Stacked Waveguide Optical Coupler Footprint Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical couplers in photonics chips have a large footprint, are wavelength dependent, and exhibit high loss, making them inefficient for optical power transfer and splitting.
Innovation Solution
A stacked waveguide core structure is introduced, comprising a first waveguide core with a tapered section and a second waveguide core with an overlapping tapered section, along with a third waveguide core with a tapered section adjacent to the first and second tapered sections, to facilitate efficient light coupling and transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional optical couplers are used, then optical power transfer between waveguide cores is achieved, but the footprint area is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional planar optical coupler to a three-dimensional stacked waveguide structure. Multiple waveguide cores are arranged in vertical layers with tapered sections that overlap in the vertical dimension, enabling compact coupling while maintaining effective optical power transfer. This dimensional transition allows the coupler to achieve small footprint area without sacrificing reliability.
2Loss of energy
If conventional optical couplers are used, then optical power transfer is achieved, but the loss is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing tapered sections with gradually varying cross-sectional dimensions at specific locations within the waveguide cores. These localized tapered regions facilitate adiabatic mode transformation, enabling low-loss optical power transfer between stacked waveguide cores. The tapered geometry concentrates the mode transformation function in specific zones rather than requiring uniform structure changes throughout the entire waveguide path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical couplers are used, then optical power splitting is achieved, but the structure is wavelength dependent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by designing tapered waveguide sections where the cross-sectional dimensions vary continuously along the propagation direction. This gradual parameter transformation enables adiabatic coupling that is less sensitive to wavelength variations. The stacked waveguide configuration with controlled dimensional parameters allows the coupler to maintain consistent performance across different wavelengths while occupying a compact area.
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 proposed structure achieves a low-loss transition between waveguide cores, allowing for efficient light coupling and transfer with reduced footprint and wavelength dependency, thereby improving the performance of optical couplers in photonics chips.
Implementation Method 1
the second waveguide core includes a second tapered section positioned to overlap with the first tapered section... efficient light coupling and transfer
Data Source
AI summary
Structures for an optical coupler and methods of forming a structure for an optical coupler. The structure comprises a stacked waveguide core including a first waveguide core and a second waveguide core. The first waveguide core includes a first tapered section, and the second waveguide core includes a second tapered section positioned to overlap with the first tapered section. The structure further comprises a third waveguide core including a third tapered section positioned adjacent to the first tapered section of the first waveguide core and the second tapered section of the second waveguide core.