Tilted Optoelectronic Component Shallow Angle Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical coupling systems face challenges in precisely coupling light beams perpendicularly or at predefined angles from optical waveguides to optoelectronic components, often requiring complex alignment and increased distance, which can lead to beam widening and reduced coupling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A substrate arrangement with an optical coupling location designed for angles greater than 2° deviation from perpendicular, featuring a tilted optoelectronic component and an etched mirror or grating coupling location, allows for perpendicular alignment of light beams without additional optical elements, maintaining a minimal distance between components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mirror surface is integrated in the carrier at a 45° angle to couple light perpendicularly, then the coupling alignment is improved, but the distance between the optoelectronic component and the optical waveguide increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the coupling angle parameter from the conventional 45° to a shallow angle between 0.5° and 2°. This parameter change allows direct perpendicular coupling without requiring additional mirror elements, thereby maintaining minimal distance between components while achieving precise coupling alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate mirror element from the coupling system. By using shallow angle coupling directly at the waveguide interface, the system removes the need for separate mirror components that would increase the distance between the optoelectronic component and the waveguide
2Ease of operation
If the distance between the optoelectronic component and the optical waveguide is increased to facilitate coupling, then the alignment is easier, but beam widening occurs which reduces coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the coupling angle parameter to a shallow angle (0.5°-2°), the patent enables precise coupling at minimal distances. This parameter optimization simultaneously achieves ease of alignment and maintains high coupling efficiency by preventing beam widening that would occur at larger distances
3Measurement precision
If additional optical elements are added to achieve perpendicular alignment, then the coupling precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes additional optical elements such as mirrors from the coupling system. By implementing shallow angle coupling directly at the waveguide interface, the system achieves perpendicular alignment without requiring extra optical components, thereby reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The shallow angle coupling structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides precise alignment, enables perpendicular coupling, and eliminates the need for separate mirror elements. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high coupling precision
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 solution enables efficient coupling of light beams into and out of optoelectronic components with improved alignment and reduced beam widening, enhancing coupling efficiency and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
the radiation is often deflected at a mirror surface which is integrated in the carrier
Implementation Method 2
so-called grating couplers are known, with which the coupling structures are Bragg gratings which are etched into waveguides
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement of a substrate with at least one optical waveguide and with an optical coupling location for coupling in and/or coupling out an optical a radiation into and/or out of the at least one optical waveguide, and of at least one optoelectronic component which is assembled on the substrate and a method for manufacturing such an arrangement is suggested. The optical coupling location is designed in a manner such that the radiation is coupled in and/or coupled out with a coupling-in and/or coupling-out angle of greater than 2° to the perpendicular to the substrate surface. The optoelectronic component is assembled over the coupling location on the substrate in a manner tilted obliquely to the substrate surface, wherein the tilt angle to this surface corresponds to the coupling-in angle and/or coupling out-angle.