Photonic Crystal Waveguide Structure for Low Propagation Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
The mounting of photonic crystals on support substrates in waveguide devices leads to a significant increase in propagation loss, which is a challenge for achieving low-propagation loss performance in waveguide devices used for high-frequency electromagnetic waves.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide device configuration that includes a line substrate with periodically formed holes, a low-dielectric constant portion overlapping the waveguide, and a support substrate, where the low-dielectric constant portion is designed to satisfy specific dimensional criteria relative to the dielectric constant and thickness of the line substrate, and the support substrate is chosen from materials like indium phosphide, silicon, or silicon nitride to minimize propagation loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a photonic crystal is mounted on a support substrate, then the device can be integrated and supported, but propagation loss remarkably increases
Solution Approach 1:
A low-dielectric constant portion is introduced as an intermediary layer between the photonic crystal line substrate and the support substrate. This intermediary structure prevents direct interaction between the electromagnetic wave in the waveguide and the support substrate, thereby reducing electromagnetic wave leakage and propagation loss while maintaining structural support functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The low-dielectric constant portion is positioned specifically in the region where electromagnetic wave leakage occurs (between the line substrate and support substrate), creating a localized improvement in electromagnetic confinement without affecting other parts of the device structure
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 electromagnetic wave leakage and stabilizes wave propagation, reducing propagation loss even when the line substrate is mounted on the support substrate, thereby achieving excellent low-propagation loss performance for frequencies ranging from 30 GHz to 20 THz.
Implementation Method 1
a low-dielectric constant portion having a dielectric constant smaller than a dielectric constant of the line substrate, the low-dielectric constant portion overlapping the waveguide in a thickness direction of the line substrate
Implementation Method 2
a line substrate having holes periodically formed in a semiconductor substrate; a waveguide configured to propagate an electromagnetic wave while confining the electromagnetic wave therein with the holes
Data Source
AI summary
A waveguide device includes: a line substrate having holes periodically formed in a semiconductor substrate; a waveguide configured to propagate an electromagnetic wave while confining the electromagnetic wave therein with the holes; a low-dielectric constant portion having a dielectric constant smaller than a dielectric constant of the line substrate, the low-dielectric constant portion overlapping the waveguide in a thickness direction of the line substrate; and a support substrate arranged below the line substrate, the support substrate being configured to support the line substrate. The waveguide device is configured to guide an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 30 GHz or more and 20 THz or less.