Semiconductor Optical Element Mounting Structure Gel Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
The low viscosity of refractive index matching gel used in semiconductor optical elements leads to gel spreading and potential interference with light emission, causing reduced front surface reflectance and coupling efficiency with optical fibers, resulting in yield and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor optical element is mounted with its emitting end projecting from the PLC platform, and the refractive index matching gel is placed between the element and the waveguide, preventing gel contact with the emitting surface and ensuring stable operation and high-yield coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If refractive index matching gel is used between the semiconductor optical element and the waveguide, then coupling efficiency is improved, but the gel spreads due to low viscosity and interferes with light emission, reducing front surface reflectance and coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A convex portion (protrusion) is introduced as an intermediary structure between the semiconductor optical element and the waveguide. This protrusion serves as a physical barrier that prevents the refractive index matching gel from spreading onto the light-emitting surface, while still allowing the gel to fulfill its function of improving coupling efficiency at the waveguide interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the convex portion creates a boundary that separates the gel application area from the light-emitting area. This segmentation ensures that the gel is confined to where it is needed for coupling, preventing it from interfering with light emission.
2Ease of manufacture
If the semiconductor optical element is mounted flush with the platform, then alignment is simplified, but the gel spreads over the emitting surface causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The convex portion acts as an intermediary barrier that allows the element to be mounted flush with the platform for simplified alignment, while simultaneously preventing gel from reaching the emitting surface, thus maintaining light emission stability.
3Reliability
If the convex portion is added to prevent gel spreading, then light emission stability is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The convex portion is a localized structural feature on the platform rather than a complex overall redesign. It provides the necessary gel barrier function at a specific location without significantly increasing the complexity of the entire mounting structure.
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 configuration stabilizes oscillation characteristics and maintains excellent coupling with optical fibers by preventing gel interference, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of light emission.
Implementation Method 1
Fresnel reflection is caused at a connection position because of a difference in the refractive index between the waveguide and the semiconductor optical element
Implementation Method 2
a refractive index matching gel with a refractive index close to the refractive index of the waveguide of the PLC platform
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a mounting structure of a semiconductor optical element, in which structure the turning of a refractive index matching gel is prevented. There is provided a mounting structure of a light emitting element, in which structure signal light emitted from one end of an SOA 2 with phase control mounted to a PLC platform 1 with an optical waveguide 1a formed therein is made incident on the optical waveguide 1a and is then again made incident on the SOA 2 with phase control to be emitted from the other end of the SOA 2, wherein the SOA 2 with phase control is mounted to the PLC platform 1 in a state where the other end of the SOA 2 with phase control is projected from the PLC platform 1, and wherein a refractive index matching gel 3 is arranged between the one end of the SOA 2 with phase control and the optical waveguide 1a.