Optical Waveguide Substrate With Mismatched Core Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical waveguide substrates with uniform core diameters lead to increased optical coupling loss due to mismatched core diameters for VCSELs and PDs, resulting in inefficient light transmission.
Innovation Solution
An optical waveguide substrate with cores of different diameters, where an additional clad is formed to align the centers of large-diameter and small-diameter cores, and mirrors are inclined to align with optical components, reducing coupling loss by ensuring proper alignment with fiber arrays and VCSEL/PD arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform core diameters are used for all cores in a multi-channel optical waveguide, then manufacturing is simplified, but optical coupling loss increases due to mismatch with VCSEL and PD areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different core diameters to different cores based on their specific functions. Large-diameter cores are used for VCSEL connections while small-diameter cores are used for PD connections, optimizing optical coupling at each interface rather than using a uniform diameter for all cores
2Loss of energy
If different core diameters are used to match optical component areas, then optical coupling loss with VCSELs and PDs is reduced, but alignment with fiber arrays becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry by positioning cores of different diameters along a straight line with their centers aligned. This asymmetric arrangement allows each core to have its optimal diameter for its specific optical component while maintaining precise alignment through the linear center positioning, solving both the coupling loss and alignment issues
3Productivity
If cores with different diameters are arranged to match optical components, then coupling efficiency improves, but core alignment with fiber arrays deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning all core centers along a straight line during the manufacturing process. This preliminary alignment ensures that when fiber arrays are connected to the optical waveguide, the cores are already properly aligned, maintaining both high transmission efficiency and stable alignment
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 effectively reduces optical coupling loss by ensuring precise alignment of core diameters and mirrors, enhancing light transmission efficiency between optical components and fiber arrays.
Implementation Method 1
a clad disposed on a plane of the substrate and made of a transparent material; and a plurality of cores that are surrounded by the clad, extend in parallel with the plane of the substrate and are made of a transparent material having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the clad
Data Source
AI summary
An optical waveguide substrate includes: a substrate; a clad disposed on a plane of the substrate and made of a transparent material; and a plurality of cores that are surrounded by the clad, extend in parallel with the plane of the substrate and are made of a transparent material having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the clad, the cores including at least a pair of cores with diameters different from each other. The cores are provided at positions where centers of sections of the cores are all positioned in a straight line.