Waveguide Gap Design for High Sensitivity and Simplified Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waveguides for guiding electromagnetic waves are complex to manufacture and lack sensitivity to external influences, which limits their effectiveness in sensing and control applications.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide design featuring a gap between two waveguide parts, where the gap's size and substance can be dynamically changed to alter propagation properties, allowing for high sensitivity and simplified manufacturing due to relaxed alignment requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a substance is placed in the slit of a waveguide to change propagation properties, then sensing sensitivity is improved, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sensing function from a complex internal substance-filled structure and relocates it to a simpler gap region between two waveguide parts. The gap naturally accommodates the external influence without requiring complex internal structures or substances, thereby maintaining high sensing sensitivity while dramatically simplifying the overall device structure and manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap between the first and second waveguide parts serves as an intermediary region that mediates the interaction between the electromagnetic wave and the external influence. Instead of placing complex substances inside the waveguide, the gap allows the external influence to directly affect the electromagnetic field distribution, providing a simple yet effective sensing mechanism.
2Measurement precision
If waveguide parts are closely aligned to form a gap structure, then sensing sensitivity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from requiring precise lateral alignment to utilizing vertical stacking of waveguide parts. By forming the gap in the vertical dimension between differently oriented waveguide parts, the design relaxes lateral alignment requirements while maintaining the sensitivity benefits of a small gap structure. This dimensional shift enables more tolerant manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide is segmented into two separate parts with different orientations (first waveguide part extending in first direction, second waveguide part extending in second direction). This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured and positioned independently, with the gap forming naturally at their interface, thereby reducing the overall alignment precision requirements compared to a monolithic structure.
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 waveguide achieves high sensitivity to external influences, enabling accurate sensing and control of electromagnetic waves, while its design simplifies manufacturing by allowing larger tolerances in assembly.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-magnetic field intensity of a waveguide mode being high at a position of the gap
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide may be used for ensuring that an electro-magnetic wave is transferred from a first position to a second position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5f
AI summary
A waveguide (100) for guiding an electro-magnetic wave comprises: a first waveguide part (102);and a second waveguide part (104); wherein the first waveguide part (102) has a first width in a first direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the electro-magnetic wave and the second waveguide part (104) has a second width in the first direction (Y), wherein the second width is larger than the first width; and wherein the first and the second waveguide parts are spaced apart by a gap (106) in a second direction (Z) perpendicular to the first and second planes in which the waveguide parts are formed, wherein the gap (106) has a size which is sufficiently small such that the first and second waveguide parts (102, 104) unitely form a single waveguide for guiding the electro-magnetic wave. A photonic integrated circuit component, a sensor and an actuator comprising the waveguide are disclosed.