Stacked Planar Lightwave Circuit Optical Assembly for Multi-Core Fiber Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical assemblies face challenges in providing reliable and low-cost interfaces between multi-core fibers and individual waveguides with differing pitches and orientations, particularly when multi-core fibers contain cores arranged in multi-dimensional arrays.
Innovation Solution
The optical assembly employs stacked planar lightwave circuits with waveguides arranged in alternating lateral directions to facilitate optical connections between multi-core fibers and individual optical fibers, using tubular alignment members and fiducial marks for precise alignment and adhesive materials for secure bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-core fibers with multi-dimensional core arrays are used to enhance data transmission capacity, then productivity and data handling capacity are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase due to the need for reliable interfaces with individual waveguides having different pitch and orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The optical assembly is divided into multiple stacked planar lightwave circuit (PLC) members, each handling specific waveguide layers. This segmentation allows complex multi-dimensional core arrays to be managed in discrete, manageable layers with standardized interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high data transmission capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional waveguide arrays to three-dimensional stacked PLC members. By adding the vertical stacking dimension, the system can accommodate multi-dimensional core arrays in multi-core fibers while maintaining standardized pitch and orientation interfaces through the stacked configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If stacked PLC members with alternating lateral arrangements are used to interface waveguides with different pitches and orientations, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment features including fiducial marks and tubular alignment members are pre-formed on the PLC members during manufacturing. These preliminary alignment structures enable precise registration of stacked PLC members with different pitch and orientation waveguides, achieving high adaptability while controlling manufacturing precision requirements through standardized pre-formed features
Solution Approach 2:
Tubular alignment members and fiducial marks serve as intermediary elements between stacked PLC members. These intermediaries facilitate precise alignment and registration of waveguides with different pitches and orientations, enabling adaptable interfaces while managing manufacturing precision through standardized alignment mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An optical assembly includes stacked planar lightwave circuit (PLC) members each having a plurality of waveguides in a respective plane, to provide optical connections to two-dimensional arrays of external optical waveguides (e.g., optical fiber cores), with one array including non-coplanar groups of waveguides having group members that are alternately arranged in a lateral direction. An optical assembly may provide optical connections between array of cores having a different pitch and/or orientation to serve as a fanout interface. Methods for fabricating an optical assembly are further provided.