# US 2019/0170942 A1 · Method And System For Mode Converters For Grating Couplers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0170942 A1 - Document ID: US20190170942A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/268,167 - Filed: 2019-02-05 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-04-19 - Assignees: Luxtera, Inc. - Applicants: Luxtera, Inc. - Inventors: Roman Bruck; Attila Mekis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190170942A1 ## CPC - G02B 6/2938: {for multiplexing or demultiplexing, i.e. combining or separating wavelengths, e.g. 1xN, NxM} - G02B 6/14: Mode converters - G02B 6/29305: {as bulk element, i.e. free space arrangement external to a light guide} - G02B 6/34: utilising prism or grating {(G02B6/293 takes precedence)} - H04B 10/2581: Multimode transmission - H04B 10/801: {using optical interconnects, e.g. light coupled isolators, circuit board interconnections} - G02B 6/2773: {Polarisation splitting or combining} - G02B 2006/12107: {Grating} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract Methods and systems for mode converters for grating couplers may include a photonic chip comprising a waveguide, a grating coupler, and a mode converter, with the waveguide being coupled to the grating coupler via the mode converter. The mode converter may include waveguide material and tapers defined by tapered regions, where the tapered regions do not have waveguide material. The photonic chip may receive an optical signal in the mode converter from the waveguide, where the received optical signal has a light profile that may be spatially deflected in the mode converter to configure a desired profile in the grating coupler. A long axis of the tapers may be parallel to a direction of travel of the optical signal. The long axis of the tapers may point towards the input waveguide of the grating couplers, which may be linear. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for communication, the method comprising: in a photonic chip comprising a waveguide, a grating coupler, and a mode converter, the waveguide coupled to the grating coupler via the mode converter, the mode converter comprising waveguide material and tapers defining tapered regions without waveguide material, wherein the tapers comprise triangular shapes with straight sides meeting at a point away from the grating coupler: receiving an optical signal in the mode converter from the waveguide, said received optical signal having an incoming light profile; and spatially compressing the incoming light profile in the mode converter to configure a desired profile in the grating coupler. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein a long axis of the tapers is parallel to a direction of travel of the optical signal in the waveguide. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein gratings in the grating coupler are linear. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising receiving an optical signal in the mode converter from the grating coupler, where the received optical signal is spatially relaxed in the mode converter to configure a desired profile in the waveguide. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein a long axis of the tapers is directed to a point where the waveguide meets the mode converter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein gratings of the grating couplers are curved. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein said long axis of the tapers is pointed towards the waveguide at a point where each taper meets a first of the gratings. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein a second waveguide is coupled to the grating coupler via a second mode converter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the grating coupler comprises rows of scattering elements arranged along curved lines. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein a long axis of the tapers is pointed towards the waveguide at a point where the tapers meet the curved lines. ### Claim 11 A system for communication, the system comprising: a photonic chip comprising a waveguide, a grating coupler, and a mode converter, the waveguide coupled to the grating coupler via the mode converter, the mode converter comprising waveguide material and tapers defined by tapered regions without waveguide material, wherein the tapers comprise triangular shapes with straight sides meeting at a point away from the grating coupler, the photonic chip operable to: receive an optical signal in the mode converter from the waveguide, said received optical signal having an incoming light profile; and spatially deflect the incoming light profile in the mode converter to configure a desired profile in the grating coupler. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system according to claim 11, wherein a long axis of the tapers is parallel to a direction of travel of the optical signal in the waveguide. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein gratings of the grating couplers are linear. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The system according to claim 11, wherein the photonic chip is operable to receive an optical signal in the mode converter from the grating coupler, where the received optical signal is spatially relaxed in the mode converter to configure a desired profile in the waveguide. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system according to claim 11, wherein a long axis of the tapers is directed to a point where the waveguide meets the mode converter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system according to claim 15, wherein gratings of the grating couplers are curved. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system according to claim 16, wherein said long axis of the tapers is pointed towards the waveguide at a point where each taper meets a first of the gratings. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The system according to claim 11, wherein a second waveguide is coupled to the grating coupler via a second mode converter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system according to claim 18, wherein the grating coupler comprises rows of scattering elements arranged along curved lines and a long axis of the tapers is pointed towards the waveguide at a point where the tapers meet the curved lines ### Claim 20 A method for communication, the method comprising: in a photonic chip comprising a waveguide, a grating coupler, and a mode converter, the waveguide coupled to the grating coupler via the mode converter, the mode converter comprising waveguide material and tapers defining tapered regions without waveguide material, wherein the tapers comprise triangular shapes with straight sides meeting at a point away from the grating coupler: receiving an optical signal in the mode converter from the grating coupler, said received optical signal having an incoming light profile; and spatially relaxing the incoming light profile in the mode converter to configure a desired profile in the waveguide.