Resin Optical Waveguide Core-Exposed Section Refractive Index Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional resin optical waveguides experience connection loss and reliability issues when connected to single-mode optical fibers, particularly during performance evaluation, due to exposed core sections without over cladding, leading to inconsistent results in silicon photonics interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A resin optical waveguide design featuring a core-exposed section without over cladding, with a core-neighboring region having a specific refractive index distribution and distance from the core, and an under cladding with a thickness of 10 μm or more, to minimize light emission and connection loss when connected to silicon optical waveguides and single-mode optical fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the core is exposed at the tip of the resin optical waveguide to enable connection with silicon optical waveguide, then integration with silicon photonics interface is achieved, but connection loss occurs when connected to single-mode optical fiber during performance evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a core-neighboring region with a specific refractive index distribution (gradually decreasing from core interface outward) only in the portion of under cladding corresponding to the core-exposed section. This localized refractive index gradient suppresses light emission to the under cladding while maintaining the core-exposed configuration needed for silicon photonics integration, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and evaluation reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the core-exposed section is used for connection, then connection with silicon optical waveguide is enabled, but light is emitted from the exposed core and not propagated, causing connection loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the core-neighboring region with a specific refractive index distribution as an intermediary between the exposed core and the under cladding. This intermediary structure gradually transitions the refractive index from the core interface outward, acting as a mediator that prevents light from escaping into the under cladding while maintaining the core-exposed configuration, thus enabling connection capability without light propagation loss.
3Volume of moving object
If the under cladding is positioned close to the core to reduce size, then device compactness is improved, but light emission to under cladding increases causing connection loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the refractive index distribution parameter in the under cladding's core-neighboring region. By creating a gradient where the refractive index gradually decreases from the core interface outward, the structure can maintain compact dimensions while the refractive index parameter variation prevents light emission to the under cladding, thus resolving the contradiction between size reduction and light loss prevention.
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 connection loss and high reliability in performance evaluations, enabling efficient and cost-effective integration with silicon photonics interfaces by suppressing light emission to the under cladding side, thus ensuring reliable optical signal propagation.
Implementation Method 1
of the under cladding, a portion corresponding to the core-exposed section has a core-neighboring region that satisfies the following (1) and (2): (1) the core-neighboring region is a region whose distance from the core is within x, and x is 5 μm or more and 20 μm or less; and (2) the core-neighboring region has a refractive index distribution that the refractive index at a side of an interface with the core is high and the refractive index at a far side from the interface with the core is low
Data Source
AI summary
A resin optical waveguide containing a core, an under cladding and an over cladding having refractive indices lower than that of the core, in which the resin optical waveguide has, at one end side thereof, a core-exposed section at which the over cladding is not present and the core is exposed and, of the under cladding, a portion corresponding to the core-exposed section has a core-neighboring region that satisfies the following (1) and (2): (1) the core-neighboring region is a region whose distance from the core is within x, and x is 5 .mu.m or more and 20 .mu.m or less; and (2) the core-neighboring region has a refractive index distribution that the refractive index at a side of an interface with the core is high and the refractive index at a far side from the interface with the core is low.