Embedding LEDs with waveguides

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11619781-B2
Application number	US-202117323625-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 18, 2021
Priority date	May 18, 2020
Publication date	Apr 4, 2023
Grant date	Apr 4, 2023

Abstract

A microLED may be used to generate light for intra-chip or inter-chip communications. The microLED, or an active layer of the microLED, may be embedded in a waveguide. The waveguide may include a lens.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An optical coupling arrangement for an optical communication system, comprising:
a microLED on a substrate, the microLED having an active layer;
a waveguide on the substrate, the microLED being at least partially within the waveguide;
a reflector on at least a portion of the waveguide, the reflector positioned to reflect light from the microLED down an axis of the waveguide; and
a lens within the waveguide;
wherein the reflector is in an optical path between the microLED and the lens, the lens separated by one focal length from the active layer of the microLED.

2. The optical coupling arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the active layer of the microLED is within the waveguide.

3. The optical coupling arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the lens is a convex lens.

4. The optical coupling arrangement of claim 3 , wherein the lens is of a material with a higher index of refraction than material of the waveguide.

5. The optical coupling arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the lens is a concave lens.

6. The optical coupling arrangement of claim 5 , wherein the lens is of a material with a lower index of refraction than material of the waveguide.

7. The optical coupling arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the reflector has a curved shape.

8. The optical coupling arrangement of claim 7 , wherein the reflector has a parabolic shape.

9. The optical coupling arrangement of claim 7 , wherein the reflector is at an end of the waveguide.

10. The optical coupling arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the microLED includes a curved surface.

11. The optical coupling arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the active layer is separated from a side edge of the microLED.

12. The optical coupling arrangement of claim 11 , wherein the microLED includes a curved surface.

13. The optical coupling arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical connection from a top of the waveguide, through a via in the waveguide, to a contact on top of the microLED.

Assignees

• Kalman Robert
• Pezeshki Bardia
• Tselikov Alexander
• Danesh Cameron
• Avicenatech Corp

Inventors

• Kalman Robert
• Pezeshki Bardia
• Tselikov Alexander
• Danesh Cameron

Classifications

• H10H20/856 Primary

  Reflecting means · CPC title

• H10H20/855

  Optical field-shaping means, e.g. lenses · CPC title

• H10H20/853

  characterised by their shape · CPC title

• H10H20/819

  characterised by their shape, e.g. curved or truncated substrates · CPC title

• G02B2006/12102

  Lens · CPC title