Non-linear gradient index (grin) optical backplane

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016299303-A1
Application number	US-201415100988-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 25, 2014
Priority date	Feb 25, 2014
Publication date	Oct 13, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Technologies are generally described to fabricate an optical circuit board with a non-linear gradient index (GRIN) optical backplane. An optical backplane with a non-linear GRIN may be formed as a circuit board enabling communicative coupling between at least two components on the circuit board and/or between one or more components and an optical interface via one or more optical pathways within the optical backplane. The components may be placed at a location along one or more surfaces of the non-linear GRIN optical backplane based on an approximate angle of incidence for the optical pathways between a component and other components to be coupled to the component. The components may be further placed to enable an optical communication signal projection from the optical interface to arrive at one or more of the placed components.

First claim

1 . A method to fabricate an optical circuit board with a non-linear gradient index (GRIN) optical backplane, the method comprising:
fabricating the non-linear GRIN optical backplane as part of the optical circuit board; placing a plurality of components on the optical circuit board based on an approximate angle of incidence for one or more optical pathways within the non-linear GRIN optical backplane, and wherein placing the plurality of components on the optical circuit board includes placing the plurality of components on the optical circuit board to enable an optical communication signal projection from an optical interface coupled to an edge of the non-linear GRIN optical backplane to arrive at one or more of the placed plurality components; and providing communicative coupling between at least two of the plurality of components via the one or more optical pathways within the non-linear GRIN optical backplane.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
testing the non-linear GRIN optical backplane, the plurality of components, and optical pathways for established communicative coupling.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forming two or more parallel layers of distinct refractive indices in a uniform progression to fabricate the non-linear GRIN optical backplane.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein forming the two or more parallel layers includes:
forming the two or more parallel layers in one of a horizontal orientation or a diagonal orientation.

5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the uniform progression of the refractive indices is from a relatively higher refractive index to a relatively lower refractive index, from a top surface of the GRIN optical backplane to a bottom surface of the GRIN optical backplane.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein fabricating the non-linear GRIN optical backplane includes:
fabricating the non-linear GRIN optical backplane by layering GRIN material through one or more of: layering incrementally reduced refractive index material over relatively higher refractive index material, heat diffusion of multiple layers, diffusion controlled chemical reaction, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), cross-linking, partial polymerization, ion exchange, ion stuffing, or directional solidification.

7 . (canceled)

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein placing the plurality of components on the optical circuit board includes:
placing a portion of the components on two opposite surfaces of the optical circuit board.

9 . (canceled)

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forming a layer of conductive traces over at least one surface of the non-linear GRIN optical backplane.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein placing the plurality of components on the optical circuit board includes:
attaching the plurality of components to the optical circuit board by one or more of gluing, soldering, and/or ultrasonic welding.

12 . An apparatus, comprising:
a gradient index (GRIN) optical backplane of an optical circuit board; a plurality of components placed on the GRIN optical backplane based on an approximate angle of incidence for one or more optical pathways through the GRIN optical backplane, and placed on the GRIN optical backplane to enable an optical communication signal projection from an optical interface coupled to an edge of the GRIN optical backplane to arrive at one or more of the placed plurality components, the one or more optical pathways located between a component and other components or the optical interface; and the optical interface configured to receive a first optical communication signal and provide the first optical communication signal to at least one of the components through at least one of the optical pathways in the GRIN optical backplane.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the optical interface is further configured to receive a second optical communication signal from at least one of the components through an optical pathway in the GRIN optical backplane and to provide the second optical communication signal to an external destination.

14 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the GRIN optical backplane is formed from a single GRIN material.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the GRIN material includes one of: poly(methyl methacrylate), perfluorinated polymers, cyclo-olefin polymers, polysulfones, sulfonated polystyrene, silica glass with gradient varying additions, or fluoride glass.

16 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the GRIN optical backplane comprises a sheet that includes x, y, and z axes and includes at least one refractive index that non-linearly varies along at least one of the x, y, and z axes of the sheet.

17 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the GRIN optical backplane comprises a sheet that includes x, y, and z axes and includes at least one refractive index that linearly varies along at least one of the x, y, and z axes of the sheet.

18 . The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a layer of conductive traces on at least a surface of the GRIN optical backplane.

19 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first optical communication signal is one or more of a laser beam, an infrared beam, or a visible light beam.

20 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the GRIN optical backplane has non-linear refractive indices such that optical communication signals directed to different components cross each other without interference.

21 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the GRIN optical backplane has non-linear refractive indices such that two or more optical communication signals are directed to different components from a single emanation point at the optical interface.

22 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the GRIN optical backplane has non-linear refractive indices such that a multiplex of frequencies of the optical communication signals projects the optical communication signals to one or more components.

23 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein a portion of the plurality of components include at least one of an emitter and/or a detector configured to facilitate projection and/or reception of the optical communication signals.

24 .- 29 . (canceled)

30 . An optical backplane, comprising:
a gradient index (GRIN) material formed as at least one sheet, wherein the sheet includes x, y, and z axes, wherein the GRIN material has at least one refractive index that non-linearly varies along at least one of the x, y, and z axes of the sheet and the at least one refractive index is arranged in the GRIN material such that optical communication signals directed to different components, located on at least one surface of the GRIN material, cross each other without interference; and at least one optical pathway in the GRIN material and configured with a direction based on the non-linear variation of the at least one refractive index.

31 .- 32 . (canceled)

33 . The optical backplane of claim 30 , wherein the at least one sheet of the GRIN material is formed from two or more parallel layers of distinct refractive indices in a uniform progression.

34 . The optical backplane of claim 33 , wherein the two or more parallel layers are formed in one of a horizontal orientation or a diagonal orientation.

35 . The optical backplane of claim 33 , wherein the uniform progression of the refractive indices is from a r

Assignees

• Empire Technology Dev Llc

Inventors

• Millar Benjamin William

Classifications

• G02B6/1221

  made from organic materials · CPC title

• G02B6/2938

  for multiplexing or demultiplexing, i.e. combining or separating wavelengths, e.g. 1xN, NxM · CPC title

• G02B2006/12095

  Graded · CPC title

• G02B6/428

  containing printed circuit boards [PCB] · CPC title

• G02B6/12004

  Combinations of two or more optical elements · CPC title