Opto-isolator including a vertical cavity surface emitting laser
View Patent ↗An opto-isolator is disclosed that include a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), a photodetector and a package enclosing the VCSEL and the photodetector. The photodetector is optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL.
1. An opto-isolator comprising:
a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL);
a photodetector optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL;
a package enclosing the VCSEL and the photodetector, wherein the package includes an encapsulant that encapsulates the VCSEL and photodetector;
a first reflective surface positioned outside of the encapsulant and optically aligned with the VCSEL so as to receive and reflect the output optical signal; and
a second reflective surface positioned outside of the encapsulant and optically aligned with the first reflective surface and photodetector so as to receive the reflected output optical signal from the first reflective surface and reflect the output optical signal to the photodetector.
2. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein the VCSEL is disposed adjacent to the detector and optically coupled to the detector via a redirection of the optical signal by the first and second reflective surfaces.
3. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the first or second reflective surface being concave so as to optically couple the VCSEL with the detector.
4. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second reflective surface receives and redirects the output optical signal through a material of the encapsulant.
5. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second reflective surface is positioned outside of the encapsulant such that the first or second reflective surface receives the output optical signal through air and redirects the output optical signal through air.
6. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second reflective surface is unitarily formed with an encapsulant.
7. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the first or second reflective surface being included in a reflective structure that is configured to redirect the output optical signal generated by the VCSEL such that the output optical signal is received by the detector by being redirected by the first reflective surface toward the second reflective surface, and then being redirected by the second reflective surface toward the detector.
8. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , further comprising a laser driver enclosed within the encapsulant.
9. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , further comprising a transimpedence amplifier enclosed within the encapsulant.
10. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second reflective surface is integrated with the encapsulant.
11. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second reflective surface is attached to the encapsulant.
12. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein the encapsulant includes an air void such that the optical signal is at least partially transmitted through air.
13. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second reflective surface receives and reflects the optical signal through material of the encapsulant.
14. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second reflective surfaces are is part of a reflective structure having a semi-pyramidal structure.
15. An opto-isolator according to claim 14 , wherein the reflective structure is incorporated with the encapsulant.
16. An opto-isolator according to claim 14 , wherein the reflective structure is attached to the encapsulant.
17. An opto-isolator according to claim 14 , wherein the reflective structure is a lid that includes the first and second reflective surfaces, such that the output optical signal is received by the detector by being redirected by a first reflective surface toward a second reflective surface, and then being redirected by the second reflective surface toward the detector.
18. An opto-isolator according to claim 17 , wherein the reflective structure includes four reflective surfaces, such that the output optical signal is reflected by both of the first and second reflective surfaces.
19. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the encapsulant is at least partially opaque to a particular spectrum or range of spectrums of light.
20. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , comprising a portion of the encapsulant that is at least partially opaque to a frequency of light generated by the VCSEL.