Patent ID: 7848599
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: G02F,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An optical device, comprising: a substrate; an intermediate layer deposited on the substrate, wherein the intermediate layer includes an electrical insulator that electrically insulates the substrate from a semiconductor layer; the semiconductor layer, deposited on the intermediate layer, that includes a thermally tunable optical waveguide and a via that extends from a top of the semiconductor layer to a bottom of the semiconductor layer which is proximate to the intermediate layer; wherein a portion of the semiconductor layer is free standing above a gap between the semiconductor layer and the substrate, wherein the gap corresponds to a removed sacrificial portion of the intermediate layer and which is accessible through the via; and an electrical coupling between the semiconductor layer and a power-supply contact through a bridge over the gap; wherein another portion of the semiconductor layer is supported by a remaining portion of the intermediate layer; and wherein the gap increases thermal impedance between the semiconductor layer and the substrate, thereby reducing power consumption associated with thermal tuning of the optical waveguide.