Optoelectronic Resonator Web Region Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optoelectronic components with integrated optical resonators face challenges in reducing optical losses due to heat sources, as direct adjacency between heat sources and waveguides leads to increased absorption and propagation losses.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a web region between the waveguide and heat source, which acts as a jacket portion, made of the same material as the waveguide, to thermally connect the heat source while maintaining efficient heating, thereby reducing optical losses. This design includes a ridge waveguide with web regions on both sides of the ridge, and heat sources positioned laterally or symmetrically to ensure effective heat distribution without direct overlap with the optical mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the heat source is directly adjacent to the waveguide, then heating efficiency is improved, but optical losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat source is positioned in the lateral dimension (side-by-side) rather than directly above the waveguide, changing the spatial arrangement from vertical to lateral adjacency. This dimensional shift allows thermal coupling through the web region while maintaining optical mode separation, thus achieving efficient heating without increased optical losses
Solution Approach 2:
The web region acts as an intermediary structure between the heat source and the waveguide. It provides a thermal conduction path for efficient heating while its reduced thickness and lateral positioning ensure that the optical mode does not overlap with the heat source, preventing absorption losses
2Loss of energy
If the heat source is separated from the waveguide, then optical losses are reduced, but heating efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of separating the heat source completely or positioning it only in the vertical dimension, the invention utilizes the lateral dimension by placing the heat source adjacent to the web region. This maintains short thermal conduction paths through the laterally-extending web region while ensuring sufficient spatial separation to prevent optical absorption
Solution Approach 2:
The web region has different structural properties (reduced thickness) compared to the main waveguide ridge, creating a localized zone optimized for thermal conduction. This local quality change allows the web region to serve as an efficient thermal pathway while the thicker ridge portion maintains optimal optical confinement
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 solution effectively reduces optical losses in the waveguide while ensuring efficient heating of the resonator, allowing for precise control of the resonator's temperature and transmission properties, enhancing the overall performance of the optoelectronic component.
Implementation Method 1
the heat source is thermally connected to the waveguide by means of this web region
Implementation Method 2
the heat source comprises an electric conductor region, which extends along the waveguide and can be heated by the current flow
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectronic component including an optical waveguide, an integrated optical resonator, in which the waveguide or at least a portion of the waveguide is arranged, and a heat source which can increase the temperature of the resonator during operation. A web region adjoins laterally the waveguide when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the waveguide. The web region forms a jacket portion of the waveguide and has a smaller thickness than the waveguide. The heat source is thermally connected to the waveguide by means of the web region.