Optical interconnect

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016341902-A1
Application number	US-201615228290-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 4, 2016
Priority date	May 29, 2012
Publication date	Nov 24, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons and embedded optical waveguides, and optical interconnects useful for connecting multiple optical waveguides such as in optical fiber ribbon cables and printed circuit boards (PCBs) having optoelectronic capabilities. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical waveguide connector that incorporates microlenses and re-directing elements which combine the features of optical waveguide alignment, along with redirecting and shaping of the optical beam.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An optical interconnect assembly, comprising:
a plurality of first optical waveguides, each first optical waveguide comprising a first light extractor, the first light extractors being staggered relative to one another; a plurality of second optical waveguides, each second optical waveguide comprising a second light extractor, the second light extractors being staggered relative to one another; and an optical coupler for coupling light extracted by the first light extractor of each first optical waveguide to a corresponding second optical waveguide through the second light extractor of the second optical waveguide.

2 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optical coupler comprises a plurality of first microlenses staggered relative to one another, each first microlens in the plurality of first microlenses corresponding to a different first optical waveguide in the plurality of first optical waveguides, each first microlens in the plurality of first microlenses disposed to receive light extracted by the first light extractor of the corresponding first optical waveguide.

3 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 2 , wherein the optical coupler further comprises a plurality of second microlenses staggered relative to one another, each second microlens in the plurality of second microlenses corresponding to a different second optical waveguide in the plurality of second optical waveguides, each second microlens in the plurality of second microlenses disposed to transmit light to the second light extractor of the corresponding second optical waveguide.

4 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optical coupler comprises a plurality of second microlenses staggered relative to one another, each second microlens in the plurality of second microlenses corresponding to a different second optical waveguide in the plurality of second optical waveguides, each second microlens in the plurality of second microlenses disposed to transmit light to the second light extractor of the corresponding second optical waveguide.

5 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optical coupler comprises a light redirecting element.

6 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 5 , wherein the light redirecting element comprises a prism.

7 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 6 , wherein the prism comprises a plurality of first microlenses staggered relative to one another, each first microlens in the plurality of first microlenses corresponding to a different first optical waveguide in the plurality of first optical waveguides, each first microlens in the plurality of first microlenses disposed to receive light extracted by the first light extractor of the corresponding first optical waveguide.

8 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 7 , wherein the prism comprises a plurality of second microlenses staggered relative to one another, each second microlens in the plurality of second microlenses corresponding to a different second optical waveguide in the plurality of second optical waveguides, each second microlens in the plurality of second microlenses disposed to transmit light to the second light extractor of the corresponding second optical waveguide.

9 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 6 , wherein the prism comprises a plurality of second microlenses staggered relative to one another, each second microlens in the plurality of second microlenses corresponding to a different second optical waveguide in the plurality of second optical waveguides, each second microlens in the plurality of second microlenses disposed to transmit light to the second light extractor of the corresponding second optical waveguide.

10 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of first optical waveguides and the plurality of second optical waveguides is disposed on or within a first circuit board.

11 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 10 , wherein the other of the plurality of first optical waveguides and the plurality of second optical waveguides is disposed on or within a second circuit board.

12 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second circuit board is plugged into a first side of the first circuit board via an electrical connector.

13 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 10 , wherein the first circuit board is connected to the second circuit board in a perpendicular orientation.

14 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 10 , wherein the optical coupler is mounted on the first circuit board.

15 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 14 , wherein the optical coupler comprises a plurality of first microlenses staggered relative to one another, each first microlens in the plurality of first microlenses corresponding to a different first optical waveguide in the plurality of first optical waveguides, each first microlens in the plurality of first microlenses disposed to receive light extracted by the first light extractor of the corresponding first optical waveguide.

16 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 15 , wherein the optical coupler comprises a plurality of second microlenses staggered relative to one another, each second microlens in the plurality of second microlenses corresponding to a different second optical waveguide in the plurality of second optical waveguides, each second microlens in the plurality of second microlenses disposed to transmit light to the second light extractor of the corresponding second optical waveguide.

17 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first light extractor of each first optical waveguide is one of a grating adjacent a surface of the first optical waveguide, a reflector embedded within the first optical waveguide, and an angle cleaved end face of the first optical waveguide, and wherein the second light extractor of each second optical waveguide is one of a grating adjacent a surface of the second optical waveguide, a reflector embedded within the second optical waveguide, and an angle cleaved end face of the second optical waveguide.

18 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the first or second light extractors comprises a first wavelength selective extraction grating and a different second wavelength selective extraction grating.

19 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first optical waveguides is disposed in a first plane and the plurality of second optical waveguides is disposed in a different second plane.

20 . The optical interconnect assembly of claim 19 , wherein the second plane makes an oblique angle with the first plane.

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Co

Inventors

• Wang Ding
• Smith Terry L

Classifications

• H05K2201/09709

  Staggered pads, lands or terminals; Parallel conductors in different planes · CPC title

• H05K1/0274

  Optical details, e.g. printed circuits comprising integral optical means (H05K1/0269 takes precedence; coupling light guides with opto-electronic components G02B6/42) · CPC title

• G02B6/43

  Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections · CPC title

• G02B6/12004

  Combinations of two or more optical elements · CPC title

• G02B6/32 Primary

  having lens focusing means {positioned between opposed fibre ends (with lens being an integral part of the single fibre end G02B6/262)} · CPC title