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US 10,788,632 B2Granted
Device and method for coupling laser to a photonic integrated circuit
AssigneeGoogle Inc.
InventorsDaoyi Wang, Lieven Verslegers, Ryohei Urata
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A photonic integrated circuit for coupling a laser from an optical assembly to a grating coupler is disclosed. A method for coupling a laser to a photonic integrated circuit is disclosed. The optical assembly includes an optical system disposed on a v-groove bench. The optical system typically includes a laser source, a coupling lens or lens system, an optional isolator, a beam redirector that includes a prism or other light turning element and a cylindrical tube mounted on the v-groove bench. The method of tuning the angle of incidence from the optical assembly to the grating coupler is also disclosed.
Claims25
A photonic integrated chip comprising:
- a grating coupler disposed on a substrate;
- and
- an optical assembly for coupling a light signal to the grating coupler, the optical assembly comprising:
- a v-groove bench, and
- an optical system disposed on the v-groove bench, the optical system comprising:
- a laser source for generating a light for the light signal,
- a coupling lens system for receiving the light from the laser source and guiding the light in a first direction, and
- a beam redirector for redirecting the light to a second direction, the second direction of redirected light being about 90° from the first direction,
- wherein the beans redirector comprises a cylindrical portion and a reflector portion,
- wherein the beam redirector is configured for longitudinal movement along the v-groove bench to set a focal point of the redirected light onto a surface plane of the grating coupler, and
- wherein the beam adjuster is configured for rotational movement within the v-groove bench to set an angle of incidence between the second direction of the redirected light and a direction normal to the surface plane of the grating coupler.
8 more elements
A method of manufacturing a photonic integrated circuit comprising:
- providing a grating coupler disposed on a substrate;
- providing an optical assembly for coupling a light signal to the grating coupler, the optical assembly comprising:
- a v-groove bench, and
- an optical system disposed on the v-groove bench, the optical system comprising:
- a laser source for generating a light for the light signal,
- a coupling lens system for receiving the light from the laser source and guiding the light in a first direction, and
- a beam redirector for redirecting the light to a second direction, the second direction of redirected light being about 90° from the first direction;
- and
- adjusting the path of the redirected light onto a surface plane of the grating coupler via at least one of longitudinal movement or rotational movement of the beam director.
6 more elements
An optical assembly for coupling a light signal to a grating coupler, the optical assembly comprising:
- a v-groove bench bonded to a substrate,
- a grating coupler disposed adjacent to the v-groove bench, and
- an optical system disposed on the v-groove bench, the optical system comprising:
- a laser source for generating a beam of light,
- a coupling lens system for receiving the beam of light from the laser source and guiding the beam of light in a first direction, and
- a beam redirector for redirecting the beam of light to a second direction, the second direction of redirected light being about 90° from the first direction,
- wherein the beam redirector comprises a cylindrical portion and a reflector portion that are bonded to one another,
- wherein the reflector portion is suspended beyond an edge of the v-groove bench,
- wherein the coupling lens system and the beam redirector are bonded to the v-groove bench,
- wherein the beam redirector sets a focal point of the redirected light onto a surface plane of the grating coupler, and
- wherein the beam redirector sets an angle of incidence between the second direction of the redirected light and a direction normal to the surface plane of the grating coupler.
8 more elements
An optical assembly for coupling a light signal to a grating coupler, the optical assembly comprising:
- a v-groove bench bonded to a substrate,
- a grating coupler disposed adjacent to the v-groove bench, and
- an optical system disposed on the v-groove bench, the optical system comprising:
- a laser source for generating a beam of light,
- a coupling lens system for receiving the beam of light from the laser source and guiding the beam of light in a first direction, and
- a beam redirector for redirecting the beam of light to a second direction, the second direction of redirected light being about 90° from the first direction,
- wherein the beam redirector comprises a cylindrical portion and a reflector portion that are bonded to one another,
- wherein the reflector portion is a mirror and the cylindrical portion is a hollowed tube,
- wherein the coupling lens system and the beam redirector are bonded to the v-groove bench,
- wherein the beam redirector sets a focal point of the redirected light onto a surface plane of the grating coupler, and
- wherein the beam redirector sets an angle of incidence between the second direction of the redirected light and a direction normal to the surface plane of the grating coupler.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.