20240045146. Grating coupler with high efficiency simplified abstract (Apple Inc.)
Contents
Grating coupler with high efficiency
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Nurul Taimur Islam of Cupertino CA (US)
Helen H. Liang of Los Gatos CA (US)
Malcolm J. Northcott of Santa Cruz CA (US)
Grating coupler with high efficiency - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240045146 titled 'Grating coupler with high efficiency
Simplified Explanation
The abstract describes an optical coupling device that consists of multiple layers, including waveguide layers and a dielectric intermediate layer. The device utilizes diffraction gratings to manipulate the propagation of light at specific wavelengths and coupling angles.
- The device includes a first waveguide layer made of a semiconductor material, placed over a dielectric substrate layer.
- A dielectric intermediate layer is positioned above the first waveguide layer.
- A second waveguide layer, made of a different semiconductor material, is placed over the dielectric intermediate layer and patterned to define a waveguide.
- A first grating in the second waveguide layer diffracts light of a specific wavelength from the waveguide into a designated diffraction order at a given coupling angle.
- A portion of the diffracted light exits the device, while another portion is diffracted into the intermediate dielectric layer in a conjugate diffraction order.
- A second grating in the first waveguide layer further diffracts the second portion of light into a second diffraction order, allowing it to propagate out of the device at the given coupling angle.
Potential applications of this technology:
- Optical communication systems
- Photonic integrated circuits
- Optical sensors
- Optical computing
Problems solved by this technology:
- Efficient coupling of light between different waveguide layers
- Precise control of light propagation and diffraction
- Reduction of signal loss and crosstalk in optical devices
Benefits of this technology:
- Improved optical coupling efficiency
- Enhanced performance and functionality of optical devices
- Compact and integrated design for space-saving applications
- Increased data transmission rates and bandwidth
Original Abstract Submitted
an optical coupling device includes a first waveguide layer, including a first semiconductor material, which is disposed over a dielectric substrate layer. a dielectric intermediate layer overlies the first waveguide layer. a second waveguide layer, which includes a different, second semiconductor material, is disposed over the dielectric intermediate layer and is patterned to define a waveguide. a first grating in the second waveguide layer diffracts light of a given wavelength from the waveguide into a specified diffraction order at a given coupling angle, whereby a first fraction of the light propagates out of the device while a second fraction of the light is diffracted into the intermediate dielectric layer in a conjugate diffraction order. a second grating in the first waveguide layer diffracts the second fraction of the light into a second diffraction order, propagating out of the device at the given coupling angle.
