Optical Waveguide Module Ground Electrode Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical-waveguide-element modules face issues with deteriorated propagation characteristics of electrical signals due to impedance mismatch and local potential differences caused by mismatched electrode dimensions and spaces between ground electrodes, especially in curved sections of signal electrodes, when a common connecting substrate is used for different optical waveguide elements.
Innovation Solution
The optical-waveguide-element module employs a connecting substrate with wires connecting the ground electrodes in a normal direction to the curved section of the signal electrode, where the space between ground electrodes is narrower away from the input/output end, and adjusts wire lengths and positions to equalize potential differences between ground electrodes, using materials like alumina or semiconductor substrates for the connecting substrate and gold wires for bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a common connecting substrate is used for different optical waveguide elements, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but electrode dimension mismatch causes impedance mismatch and deteriorates propagation characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a variable space configuration between ground electrodes along the signal electrode. The space between ground electrodes is set to be narrower in the curved section and wider at input/output ends, allowing the connecting substrate to accommodate different optical waveguide elements while maintaining proper impedance matching locally at each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the ground electrode arrangement by varying the space between ground electrodes along the length of the signal electrode. This parameter variation compensates for dimension mismatches when using a common connecting substrate for different optical waveguide elements, thereby maintaining propagation characteristics.
2Ease of manufacture
If the space between ground electrodes is made uniform, then manufacturing is simplified, but local potential differences occur in curved sections causing signal deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by applying local quality - the space between ground electrodes is configured differently in different sections. Specifically, the space is narrower in the curved section where local potential differences occur and wider at input/output ends, thereby suppressing local potential differences while maintaining manufacturability.
3Reliability
If wire lengths and positions are adjusted to equalize potential differences, then propagation characteristics improve, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by carefully designing wire lengths and positions to equalize potential differences between ground electrodes in curved sections. This ensures that no local potential differences occur, thereby suppressing signal deterioration while the wire arrangement remains manageable.
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 suppresses the deterioration of propagation characteristics of electrical signals, enabling the use of a common connecting substrate for different optical waveguide elements and ensuring favorable optical modulation across a broad bandwidth.
Implementation Method 1
the control electrode is consisted of a signal electrode and ground electrodes which put the signal electrode therebetween, the connecting substrate is provided with a signal line and ground lines which put the signal line therebetween, the signal electrode and the signal line and the ground electrodes and the ground lines are respectively connected each other using wires
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an optical-waveguide-element module in which a common connecting substrate is used for different optical waveguide elements and deterioration of the propagation characteristics of electrical signals in a curved section of a signal electrode is suppressed. A control electrode in an optical waveguide element is consisted of a signal electrode SL and ground electrodes GD which put the signal electrode therebetween, a connecting substrate is provided with a signal line SL1 (SL2) and ground lines GD1 (GD2) which put the signal line therebetween, the signal electrode and the signal line, and, the ground electrodes and the ground lines are respectively connected to each other using wires (WR1, WR2, and WR20 to WR22), the control electrode in which a space W1 between the ground electrodes GD at an input end or an output end of the control electrode is wider than a space W2 between the ground lines GD1 (GD2) on the optical waveguide element side in the connecting substrate, has a portion in which the space between the ground electrodes GD forms a space W3 which is narrower than the space W2 in a portion away from the input end or the output end, furthermore, the signal electrode SL in the control electrode has a curved section in a place from the input end or the output end to an operating part in which the control electrode applies an electric field to the optical waveguide, and suppression means (WR20 to WR32) for suppressing generation of a local potential difference between the ground electrodes which put the signal electrode therebetween in the curved section of the signal electrode is provided.