Integrated multistage taper coupler for waveguide to fiber coupling
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1. A waveguide coupler configured for transmitting an optical beam between a semiconductor waveguide and an optical fiber, the waveguide coupler comprising:
- a compression region, including a tapered ridge having a first end that is configured to receive the optical beam from the semiconductor waveguide, and a second end that is opposite the first end and narrower than the first end, such that the tapered ridge tapers in width from the first end to the second end; and
an expansion region that is optically coupled with the compression region and is configured to receive the optical beam from the compression region, and to transmit the optical beam to the optical fiber, wherein;
the expansion region includes a shoulder, and an expansion region ridge that adjoins the shoulder,wherein, in a first section of the expansion region,the shoulder has a first shoulder width that is constant in the first section,the expansion region ridge has a first ridge width at an expansion region end that is configured to transmit the optical beam to the optical fiber, andthe expansion region ridge tapers from the first ridge width to a second ridge width less than the first ridge width, away from the expansion region end; and
in a second section of the expansion region,the shoulder tapers from the first shoulder width to a second shoulder width less than the first shoulder width, away from the first section, andthe expansion region ridge tapers from the second ridge width to a third ridge width less than the second ridge width, away from the first section.
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Abstract
A waveguide coupler has a compression region and an expansion region for coupling light between a silicon waveguide and an optical fiber. The compression region receives light from the silicon waveguide and compresses an optical mode of the light. Light is transmitted from the compression region to an expansion region. The expansion region expands the light to have a larger cross section. Light is then transmitted to the optical fiber.
20 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A waveguide coupler configured for transmitting an optical beam between a semiconductor waveguide and an optical fiber, the waveguide coupler comprising:
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a compression region, including a tapered ridge having a first end that is configured to receive the optical beam from the semiconductor waveguide, and a second end that is opposite the first end and narrower than the first end, such that the tapered ridge tapers in width from the first end to the second end; and an expansion region that is optically coupled with the compression region and is configured to receive the optical beam from the compression region, and to transmit the optical beam to the optical fiber, wherein; the expansion region includes a shoulder, and an expansion region ridge that adjoins the shoulder, wherein, in a first section of the expansion region, the shoulder has a first shoulder width that is constant in the first section, the expansion region ridge has a first ridge width at an expansion region end that is configured to transmit the optical beam to the optical fiber, and the expansion region ridge tapers from the first ridge width to a second ridge width less than the first ridge width, away from the expansion region end; and in a second section of the expansion region, the shoulder tapers from the first shoulder width to a second shoulder width less than the first shoulder width, away from the first section, and the expansion region ridge tapers from the second ridge width to a third ridge width less than the second ridge width, away from the first section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of transmitting an optical beam from a semiconductor waveguide to an optical fiber, comprising:
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receiving the optical beam from the semiconductor waveguide into a compression region, wherein the compression region includes a tapered ridge having a first end that is configured to receive the optical beam from the semiconductor waveguide, and a second end that is narrower than the first end, such that the tapered ridge reduces in width from the first end to the second end; compressing the optical beam as it propagates from the first end to the second end along a direction of beam propagation; optically coupling the optical beam from the compression region to an expansion region, wherein the expansion region comprises at least first and second sections that each include a shoulder and an expansion region ridge that adjoins the shoulder, and in the first section of the expansion region; the shoulder has a first shoulder width that is constant in the first section, the expansion region ridge has a first ridge width at an expansion region end, and the expansion region ridge tapers from the first ridge width to a second ridge width less than the first ridge width, toward the compression region; and in the second section of the expansion region; the shoulder tapers from the first shoulder width to a second shoulder width less than the first shoulder width, toward the compression region, and the expansion region ridge tapers from the second ridge width to a third ridge width less than the second ridge width, toward the compression region; the method further comprising; expanding the optical beam through the second and first sections of the expansion region, along the direction of beam propagation; and transmitting the optical beam from the expansion region end, into the optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification