VCSEL/PCSEL Coupling Into Multilayer Waveguides With Grating Couplers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical communication technologies face challenges in compactly integrating and efficiently coupling vertically emitting light sources to waveguides located at multiple levels.
Innovation Solution
A novel assembly design integrating an array of individually modulated emitters with waveguides, utilizing a shared semi-insulating substrate and current spreading layer, with light coupling facilitated by grating couplers or etched mirrors, and optimized refractive index structures to minimize emitter pitch and enhance coupling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If vertically emitting light sources are integrated with waveguides at multiple levels, then optical communication functionality is achieved, but coupling efficiency deteriorates due to misalignment and optical losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces grating couplers as intermediary structures that mediate between the vertically emitting light sources and the waveguides. These grating couplers convert the vertical emission into guided modes that can be efficiently coupled into the waveguide, thereby resolving the coupling efficiency problem while maintaining the vertically emitting architecture's advantages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs refractive index structures that modify the optical parameters of the coupling interface. By changing the refractive index distribution through carefully designed layers and gratings, the patent optimizes mode matching between the light source and waveguide, thereby improving coupling efficiency without sacrificing functional adaptability
2Quantity of substance
If emitter pitch is reduced to increase emitter density, then system compactness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen due to tighter alignment tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the alignment tolerance problem by transitioning from a purely lateral alignment approach to a multi-dimensional coupling solution. The grating couplers and refractive index structures create a coupling mechanism that is less sensitive to lateral misalignments, effectively relaxing the manufacturing precision requirements while enabling higher emitter density
Solution Approach 2:
The grating couplers serve as intermediary structures that decouple the strict alignment requirements from the emitter-waveguide interface. By introducing this intermediate coupling layer, the patent enables tighter emitter spacing without proportionally tightening the alignment tolerances, as the grating structures provide mode transformation that is more tolerant of position variations
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
Enables efficient data communication with high emitter density and reduced optical losses, allowing for compact and high-density optical communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
light coupling facilitated by grating couplers
Implementation Method 2
light coupling facilitated by grating couplers or etched mirrors
Implementation Method 3
optimized refractive index structures to minimize emitter pitch and enhance coupling efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes an optical communication system for coupling light, via VCSEL or PCSEL, into a multilayer waveguide. The optical communication system comprises a plurality of emitters, a semi-insulating (SI) substrate, a plurality of electrical contacts, a plurality of waveguides, and a diffractive optical coupling system. The SI substrate supports the plurality of emitters. The plurality of electrical contacts are configured to individually modulate each emitter. The plurality of waveguides and the plurality of emitters are separated by an air gap. The diffractive optical coupling system is configured to direct emitted light from the plurality of emitters into the waveguides.