Multi-layer planar waveguide interconnects
A multi-layer planar waveguide may be used in providing an interconnect for inter-chip and/or intra-chip signal transmission. Various embodiments to transmit optical signals are disclosed, along with designs of microLED optical assemblies, photodetector optical assemblies, waveguides, and multi-layer planar waveguides.
1. A multi-layer planar interconnect comprising:
a first optical transceiver array comprising a plurality of first microLEDs, first transmitter circuitry for the plurality of first microLEDs, a plurality of first photodetectors, and first receiver circuitry for the plurality of first photodetectors;
a second optical transceiver array comprising a plurality of second microLEDs, second transmitter circuitry for the plurality of second microLEDs, a plurality of second photodetectors, and second receiver circuitry for the plurality of second photodetectors;
a multi-layer planar waveguide array, comprised of multiple layers of waveguides, each layer including a plurality of waveguides, coupling the first optical transceiver array and the second optical transceiver array;
a first optical layer-shift array coupled between the first optical transceiver array and the multi-layer planar waveguide array, the first optical layer-shift array configured to transfer light between the first optical transceiver array and the multi-planar waveguide array; and
a second optical layer-shift array coupled between the second optical transceiver array and the multi-layer planar waveguide array, the second optical layer-shift array configured to transfer light between the second optical transceiver array and the multi-planar waveguide array.
2. The multi-layer planar interconnect of claim 1 , wherein the multiple layers of waveguides each comprise of vertical and horizontal waveguide layers, and the first and second optical layer-shift arrays are configured to transfer light produced by the first and second optical transceiver arrays from the vertical waveguide layers to their respective horizontal waveguide layers.
3. The multi-layer planar interconnect of claim 2 , wherein the first and second optical layer-shift arrays are each configured to transfer light from the vertical waveguide layer to their respective horizontal waveguide layers by at least one reflector.
4. The multi-layer planar interconnect of claim 3 , wherein each of the at least one reflectors comprises a plurality of reflectors.
5. The multi-layer planar interconnect of claim 4 , wherein at least some of the plurality of reflectors for each of the first and second optical layer-shift arrays are on different horizontal levels.
6. The multi-layer planar interconnect of claim 1 , wherein the multiple waveguide layers each comprise a bottom cladding layer and a patterned core layer on the bottom cladding, the patterned core layer providing an array of rib waveguides.
7. The multi-layer planar interconnect of claim 6 , wherein the multiple waveguide layers further comprise a fill cladding between the rib waveguides.