Stacked Optical Devices with Integrated Amplifier Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
As optical communication systems become more complex, the increased path length of light signals leads to significant signal loss, necessitating a solution to retain signal strength and efficiently route light signals through complex pathways.
Innovation Solution
The optical system incorporates optical devices with amplifiers, ports, and vias that utilize angled reflecting surfaces and wedges to redirect and focus light signals, allowing for efficient routing while maintaining signal intensity, and includes a method of forming optical devices with amplifiers positioned between waveguides and ports to enhance signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical devices are stacked with complex optical pathways, then routing capability is improved, but signal loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
An optical amplifier is introduced as an intermediary component between the waveguide and port to compensate for signal loss. The amplifier receives the weakened optical signal from the waveguide, amplifies it, and outputs the restored signal through the port, thereby enabling complex routing without sacrificing signal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs three-dimensional stacking of optical devices with vertical vias to achieve complex routing in the vertical dimension. This allows light signals to travel between stacked devices through vertically extending vias, providing enhanced routing capability in the Z-direction while maintaining compact footprint.
2Loss of energy
If optical amplifier is added to maintain signal strength, then signal loss is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical amplifier is merged with the optical device structure by positioning it adjacent to the waveguide and port within the same device layer. The amplifier shares the device substrate and integration platform with other optical components, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate external amplification systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical amplifier is configured to automatically receive and amplify signals from the waveguide without requiring external control systems. The amplifier operates autonomously to maintain signal strength, reducing the need for additional control electronics and system complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard fabrication processes are used, then manufacturing ease is improved, but optical path optimization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The via structure incorporates angled interfaces and wedge-shaped configurations that modify the optical path parameters. These geometric parameter changes enable precise control of light propagation angles and paths while being compatible with standard semiconductor fabrication techniques for creating angled surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The via structure employs asymmetric angled interfaces rather than symmetric vertical walls, creating wedge-shaped optical paths. This asymmetric geometry enables precise optical path control and angle adjustment while being formed through conventional angled etching processes in standard fabrication.
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 effectively amplifies and redirects light signals, reducing signal loss and enabling efficient routing through complex pathways while retaining signal strength, and allows for the use of non-45° angled surfaces naturally resulting from wet etching, simplifying fabrication and maintaining signal integrity.
Implementation Method 1
A light signal exchanged between the amplifier port and the waveguide is amplified as it travels through the amplifier
Implementation Method 2
The amplifier port is configured to receive the light signal from the amplifier and direct the light signal to a second device positioned above or below the first device
Implementation Method 3
The optical path defined by the via crosses an interface between multiple light transmitting media. The interface is shaped so as to change a direction of the light signal as the light signal travels through the via and to focus the light signal as the light signal travels through the via
Implementation Method 4
the light signal approaches or exits the second device at a non-perpendicular angle relative to a plane of the second device
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system includes optical devices that each has functional sides between lateral sides. The functional sides include a top side and a bottom side. A first one of the devices has an optical amplifier, a first waveguide, and a first port. A second one of the devices has a second port optically aligned with a second waveguide. The second device is positioned over one of the functional sides of the first device. The optical amplifier is optically positioned between the first waveguide and the first port such that a light signal from the first waveguide enters the amplifier and travels through the amplifier. The first port is configured to receive the light signal from the optical amplifier and change the direction that the light signal is traveling such that the light signal exits the first device traveling in a direction that is toward the second device. The second port is configured to receive the light signal after the light signal exits the first device and to change a direction that the light signal is traveling such that the light signal enters the second waveguide.