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US 8,755,650 B2Granted
Gradient index optical waveguide coupler
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorChubing Peng
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A light source is coupled to an input facet that directs light from the light source to a core layer of a waveguide and a gradient index material layer disposed beside the core layer along a portion of a propagation length of the waveguide. Light is launched from the light source into the input facet. In response, the gradient index material layer directs light to the core layer at least along the portion of the propagation length.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a waveguide comprising:
- a core layer extending along a propagation length of the waveguide;
- a cladding layer surrounding at least part of the core layer along the propagation length;
- and
- a gradient index material layer disposed beside the core layer along a portion of the propagation length where light is launched into the waveguide via an input facet, wherein the gradient index material layer comprises homogeneous refractive indices along cross sections parallel to a plane of the gradient index material layer and is configured to direct light from the input facet to the core layer at least along the portion of the propagation length.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- coupling a light source to an input facet that directs light from the light source to a) a core layer of a waveguide, and b) a gradient index material layer disposed beside the core layer along a portion of a propagation length of the waveguide, the gradient index material layer comprising homogeneous refractive indices along cross sections parallel to a plane of the gradient index material layer;
- and
- launching the light from the light source into the input facet so that the gradient index material layer directs the light to the core layer at least along the portion of the propagation length.
A system comprising:
- a laser;
- a heat assisted magnetic recording slider coupled to the laser, comprising:
- a waveguide comprising a core layer extending along a propagation length of the waveguide and a cladding layer surrounding at least part of the core layer along the propagation length;
- and
- a gradient index material layer disposed beside the core layer along a portion of the propagation length;
- and
- an input facet receiving light launched from the laser into the core layer and gradient index material layer, wherein the gradient index material layer comprises homogeneous refractive indices along cross sections parallel to a plane of the gradient index material layer and is configured adapt a beam profile of the laser to a different profile suitable for propagation through the waveguide.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.