Integrated transceiver with lightpipe coupler

Abstract

Systems and methods for configuring an integrated transceiver are disclosed. In one embodiment, very small form factor transceivers can be configured to allow 10 G optical interconnects over distances up to 2 km. Transceiver circuitry can be integrated on a single die, and be electrically connected to a transmitter such as a laser-diode and a receiver such as a photo-diode. In one embodiment, the laser and photo diodes can be edge-operating, and be mounted on the die. In one embodiment, one or both of the diodes can be surface-operating so as to allow relaxation of alignment requirement. In one embodiment, one or both of the diodes can be mounted on a submount that is separate from the die so as to facilitate separate assembly and testing. In one embodiment, the diodes can be optically coupled to a ferrule via an optical coupling element so as to manage loss in certain situations.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An integrated transceiver, comprising:
 at least one integrated circuit die including electronics thereon; 
 a semiconductor laser disposed on said at least one integrated circuit die and in electrical communication with said electronics; 
 a photodetector disposed on said at least one integrated circuit die and in electrical communication with said electronics; and 
 a light pipe comprising a length of substantially optically transmissive material having a first end and a second end, said second end disposed proximal to said photodetector, said second end having a sloping reflective surface angled such that light propagating along said length from said first end to said second end is redirected to said photodetector. 
 
     
     
       2. The transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one die comprises a single die. 
     
     
       3. The transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein said electronics includes a laser driver and a transimpedence amplifier. 
     
     
       4. The transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein said integrated circuit die comprises a semiconductor substrate or a substrate having semiconductor disposed thereon. 
     
     
       5. The transceiver of  claim 4 , wherein said semiconductor substrate comprises a silicon substrate. 
     
     
       6. The transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein said semiconductor laser couples light into a waveguide structure having an output disposed with respect to said second end to couple light into said second end of said light pipe. 
     
     
       7. The transceiver of  claim 6 , wherein said waveguide structure comprises a planar waveguide. 
     
     
       8. The transceiver of  claim 7 , wherein said planar waveguide comprises an optical modulator. 
     
     
       9. The transceiver of  claim 7 , wherein said waveguide structure further comprises an optical waveguide grating coupler to couple into said second end of said light pipe. 
     
     
       10. The transceiver of  claim 6 , further comprising a substantially optically transmissive spacer between said second end of said light pipe and said at least one integrated circuit die that couples light output from said waveguide structure into said second end of said light pipe. 
     
     
       11. The transceiver of  claim 10 , wherein said substantially optically transmissive spacer comprises silicon having at least one anti-reflection coating thereon. 
     
     
       12. The transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein said photodetector includes an optical input surface that is substantially planar. 
     
     
       13. The transceiver of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one integrated circuit die has top and bottom surfaces and said optical input surface of said photodetector is substantially parallel to said top surface of said at least one integrated circuit die. 
     
     
       14. The transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein said length of substantially optically transmissive material comprises glass. 
     
     
       15. The transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein said sloping reflective surface is angled such that a difference, between an angle of said sloping reflective surface relative to said length of said light pipe and an incident angle of light with respect to a normal to said sloping reflective surface, is between about 4° and 12°. 
     
     
       16. The transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein said sloping reflective surface comprises a total internal reflection surface. 
     
     
       17. The transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein said first end of said light pipe is disposed with respect to a multi-fiber uniferrule to permit light coupled into said light pipe.