Tunable Hybrid Laser with Carrier Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of advanced electronic functions with light emission or optical amplification capabilities on silicon integrated circuits is hindered by silicon's indirect energy bandgap, while compound semiconductors, though suitable for optical communications, are costly and limited in integration due to their direct bandgap, necessitating a hybrid integration approach that leverages the strengths of both materials.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid-integrated silicon photonics system that combines compound semiconductor chips with tuning elements monolithically integrated onto a silicon base, utilizing modulated grating reflectors, phase adjustment sections, and optical couplers to create a tunable laser capable of wavelength tuning, reducing size and power consumption, and relaxing temperature control requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If silicon is used for integrated circuits, then manufacturing cost and integration capability are improved, but light emission and optical amplification capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines silicon-based phase control elements with compound semiconductor gain media in a hybrid laser structure. The silicon component provides low-cost, high-integration electronic functions including phase modulation, while the compound semiconductor provides light emission capability, achieving a merger of complementary material strengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure integrating silicon photonic circuits with compound semiconductor laser gain media. This composite approach allows the system to leverage silicon's superior integration and cost advantages while maintaining the optical emission capabilities of direct bandgap materials.
2Reliability
If compound semiconductors are used for light emitting devices, then optical communication performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and integration capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser system into distinct functional modules: compound semiconductor gain media for light emission and silicon-based photonic circuits for phase control and modulation. This segmentation allows each material to be optimized for its specific function while reducing overall manufacturing cost through standardized silicon processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The silicon-based phase control elements serve multiple functions including phase modulation, wavelength tuning, and optical switching. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining high optical communication performance.
3Device complexity
If fixed-wavelength lasers are used, then device simplicity is improved, but inventory requirements and system flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic wavelength tuning capability by integrating silicon-based phase control elements that can actively adjust the laser output wavelength. This transforms a static fixed-wavelength laser into a dynamically tunable device, enabling a single laser to replace multiple fixed-wavelength devices and reduce inventory requirements.
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 approach enables cost-effective, high-yield integration of optical functions, providing flexible tunable lasers that can replace multiple fixed-wavelength lasers, reducing inventory and operational costs, and enhancing system performance in optical communications networks.
Implementation Method 1
a carrier-based phase modulator optically coupled to the first wavelength selective element
Data Source
AI summary
A tunable laser includes a substrate comprising a silicon material, a gain medium coupled to the substrate, wherein the gain medium includes a compound semiconductor material, and a waveguide disposed in the substrate and optically coupled to the gain medium. The tunable laser also includes a first wavelength selective element characterized by a first reflectance spectrum and disposed in the substrate and a carrier-based phase modulator optically coupled to the first wavelength selective element. The tunable laser further includes a second wavelength selective element characterized by a second reflectance spectrum and disposed in the substrate, an optical coupler disposed in the substrate and optically coupled to the first wavelength selective element, the second wavelength selective element, and the waveguide, and an output mirror.