Optical Waveguide Cavity Design for Reduced Via Hole Spacing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in developing highly-functional optical waveguides is the difficulty in securing a region for the cavity when the arrangement interval between via holes is reduced, making it hard to adapt to the downsizing of optical elements and increase functionality.
Innovation Solution
The optical waveguide design includes a laminate with a lower cladding, core, and upper cladding, featuring via holes in a spaced opposing relation, a cavity extending from the upper surface of the upper cladding to the lower cladding with an obliquely sectioned core, and a reflective surface defined by the cavity's sectional surface, where the cavity's opening size between via holes is smaller than outside, allowing for reduced interval positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the arrangement interval between via holes is reduced to accommodate downsized optical elements, then the functionality and integration density of the optical waveguide is improved, but the region available for positioning the cavity is reduced, making it difficult to secure adequate space for the cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity opening size is made different in different regions: smaller opening size in the region between via holes and larger opening size outside the region. This local differentiation allows the cavity to be positioned in the constrained region between via holes while maintaining adequate opening size for optical element mounting outside this region.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity is positioned to extend from the upper surface of the upper cladding to the lower cladding, utilizing the vertical dimension. The cavity includes a sectional surface that sections the core obliquely, creating a three-dimensional structure that optimizes space utilization within the constrained horizontal region between via holes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the arrangement interval between via holes is reduced, then more optical elements can be mounted to increase functionality, but the cavity positioning becomes difficult due to insufficient space
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity opening size is differentiated locally: smaller opening size in the region between via holes where space is constrained, and larger opening size outside this region where more space is available. This local adaptation enables the cavity to be positioned even when via holes are closely spaced, while maintaining ease of manufacture for optical element mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity is designed with flexibility in its opening size configuration, allowing adaptation to different via hole arrangement intervals. The oblique sectional surface of the cavity provides geometric flexibility that facilitates positioning while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 design enables the positioning of the cavity even with reduced via hole intervals, resulting in a highly-functional optical waveguide that can accommodate downsized optical elements and enhance the functionality of the optical waveguide and circuit board.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective surface positioned in the core and defined by part of the sectional surface
Data Source
AI summary
An optical waveguide includes a laminate including a lower cladding, a core on the lower cladding, and an upper cladding positioned on the lower cladding and covering the core, via holes positioned in the laminate in a spaced opposing relation to each other, a cavity positioned over a span from an upper surface of the upper cladding to the lower cladding, the cavity including a sectional surface sectioning the core obliquely relative to the upper surface of the upper cladding, and a reflective surface positioned in the core and defined by part of the sectional surface, wherein the cavity extends from a region between the via holes in the spaced opposing relation toward the outside of the region, and an opening size of the cavity in the region is smaller than an opening size of the cavity outside the region when viewed in an opposing direction of the via holes.