Optical Waveguide Diffractive Element Coupling Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical subunits coupled with diffractive elements face challenges in establishing efficient optical coupling between optical signals propagating within a transmission element and an optical waveguide, particularly in achieving spatial overlap and optimal routing of optical signals.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a set of diffractive elements on an optical transmission element, positioned to enable partial spatial overlap with an evanescent portion of an optical signal in a planar waveguide, allowing for optical coupling between the transmission element and the waveguide, and utilizing these elements to successively redirect and route optical signals effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If diffractive elements are positioned to enable spatial overlap with evanescent portion of optical signal, then optical coupling efficiency is improved, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alignment features including protrusions on the optical subunit that engage with recesses in the waveguide substrate, and alignment marks that facilitate precise positioning. These intermediary mechanical and optical features mediate between the diffractive elements and the waveguide, ensuring accurate spatial overlap without requiring extreme manufacturing precision throughout the entire assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features are pre-formed on the waveguide substrate and optical subunit before final assembly. The protrusions and recesses are created during manufacturing, establishing predetermined alignment paths that guide the optical subunit into correct position relative to the waveguide, thereby pre-establishing the conditions for efficient optical coupling.
2Device complexity
If diffractive element set is integrated on transmission element, then device complexity is reduced, but routing flexibility may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into a waveguide substrate and separate optical subunits, each containing diffractive elements integrated with transmission elements. This segmentation allows the diffractive elements to be optimized for specific routing functions while maintaining overall system simplicity. The modular optical subunits can be independently designed and assembled, preserving routing flexibility despite integration benefits.
3Ease of operation
If optical subunits are assembled with waveguide, then ease of assembly is improved, but optical signal loss may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with optically-aligned mechanical features. The protrusions and recesses are designed to naturally guide optical subunits into positions where the diffractive elements optimally overlap with the evanescent field, substituting precision mechanical positioning with optically-guided mechanical assembly that reduces insertion loss while maintaining ease of assembly.
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 configuration enables efficient optical coupling and routing of signals, reducing insertion loss and allowing for high-fidelity mapping of optical signals between the waveguide and transmission element, facilitating flexible assembly and alignment of optical subunits with the waveguide.
Implementation Method 1
a set of diffractive elements formed in or on the transmission element; The diffractive elements of the set are arranged so as to establish optical coupling between an optical signal propagating within the transmission element and an optical signal propagating in the suitably positioned optical waveguide
Implementation Method 2
The diffractive element set is positioned in or on the transmission element so as to enable at least partial spatial overlap of diffractive elements of the set and an evanescent portion of an optical signal propagating in an optical waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises an optical transmission element, a diffractive element set formed in or on the transmission element, and an optical component. The diffractive element set is positioned to enable spatial overlap of diffractive elements and an evanescent optical signal propagating in a suitably positioned optical waveguide. The diffractive elements are arranged to establish optical coupling between respective optical signals propagating within the transmission element and the optical waveguide. The optical component is arranged to launch or receive the optical signal propagating within the transmission element. The diffractive element set is arranged so that the optical signal in waveguide is successively incident on the diffractive elements. The optical apparatus can further include the optical waveguide, with the optical waveguide and the transmission element comprising discrete, assembled subunits.