Photonic integrated circuit with active alignment
US11815725B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2021 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4246
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An example photonic integrated circuit includes a transmitter circuit with a optical communication path to an optical coupler configured to couple with an optical fiber. The optical communication path has a propagation direction away from the transmitter circuit and towards the optical coupler. A counter-propagating tap diverts light sent by a light source backward against the propagation direction of the optical communication path. A photodiode receives the diverted light and measures its power level. The photodiode generates a feedback signal for the optical coupler and provides the feedback signal to the optical coupler. The optical coupler receives the feedback signal and adjusts a coupling alignment of the optical communication path to the optical fiber based on the feedback signal, which indicates the measured power level of the diverted counter-propagating light.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.