$LWLG Polymer modulator and laser integrated on a common platform and method
United States Patent 10,527,786
Leonberger , et al. January 7, 2020
Abstract
A monolithic photonic integrated circuit includes a platform, a monolithic laser formed in/on the platform, and an electro-optic polymer modulator monolithically built onto the platform and optically coupled to the monolithic laser. The polymer modulator is optically coupled to the monolithic laser by waveguides including electro-optic polymer waveguides. The electro-optic polymer modulator and the electro-optic polymer waveguides including an electro-optic polymer core and top and bottom electro-optic polymer cladding layers. The electro-optic polymer core having an electro-optic coefficient (r.sub.33) greater than 250 pm/v, and a Tg 150.degree. C. to 200.degree. C., and the top and bottom electro-optic polymer cladding layers having a Tg approximately the same as the Tg of the electro-optic polymer core.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to lasers and polymer modulators integrated on a common platform.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Laser modulators have been in use for 20 years. Initially discrete lasers were positioned next to discrete modulators so that higher performance signaling (and speeds above 10 Gbps) could be attained. While this technique has been commercialized it is not optimized. That is it does not reach the low cost targets, or space/size requirements, and takes lots of time to align the components, place them, package them, and test them.
It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved laser and polymer modulator integrated on a common platform.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved laser and polymer modulator integrated on a common platform with novel new design and process.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved laser and polymer modulator integrated on a common platform with more efficient coupling between source laser and optical modulator, efficient 3-layer polymer modulators, higher performance (multi GHz), and very low voltage to allow direct drive without the use of a driver circuit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly to achieve the desired objects and advantages of the instant invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment a monolithic photonic integrated circuit is provided including a platform, a monolithic laser formed in/on the platform, and a polymer modulator monolithically built onto the platform and optically coupled to the monolithic laser.
To further achieve the desired objects and advantages of the present invention a specific embodiment of a monolithic photonic integrated circuit includes a platform, a monolithic laser formed in/on the platform, and an electro-optic polymer modulator monolithically built onto the platform and optically coupled to the monolithic laser. The polymer modulator is optically coupled to the monolithic laser by waveguides including electro-optic polymer waveguides. The electro-optic polymer modulator and the electro-optic polymer waveguides including an electro-optic polymer core and top and bottom electro-optic polymer cladding layers. The electro-optic polymer core having an electro-optic coefficient (r.sub.33) ideally greater than 250 pm/V (although electro-optic coefficients of >10 pm/V will still allow the invention to operate), and a Tg 150.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. (although polymer materials with a Tg in the range of 50.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. will still allow the invention to operate), and the top and bottom electro-optic polymer cladding layers having a Tg approximately the same as the Tg of the electro-optic polymer core.
To further achieve the desired objects and advantages of the present invention a specific embodiment of a method of fabricating a monolithic photonic integrated circuit includes the steps of providing a platform and integrating a monolithic laser in/on the platform. The monolithic laser includes one of a distributed feedback laser, a Fabry-Perot laser, a distributed Bragg reflector laser, tunable laser, VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) or any other type of semiconductor laser. The method further includes the steps of monolithically forming an electro-optic polymer modulator on the platform and optically coupling the electro-optic polymer modulator to the monolithic laser by waveguides including electro-optic polymer waveguides, forming the electro-optic polymer modulator and the electro-optic polymer waveguides with an electro-optic polymer core and top and bottom electro-optic polymer cladding layers, forming the electro-optic polymer core from materials having an electro-optic coefficient (r.sub.33) ideally greater than 250 pm/v (although electro-optic coefficients of >10 pm/V will still allow the invention to operate), and a Tg 150.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. (although polymer materials with a Tg in the range of 50.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. will still allow the invention to operate), and forming the top and bottom electro-optic polymer cladding layers from materials having a Tg approximately the same as the Tg of the electro-optic polymer core.
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sec...e+logic%22
these 4 new patents issued are locking down the IP on the PIC's that LWLG's incredible truly Next-Gen 100Gbs+ 2.5V/sub 1V (Driverless) modulators will be incorporated
the importance of these patents is IMMENSE as it means that regardless of partnering on a PIC build on SiP on InP, the PIC technology remains LWLG's
1 10,527,786 Full-Text Polymer modulator and laser integrated on a common platform and method
2 10,520,673 Full-Text Protection layers for polymer modulators/waveguides
3 10,511,146 Full-Text Guide transition device with digital grating deflectors and method
4 10,509,164 Full-Text Guide transition device and method
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sec...amp;d=PTXT
- proto
United States Patent 10,527,786
Leonberger , et al. January 7, 2020
Abstract
A monolithic photonic integrated circuit includes a platform, a monolithic laser formed in/on the platform, and an electro-optic polymer modulator monolithically built onto the platform and optically coupled to the monolithic laser. The polymer modulator is optically coupled to the monolithic laser by waveguides including electro-optic polymer waveguides. The electro-optic polymer modulator and the electro-optic polymer waveguides including an electro-optic polymer core and top and bottom electro-optic polymer cladding layers. The electro-optic polymer core having an electro-optic coefficient (r.sub.33) greater than 250 pm/v, and a Tg 150.degree. C. to 200.degree. C., and the top and bottom electro-optic polymer cladding layers having a Tg approximately the same as the Tg of the electro-optic polymer core.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to lasers and polymer modulators integrated on a common platform.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Laser modulators have been in use for 20 years. Initially discrete lasers were positioned next to discrete modulators so that higher performance signaling (and speeds above 10 Gbps) could be attained. While this technique has been commercialized it is not optimized. That is it does not reach the low cost targets, or space/size requirements, and takes lots of time to align the components, place them, package them, and test them.
It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved laser and polymer modulator integrated on a common platform.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved laser and polymer modulator integrated on a common platform with novel new design and process.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved laser and polymer modulator integrated on a common platform with more efficient coupling between source laser and optical modulator, efficient 3-layer polymer modulators, higher performance (multi GHz), and very low voltage to allow direct drive without the use of a driver circuit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly to achieve the desired objects and advantages of the instant invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment a monolithic photonic integrated circuit is provided including a platform, a monolithic laser formed in/on the platform, and a polymer modulator monolithically built onto the platform and optically coupled to the monolithic laser.
To further achieve the desired objects and advantages of the present invention a specific embodiment of a monolithic photonic integrated circuit includes a platform, a monolithic laser formed in/on the platform, and an electro-optic polymer modulator monolithically built onto the platform and optically coupled to the monolithic laser. The polymer modulator is optically coupled to the monolithic laser by waveguides including electro-optic polymer waveguides. The electro-optic polymer modulator and the electro-optic polymer waveguides including an electro-optic polymer core and top and bottom electro-optic polymer cladding layers. The electro-optic polymer core having an electro-optic coefficient (r.sub.33) ideally greater than 250 pm/V (although electro-optic coefficients of >10 pm/V will still allow the invention to operate), and a Tg 150.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. (although polymer materials with a Tg in the range of 50.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. will still allow the invention to operate), and the top and bottom electro-optic polymer cladding layers having a Tg approximately the same as the Tg of the electro-optic polymer core.
To further achieve the desired objects and advantages of the present invention a specific embodiment of a method of fabricating a monolithic photonic integrated circuit includes the steps of providing a platform and integrating a monolithic laser in/on the platform. The monolithic laser includes one of a distributed feedback laser, a Fabry-Perot laser, a distributed Bragg reflector laser, tunable laser, VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) or any other type of semiconductor laser. The method further includes the steps of monolithically forming an electro-optic polymer modulator on the platform and optically coupling the electro-optic polymer modulator to the monolithic laser by waveguides including electro-optic polymer waveguides, forming the electro-optic polymer modulator and the electro-optic polymer waveguides with an electro-optic polymer core and top and bottom electro-optic polymer cladding layers, forming the electro-optic polymer core from materials having an electro-optic coefficient (r.sub.33) ideally greater than 250 pm/v (although electro-optic coefficients of >10 pm/V will still allow the invention to operate), and a Tg 150.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. (although polymer materials with a Tg in the range of 50.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. will still allow the invention to operate), and forming the top and bottom electro-optic polymer cladding layers from materials having a Tg approximately the same as the Tg of the electro-optic polymer core.
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sec...e+logic%22
these 4 new patents issued are locking down the IP on the PIC's that LWLG's incredible truly Next-Gen 100Gbs+ 2.5V/sub 1V (Driverless) modulators will be incorporated
the importance of these patents is IMMENSE as it means that regardless of partnering on a PIC build on SiP on InP, the PIC technology remains LWLG's
1 10,527,786 Full-Text Polymer modulator and laser integrated on a common platform and method
2 10,520,673 Full-Text Protection layers for polymer modulators/waveguides
3 10,511,146 Full-Text Guide transition device with digital grating deflectors and method
4 10,509,164 Full-Text Guide transition device and method
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sec...amp;d=PTXT
- proto
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