Tapered waveguide photodetector apparatus and methods
US6819839B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/12195
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Waveguide photodetector apparatus and methods employing an optical waveguide having a tapered section, which may be horizontally tapered, vertically tapered, or both. The apparatus also includes a photodetector with an intrinsic region, which in one embodiment may be tapered in a manner corresponding to a horizontal taper of the tapered section. The photodetector is arranged adjacent the tapered section such that the intrinsic region is coupled to the optical waveguide via an evanescent wave of a guided lightwave. The tapered section serves to force energy carried in the guided lightwave from the optical waveguide into the intrinsic region of the photodetector via the evanescent wave, thereby shortening the photodetector length.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.