Optical connector with kinematic coupling

Inventors: Norbert Schlepple (Macungie, PA); Shawn X. Wang (Carlsbad, CA); Eng Wen Ong (Breinigsville, PA)

Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.

G02B6/4206

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12710603
App. No.: 18/416,506
Granted: Aug 18, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

The present disclosure describes various optical systems with an optical connector. An optical system includes an integrated circuit and a connector. The integrated circuit includes a grating coupler array. The connector optically couples a plurality of optical fibers to the grating coupler array. The connector engages the integrated circuit at a first attachment point, a second attachment point, and a third attachment point. The first attachment point, second attachment point, and third attachment point are arranged such that a center of optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers remains substantially aligned with a center of the grating coupler array despite thermal expansion that occurs during operation of the integrated circuit.

Claims (26)

1 . An optical system comprising:

a connector arranged to optically couple a plurality of optical fibers to the grating coupler array, the connector arranged to engage the integrated circuit at a first attachment point, a second attachment point, and a third attachment point, wherein the first attachment point, second attachment point, and third attachment point are arranged such that a center of optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers remains substantially aligned with the center of the grating coupler array despite thermal expansion that occurs during operation of the integrated circuit.

2 . The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the connector is further arranged to engage the integrated circuit at a fourth attachment point, wherein the first attachment point, second attachment point, third attachment point, and fourth attachment point are arranged substantially equidistant from the center of the grating coupler array.

3 . The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment point, second attachment point, and third attachment point are arranged substantially equidistant from the center of the grating coupler array.

4 . The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the connector and the integrated circuit have different coefficients of thermal expansion.

5 . The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment point comprises (i) a cavity defined by the integrated circuit and (ii) a peg extending from the connector and arranged to engage the cavity.

6 . The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment point comprises (i) a cavity defined by the connector and (ii) a peg extending from the integrated circuit and arranged to engage the cavity.

7 . The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment point comprises a peg movably attached to the integrated circuit, wherein an optical fiber is disposed within the peg.

8 . The optical system of claim 1 , further comprising a clip arranged to engage the connector to exert a force that pushes the connector towards the integrated circuit.

9 . The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a mirror that directs the optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers towards the grating coupler array.

10 . The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a lens that directs the optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers to the grating coupler array.

11 . A method comprising:

receiving, by a connector, optical signals from a plurality of optical fibers; and

directing, by the connector, the optical signals to a grating coupler array of an integrated circuit, wherein the grating coupler array comprises a first grating coupler with a first mode field diameter and a second grating coupler with a second mode field diameter larger than the first mode field diameter, wherein first grating coupler is positioned closer to a center of the grating coupler array than the second grating coupler, wherein the connector engages the integrated circuit at a first attachment point, a second attachment point, and a third attachment point, wherein the first attachment point, second attachment point, and third attachment point are arranged such that a center of optical signals remains substantially aligned with the center of the grating coupler array despite thermal expansion that occurs during operation of the integrated circuit.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the connector further arranged to engage the integrated circuit at a fourth attachment point, wherein the first attachment point, second attachment point, third attachment point, and fourth attachment point are arranged substantially equidistant from the center of the grating coupler array.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the first attachment point, second attachment point, and third attachment point are arranged substantially equidistant from the center of the grating coupler array.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the connector and the integrated circuit have different coefficients of thermal expansion.

15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the first attachment point comprises (i) a cavity defined by the integrated circuit and (ii) a peg extending from the connector and arranged to engage the cavity.

16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the first attachment point comprises (i) a cavity defined by the connector and (ii) a peg extending from the integrated circuit and arranged to engage the cavity.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the first attachment point comprises a peg movably attached to the integrated circuit, wherein an optical fiber is disposed within the peg.

18 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising a clip arranged to engage the connector to exert a force that pushes the connector towards the integrated circuit.

19 . An optical system comprising:

a plurality of optical fibers;

a connector arranged to receive a plurality of optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers; and

an integrated circuit comprising a grating coupler array comprising a first grating coupler with a first mode field diameter and a second grating coupler with a second mode field diameter larger than the first mode field diameter, wherein first grating coupler is positioned closer to a center of the grating coupler array than the second grating coupler, wherein the integrated circuit is arranged to receive the plurality of optical signals from the connector, wherein the connector comprises a first peg, a second peg, and a third peg arranged to engage the integrated circuit such that the first, second, and third pegs are arranged such that a center of the plurality of optical signals remains substantially aligned with the center of the grating coupler array despite thermal expansion that occurs during operation of the integrated circuit.