Optical Waveguide Termination Structure for Crosstalk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical communication systems, the integration of waveguide devices leads to crosstalk issues due to unnecessary optical power radiating from the end face of waveguide device substrates, degrading circuit characteristics, and increasing with the density of optical waveguides, causing coupling to main paths or optical fibers.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide device with a termination structure filled with a light-blocking material, featuring an inclined angle of incidence and a taper portion with a decreasing waveguide width, surrounds the waveguide end to effectively terminate optical power and prevent crosstalk, using materials like carbon black mixed with silicone resin for absorption or scattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If waveguide devices are integrated on the same substrate to increase integration density, then the degree of integration is improved, but crosstalk between optical devices increases due to unnecessary optical power radiating from waveguide ends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful radiated optical power from the system by introducing termination structures filled with light-blocking materials at strategic positions on the substrate. These termination structures capture and block the unnecessary optical power before it can radiate and cause crosstalk to other optical devices, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while preserving the high integration density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces termination structures as intermediary elements between the waveguide devices. These termination structures act as mediators that intercept and block the radiated optical power, preventing it from reaching other optical devices. The light-blocking materials in the termination structures serve as the intermediary that absorbs or scatters the harmful radiation, thus resolving the crosstalk issue in high-density integrated optical systems.
2Quantity of substance
If the density of optical waveguides is increased to support large-capacity communication, then communication capacity is improved, but crosstalk increases due to coupling between adjacent waveguides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the source of crosstalk by extracting and blocking the radiated optical power at its origin using termination structures. By placing light-blocking materials in the termination structures at the ends of waveguides, the patent prevents the unnecessary optical power from radiating outward and coupling into adjacent high-density waveguides, thus enabling high communication capacity without crosstalk interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by introducing termination structures with light-blocking materials at specific local positions where waveguide ends are located. Rather than uniformly treating the entire substrate, the termination structures are strategically placed only at critical locations where radiated power could cause crosstalk, allowing high waveguide density in non-critical areas while maintaining low crosstalk through localized intervention.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If termination structures are added to block radiated optical power, then crosstalk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive light-blocking materials in the termination structures that can be easily fabricated and integrated. These termination structures are relatively simple passive elements filled with materials such as metals or absorbing substances, requiring minimal complexity compared to active crosstalk cancellation systems. The structures serve their purpose of blocking radiated power without requiring complex control mechanisms, thus reducing crosstalk while adding minimal device complexity.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If light-blocking materials are used in termination structures, then optical power is absorbed or scattered, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes simple light-blocking materials that can be easily manufactured and integrated into termination structures using conventional fabrication techniques. The materials such as metals or absorbing substances are readily available and can be deposited or patterned with standard manufacturing processes, avoiding the need for exotic or precisely engineered materials. This approach reduces crosstalk while keeping manufacturing precision requirements within conventional capabilities.
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 significantly reduces crosstalk between optical devices integrated on the same substrate and connected directly, achieving a high degree of integration and supporting large-capacity optical communication networks by attenuating optical power to a low level that does not affect other circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a termination structure which is filled with a light blocking material in order to terminate light input from a waveguide end
Implementation Method 2
using materials like carbon black mixed with silicone resin for absorption or scattering
Data Source
AI summary
In a waveguide device, unnecessary optical power is appropriately terminated. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waveguide device has a termination structure filled with a light blocking material to terminate light from a waveguide end. In the termination structure, a cladding and a core are removed to form a groove on an optical waveguide. The groove is filled with a material (light blocking material) that attenuates the intensity of light. Thus, light input to the termination structure is attenuated by the light blocking material, suppressing crosstalk which possibly effects on other optical devices. Thus, such a termination structure can restrain crosstalk occurred in optical devices integrated in the same substrate and can also suppress crosstalk which possibly effects on any other optical device connected directly to the substrate.