Optoelectronic Stack Thickness Scaling for Multi-Wavelength Fabrication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manufacturing monochromatic MIR light sources across a broad spectral range requires complex and costly processes due to the need for dedicated production lines for each wavelength, as the thickness of optically active layers varies significantly based on the desired emission wavelength.

Innovation Solution

A manufacturing process is developed where optoelectronic devices operating at different wavelengths share common technological steps by dimensioning the thicknesses of layers according to a scaling factor based on the wavelengths, allowing the first and second stacks to have the same height and be processed identically, thus reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If dedicated production lines are used for each wavelength, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a common production line capable of manufacturing optoelectronic devices for multiple wavelengths. The manufacturing process is made multi-functional by accommodating different wavelength requirements through parameter adjustments (layer thicknesses, material compositions) rather than requiring separate dedicated lines for each wavelength, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision for each specific wavelength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the thickness of optically active layers and material compositions based on the target wavelength within a single production line. This allows the same manufacturing equipment to produce devices for different wavelengths by adjusting process parameters during fabrication, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated production lines while preserving manufacturing precision for each wavelength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If dedicated production lines are used for each wavelength, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces manufacturing cost by creating a universal production line that can manufacture devices for multiple wavelengths. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple separate production lines, thereby reducing capital investment, operational costs, and resource utilization while maintaining the ability to produce precise devices for each specific wavelength through parameter adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves cost reduction through parameter changes by modifying layer thicknesses and material compositions during the manufacturing process to accommodate different wavelength requirements on the same production line. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated lines for each wavelength, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while preserving the precision required for each specific wavelength application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If layer thicknesses are varied for different wavelengths, then optical performance is optimized, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical performanceVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent manages process complexity by systematically varying layer thicknesses and material compositions as controllable parameters during manufacturing. These parameter changes are integrated into the standard fabrication process, allowing optimization of optical performance for different wavelengths without creating separate complex processes. The parameter variations are handled through established manufacturing techniques, maintaining process simplicity while achieving optimal optical characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4507141B1Method for producing optoelectronic devices
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP4507141B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4507141B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4507141B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a first optoelectronic device operating at a wavelength λ1 and a second optoelectronic device operating at a wavelength λ2 > λ1. The first device comprises a first stack including a first encapsulation layer (10) of thickness e10 and layers (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of thickness e1i (i = 1...n), and the second device comprises a second stack including a second encapsulation layer (20) of thickness e20 and layers (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) of thickness e2i (i = 1...n). The method comprises: • Forming the second stack by dimensioning the thicknesses e20 and e2i as a function of λ2, • Forming the first stack by dimensioning the thicknesses e1i by homothety and adjusting the thickness e10 so that the stacks have the same height, • Carry out the same technological step (E3, E4, E5, E6) on the stacks.