Silicon Photonics Connector With Deflecting Surface And Collimating Lenses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in Silicon Photonics (SiP) devices is accurately aligning light signals with external optical elements, such as optical fibers, due to the smaller diameter of SiP waveguides, which requires precise interconnection methods to facilitate effective optical communication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an optical system that deflects light from SiP waveguides by a substantial angle, typically 30° to 90°, and uses collimating lenses to collimate the light, allowing for alignment with external optical elements without the constraints of numerical aperture, and includes a silicon substrate with a deflecting surface and micro-lenses for precise alignment and efficient light transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If direct coupling between SiP waveguides and optical fibers is used, then the structure is simple, but alignment precision deteriorates due to diameter mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mode transformer as an intermediary component between the SiP waveguide and optical fiber. This mode transformer includes a first optical element (such as a lens or graded-index structure) that transforms the optical mode from the small-diameter waveguide to match the larger optical fiber core, thereby enabling precise alignment while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by transforming the optical mode parameters (beam diameter, numerical aperture) through the mode transformer. The first optical element modifies the beam parameters to bridge the diameter mismatch between waveguide and fiber, improving alignment precision without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If mode transformer with optical elements is used, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mode transformer functionality with the existing SiP device structure by integrating the first optical element directly onto or near the waveguide output. This consolidation approach improves alignment precision while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by combining multiple functions into a unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the diameter mismatch by transitioning to another dimension - using optical focusing and transforming in the transverse dimension rather than trying to match dimensions directly. The first optical element creates a focused beam that bridges the dimensional gap between waveguide and fiber, improving alignment while keeping the structure relatively simple.
3Productivity
If large numerical aperture beams are used, then light coupling efficiency is improved, but alignment tolerance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic beam shaping through the mode transformer, which can adapt the beam parameters (numerical aperture, beam width) to optimize both coupling efficiency and alignment tolerance. The first optical element dynamically transforms the beam to achieve high efficiency while maintaining reasonable tolerance to alignment variations.
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 enhances the accuracy of light alignment and simplifies the interconnection process, enabling efficient coupling of SiP devices with optical fibers or other external optical elements, reducing misalignment issues and improving the handling of large numerical aperture beams.
Implementation Method 1
a light deflection surface which deflects light from the waveguides by an angle greater than 30 degrees, to the array of collimating lenses
Implementation Method 2
an array of collimating lenses, configured to receive light from the multiple optical waveguides direct paths not including optical fibers and to collimate the light of the multiple optical waveguides into collimated beams
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus, comprising a Silicon Photonics (SiP) device, with multiple optical waveguides and an array of collimating lenses, configured to receive light from the multiple optical waveguides in paths not including optical fibers and to collimate the light of the multiple optical waveguides into collimated beams. A receptacle is configured to receive an external optical device in an orientation aligned with the collimated beams from the array of collimating lenses.