Photonics Transceiver with Segmented Lithium-Containing Transmitter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional integrated optical transceivers face challenges in improving performance and reducing costs due to the use of heterogeneous integration, where materials like lithium niobate require different processing techniques incompatible with semiconductor processing, leading to potential contamination and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

A transceiver design incorporating a photonics transmitter integrated circuit with thin film lithium-containing electro-optic materials, separated from the receiver circuit, using an interposer to route signals, allowing for optimized fabrication and reduced contamination risks while maintaining performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heterogeneous integration is used to incorporate lithium niobate materials, then optical performance is improved, but processing compatibility deteriorates due to incompatible processing techniques

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical performanceVSAvoidprocessing compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transceiver is divided into separate transmitter and receiver portions, with the transmitter using lithium-containing materials on a first substrate and the receiver on a second substrate (silicon photonics base). This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized with appropriate materials and processing techniques independently, resolving the contradiction between optical performance and processing compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A separate transmitter integrated circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the receiver. This transmitter portion acts as a mediator that enables the use of lithium-containing materials without requiring direct integration with the silicon photonics base, thus maintaining processing compatibility while achieving improved optical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If heterogeneous integration is used, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple material systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the transceiver into separate transmitter and receiver portions that can be independently fabricated and then integrated, the system achieves functional versatility through material diversity while managing complexity through modular architecture. Each segment can be optimized for its specific function without requiring complex multi-material integration in a single substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If transmitter and receiver portions are integrated on the same silicon photonics base, then compactness is improved, but contamination risk increases due to different material processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransceiver sizeVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitter and receiver are fabricated as separate integrated circuits on different substrates optimized for their respective materials. This segmentation prevents contamination during fabrication since each substrate undergoes processing appropriate for its material system independently, while the final integrated transceiver maintains compact form factor through close integration of the separate portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The separate transmitter portion acts as an intermediary that bridges the light source and receiver without requiring direct material integration. This intermediary approach allows each component to be fabricated in its optimal environment, reducing contamination risk while maintaining the compact integrated transceiver structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design achieves low optical loss, high modulation bandwidth, and reduced fabrication costs, enabling compact and efficient optical transceivers with improved performance and flexibility for various applications, including higher bit rate communication.

Implementation Method 1

The portion of the waveguide and the electrodes are included in an optical modulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Data Source

PatentUS20250317210A1Photonics transceiver including a lithium-containing transmitter

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 HYPERLIGHT CORP

AI summary

A transceiver including an electronics integrated circuit (EIC), a photonics receiver integrated circuit (photonics RIC), a photonics transmitter integrated circuit (photonics TIC), and an interposer. The photonics RIC and TIC are each electrically coupled with the EIC. The photonics TIC is separate from the photonics RIC and includes at least one optical structure having a thin film lithium-containing (TFLC) electro-optic material. The interposer is coupled with the EIC, the photonics RIC, and the photonics TIC. The interposer is configured to route at least one of electrical or optical signals between at least two of the photonics RIC, the photonics TIC, or the EIC.