Polarization Splitter Rotator for Photonic Integrated Circuit I/O
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited pitch of optical fibers in photonic integrated circuits (PICs) leads to bottlenecks in optical interconnection, particularly in input/output coupling devices like fiber edge couplers or fiber grating couplers, which restricts the capacity and efficiency of signal transfer.
Innovation Solution
A polarization splitter rotator (PSR) method is employed to convert incoming optical signals between TE and TM polarization states, allowing a single optical input/output coupling device to handle both polarizations, effectively doubling the number of available I/O ports and enhancing signal transfer capacity by using a PSR to separate and rotate polarizations within the PIC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fiber edge couplers or fiber grating couplers are used for optical input/output coupling, then optical signals can be transferred to and from the PIC, but the limited pitch of optical fibers creates a bottleneck that restricts the number of available I/O ports
Solution Approach 1:
The optical signal is segmented into two orthogonal polarization states (TE and TM) that can be independently routed through different waveguide branches, allowing each polarization to be handled by separate I/O coupling paths and effectively doubling the capacity
Solution Approach 2:
A single optical input/output coupling device is made multi-functional by enabling it to handle both TE and TM polarized signals through the PSR, allowing one physical port to serve multiple signal transfer functions and increasing the effective number of I/O ports
2Productivity
If a single optical input/output coupling device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the capacity for handling multiple polarizations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The polarization splitter rotator (PSR) acts as an intermediary device between the optical fiber and the PIC waveguides, separating incoming signals by polarization and routing them to appropriate waveguide branches, thereby enabling a single coupling device to handle multiple polarizations without increasing overall system 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
This approach significantly increases the utilization of available capacity on photonic integrated circuits by enabling efficient transfer of optical signals between PICs and external optical fibers, overcoming the limitations imposed by the limited pitch of optical fibers.
Implementation Method 1
The splitter section causes the incoming optical signal to be directed to a first waveguide branch section of a pair of waveguide branch sections of the PSR
Implementation Method 2
One of the waveguide branch sections rotates a polarization state of an optical signal traversing therethrough into an orthogonal polarization state
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with a method for transferring optical signals to and from an optical component incorporated in a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), an incoming optical signal in a first polarization state is received at a splitter section of a polarization splitter rotator (PSR). The splitter section causes the optical signal to be directed to a first waveguide of a pair of waveguides of the PSR. One of the waveguides rotates a polarization state of an optical signal traversing therethrough into an orthogonal polarization state and the other waveguide maintains a polarization state of an optical signal traversing therethrough. The incoming optical signal is directed from the first waveguide to the optical component. An outgoing optical signal is received in a second waveguide of the pair such that the outgoing optical signal traverses the second waveguide and the splitter section to be output by the PSR.