Photonic Chip Coupler Connector Module With Guide Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber systems face challenges in coupling photonic integrated circuits due to factors like chip facet reflections, mode mismatch, and conversion losses, which limit bandwidth and flexibility in deployment.
Innovation Solution
An optical interconnect module with a coupler featuring guide pins for interfacing with photonic integrated chips, and an optical ferrule with through holes for secure removably attachment, addressing alignment and transmission efficiency through various waveguide structures and latching mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing coupling strategies are used to connect optical fibers to integrated circuits, then basic coupling functionality is achieved, but bandwidth requirements cannot be met and deployment flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into separate modular components: a coupler body with guide pins, a ferrule with corresponding guide pin recesses, and a latching mechanism. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component for bandwidth performance while maintaining deployment flexibility through modular assembly and disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism provides dynamic attachment and detachment capability, allowing the connector to transition between locked and unlocked states. This enables flexible deployment while maintaining stable, high-bandwidth connection when engaged, resolving the contradiction between fixed performance and adaptability.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment is achieved between optical fibers and photonic integrated circuits, then coupling efficiency and bandwidth are improved, but the complexity of assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
Guide pins are pre-positioned in the coupler body and ferrule during manufacturing, establishing precise alignment geometry before final assembly. This preliminary action ensures accurate optical fiber-to-chip alignment is achieved automatically during connector assembly, reducing the need for complex post-assembly alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide pins act as intermediary elements that mediate the alignment between the ferrule and coupler body. Rather than requiring direct precision between all mating surfaces, the guide pins provide a simplified intermediate reference system that ensures accurate optical alignment while reducing overall assembly complexity.
3Reliability
If secure attachment mechanisms are implemented to reduce transmission losses, then coupling efficiency improves, but the ease of removable attachment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism provides dynamic attachment characteristics: when engaged, it creates a secure, stable connection that minimizes transmission losses and maintains high coupling efficiency. When needed, the same mechanism allows easy release and removal. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the ferrule to the coupler body when brought together, providing self-aligning and self-securing functionality. This reduces the effort required for attachment while maintaining reliable, low-loss coupling, and similarly allows easy release when the latch is actuated.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical interconnect module for coupling a photonic integrated chip to an optical ferrule is provided. The optical interconnect module may include a coupler for interfacing to the photonic integrated chip, the coupler comprising at least one guide pin. The optical interconnect module may include an optical ferrule configured for being removably attached to the coupler, the optical ferrule comprising at least one through hole for receiving the at least one guide pin from the coupler.