OPTICAL MODULE

An optical module is disclosed. The optical module includes an emitter, a receiver, and a pre-formed transparent element disposed over the emitter and the receiver. The pre-formed transparent element is configured to provide an optical guiding path within the optical module.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to an optical module.

2. Description of the Related Art

In an optical module, a lid may be used to define an aperture for light transmission/reception and exclude unwanted optical noise or interference. The lid may occupy a certain surface area and a glass may be needed, which may be disadvantageous to achieving size reduction. It may be desirable to develop a smaller and cheaper optical module suitable for mass production.

SUMMARY

In some arrangements, an optical module includes an emitter, a receiver, and a pre-formed transparent element disposed over the emitter and the receiver. The pre-formed transparent element is configured to provide an optical guiding path within the optical module.

In some arrangements, an optical module includes an electronic component, a first transparent element disposed over the electronic component, and a light blocking layer disposed over and conform to the first transparent element. A roughness of a top surface of the light blocking layer is greater than a roughness of another surface of the light blocking layer.

In some arrangements, an optical module includes an optical component, a transparent element disposed over the optical component, and an adhesive material disposed between the optical component and the transparent element. The adhesive material is transparent to a light emitting from or receiving by the optical component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to indicate the same or similar components. Arrangements of the present disclosure will be readily understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1Ais a cross-section of an exemplary optical module1aaccording to some arrangements of the present disclosure. The optical module1amay include a carrier10, electronic devices11,12, optical components13,14, and an encapsulant15.

The carrier10may include a printed circuit board (PCB), such as a paper-based copper foil laminate, a composite copper foil laminate, or a polymer-impregnated glass-fiber-based copper foil laminate. In some arrangements, the carrier10may include an interconnection structure, such as a redistribution layer (RDL), a conductive trace, a conductive via, a grounding element, etc. In some arrangements, the carrier10includes a ceramic material or a metal material. In some arrangements, the carrier10may include a substrate or a lead frame.

The carrier10may include a surface101and a surface102opposite to the surface101. The carrier10may include one or more conductive pads (not shown) in proximity to, adjacent to, or embedded in and exposed by the surface101and/or the surface102. The carrier10may include a solder resist (not shown) on the surface101and/or the surface102to fully expose or expose at least a portion of the conductive pads for electrical connections. The carrier10may support the electronic devices11and12. The carrier10may electrically communicate with the electronic devices11and12.

The electronic device11may be disposed over or on the surface102of the carrier10. The electronic device11may be electrically connected to the carrier10through solder bonding, Cu-to-Cu bonding, wire bonding, or hybrid bonding. For example, the electronic device11may be electrically connected to the carrier10through an electrical contact11s. In some arrangements, the electrical contacts11smay include solder balls or solder bumps, such as a controlled collapse chip connection (C4) bump, a ball grid array (BGA) or a land grid array (LGA). In some arrangements, the electrical contacts11smay be covered by an underfill11u.

The electronic device11(or electronic component) may include an optical component, such as an emitter. The electronic device11may include a light emitting diode (LED), a laser diode (such as vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL)), a lamp, a laser, any other suitable light source, or a combination thereof. The electronic device11may be configured to generate light or electromagnetic (EM) radiation in the ultraviolet, visible, and/or infrared spectral regions.

For example, the electronic device11may include a light source that emits visible light of one or more wavelengths (or frequencies, or bandwidths), such as red, blue, and green light. For example, the electronic device11may include a light source that emits invisible light of one or more wavelengths (or frequencies, or bandwidths), such as infrared light. The electronic device11may include any number of light sources, such as an array of pixels.

The electronic device11may include a surface111facing the carrier10and a surface112opposite to the surface111and facing away from the carrier10. The surface112of the electronic device11may include an active surface, an active region, or a light emitting region. Light may be emitted from the surface112of the electronic device11. The surface111of the electronic device11may include a backside surface or a rear surface. In some arrangements, the light emitted from the surface112of the electronic device11may be directly coupled to the optical component13or coupled to the optical component13through a medium component or a device, such as an adhesive material, an optical fiber, a grating coupler, and a beam inverter. For example, the optical component13may be attached to the electronic device11through an adhesive material60. The adhesive material60may include or may be of the same material as the optical component13or an index-matching material, which reduces the difference in refraction index (for the bandwidths of the electronic device11) between the electronic device11and the optical component13. The adhesive material60may be transparent to the light emitted from the light emitting region of the electronic device11. In some arrangements, a width of the adhesive material60may be greater than a width of the light emitting region of the electronic device11. In some arrangements, the adhesive material60can prevent the light block issue due to the encapsulant15bleeding between the electronic device11and the optical component13.

In some arrangements, the light emitting surface of the electronic device11may face the carrier10to prevent the light emitting surface from being covered by the encapsulant15.

The electronic device12may be disposed over or on the surface102of the carrier10. The electronic device12may be electrically connected to the carrier10through solder bonding, Cu-to-Cu bonding, wire bonding, or hybrid bonding. For example, the electronic device12may be electrically connected to the carrier10through an electrical contact12s. In some arrangements, the electrical contacts12smay be covered by an underfill12u. The electronic device12may be disposed laterally with respect to the electronic device11.

The electronic device12(or electronic component) may include an optical component, such as a photo-detector, a photo-sensor, a photodiode (PD), a charge-coupled device (CCD), a photomultiplier tube, a camera, a spectrometer, or another light-sensitive electronic device. In some arrangements, the electronic device12may be configured to control the electronic device11. For example, the electronic device12may include a driver integrated circuit (IC) that provides brightness control and/or color control of the electronic device11.

The electronic device12may be configured to receive light (or EM radiation in the ultraviolet, visible, and/or infrared spectral regions) and generate electrical signals (e.g., an electrical current). For example, the electronic device12may convert light energy in the form of photons to an electric current. The electrical signals may be related to one or more properties of the light, such as luminous flux (or luminous power or brightness), luminous intensity, propagation direction, wavelength (or frequency, or bandwidth), polarization state, etc. In some arrangements, the electronic device12may be configured to control the electronic device11based on the one or more properties of the light.

The electronic device12may include a surface121facing the carrier10and a surface122opposite to the surface121and facing away from the carrier10. The surface122may include an active surface, an active region, or a light receiving region. For example, the electronic device may include light receiving regions12a1and12a2in proximity to, adjacent to, or embedded in and exposed by the surface122. The light receiving regions12a1and12a2may include receivers, such as optical receivers. Light may be received by the light receiving regions12a1and12a2. The surface121may include a backside surface.

In some arrangements, the light receiving region12a1may be configured to receive a proportion or percentage of the light emitted from the surface112of the electronic device11. For example, a proportion or percentage of the light emitted from the surface112of the electronic device11may be guided toward the light receiving region12a1by the optical component13. In some arrangements, the electronic device12may transmit the electrical signals to a controller (not shown) to control or monitor the electronic device11based on the one or more properties of the light received by the light receiving region12a1. The controller may include a processor, computing system (e.g., an ASIC or FPGA), or other suitable circuitry configured to analyze one or more characteristics of electrical signals from the electronic device12. In some arrangements, the electronic device12may include a through via electrically connected with the light receiving region12a1and the carrier10.

For example, a threshold value (or a desired value) for the one or more properties of the light may be predetermined. If the electrical signals from the electronic device12indicate that the one or more properties exceed the threshold value, the controller may generate logic or instructions to adjust or to calibrate (such as to decrease) the one or more properties of the light.

Additionally, if the electrical signals from the electronic device12indicate that the one or more properties of the light are too low (or lower than an acceptable value), the controller may generate logic or instructions to adjust (such as to increase) the one or more properties of the light. In some arrangements, the controller may generate logic or instructions to adjust or to calibrate the electrical current or voltage provided to the electronic device11, thereby monitoring and controlling the one or more properties of the light.

The light received by the light receiving region12a1can be used as a reference light (or a reference signal) to monitor the light emitted from the surface112of the electronic device11. The light emitted from the surface112of the electronic device11can be adjusted according to the reference light at the appropriate time, promptly, or immediately. The one or more properties of the light emitted from the surface112of the electronic device11can be controlled and kept within a predetermined range.

In some arrangements, the light receiving region12a2may be configured to receive external light, ambient light, reflected light, or light from a light source outside of the optical module1a. For example, a proportion or percentage of the light emitted from the surface112of the electronic device11may pass through the optical components13and may be received by (or may radiate) an object. The object may include any suitable object that is moving or stationary relative to the optical module1a. The object may scatter or reflect at least a portion of the light, and the scattered or reflected light may return toward the optical module1aand be received by the light receiving region12a2.

In some arrangements, the electronic device12may transmit the electrical signals to a controller (not shown) to determine one or more characteristics of the object, such as its distance downrange from the optical module1a. This can be done, for example, by analyzing the time of flight or phase modulation for the light emitted from the electronic device11.

The optical component13may be attached to the electronic device12through an adhesive material61. The adhesive material61may include or may be of the same material as the optical component13or an index-matching material, which reduces the difference in refraction index (for the bandwidths of the electronic device12) between the electronic device12and the optical component13. The adhesive material61may be transparent to the light received by the light receiving region12a1. In some arrangements, a width of the adhesive material61may be greater than a width of the light receiving region12a1. In some arrangements, the adhesive material61can prevent the light block issue due to the encapsulant15bleeding between the electronic device12and the optical component13.

The optical component14may be attached to the electronic device12through an adhesive material62. The adhesive material62may include or may be of the same material as the optical component14or an index-matching material, which reduces the difference in refraction index (for the bandwidths of the electronic device12) between the electronic device12and the optical component14. The adhesive material62may be transparent to the light received by the light receiving region12a2. In some arrangements, a width of the adhesive material62may be greater than a width of the light receiving region12a2. In some arrangements, the adhesive material62can prevent the light block issue due to the encapsulant15bleeding between the electronic device12and the optical component14. The adhesive material60and the adhesive material61may be configured to fix the location of the optical component13. The adhesive material60and the adhesive material61may be configured to adjust an elevation of the optical component13with respect to the electronic device12and the electronic device11. The adhesive material60and the adhesive material61may be configured to adjust a level or a horizontal surface with respect to the electronic device12and the electronic device11. In some arrangements, a top surface of the adhesive material60and a top surface of the adhesive material61may be substantially aligned. In some arrangements, a top surface of the adhesive material60, a top surface of the adhesive material61, and a top surface of the adhesive material62may be substantially aligned.

The optical component13may be disposed over or on the surface112of the electronic device11and the surface122of the electronic device12. The optical component13may cover the light emitting region (such as the surface112) of the electronic device11and the light receiving region12a1of the electronic device12. In some arrangements, the optical component13may contact (such as directly contact) the light emitting region (such as the surface112) of the electronic device11and the light receiving region12a1of the electronic device12.

The optical component13may be transmissive to the light emitted from the electronic device11. The optical component13may include a light transmissive material, such as clear glass, clear plastic, clear gel, clear resin, clear epoxy, sapphire, or other transparent materials. In some arrangements, the optical component13may include a panel, a waveguide, a prism, a concave lens, a convex lens, a flat surface, a diffuser, a shutter, a filter, a holographic element, or another transparent element. In some arrangements, the optical component13may include or may be a glass portion of a cell phone, a tablet, a notebook, a camera, or other electronic devices equipped with a proximity sensor.

In some arrangements, the optical component13may include a surface131facing the carrier10and a surface132opposite to the surface131and facing away from the carrier10. In some arrangements, the optical component13may include an overhang disposed over the electronic device11. The optical component13may extend between the light emitting region (such as the surface112) of the electronic device11and the light receiving region12a1of the electronic device12. The optical component13may exceed a lateral surface of the electronic device12. The electronic device11may be disposed under a vertical projection of the overhang of the optical component13.

In some arrangements, the optical component13may be configured to provide an optical guiding path within the optical module1. In some arrangements, the optical component13may be configured to provide internal light transmission/reception paths. For example, the optical component13may be configured to guide a propagation of the light from the surface112of the electronic device11toward the light receiving region12al.

A light blocking layer13bmay be disposed over or on the optical component13. The light blocking layer13bmay be conformal to one or more external surfaces of the optical component13. The light blocking layer13bmay be disposed along the outline or contour of the optical component13. In some arrangements, the surface131of the optical component13may be at least partially exposed by (or uncovered by) the light blocking layer13b.

The light blocking layer13bmay be non-transmissive to the light emitted from the electronic device11. In some arrangements, the light blocking layer13bmay be configured to block, reflect, scatter, or absorb light emitted from the electronic device11. In some arrangements, the light blocking layer13bmay be configured to prevent undesired light (e.g., light from an external environment) from being inadvertently detected by the light receiving region12a1of the electronic device12. In some arrangements, the light blocking layer13bmay be configured to reflected or scattered a proportion or percentage of the light emitted from the surface112of the electronic device11toward the light receiving region12a1of the electronic device12.

In some arrangements, the light blocking layer13bmay have an adequate optical density or opacity, which may depend on the light being considered. In some arrangements, the light blocking layer13bmay be configured to transmit almost no light, and therefore reflect, scatter, or absorb all of it. The light blocking layer13bincludes an opaque material, such as ink, carbon black, photoresist, a metal layer, or other non-transparent materials. In some arrangements, a thickness of the light blocking layer13bmay be about 10 μm or more.

The light blocking layer13bmay define an aperture (such as the aperture13ainFIG.1B) through which light can pass. The aperture (such as the aperture13ainFIG.1B) may expose the optical component13from the encapsulant15and may be configured to define a light transmission path. In some arrangements, a width of the aperture may be greater than a width traversing an emission cone of the electronic device11at an elevation leveled with the aperture.

The light blocking layer13bmay have a protruding portion13pconstituting a sidewall of the aperture. The location of the aperture may correspond to the light emitting region (which may be disposed over the surface112) of the electronic device11. In some arrangements, the aperture and the light receiving region12a1may be vertically misaligned. The aperture may be filled with a light transmissive material13t. The protruding portion13pof the light blocking layer13bmay surround the light transmissive material13t.

A top surface of the light transmissive material13tmay be exposed from the encapsulant15. The top surface of the light transmissive material13tmay recess from the top surface of the protruding portion13pof the light blocking layer13b. The top surface of the protruding portion13pof the light blocking layer13bmay be higher than the top surface of the light transmissive material13t.

The light transmissive material13tand the light emitting region (which may be disposed over the surface112) of the electronic device11may at least partially overlap substantially perpendicular to the surface102of the carrier10. In some arrangements, a proportion or percentage of the light emitted from the surface112of the electronic device11may pass through the light transmissive material13t. The light transmissive material13tmay include a light transmissive material, such as clear glass, clear plastic, clear gel, clear resin, clear epoxy, sapphire, or other transparent materials. The light transmissive material13tmay be thermally and/or optically cured. The light transmissive material13tmay include the same material as the optical component13. In some arrangements, a thickness of the light transmissive material13tmay be about 50 μm or more.

In some arrangements, the optical component13may be preconstructed or pre-formed before being attached to the electronic device11and the electronic device12. For example, the optical component13may be processed before being attached to the electronic device11and the electronic device12. The processes may include forming a panel, a waveguide, a prism, a concave lens, a convex lens, a flat surface, a diffuser, a shutter, a filter, a holographic element, etc. The processes may include adjusting one or more properties of the optical component13, such as a refractive index, a transmission coefficient, resilience to magnetic field, etc. For example, the light blocking layer13band the light transmissive material13tmay be pre-formed over the optical component13before attaching the optical component13to the electronic device11and the electronic device12.

The optical component14may be disposed over or on the surface122of the electronic device12. The optical component14may cover the light receiving region12a2of the electronic device12. In some arrangements, the optical component14may contact (such as directly contact) the light receiving region12a2of the electronic device12. In some arrangements, the optical component14may include a surface141facing the carrier10and a surface142opposite to the surface141and facing away from the carrier10.

In some arrangements, the optical component14may be configured to guide a light external to the optical module1to enter the light receiving region12a2of the electronic device12. In some arrangements, the optical component14may be configured to guide external light, reflected light, or light from a light source outside of the optical module1atoward the light receiving region12a2of the electronic device12. The optical component14may be similar to the optical component13and a description thereof is not repeated hereinafter for conciseness.

A light blocking layer14bmay be disposed over or on the optical component14. The light blocking layer14bmay be conformal to one or more external surfaces of the optical component14. The light blocking layer14bmay be disposed along the outline or contour of the optical component14. In some arrangements, the surface141of the optical component14may be at least partially exposed by (or uncovered by) the light blocking layer14b.

In some arrangements, the light blocking layer14bmay be configured to prevent undesired light (e.g., light from an external environment) from being inadvertently detected by the light receiving region12a2of the electronic device12. The light blocking layer14bmay be similar to the light blocking layer13band a description thereof is not repeated hereinafter for conciseness.

The light blocking layer14bmay define an aperture (such as the aperture14ainFIG.1B) through which light can pass. The aperture (such as the aperture14ainFIG.1B) may be configured to define a light reception path. A width of the aperture may be smaller than a width of the light receiving region12a2of the electronic device12.

The light blocking layer14bmay have a protruding portion14pconstituting a sidewall of the aperture. The location of the aperture may vertically correspond to the light receiving region12a2of the electronic device12. The aperture may be filled with a light transmissive material14t. The protruding portion14pof the light blocking layer14bmay surround the light transmissive material14t.

The light transmissive material14tand the light receiving region12a2of the electronic device12may at least partially overlap substantially perpendicular to the surface102of the carrier10. In some arrangements, external light, reflected light, or light from a light source outside of the optical module1amay pass through the light transmissive material14tand received by the light receiving region12a2. The light transmissive material14tmay be similar to the light transmissive material13tand a description thereof is not repeated hereinafter for conciseness.

In some arrangements, a part of the light blocking layer13band a part of the light blocking layer14bmay be disposed between the optical component13and the optical component14.

The encapsulant15may be disposed over or on the carrier10to cover the optical components13and14. A part of the encapsulant15may be disposed between the optical components13and14. The encapsulant15may contact the surface102of the carrier10. The encapsulant15may contact or surround the electronic devices11and12. Apart of the encapsulant15may be disposed between the electronic devices11and12. A part of the encapsulant15may be disposed between the electronic device12and the optical component13. A part of the encapsulant15may be disposed between the electronic device12and the optical component14. The optical component13may be partially supported by the encapsulant15. The surface131of the optical component13may contact the encapsulant15. The surface131of the optical component13may be covered by the encapsulant15. In some arrangements, the encapsulant15may fix the optical component13. The optical component13may be locked in the encapsulant15.

The light transmissive material13tand the light transmissive material14tmay each be at least partially exposed by the encapsulant15. The encapsulant15may include a light transmissive material, such as clear glass, clear plastic, clear gel, clear resin, clear epoxy, sapphire, or other transparent materials. The encapsulant15may include the same material as the optical component13or the optical component14. In some arrangements, the encapsulant15may include a light blocking layer. For example, as shown inFIG.3, the encapsulant30may include an opaque material. In some arrangements, the opaque material may be an opaque epoxy (e.g., a black epoxy) or other opaque resin or polymer. In some arrangements, a refractive index of the encapsulant15may be less than a refractive index of the light blocking layer13b.

In a comparative embodiment, a lid may be used to define an aperture for light transmission/reception paths and prevent unwanted optical noise or interference. The lid may occupy a certain surface area and a glass may be needed, which may be disadvantageous to size conservation. According to some arrangements of the present disclosure, by replacing the encapsulant15with the lid, and using the optical components13and14and the light blocking layers13band14bto define light transmission/reception paths, the package size of the optical module1acan be minimized. In addition, using the light blocking layers13band14bto define apertures, the size of the apertures can be scaled down to prevent undesired light being detected and thus increase the accuracy of the optical module1a.

FIG.1Bis a cross-section of an exemplary optical module1baccording to some arrangements of the present disclosure. The optical module1bis similar to the optical module1ainFIG.1Aexcept that the apertures13aand14amay include air-filled physical apertures.

In some arrangements, the light transmissive materials13tand14tinFIG.1Amay be at least partially removed. In some arrangements, the light transmissive materials13tand14tinFIG.1Amay be entirely removed to form the apertures13aand14ainFIG.1B.

Atop surface13b1of the protruding portion13pof the light blocking layer13bmay be exposed from the encapsulant15. In some arrangements, a surface roughness or a roughness (such as Ra and/or Rz) of the top surface13b1of the protruding portion13pmay be different from a surface roughness of a portion other than the light blocking layer13b.

For example, a surface roughness of the light blocking layer13bproximal to the aperture is different from a surface roughness of the light blocking layer13baway from the aperture. For example, a surface roughness of the top surface13b1of the protruding portion13pmay be substantially greater than a surface roughness of a portion other than the light blocking layer13b. During a manufacturing process of the optical module1baccording to some arrangements of the present disclosure, the light blocking layer13bmay be partially or entirely removed to form the top surface13b1of the protruding portion13pexposed from the encapsulant15.

FIG.1Cis a cross-section of an exemplary optical module1caccording to some arrangements of the present disclosure. The optical module1cis similar to the optical module1ainFIG.1Aexcept that the adhesive materials61and/or62may bleed and may exist between the optical component13and the optical component14.

FIG.1Dis a perspective view of an exemplary optical module according to some arrangements of the present disclosure.FIG.1Eis a top view of an exemplary optical module according to some arrangements of the present disclosure. Some elements inFIG.1DandFIG.1Eare omitted for conciseness. The optical modules of the present disclosure may have a perspective view and a top view inFIG.1DandFIG.1E.

FIG.2Ais a cross-section of an exemplary optical module2aaccording to some arrangements of the present disclosure. The optical module2ais similar to the optical module1ainFIG.1Aexcept that the light blocking layer13bis disposed over the surface102of the carrier10, the surface122of the electronic device12, and the lateral surfaces123(which may extend between the surfaces121and122) of the electronic device12.

FIG.2Bis a cross-section of an exemplary optical module2baccording to some arrangements of the present disclosure. The optical module2bis similar to the optical module2ainFIG.2Aexcept that the light blocking layer13bis also disposed over the lateral surfaces113(which may extend between the surfaces111and112) of the electronic device11and the surface131of the optical component13.

FIG.3is a cross-section of an exemplary optical module3according to some arrangements of the present disclosure. The optical module3is similar to the optical module1ainFIG.1Aexcept that the encapsulant30may include an opaque material. In some arrangements, the opaque material may be an opaque epoxy (e.g., a black epoxy) or other opaque resin or polymer.

In some arrangements, a refractive index of the encapsulant30may be equal to or greater than a refractive index of the blocking layer13band the light blocking layer14binFIG.1A. In some arrangements, the light blocking layer13band the light blocking layer14binFIG.1Amay be omitted. The encapsulant30may block the light from the electronic device11. The encapsulant30may be disposed over or on the optical component13to define an aperture (such as the aperture13ainFIG.1B) through which light can pass. The aperture may be filled with the light transmissive material13t. In some arrangements, the aperture may include an air-filled physical aperture.

Similarly, the encapsulant30may be disposed over or on the optical component14to define an aperture (such as the aperture14ainFIG.1B) through which light can pass. The aperture may be filled with the light transmissive material14t. In some arrangements, the aperture may include an air-filled physical aperture.

FIG.4Ais a cross-section of an exemplary optical module4aaccording to some arrangements of the present disclosure. The optical module4ais similar to the optical module1ainFIG.1Awith differences therebetween as follows.

The electronic device11may be electrically connected to the surface102of the carrier10through a conductive wire40. The conductive wire40may contact or connect to the light emitting region (such as the surface112) of the electronic device11. The conductive wire40may extend from the light emitting region (such as the surface112) of the electronic device11to the surface102of the carrier10.

An adhesive material41may be disposed over or on the light emitting region (such as the surface112) of the electronic device11to cover a part of the conductive wire40. The adhesive material41may include or may be of the same material as the optical component13or an index-matching material, which reduces the difference in refraction index (for the bandwidths of the electronic device11) between the electronic device11and the optical component13. The adhesive material41may be transparent to the light from the electronic device11. The adhesive material41may be identical to the adhesive material60and/or the adhesive material61inFIG.6B.

In some arrangements, the adhesive material41may be configured to prevent the light from the electronic device11from being blocked by the encapsulant15. For example, as shown in the enlarged view inFIG.4B, the light beams from one or more emitting regions of the electronic device11may be covered by the adhesive material41. The encapsulant15may be spaced apart from the one or more emitting regions of the electronic device11.

In some arrangements, the adhesive material41may be configured to support the optical component13. In some arrangements, the adhesive material41may be configured to compensate a thickness difference between the electronic device11and the electronic device12.

In some arrangements, a shape of the adhesive material41may be configured to enhance light collection from the electronic device11. For example, the adhesive material41may have a bowl shape. For example, a width of the adhesive material41at an elevation contacting the optical component13is greater than a width of an emitting region of the electronic device11.

In some arrangements, the encapsulant15may include an opaque material. The adhesive material41and the encapsulant15may collaboratively define a lens or a reflective cup.

The electronic device12may be electrically connected to the surface102of the carrier10through a conductive wire42. The conductive wire42may contact or connect to the surface122of the electronic device12. The conductive wire42may extend from the surface122of the electronic device12to the surface102of the carrier10. The conductive wire42may be disposed between the optical component13and the optical component14.

FIG.4Cis a perspective view of an exemplary optical module according to some arrangements of the present disclosure. Some elements inFIG.4Care omitted for conciseness. The optical module4amay have a perspective view inFIG.4C.

FIG.5is a cross-section of an exemplary optical module5according to some arrangements of the present disclosure. The optical module5is similar to the optical module1ainFIG.1Awith differences therebetween as follows.

The optical module5may include a carrier50, an electronic device51, optical components52,53, and an encapsulant54.

The carrier50may be similar to the carrier10and a description thereof is not repeated hereinafter for conciseness. The electronic device51may be disposed over or on the carrier50. The electronic device51may be electrically connected to the carrier50through solder bonding, Cu-to-Cu bonding, wire bonding, or hybrid bonding.

The electronic device51may include a photo-detector, a photo-sensor, a PD, a CCD, a photomultiplier tube, a camera, a spectrometer, or another light-sensitive electronic device. The electronic device51may include light receiving regions51a1,51a2, and51a3. The light receiving regions51a1,51a2, and51a3may be configured to receive visible light of different wavelengths (or frequencies, or bandwidths), such as red, blue, and green light.

The optical component52may be disposed over or on the light receiving regions51a1,51a2, and51a3. The optical component52may be similar to the optical component13and a description thereof is not repeated hereinafter for conciseness.

The optical component53may be disposed over or on the optical component52. The optical component53may include a panel, a waveguide, a prism, a concave lens, a convex lens, a flat surface, a diffuser, a shutter, a filter, a holographic element, etc.

A light blocking layer52bmay be disposed over or on the optical components52and53. The light blocking layer52bmay be conformal to one or more external surfaces of the optical components52and53. The light blocking layer52bmay be disposed along the outline or contour of the optical components52and53. In some arrangements, a surface of the optical component52may be at least partially exposed by (or uncovered by) the light blocking layer52b.

In some arrangements, the light blocking layer52bmay be configured to prevent undesired light (e.g., light from an external environment) from being inadvertently detected by the light receiving regions51a1,51a2, and51a3of the electronic device51. The light blocking layer52bmay be similar to the light blocking layer13band a description thereof is not repeated hereinafter for conciseness.

The light blocking layer52bmay define an aperture through which light can pass. The aperture may be configured to define a light reception path. The light blocking layer52bmay have a protruding portion52pconstituting a sidewall of the aperture. The location of the aperture may correspond to the light receiving regions51a1,51a2, and51a3of the electronic device51. The aperture may be filled with a light transmissive material52t. The protruding portion52pof the light blocking layer52bmay surround the light transmissive material52t.

FIGS.6A,6B,6C,6D,6E, and6Fare cross-sections of one or more stages of a method of manufacturing an optical module in accordance with an arrangement of the present disclosure. In some arrangements, the optical module4amay be manufactured through the operations described with respect toFIGS.6A,6B,6C,6D,6E, and6F.

Referring toFIG.6A, the electronic devices11and12may be disposed over or on the surface102of the carrier10. An active surface, an active region, or a light emitting region (such as the surface112) of the electronic device11may face away from the carrier10. The light receiving regions12a1and12a2may be in proximity to, adjacent to, or embedded in and exposed by the surface122of the electronic device12.

Referring toFIG.6B, the adhesive material41may be disposed or dispensed over or on the light emitting region (such as the surface112) of the electronic device11. The adhesive material61may be disposed or dispensed over or on the light receiving region12a1the electronic device12. The adhesive material62may be disposed or dispensed over or on the light receiving region12a2the electronic device12.

Referring toFIG.6C, the optical component13may be disposed over or on the surface112of the electronic device11and the surface122of the electronic device12. The optical component14may be disposed over or on the surface122of the electronic device12.

In some arrangements, the light transmissive material13tand the light blocking layer13bmay be disposed over the optical component13before the optical component13is disposed over or on the electronic device11and the electronic device12. Similarly, the light transmissive material14tand the light blocking layer14bmay be disposed over the optical component14before the optical component14is disposed over or on the electronic device12.

In some arrangements, the optical component13may be preconstructed or pre-formed before being attached to the electronic device11and the electronic device12. For example, the optical component13may be processed before being attached to the electronic device11and the electronic device12. The processes may include forming a panel, a waveguide, a prism, a concave lens, a convex lens, a flat surface, a diffuser, a shutter, a filter, a holographic element, etc. The processes may include adjusting one or more properties of the optical component13, such as a refractive index, a transmission coefficient, resilience to magnetic field, etc. For example, the light blocking layer13band the light transmissive material13tmay be pre-formed over the optical component13before attaching the optical component13to the electronic device11and the electronic device12.

In some arrangements, the light transmissive material13tand the light transmissive material14tmay be thermally cured before attaching the optical component13to the electronic device11and the electronic device12. In some arrangements, the light transmissive material13tand the light transmissive material14tmay be thermally cured after attaching the optical component13to the electronic device11and the electronic device12.

Referring toFIG.6D, the encapsulant15may be disposed over or on the carrier10to cover the optical components13and14. In some arrangements, the encapsulant15may be formed by molding, such as by printing, compressive molding, transfer molding, liquid encapsulant molding, vacuum lamination, spin coating, or other suitable processes.

Referring toFIG.6E, a planarization operation or a grinding operation may be performed to remove a portion of the encapsulant15to expose the light transmissive materials13t,14tand the light blocking layers13band14b. A part of each of the light transmissive materials13t,14tand the light blocking layers13band14bmay also be removed. The planarization operation or grinding operation may include an abrasive machining process that uses a grinding wheel or grinder, a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process, an etching process, or a laser direct ablation (LDA) process.

In some arrangements, a planarization operation or a grinding operation may be performed to remove at least a portion of the light transmissive materials13tand14t. In some arrangements, the light transmissive materials13tand14tinFIG.6Emay be entirely removed.

Referring toFIG.6F, a singulation may be performed to separate out individual package devices. The singulation may be performed, for example, by using a dicing saw, laser or other appropriate cutting techniques. The structure obtained from the operation inFIG.6Fmay be similar to the optical module4a.

FIGS.7A,7B,7C,7D, and7Eare cross-sections of one or more stages of a method of manufacturing an optical module in accordance with an arrangement of the present disclosure. In some arrangements, the optical module2amay be manufactured through the operations described with respect toFIGS.7A,7B,7C,7D, and7E.

Referring toFIG.7A, the operations inFIG.7Amay be subsequent to the operation inFIG.6B. The optical component13may be disposed over or on the surface112of the electronic device11and the surface122of the electronic device12. The optical component14may be disposed over or on the surface122of the electronic device12.

In some arrangements, the light transmissive material13tmay be disposed over the optical component13before the optical component13is disposed over or on the electronic device11and the electronic device12. Similarly, the light transmissive material14tmay be disposed over the optical component14before the optical component14is disposed over or on the electronic device12.

In some arrangements, the light transmissive material13tand the light transmissive material14tmay be thermally and/or optically cured.

Referring toFIG.7B, the light blocking layer13bmay be disposed over the optical component13and the light blocking layer14bmay be disposed over the optical component14. The light blocking layer13band the light blocking layer14bmay be formed through, for example, sputtering operations or spray coating operations.

Referring toFIG.7C, the encapsulant15may be disposed over or on the carrier10to cover the optical components13and14.

Referring toFIG.7D, a planarization operation or a grinding operation may be performed to remove a portion of the encapsulant15to expose the light transmissive materials13t,14tand the light blocking layers13band14b.

Referring toFIG.7E, a singulation may be performed to separate out individual package devices. The structure obtained from the operation inFIG.7Emay be similar to the optical module2a.