Optical components for wavelength division multiplexing with high-density optical interconnect modules
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorJean Benoit Héroux
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Wavelength division multiplexing devices, and methods of forming the same, include a coupling lens and a waveguide, the lens being positioned over a mirror formed in a transmission path of the waveguide. The mirror reflects incoming light signals out of the transmission path through the lens and further reflects light signals coming from the lens and into the transmission path. An optical chip is positioned near a focal length of the lens. The optical chip has an optical filter configured to transmit a light signal at a first wavelength and to reflect received light signals at wavelengths other than the first wavelength.
Claims21
A wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) device, comprising:
- a waveguide;
- a coupling lens positioned over a mirror formed in a transmission path of the waveguide, wherein the mirror reflects incoming signals out of the transmission path through the lens and further reflects signals coming from the lens into the transmission path;
- and
- an optical chip comprising a plurality of optical devices, including both emitting devices and receiving devices, along the transmission path, wherein each emitting device is configured to operate at a different wavelength and each receiving device is configured to operate at a different wavelength, and wherein each optical device is respectively selected from the group consisting of a photodiode and a laser, positioned such that the optical device is at a focal length of the lens, and comprising
- an optical filter, covering an active region of the optical device, that is configured to transmit a light signal at a first wavelength and to reflect received light signals at wavelengths other than the first wavelength.
A wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system, comprising:
- a plurality of WDM devices, each device having wavelength selectivity and comprising:
- a waveguide;
- a coupling lens positioned over a mirror formed in a transmission path of the waveguide, wherein the mirror reflects incoming signals out of the transmission path through the lens and further reflects light signals coming from the lens into the transmission path;
- and
- an optical chip comprising a plurality of optical devices, including both emitting devices and receiving devices, along the transmission path, wherein each emitting device is configured to operate at a different wavelength and each receiving device is configured to operate at a different wavelength, and wherein each optical device is respectively selected from the group consisting of a photodiode and a laser, positioned such that the optical device is at a focal length of the lens and comprising an optical filter, over an active region of the optical device, that is configured to transmit a light signal at a respective wavelength and to reflect received light signals at wavelengths other than the respective wavelength.
A method of forming a wavelength division multiplexing device, comprising:
- forming a mirror in a transmission path of a waveguide;
- attaching a lens to the waveguide above the mirror;
- forming a filter on an optical chip array comprising a plurality of optical devices, including both emitting devices and receiving devices, along the transmission path, wherein each emitting device is configured to operate at a different wavelength and each receiving device is configured to operate at a different wavelength, and wherein each optical device is respectively selected from the group consisting of a photodiode and a laser, the filter comprising a plurality of alternating dielectric layers, wherein the filter is positioned over an active region of the optical device and configured to transmit a received signal having a first wavelength and to reflect received signals having wavelengths other than the first wavelength;
- and
- positioning the optical chip array such that the optical device is at a focal length of the lens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.