US 12,248,208 B2
Integrated circuit, system, and method for coupling optical signals into an integrated circuit
Heiko Gustav Kurz, Hannover (DE); Thomas Gisder, Wolfsburg (DE); Marc-Michael Meinecke, Sassenburg (DE); and Heiko Schröder, Meinersen (DE)
Assigned to Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Wolfsburg (DE)
Filed by Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Wolfsburg (DE)
Filed on Jun. 25, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/753,834.
Claims priority of application No. 102023206495.2 (DE), filed on Jul. 7, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0013087 A1, Jan. 9, 2025
Int. Cl. G02F 1/13 (2006.01)
CPC G02F 1/1326 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An integrated circuit, comprising:
an optical input configured to couple to an optical fiber, wherein the optical input is configured to receive an optical signal from the optical fiber;
a controllable liquid crystal element configured to receive the optical signal from the optical input;
an optical waveguide positioned directly at the liquid crystal element; and
a control device configured to activate the liquid crystal element to modulate its refractive index, thereby enabling the optical signal to be at least partially coupled into the optical waveguide.