Optical Waveguide Connection Structure with Spacer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting optical fibers to optical waveguides on substrates using adhesives result in coupling loss due to adhesive modification by laser light, and the adhesive can creep into the interface, leading to increased loss over time and potential damage from slight fiber block inclinations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a substrate with a frame-shaped spacer that surrounds the light input part, preventing adhesive entry between the optical fiber and substrate, and using an adhesive applied on the spacer's outer side to fix the optical fiber block, ensuring alignment and compression to prevent direct contact and minimize coupling loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive is used to fix the optical fiber block to the substrate, then the optical fiber block can be securely connected, but the adhesive layer becomes chemically modified by laser light causing coupling loss
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is divided into two distinct regions: a first region where the optical fiber block contacts the substrate directly for light transmission, and a second region where adhesive is applied only to the side surfaces for mechanical fixation. This segmentation prevents the adhesive from being in the light path while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is extracted from the light transmission path and relocated to only the side surfaces of the optical fiber block. By removing the adhesive from the region where laser light passes, the chemical modification and subsequent coupling loss are eliminated, while the adhesive continues to provide mechanical fixation where it does not interfere with light transmission.
2Reliability
If adhesive is applied to fix the optical fiber block, then connection is achieved, but the adhesive creeps into the interface between optical fiber block and substrate due to capillary phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface is segmented into a first contact region where the optical fiber block touches the substrate directly (free of adhesive) and a second contact region where adhesive is applied only to side surfaces. This segmentation prevents adhesive from creeping into the light transmission interface while maintaining mechanical connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is extracted from the interface between the optical fiber block and substrate, and relocated to the side surfaces. This prevents the capillary phenomenon from causing adhesive to creep into the light transmission path, maintaining interface cleanliness and precision.
3Ease of operation
If adhesive is applied to the side surfaces of the optical fiber block, then fixation is achieved, but adhesive still reaches between the optical fiber and substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation function is segmented from the light transmission function. Adhesive is applied only to the side surfaces for fixation, while the top and bottom surfaces maintain direct contact for light transmission. This functional segmentation ensures that adhesive provides mechanical fixation without compromising optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is extracted from the regions where it would interfere with light transmission (top and bottom surfaces) and retained only where it provides mechanical fixation (side surfaces). This ensures fixation capability while preventing adhesive from reaching between the optical fiber and substrate in the light path.
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 effectively suppresses the increase in coupling loss over time and prevents adhesive entry into the light path, maintaining alignment and stability even with slight fiber block inclinations, ensuring reliable optical waveguide connections.
Implementation Method 1
the adhesive creeps into the interface between the optical fiber block and the substrate, due to the capillary phenomenon
Data Source
AI summary
A method for connecting an optical waveguide includes: adjusting an inclination of an optical fiber block with respect to substrate (10), the optical fiber block including through-passage (34), and the substrate including spacer (60) surrounding light input part (12), by holding and bringing optical fiber block (20) into contact with the spacer, and then releasing the optical fiber block; supplying adhesive (70) to outside of the spacer on the substrate; aligning the optical fiber block holding an optical fiber, with respect to the light input part, to maximize intensity of light output from the substrate; compressing the spacer by pushing the optical fiber block including the through-passage toward the substrate; and curing the adhesive, with the spacer compressed.