Optical Waveguide Joint Surface for Stronger Component Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical waveguide devices face issues with detachment of optical components due to internal stress from differing thermal expansion coefficients and require complex polishing processes for surface joining.
Innovation Solution
The optical waveguide device incorporates a rough part with higher roughness than the end surface, providing increased joining strength and preventing detachment, while simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the need for polishing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a smooth end surface is used for joining the optical component, then the optical coupling efficiency is improved, but the adhesion strength between the optical component and waveguide member is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different surface qualities to different regions of the waveguide member end surface. The optical coupling region maintains smoothness for efficient light coupling, while the adhesion region is intentionally made rough to enhance bonding strength. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The end surface is segmented into functionally distinct zones: an optical coupling area with smooth surface properties and an adhesion area with rough surface properties. This segmentation allows independent optimization of surface characteristics for each function, eliminating the need to compromise between smoothness and roughness.
2Manufacturing precision
If polishing processing is performed to achieve smooth surface, then the optical coupling efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and process time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the polishing step from the manufacturing process entirely for the adhesion region. By designing the surface roughness into the structure during fabrication rather than achieving it through post-processing, the complex polishing operation is eliminated, reducing both process complexity and time while maintaining optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface roughness for the adhesion region is created during the initial fabrication process rather than as a subsequent polishing step. This preliminary action integrates the surface treatment into the manufacturing flow, eliminating separate polishing operations and reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple input ports and output ports are disposed on the same end surface, then the device integration is improved, but the area of contact between substrate and optical component is increased causing detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a rough adhesion region specifically at the location where the optical component contacts the waveguide member end surface. This localized roughness enhancement provides increased bonding area and strength without requiring the entire end surface to be rough, thus maintaining device integration while preventing component detachment.
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 solution enhances the adhesion strength between optical components and the waveguide member, preventing detachment and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a rough part having higher roughness than the end surface of the optical waveguide member
Implementation Method 2
joining strength between the optical component and the optical waveguide member
Implementation Method 3
an optical waveguide device including an optical waveguide member that includes a substrate on which an optical waveguide is formed
Implementation Method 4
an optical component that is fixed to an end surface of the optical waveguide member on which an input port or an output port of the optical waveguide is disposed and that allows transmission of input light into the input port or transmission of output light from the output port
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an optical waveguide element whereby it is possible to prevent dropout of an optical component due to internal stress that occurs in a joint between the optical component and an optical waveguide member including a substrate on which an optical waveguide is formed, and to simplify a manufacturing step pertaining to polishing of a joining surface. An optical waveguide element comprising: an optical waveguide member including a substrate 1 on which an optical waveguide is formed; and an optical component 3 that is fixed to an optical waveguide member end surface (B0) on which an input part or an output part of the optical waveguide is disposed, and that transmits input light inputted to the input part or transmits output light outputted from the output part, wherein the optical waveguide element is characterized in that portions (B1, B2) having greater roughness than the end surface (B0) of the optical waveguide member including the input part or the output part are provided in at least a portion of the optical waveguide member, which is the portion thereof to which the optical component 3 is fixed.