Dual Cylindrical Lens PIC Alignment for Glass Waveguide Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of a well-established solution for optically coupling a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) with a glass substrate waveguide, which results in high signal loss and complex alignment, hindering the adoption of glass substrates in photonic assemblies.
Innovation Solution
The use of an emitting lens on the PIC to steer light parallel to its surface, combined with a curved optical element to steer light orthogonally onto a glass substrate waveguide, allowing for relaxed alignment tolerances and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct optical coupling between PIC and glass substrate waveguide is implemented, then signal transmission is achieved, but alignment complexity and signal loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical coupling structure comprising a first cylindrical lens and a second cylindrical lens positioned between the PIC and the glass substrate waveguide. This intermediary system mediates the optical coupling process, transforming the complex direct alignment problem into a more manageable configuration where the lenses focus and steer light to achieve coupling with relaxed alignment tolerances compared to direct coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the optical parameters by using cylindrical lenses with specific focal lengths and orientations. The first cylindrical lens focuses light in one dimension while the second cylindrical lens focuses in the orthogonal dimension, changing the beam parameters to achieve mode matching between the PIC output and the waveguide input, thereby reducing signal loss and simplifying alignment
2Productivity
If direct optical coupling between PIC and glass substrate waveguide is implemented, then signal transmission is achieved, but signal loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical beam parameters through the use of cylindrical lenses. The first cylindrical lens transforms the divergent light from the PIC into a focused beam in one dimension, and the second cylindrical lens further shapes the beam to match the waveguide mode profile. This parameter transformation improves coupling efficiency and reduces signal loss by achieving better mode matching
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved surfaces of cylindrical lenses to focus and steer the optical beam. The curved surfaces of the lenses create focused beam profiles that better match the waveguide acceptance mode, improving coupling efficiency and reducing signal loss compared to direct coupling without optical elements
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 approach reduces signal loss and simplifies the alignment process, enabling efficient optical coupling between the PIC and glass substrate waveguide, thereby facilitating the integration of photonics into electronic assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
an emitting lens disposed on the PIC to steer light emitted by the at least one waveguide in a direction substantially parallel to a first surface of the PIC
Implementation Method 2
an optical element disposed on the PIC and having a curved surface in a shape of a quarter cylinder that is configured to steer light emitted from the emitting lens in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first surface of the PIC
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device comprises a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) including at least one optical signal source, an emitting lens disposed on the PIC to steer light emitted by the at least one optical signal source in a direction substantially parallel to a first surface of the PIC, and an optical element disposed on the PIC and having a curved surface in a shape of a quarter cylinder that is configured to steer light emitted from the emitting lens in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first surface of the PIC.