Parameterized Grating Coupler Layout for Silicon Photonics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for designing optical elements in silicon photonic circuits lack optimization for various design characterizations and do not provide parameterized layout generation techniques using scripting languages, resulting in suboptimal performance in grating couplers.
Innovation Solution
A scalable system and method for automated, parameterized generation of optical element layouts, specifically for grating couplers, using received parameters to optimize geometry for improved performance indices, such as reflection efficiency and communication bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If current methods provide database of hand-drawn complex curved shapes optimized for particular design characteristics, then manufacturing precision for specific designs is improved, but device complexity and lack of adaptability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming fixed hand-drawn shapes into parameterized geometric primitives (circles, ellipses, rectangles) with controllable parameters. This allows the same basic shapes to generate multiple optimized designs by varying parameters like radius, eccentricity, and position, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled parameter optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating a unified parameterized generation system that can produce various grating coupler designs using the same geometric primitives and optimization framework. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple hand-drawn shape databases with a single system that adapts to different design requirements through parameter variation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If automated parameterized generation is implemented, then adaptability and optimization capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex optimization problem into manageable components: geometric primitives (circles, ellipses, rectangles), parameter sets, and optimization objectives. This modular structure reduces system complexity by breaking down the automated generation process into independent, reusable modules that can be组合 for different design scenarios.
3Manufacturing precision
If hand-drawn complex curved shapes are used, then manufacturing precision for specific designs is improved, but loss of time for new design iterations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining geometric primitives with standardized parameter structures and optimization frameworks. This preparation enables rapid design iterations because new designs can be generated by simply modifying parameters of existing primitives rather than creating new shapes from scratch, thus reducing iteration time while maintaining precision through the established optimization process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for generating a physical layout for a grating coupler integrated in a photonically-enabled circuit are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method receives a parametrized wavelength, a parametrized first refractive index, a parametrized second refractive index, a parametrized taper length, a parametrized width, a parametrized grating length, and a parametrized incident angle of the optical beam incident onto the grating coupler and generates a physical layout for the grating coupler based on the received parametrized inputs, the generating of the physical layout is according to a predefined model, and outputs the physical layout of the grating coupler for manufacturing under a semiconductor fabrication process.