Photonics Chip Reflector Using Metal Contacts for Light Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of distributed Bragg reflectors in photonics chips requires a complex process flow, which is inefficient and may not achieve optimal coupling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A photonics chip structure incorporating a reflector with a plurality of metal contacts over a waveguide core, configured to efficiently reflect light, is developed using a simplified fabrication process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a distributed Bragg reflector is used to enhance coupling efficiency, then light coupling performance is improved, but the fabrication process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reflector function from the complex distributed Bragg reflector structure and implements it using a simple metal contact layer. This extraction principle allows achieving the same optical reflection function with a significantly simplified fabrication process, resolving the contradiction between coupling efficiency and fabrication complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple metal contact layer (aluminum, copper, or tungsten) instead of a complex multi-layer distributed Bragg reflector. This replacement with a simpler, easier-to-fabricate structure achieves the desired optical performance while dramatically reducing fabrication process complexity
2Reliability
If a distributed Bragg reflector is used to enhance coupling efficiency, then light coupling performance is improved, but the manufacturing steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reflector formation step with the existing metal contact formation process in the CMOS fabrication sequence. By combining these functions into a single metal layer deposition and patterning step, the patent eliminates the need for separate complex multi-layer deposition and patterning steps required for distributed Bragg reflectors, thereby improving fabrication efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the reflector function from the complex distributed Bragg reflector structure and implements it using a simple metal contact layer. This extraction principle allows achieving the same optical reflection function with a significantly simplified fabrication process, resolving the contradiction between coupling efficiency and fabrication complexity
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
The reflector achieves high reflection efficiency and broadband reflectivity with low dispersion, allowing for a more compact design and improved light coupling in photonics chips.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of metal contacts are configured to reflect the light
Data Source
AI summary
Photonics chip structures including a reflector and methods of forming such structures. The photonics chip structure comprises a first waveguide core, a second waveguide core adjacent to the first waveguide core, and a reflector including a plurality of metal contacts over a portion of the first waveguide core. The second waveguide core is configured to couple light to the first waveguide core, and the metal contacts are configured to reflect the light.