Optical edge coupler with controllable mode field for photonic chip
US10345524B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/12097
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical coupler at an edge of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) is provided and configured to match a mode of a waveguide of the PIC to a mode of an external optical fiber. A core of the waveguide terminates prior to the edge and can include an inverted taper for mode enlargement. The waveguide cladding includes an inverted taper and is surrounded by an outer cladding material of lower refractive index, forming a second waveguide. The cladding and outer cladding cooperate to guide light between the core and the edge while the inverted taper contributes to mode enlargement. The outer cladding material is selected to have a refractive index which facilitates the mode matching to optical fiber. The coupler can be provided using lithography. Material underneath the waveguide cladding can be removed by an undercutting process and the outer cladding material deposited in place thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.