# US 12,222,563 B2 · Multi-tip waveguide coupler with improved alignment guidance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,222,563 B2 - Document ID: US12222563B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/709,995 - Filed: 2019-12-11 - Published: 2021-06-17 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-11 - Assignees: MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. - Applicants: MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. - Inventors: Sean P. Anderson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12222563B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/305: {and having an integrated mode-size expanding section, e.g. tapered waveguide} - G02B 6/4206: {Optical features (G02B6/4207, G02B6/421 take precedence)} - G02B 6/42: Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements - G02B 6/4228: {Passive alignment, i.e. without a detection of the degree of coupling or the position of the elements (G02B6/4234 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/4296: {coupling with sources of high radiant energy, e.g. high power lasers, high temperature light sources} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract Disclosed are various embodiments for a multi-tip laser coupler with improved alignment guidance. A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) includes an input interface, an output interface, and a waveguide array. The waveguide array includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and a third waveguide. The first waveguide and the third waveguide are coupled to the input interface and are not coupled to the output interface. The second waveguide is coupled to the input interface and the output interface. Further, the second waveguide is positioned parallel to and between the first waveguide and a third waveguide. The second waveguide includes a tapered body such that an output end of the second waveguide coupled to the output interface is wider than an input end of the second waveguide coupled to the input interface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optoelectronic system, comprising: a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) comprising an input interface having an end face, an output interface, and a waveguide array, wherein the waveguide array comprises: a first waveguide intersecting the end face of the input interface and not extending to the output interface, the first waveguide having a termination end spaced apart from the input interface; a third waveguide; and a second waveguide intersecting the end face of the input interface and the output interface, the second waveguide being positioned parallel to and between the first waveguide and the third waveguide, the second waveguide comprising a continuously tapered body such that an output end of the second waveguide coupled to the output interface is wider than an input end of the second waveguide coupled to the input interface, wherein the continuously tapered body of the second waveguide intersects the output interface; the third waveguide intersecting the end face of the input interface and not extending to the output interface, and the continuously tapered body of the second waveguide extending between the termination end of the first waveguide and the output interface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The optoelectronic system of claim 1, wherein: the first waveguide has a first waveguide length; the second waveguide has a second waveguide length; the third waveguide has a third waveguide length; the first waveguide length is substantially similar to the third waveguide length; and the second waveguide length is greater than the first waveguide length and the third waveguide length. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The optoelectronic system of claim 1, further comprising an optical element coupled to the photonic integrated circuit, the optical element being configured to provide an input beam at the end face of the input interface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The optoelectronic system of claim 1, wherein the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the third waveguide are formed in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The optoelectronic system of claim 1, wherein the first waveguide and the third waveguide have uniform, non-tapered bodies. ### Claim 6 A waveguide array, comprising: a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) comprising a plurality of waveguides, all of the plurality of waveguides being positioned in a first layer of the photonic integrated circuit (PIC), the plurality of waveguides comprising: a first waveguide; a third waveguide; and a second waveguide positioned between the first waveguide and the third waveguide, the second waveguide comprising a continuously tapered body having an output end and an input end, the output end being wider than the input end; and wherein the first waveguide and the third waveguide each have a length less than that of the second waveguide, wherein a first end of each of the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the third waveguide are aligned, and wherein the continuously tapered body of the second waveguide extends between a termination end of the first waveguide opposite the first end of the first waveguide and the output interface, wherein the continuously tapered body of the second waveguide intersects the output interface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The waveguide array of claim 6, wherein the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) includes an input interface and an output interface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The waveguide array of claim 7, wherein: the first waveguide is coupled to the input interface and does not extend to the output interface; and the third waveguide is coupled to the input interface and does not extend to the output interface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The waveguide array of claim 6, wherein the photonic integrated circuit is coupled to an optical element, the optical element being configured to provide an input beam at the input interface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The waveguide array of claim 6, wherein the waveguide array comprises only the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the third waveguide. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The waveguide array of claim 6, wherein: the first waveguide has a first waveguide length; the second waveguide has a second waveguide length; the third waveguide has a third waveguide length; the first waveguide length is substantially similar to the third waveguide length; and the second waveguide length is greater than the first waveguide length and the third waveguide length. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The waveguide array of claim 6, wherein the first waveguide is positioned parallel to the second waveguide, and the second waveguide is positioned parallel to third waveguide. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The waveguide array of claim 6, wherein the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the third waveguide are formed in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The waveguide array of claim 6, wherein the first waveguide and the third waveguide have uniform, non-tapered bodies. ### Claim 15 A method of providing a waveguide array, comprising: forming a first waveguide in a first layer of a material; forming a second waveguide in the first layer of the material, the second waveguide comprising a continuously tapered body that is wider at an output end than at an input end; and forming a third waveguide in the first layer of the material, wherein the first waveguide and the third waveguide as formed each have a length less than that of the second waveguide, the second waveguide being parallel to and between the first waveguide and the third waveguide, each of the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the third waveguide intersecting an end face of an input interface, and the continuously tapered body of the second waveguide extending between a termination end of the first waveguide spaced apart from the end face of the input interface and the output interface, wherein the continuously tapered body of the second waveguide intersects the output interface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), wherein the waveguide array is formed in the photonic integrated circuit, the photonic integrated circuit comprising an input interface and an output interface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein: the first waveguide is coupled to the input interface and does not extend to the output interface; and the third waveguide is coupled to the input interface and does not extend to the output interface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein: the photonic integrated circuit is coupled to an optical element, the optical element being configured to provide an input beam at the input interface; the waveguide array comprises only the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the third waveguide; and an output end of the second waveguide is wider than an input end of the second waveguide. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein: the first waveguide has a first waveguide length; the second waveguide has a second waveguide length; the third waveguide has a third waveguide length; the first waveguide length is substantially similar to the third waveguide length; and the second waveguide length is greater than the first waveguide length and the third waveguide length. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The optoelectronic system of claim 1, wherein a first end of the first waveguide at the input interface, a first end of the second waveguide at the input interface, and a first end of the third waveguide at the input interface are horizontally aligned. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The optoelectronic system of claim 20, wherein the first end of the first waveguide at the input interface, the first end of the second waveguide at the input interface, and the first end of the third waveguide at the input interface each have a rectangular cross section. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The optoelectronic system of claim 21, wherein a thickness of each of the first end of the first waveguide at the input interface, the first end of the second waveguide at the input interface, and the first end of the third waveguide at the input interface are equal. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The optoelectronic system of claim 1, further comprising an optical element having a face spaced apart from the input interface of the photonic integrated circuit (PIC), the optical element positioned to produce an input beam which illuminates the input interface of the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) across a free space between the face of the optical element and the input interface of the photonic integrated circuit (PIC). ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The optoelectronic system of claim 23, wherein a first end of the first waveguide at the input interface, a first end of the second waveguide at the input interface, and a first end of the third waveguide at the input interface are horizontally aligned. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The optoelectronic system of claim 24, wherein the first end of the first waveguide at the input interface, the first end of the second waveguide at the input interface, and the first end of the third waveguide at the input interface each have a rectangular cross section. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The optoelectronic system of claim 25, wherein a thickness of each of the first end of the first waveguide at the input interface, the first end of the second waveguide at the input interface, and the first end of the third waveguide at the input interface are equal. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The optoelectronic system of claim 23, wherein the optical element is a laser. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The optoelectronic system of claim 27, wherein a first end of the first waveguide at the input interface, a first end of the second waveguide at the input interface, and a first end of the third waveguide at the input interface are horizontally aligned producing a target having a horizontal extent longer than a vertical extent to which the input beam is horizontally aligned.