layer-etching processes while maintaining the electro-optical effect for bandwidth enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into distinct functional layers: the waveguide layer for light transmission and the separate electro-optical material layer for modulation. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing independent preparation of each layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidpreparation costs

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electro-optical material is extracted from the waveguide core and applied as a surface layer, eliminating complex fabrication steps like slot-filling or precision etching. This significantly reduces preparation costs while maintaining bandwidth enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If the light field is limited within a small waveguide slot to enhance electro-optical effect, then the modulation efficiency is improved, but the difficulty of filling the waveguide slot increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodulation efficiencyVSAvoiddifficulty of filling waveguide slot

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of limiting the light field within a small waveguide slot, the patent inverts the approach by placing the electro-optical material on the waveguide surface where the light field naturally extends. This maintains strong light-material interaction while eliminating the difficulty of filling small slots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 configuration increases bandwidth, simplifies the preparation process, reduces costs, and enhances modulation efficiency by effectively applying electro-optical materials, while minimizing power consumption and insertion loss.

Implementation Method 1

the sub-wavelength waveguide is configured to diffuse a light field at the waveguide layer into the electro-optical material layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

An electro-optical material having a high electro-optical effect (for example, an organic polymer or a lithium niobate thin film) is used, to increase bandwidth of the optical modulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-optical effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Data Source

PatentUS20220404651A1Optical Modulator and Related Apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.12.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An optical modulator includes a waveguide layer, an electro-optical material layer, and electrodes. The waveguide layer includes a sub-wavelength waveguide; the electro-optical material layer is disposed on a surface of the sub-wavelength waveguide, and the sub-wavelength waveguide is configured to diffuse a light field at the waveguide layer into the electro-optical material layer; the electrodes are disposed on a surface of the electro-optical material layer, and a connection line between the electrodes is parallel to a plane on which the electro-optical material layer is located, or the electrodes are disposed on two sides of the electro-optical material layer, and a connection line between the electrodes intersects with a plane on which the electro-optical material layer is located; and the electrodes are configured to apply an electrical signal to the electro-optical material layer.