Optical Module Substrate Orientation for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical modules with optical waveguides face challenges in size reduction due to the oblique disposition of optical substrates, which increases the width of the storage region and hinders miniaturization efforts.
Innovation Solution
The optical module design includes a lens and an optical substrate with a rectangular shape, where the optical waveguide is formed at a predetermined angle to the substrate's side, allowing both the substrate and lens to be parallel to the storage region's side, thereby reducing the module's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the optical substrate is disposed obliquely to couple light with the lens, then coupling loss is reduced, but the width of the storage region is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguide is formed at an asymmetric angle (e.g., 10-20 degrees) relative to the short side of the optical substrate, allowing the optical axis to be non-perpendicular to the substrate surface. This asymmetric configuration enables effective coupling between the optical waveguide and lens while maintaining a compact, rectangular storage region without requiring oblique disposition of the entire substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of disposing the optical substrate obliquely in the horizontal plane (increasing width), the invention changes the orientation approach by forming the optical waveguide at an angled path within the substrate thickness dimension. The optical axis is inclined at a predetermined angle to the surface normal, allowing coupling without increasing the storage region width.
2Loss of energy
If the optical substrate is disposed obliquely to couple light with the lens, then coupling efficiency is improved, but size reduction of the optical module is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguide is formed with an asymmetric angle relative to the substrate edges, creating a non-perpendicular optical axis that achieves effective coupling with the lens while maintaining a compact module footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical configuration parameters by forming the optical waveguide at a specific inclined angle (e.g., 10-20 degrees from perpendicular), which optimizes coupling efficiency while allowing the module to maintain a reduced overall size without oblique substrate disposition.
3Area of stationary object
If the optical waveguide is formed perpendicular to the short side of the substrate, then the substrate can be aligned parallel to the storage region, but coupling loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than forming the optical waveguide perpendicular to the short side (symmetric alignment), the invention uses an asymmetric angle formation where the optical waveguide is inclined at a predetermined angle to the short side, creating a non-perpendicular optical axis that reduces coupling loss while the substrate remains parallel-aligned to the storage region.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention resolves the contradiction by moving the angular adjustment from the substrate disposition (horizontal plane) to the optical waveguide formation angle (within-substrate path angle). This allows the substrate to remain parallel-aligned to the storage region while the optical axis is inclined at an optimized angle for coupling.
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 enables efficient storage and miniaturization of the optical module by maintaining low coupling loss while ensuring the optical substrate is not obliquely disposed, thus reducing the overall size of the module.
Implementation Method 1
the optical waveguide 925 is not perpendicular to the short side 922 of the optical substrate 920, and therefore an optical axis of light to be output from the optical waveguide 925 has a direction not perpendicular to the short side 922 due to refraction
Data Source
AI summary
An optical module includes a lens having a first optical axis; an optical substrate having a rectangular external shape including a first side and a second side forming a right angle to each other; an optical waveguide that is formed on the optical substrate and is optically coupled, in a cross section including the first side of the optical substrate, with a second optical axis forming a predetermined angle to the first optical axis; and a package that includes a storage region having a rectangular upper surface and stores the lens and the optical substrate, wherein the lens and the optical substrate are optically coupled, and both the second side and the first optical axis are substantially parallel to one side of the rectangular storage region.