Polymer Optical Waveguide Core-Coupling Section Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Poor connections in silicon photonics interfaces due to positional deviations and transmission losses in the adiabatic-coupling portion between silicon and polymer optical waveguides, caused by foreign substances adhering to the polymer optical waveguide's core-exposed sections.
Innovation Solution
A polymer optical waveguide design featuring a core with a cladding of lower refractive index, where at least part of the cladding is absent along the light propagation direction, and an application-type removal film that contacts the core-coupling section to prevent foreign substance adhesion, with specific thickness, transmittance, and peeling force characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the polymer optical waveguide uses a core-exposed section for adiabatic coupling with the silicon optical waveguide, then the coupling efficiency is improved, but foreign substances adhere to the exposed core surface causing positional deviation and transmission loss
Solution Approach 1:
A removable film is introduced as an intermediary layer between the external environment and the core-exposed section. This film prevents foreign substances from adhering to the core surface during handling and assembly, while allowing the core to maintain its coupling function when the film is removed or made transparent.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable film is applied in advance to the core-exposed section before the adiabatic coupling assembly is completed. This preliminary protective action prevents foreign substance adhesion during subsequent handling, positioning, and assembly operations.
2Strength
If the polymer optical waveguide has a complete cladding structure, then the waveguide provides mechanical protection and structural integrity, but the cladding interferes with the adiabatic coupling to the silicon optical waveguide
Solution Approach 1:
The cladding structure is segmented into two distinct regions: a cladding section that provides mechanical protection and structural integrity, and a core-exposed section where the cladding is removed to enable adiabatic coupling with the silicon optical waveguide.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide structure has different local properties along its length: the cladding is present in most sections to provide protection, but is locally removed in the core-exposed section to enable optical coupling, creating a spatial variation in structural properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If the polymer optical waveguide lacks positioning structures, then the waveguide is easier to manufacture, but the waveguide cannot be accurately positioned in the ferrule causing connection errors
Solution Approach 1:
Positioning structures are merged into the waveguide body during the same molding process that forms the waveguide core and cladding. This integration allows the waveguide to be manufactured in a single step while incorporating built-in positioning features for accurate ferrule alignment.
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
Prevents foreign substances from adhering to connection areas, thereby eliminating poor connections and transmission losses, ensuring stable adiabatic coupling between silicon and polymer optical waveguides.
Implementation Method 1
an application type removal film A that comes into contact with the core of the core-coupling section
Implementation Method 2
a cladding having a refractive index lower than that of the core, provided around the core
Implementation Method 3
a core 210 of the silicon optical waveguide 200 is arranged facing the core 310 of the polymer optical waveguide 300
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a polymer optical waveguide containing: a core; and a cladding having a refractive index lower than that of the core, provided around the core, in which the polymer optical waveguide has a core-coupling section where at least a part of the cladding is not present along a light propagation direction of the polymer optical waveguide and an application type removal film A provided so as to come into contact with the core of the core-coupling section.