Silicon photonics connector
Optical apparatus connecting a Silicon Photonics (SiP) device, which comprises multiple optical waveguides to an array of collimating lenses, configured to collimate light of the multiple optical waveguides into collimated beams. The optical apparatus includes a deflection element, distinct from the SiP device, including a light deflection surface which deflects light from the waveguides by an angle greater than 30 degrees, to the array of collimating lenses.
1. Optical apparatus, comprising:
a Silicon Photonics (SiP) device, which comprises multiple optical waveguides;
an array of collimating lenses, configured to collimate light of the multiple optical waveguides into collimated beams; and
a deflection element, distinct from the SiP device, placed on a surface of the SiP device, including a light deflection surface which deflects light from the waveguides by an angle greater than 30 degrees, to the array of collimating lenses.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the light deflection surface deflects light from the waveguides by an angle of 90 degrees to the array of collimating lenses, such that the collimated light is perpendicular to an optical axis of light exiting the waveguides.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the light deflection surface is slanted at an angle different than 45 degrees relative to the optical axis of light exiting the waveguides.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , and comprising a light transparent material between the waveguides and the light deflection surface, the light transparent material having a refractive index selected to deflect the light from the waveguides, so that the deflection surface directs the light to the array of collimating lenses.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the light deflection surface is included in a deflection substrate, distinct from the SiP device, and wherein the light transparent material attaches the SiP device to the deflection substrate.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the optical waveguides are characterized by a first optical spot size, and wherein the collimating lenses are configured to provide light of a second optical spot size, larger than the first optical spot size.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , and comprising a casing defining a slot or at least one pin configured to receive a ferrule of optical fibers, such that the fibers of the ferrule are aligned with the collimated light from the array of collimating lenses through the mirror.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , and comprising a casing defining a slot or at least one pin configured to receive a ferrule of optical fibers, such that the fibers are aligned with the collimated light from the array of collimating lenses.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the slot is configured to removeably receive the ferrule.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the light deflection surface is included in a deflection substrate separate from the silicon photonics device.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the array of collimating lenses are integrally defined in the deflection substrate.
12. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the deflection substrate and the silicon photonics device are aligned by elastic averaging alignment.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the light deflection surface comprises a photo-imageable polymer deposited on the silicon photonics substrate.
14. An optical apparatus, comprising:
a Silicon Photonics (SiP) device, which comprises multiple optical waveguides;
an array of collimating lenses, configured to collimate light of the multiple optical waveguides into collimated beams; and
a deflection element, distinct from the SiP device, including a light deflection surface which deflects light from the waveguides by an angle greater than 30 degrees, to the array of collimating lenses,
wherein the array of collimating lenses is located on a face of the SiP device opposite a face of the SiP device contacting the deflection element.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of deflection elements, each servicing a respective sub-group of one or more of the waveguides.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein at least two of the sub-groups of one or more of the waveguides extend to different lengths along the SiP device.
17. A method of transmitting an optical signal, comprising:
transmitting an optical signal through a waveguide of a SiP device;
deflecting the light transmitted from the waveguide by a deflection surface distinct from the SiP device, placed on a surface of the SiP device, by an angle greater than 30 degrees, to a collimating lens; and
collimating the light by the collimating lens.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein deflecting the light comprises deflecting the light from the waveguide by an angle of 90 degrees to the collimating lens, such that the collimated light is perpendicular to an optical axis of the light exiting the waveguide.
19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein deflecting the light comprises deflecting by a light deflecting slanted surface, slanted at an angle different than 45 degrees relative to the optical axis of light exiting the waveguide.
20. The method according to claim 19 , wherein deflecting the light comprises additionally deflecting the light by a light transparent material between the waveguide and the light deflecting slanted surface, the light transparent material having a refractive index selected to deflect the light, so that the slanted surface directs the light to the collimating lens.
21. The method according to claim 20 , wherein the light transparent material attaches the SiP device to a light deflection substrate including the deflection surface.
22. The method according to claim 20 , wherein transmitting the optical signal from the SiP device through a waveguide of the SiP device comprises transmitting light characterized by a first optical spot size, and wherein collimating the light comprises collimating the light to a beam having a second optical spot size, larger than the first optical spot size.
23. The method according to claim 22 , wherein the second optical spot size is at least twice as great as the first optical spot size.
24. The method according to claim 17 , and comprising directing the collimated light into an optical fiber.
25. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the multiple optical waveguides are located on an upper surface of the SiP device and wherein the deflection element is placed on the upper surface of the SiP device.
26. The apparatus according to claim 25 , wherein the multiple optical waveguides terminate on a side face of the SiP device and emit light from the side face.
27. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the deflection element is coupled to the surface of the SiP device by an adhesive.
28. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the deflection element includes an etched groove defined to receive the SiP device.
29. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the deflection element is coupled to the surface of the SiP device using kinematic alignment.