Integrated planar composite coupling structures for bi-directional light beam transformation between a small mode size waveguide and a large mode size waveguide
US7218809B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 2005 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/12188
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Composite optical waveguide structures or mode transformers and their methods of fabrication and integration are disclosed, wherein the structures or mode transformers are capable of bi-directional light beam transformation between a small mode size waveguide and a large mode size waveguide. One aspect of the present invention is directed to an optical mode transformer comprising a waveguide core having a high refractive index contrast between the waveguide core and the cladding, the optical mode transformer being configured such that the waveguide core has a taper wherein a thickness of the waveguide core tapers down to a critical thickness value, the critical thickness value being defined as a thickness value below which a significant portion of the energy of a light beam penetrates into the cladding layers surrounding the taper structure thereby enlarging the small mode size. This primary tapered core structure may be present in either a vertical or horizontal direction and may be combined with further up taper or down taper structures in the directions transverse to the primary taper direction. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a non-cylindrical graduated r…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.