Patents by Inventor Jock T. Bovington

Jock T. Bovington has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11418005
    Abstract: Described herein is a two chip photonic device (e.g., a hybrid master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA)) where a gain region and optical amplifier region are formed on a III-V chip and a variable reflector (which in combination with the gain region forms a laser cavity) is formed on a different semiconductor chip that includes silicon, silicon nitride, lithium niobate, or the like. Sides of the two chips are disposed in a facing relationship so that optical signals can transfer between the gain region, the variable reflector, and the optical amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic F. Siriani, Vipulkumar K. Patel, Jock T. Bovington, Matthew J. Traverso
  • Publication number: 20220252789
    Abstract: Aspects described herein include an optical apparatus comprising a plurality of light-carrying media, a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) device optically coupled with the plurality of light-carrying media, and a lens arranged between the WDM device and a multicore optical fiber. An arrangement of the plurality of light carrying media and the WDM device are selected to align each of the plurality of light-carrying media with a respective optical core of the multicore optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Norbert SCHLEPPLE, Jock T. BOVINGTON
  • Publication number: 20220236477
    Abstract: Aspects include a pluggable optical device and related optical system. The pluggable optical device comprises a housing, a printed circuit board (PCB) within the housing, and one or more blind mate optical connectors attached to the PCB along a first end of the PCB. The pluggable optical device further comprises one or more electrical contacts of the PCB near the first end, one or more external optical connectors arranged near a second end of the PCB opposite the first end, and one or more optical components attached to the PCB and included in optical paths extending between the one or more external optical connectors and the one or more blind mate optical connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Jock T. BOVINGTON, Matthew J. TRAVERSO, Mark C. NOWELL
  • Patent number: 11378751
    Abstract: By determining an alignment point for a photonic element in a substrate of a given material; applying, via a laser aligned with the photonic element according to the alignment point, an etching pattern to the photonic element to produce a patterned region and an un-patterned region in the photonic element, wherein applying the etching pattern alters a chemical bond in the given material for the patterned region of the photonic element that increases a reactivity of the given material to an etchant relative to a reactivity of the un-patterned region, and wherein the patterned region defines an engagement feature in the un-patterned region that is configured to engage with a mating feature on a Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC); and removing the patterned region from the photonic element via the etchant, various systems and methods may make use of laser patterning in optical components to enable alignment of optics to chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vipulkumar Patel, Matthew J. Traverso, Ashley J. Maker, Jock T. Bovington
  • Patent number: 11374655
    Abstract: A link extender configured to extend a range of an optical transceiver module is provided. The link extender includes an array of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) configured to amplify an optical signal received from the optical transceiver module, a first plurality of variable optical attenuators (VOAs) configured to control a power output of the amplified optical signal output from the array of SOAs, and a plurality of dispersion compensation and filtering (DC&F) devices configured to compensate for chromatic dispersion of the optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Mazzini, Alberto Cervasio, Jock T. Bovington
  • Publication number: 20220187537
    Abstract: Solder reflow compatible connections between optical components are provided by use of reflow compatible epoxies to bond optical components and remain bonded between the optical components at temperatures of at least 260 degrees Celsius for at least five minutes. In some embodiments, the reflow compatible epoxy is index matched to the optical channels in the optical components and is disposed in the light path therebetween. In some embodiments, a light path is defined between the optical channels through at least a portion of an air gap between the optical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew J. TRAVERSO, Jock T. BOVINGTON, Ashley J.M. ERICKSON
  • Patent number: 11347003
    Abstract: Aspects described herein include an optical apparatus comprising a plurality of light-carrying media, a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) device optically coupled with the plurality of light-carrying media, and a lens arranged between the WDM device and a multicore optical fiber. An arrangement of the plurality of light carrying media and the WDM device are selected to align each of the plurality of light-carrying media with a respective optical core of the multicore optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert Schlepple, Jock T. Bovington
  • Publication number: 20220120974
    Abstract: Aspects described herein include an optical apparatus comprising a plurality of light-carrying media, a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) device optically coupled with the plurality of light-carrying media, and a lens arranged between the WDM device and a multicore optical fiber. An arrangement of the plurality of light carrying media and the WDM device are selected to align each of the plurality of light-carrying media with a respective optical core of the multicore optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Norbert Schlepple, Jock T. Bovington
  • Patent number: 11300728
    Abstract: Solder reflow compatible connections between optical components are provided by use of reflow compatible epoxies to bond optical components and remain bonded between the optical components at temperatures of at least 260 degrees Celsius for at least five minutes. In some embodiments, the reflow compatible epoxy is index matched to the optical channels in the optical components and is disposed in the light path therebetween. In some embodiments, a light path is defined between the optical channels through at least a portion of an air gap between the optical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Traverso, Jock T. Bovington, Ashley J. M. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20220099901
    Abstract: Aspects described herein include a method including arranging a laser die on a substrate. The laser die has multiple channels that are arranged with a first planar arrangement proximate to a facet of the laser die. The substrate is arranged on a housing component. The method further includes aligning a single lens to the facet, and aligning a multicore optical fiber to the laser die through the single lens. The multicore optical fiber has a plurality of optical cores that are arranged with a second planar arrangement. Aligning the multicore optical fiber to the laser die includes attaching the multicore optical fiber to the housing component and rotationally aligning the multicore optical fiber to align the second planar arrangement with the first planar arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Norbert SCHLEPPLE, Jock T. BOVINGTON
  • Publication number: 20220075131
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe optical assemblies that use a spacer element to attach and align a laser to a waveguide in a photonic chip. Once aligned, the laser can transfer optical signals into the photonic chip which can then perform an optical function such as modulation, filtering, amplification, and the like. In one embodiment, the spacer element is a separate part (e.g., a glass or semiconductor block) that is attached between the photonic chip and a submount on which the laser is mounted. The spacer establishes a separation distance between the photonic chip and the submount which in turn aligns the laser with the waveguide in the photonic chip. In another embodiment, rather than the spacer element being a separate part, the spacer element may be integrated into the submount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventor: Jock T. BOVINGTON
  • Publication number: 20220052508
    Abstract: Aspects described herein include a method of fabricating an optical component. The method comprises electrically coupling different laser channels of a laser die to different electrical leads, testing a respective optical coupling of each of the different laser channels, optically aligning an optical fiber with a first laser channel of the different laser channels having the greatest optical coupling, and designating a second laser channel of the different laser channels as a heater element for the first laser channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Jock T. BOVINGTON, Norbert SCHLEPPLE
  • Publication number: 20220037855
    Abstract: Laser Side Mode Suppression Ratio (SMSR) control is provided via a logic controller configured to measure an SMSR of a carrier wave upstream of a modulator and measure an Average Optical Power (AOP) of the carrier wave downstream of the modulator; transmit a bias voltage based on the SMSR and the AOP to a laser driver for a laser generating the carrier wave; and transmit an attenuation level based on the SMSR and the AOP to a Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA) upstream of the modulator. In various embodiments the attenuation level and bias voltage can rise or fall together, or one may rise and one may fall to ensure the output optical signal meets specified SMSR and AOP values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventor: Jock T. BOVINGTON
  • Patent number: 11226457
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe optical assemblies that use a spacer element to attach and align a laser to a waveguide in a photonic chip. Once aligned, the laser can transfer optical signals into the photonic chip which can then perform an optical function such as modulation, filtering, amplification, and the like. In one embodiment, the spacer element is a separate part (e.g., a glass or semiconductor block) that is attached between the photonic chip and a submount on which the laser is mounted. The spacer establishes a separation distance between the photonic chip and the submount which in turn aligns the laser with the waveguide in the photonic chip. In another embodiment, rather than the spacer element being a separate part, the spacer element may be integrated into the submount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jock T. Bovington
  • Patent number: 11199668
    Abstract: Aspects described herein include a method comprising arranging a laser die on a substrate. The laser die has multiple channels that are arranged with a first planar arrangement proximate to a facet of the laser die. The method further comprises aligning a single lens to the facet, and aligning a multicore optical fiber to the laser die through the single lens. The multicore optical fiber has a plurality of optical cores that are arranged with a second planar arrangement. Aligning the multicore optical fiber to the laser die comprises rotationally aligning the multicore optical fiber to align the second planar arrangement with the first planar arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert Schlepple, Jock T. Bovington
  • Publication number: 20210373259
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe optical assemblies that use a spacer element to attach and align a laser to a waveguide in a photonic chip. Once aligned, the laser can transfer optical signals into the photonic chip which can then perform an optical function such as modulation, filtering, amplification, and the like. In one embodiment, the spacer element is a separate part (e.g., a glass or semiconductor block) that is attached between the photonic chip and a submount on which the laser is mounted. The spacer establishes a separation distance between the photonic chip and the submount which in turn aligns the laser with the waveguide in the photonic chip. In another embodiment, rather than the spacer element being a separate part, the spacer element may be integrated into the submount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventor: Jock T. BOVINGTON
  • Publication number: 20210359490
    Abstract: A laser integrated photonic platform to allow for independent fabrication and development of laser systems in silicon photonics. The photonic platform includes a silicon substrate with an upper surface, one or more through silicon vias (TSVs) defined through the silicon substrate, and passive alignment features in the substrate. The photonic platform includes a silicon substrate wafer with through silicon vias (TSVs) defined through the silicon substrate, and passive alignment features in the substrate for mating the photonic platform to a photonics integrated circuit. The photonic platform also includes a III-V semiconductor material structure wafer, where the III-V wafer is bonded to the upper surface of the silicon substrate and includes at least one active layer forming a light source for the photonic platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Jock T. BOVINGTON, Vipulkumar K. PATEL, Dominic F. SIRIANI
  • Patent number: 11133645
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for laser integration into photonic platforms in which a first wafer, including a first substrate and a first insulator that includes a first plurality of dies that each include a first set of optical waveguides, is bonded to a second wafer, including a second substrate and a second insulator that includes a second plurality of dies that each include a second set of optical waveguides. The bond between the two wafers defines a wafer bond interface joining the first insulator with the second insulator and vertically aligning the first plurality of dies with the second plurality of dies such that respective first sets of optical waveguides are optically coupled with respective second sets of optical waveguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jock T. Bovington, Kenneth J. Thomson, Dominic F. Siriani
  • Publication number: 20210263350
    Abstract: Thermal isolation elements are provided in wafer-bonded silicon photonics that include a photonic platform, including a heating element and an optical waveguide that are disposed between a first surface and a second surface (opposite to the first surface) of the photonic platform; a substrate, including a third surface and a fourth surface (opposite to the third surface); wherein the first surface of the photonic platform is bonded to the third surface of the substrate; and wherein a cavity is defined by a trench in one or more of: the first surface and extending towards, but not reaching, the second surface, and the third surface and extending towards, but not reaching, the fourth surface; wherein the cavity is filled with a gas of a known composition at a predefined pressure; and wherein the cavity is aligned with the optical waveguide and the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventor: Jock T. BOVINGTON
  • Publication number: 20210265806
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for selective-area growth of III-V materials for integration with silicon photonics. The resulting platform includes a substrate; an insulator, extending a first distance from the substrate, including a passive optical component at a second distance from the substrate less than the first distance, and defining a pit extending to the substrate; and a III-V component, extending from the substrate within in the pit defined in the insulator, the III-V component including a gain medium included at the second distance from the substrate and optically coupled with the passive optical component. The pit may define an Optical Coupling Interface between the III-V component and the passive optical component, or a slit defined between the III-V component and the passive optical component may define the Optical Coupling Interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Dominic F. SIRIANI, Jock T. BOVINGTON, Vipulkumar K. PATEL