Silicon Photonics Edge Coupler with V-Groove Fiber Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data communication systems face challenges in coupling fibers with silicon photonics modules due to instability and misalignment, which limits bandwidth in high-demand applications like social networks and multimedia data transfer.
Innovation Solution
A silicon-based edge coupler with a V-groove suspended coupler is developed, featuring a cantilever member anchored to a silicon photonics die and a mechanical stopper, with a V-groove in the substrate to align and support fibers, ensuring stable and precise alignment for efficient data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fiber is coupled with a silicon photonics module using conventional methods, then the coupling can be achieved, but the alignment is unstable and prone to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a V-groove structure as an intermediary element between the fiber and the silicon photonics module. This V-groove acts as a mechanical mediator that physically guides and positions the fiber, ensuring stable alignment with the waveguide. The V-groove's geometry provides a self-aligning mechanism that maintains precise positioning during assembly and operation, resolving the contradiction between coupling stability and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The V-groove is pre-formed in the substrate before fiber assembly. This preliminary structural preparation creates a predetermined alignment path that guides the fiber into the correct position. By establishing the alignment geometry in advance rather than during assembly, the system achieves both stable coupling and precise alignment without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
2Productivity
If data transfer bandwidth is increased to meet application demands, then communication capacity improves, but existing systems become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical coupling methods with a silicon photonics-based optical coupling system. This substitution enables higher data transfer bandwidths (40-Gbit/s and 100-Gbit/s) by using optical signals instead of electrical signals, while the V-groove mechanical structure provides the necessary stability and reliability for the new high-speed system to function reliably.
Data Source
AI summary
A silicon-based edge coupler for coupling a fiber with a waveguide includes a cantilever member being partially suspended with its anchored end coupled to a silicon photonics die in a first part of a silicon substrate and a free end terminated near an edge region separating a second part of the silicon substrate from the first part. The edge coupler further includes a mechanical stopper formed at the edge region with a gap distance ahead of the free end of the cantilever member. Additionally, a V-groove is formed in the second part of the silicon substrate characterized by a top opening and a bottom plane symmetrically connected by two sloped side walls along a fixed Si-crystallography angle. The V-groove is configured to support a fiber with an end facet being pushed against the mechanical stopper and a core center being aligned with the free end of the cantilever member.