Spiral Waveguide Splitter Layout for Compact Photonics Chips
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cascaded multi-mode interference regions in optical power splitters increase complexity, footprint, and variability in splitting ratio, making them less efficient in photonics chips.
Innovation Solution
A spiral waveguide core with multiple waveguide cores positioned around its perimeter, where each waveguide core has a section adjacent to the spiral core, reducing complexity and footprint through compact design and controlled light splitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cascaded multi-mode interference regions are used to split optical power, then the optical power can be distributed to multiple output waveguides, but the device complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple multi-mode interference regions into a single integrated spiral structure. Instead of using separate cascaded regions that require multiple components, the invention merges them into one spiral waveguide core where light propagates through concentric spiral turns, achieving the same power splitting function with reduced complexity and a single compact component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested spiral configuration where waveguide cores are arranged in concentric spiral turns around a central axis. Each spiral turn contains waveguide sections that are nested within the overall spiral structure, allowing multiple interference regions to be compactly integrated in a space-efficient manner while maintaining the required optical splitting functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cascaded multi-mode interference regions are used to split optical power, then the optical power can be distributed to multiple output waveguides, but the footprint of the optical power splitter enlarges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a linear cascaded arrangement of multi-mode interference regions to a two-dimensional spiral configuration. By organizing waveguide cores in concentric spiral turns around a central axis, the invention utilizes radial and angular dimensions to pack multiple interference regions into a compact circular footprint, significantly reducing the area required compared to linear cascading.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested spiral configuration where waveguide cores are arranged in concentric spiral turns around a central axis. Each spiral turn contains waveguide sections that are nested within the overall spiral structure, allowing multiple interference regions to be compactly integrated in a space-efficient manner while maintaining the required optical splitting functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cascaded multi-mode interference regions are used to split optical power, then the optical power can be distributed to multiple output waveguides, but the variability in the splitting ratio increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the coupling characteristics between the spiral waveguide core and output waveguides at different angular positions and radial distances. Each waveguide core section adjacent to the spiral core can have tailored coupling strength, allowing precise control of power splitting ratios. This localized control enables consistent splitting ratios by optimizing each coupling point rather than relying on uniform cascaded regions.
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 spiral waveguide core design reduces the complexity and footprint of optical power splitters, decreasing variability in the splitting ratio and enabling more efficient light distribution on photonics chips.
Implementation Method 1
An optical power splitter is an optical component that is used in photonics chips to split optical power between multiple output waveguides based upon principles of multi-mode interference (MMI)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Structures for an optical power splitter and methods of forming a structure for an optical power splitter. The structure comprises a spiral waveguide core having an outer perimeter. The structure further comprises a plurality of waveguide cores. Each waveguide core has a section disposed adjacent to the outer perimeter of the spiral waveguide core.