Towards Low Cost Coupling Structures for Short-Distance Optical Interconnections

TL;DR

This paper explores various low-cost coupling structures for short-distance optical interconnections, analyzing their fabrication, efficiency, and integration potential in printed circuit boards.

Contribution

It introduces and compares four different coupling components, both discrete and integrated, for deflecting light beams in optical interconnections.

Findings

Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the coupling structures.

Discussion of advantages and disadvantages guides future design choices.

Fabrication processes are detailed for practical implementation.

Abstract

The performance of short distance optical interconnections in general relies very strongly on coupling structures, since they will determine the overall efficiency of the system to a large extent. Different configurations can be considered and a variety of manufacturing technologies can be used. We present two different discrete and two different integrated coupling components which can be used to deflect the light beam over 90 degrees and can play a crucial role when integrating optical interconnections in printed circuit boards. The fabrication process of the different coupling structures is discussed and experimental results are shown. The main characteristics of the coupling structures are given. The main advantages and disadvantages of the different components are discussed.