US 12,422,632 B2
Systems and methods for passively-aligned optical waveguide edge-coupling
Manan Raval, Oakland, CA (US); Matthew Sysak, Sunnyvale, CA (US); Chen Li, Santa Clara, CA (US); and Chong Zhang, San Jose, CA (US)
Assigned to Ayar Labs, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed by Ayar Labs, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/463,287.
Application 18/463,287 is a division of application No. 17/385,622, filed on Jul. 26, 2021, granted, now 11,762,154.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/059,974, filed on Aug. 1, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0418005 A1, Dec. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. G02B 6/42 (2006.01); G02B 6/38 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/423 (2013.01) [G02B 6/4228 (2013.01); G02B 6/3873 (2013.01); G02B 6/4234 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for edge-coupling of electro-optic chips, comprising:
a first chip including a facet formed at an edge of the first chip, the first chip including a first plurality of optical waveguides exposed at the facet of the first chip; and
a second chip including a facet formed at an edge of the second chip, the second chip including a second plurality of optical waveguides exposed at the facet of the second chip, the second plurality of optical waveguides positioned to align with the first plurality of optical waveguides when the second chip is edge-coupled to the first chip,
wherein the second chip is positioned with the facet of the second chip in contact with the facet of the first chip and with the second plurality of optical waveguides respectively aligned with the first plurality of optical waveguides, such that there is substantially no gap between the facet of the second chip and the facet of the first chip, wherein the facet of the second chip extends a specified distance into the second chip such that a portion of the second chip extends from the facet of the second chip over at least a portion of the first chip, the specified distance defined to achieve vertical alignment of the second plurality of optical waveguides with the first plurality of optical waveguides when the portion of the second chip is positioned in contact with the first chip.