Optical Module Mount Layout for Stress-Stable Interference Waveguides
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical modules experience changes in optical characteristics due to stress from the substrate, which distorts the waveguide or optical elements and affects their performance.
Innovation Solution
The optical module design includes a mount face with a projection region and a non-projection region, where the waveguide or optical element is joined to the substrate using a joint material only in the non-projection region, thereby minimizing the stress impact on the optical elements, and the joint material is separated from the projection region by a certain distance to further suppress stress-induced changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the waveguide element is joined to the substrate with joint material covering the entire mount face, then the joining strength is improved, but the optical characteristics change due to stress on the interference waveguide portion
Solution Approach 1:
The mount face is segmented into a projection region (where the interference waveguide portion is projected) and a non-projection region. The joint material is applied only to the non-projection region, separating the joining function from the optical function to avoid stress-induced optical characteristic changes while maintaining adequate joining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mount face are assigned different functions: the projection region is optimized for optical performance (free from joint material stress), while the non-projection region is optimized for mechanical joining. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function without compromising the other.
2Area of stationary object
If the joint material is placed close to the interference waveguide portion, then the joining area is increased, but the stress-induced changes in optical characteristics are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The mount face is divided into functional zones: the projection region containing the interference waveguide portion and the non-projection region for joint material placement. This segmentation ensures the joint material is positioned as close as possible to the projection region without overlapping it, maximizing joint area while protecting optical characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-projection region acts as an intermediary zone between the optical component (projection region) and the substrate. This intermediary area allows the joint material to provide mechanical support and thermal management functions while being spatially separated from the sensitive optical interference region, thus mediating between mechanical and optical requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical module includes: a substrate and a waveguide element having a mount face opposed to the substrate, the waveguide element having an interference waveguide portion having an optical interference function. Further, the mount face includes a projection region to which the interference waveguide portion is projected on the mount face and a non-projection region, and the waveguide element is joined to the substrate with a joint material in the non-projection region.