Quantum-Si has been granted a patent for an integrated photonic device that uses optical waveguides and couplers to deliver light to multiple sample wells. The device allows for parallel analysis of samples and includes a grating coupler to receive light from an external source and multiple waveguides to couple with the sample wells. The device also features a power waveguide that increases the coupling strength with a first waveguide along its length, enabling efficient optical propagation. GlobalData’s report on Quantum-Si gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Quantum-Si, Optoelectronic biosensors was a key innovation area identified from patents. Quantum-Si's grant share as of September 2023 was 18%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Integrated photonic device with varying width waveguide for sample analysis
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11774674B2) describes an integrated photonic device that includes a pixel region with multiple sample wells arranged in a row. The device also features a first waveguide that optically couples with at least two sample wells in the row, with the width of the first waveguide varying. Additionally, there is a power waveguide that receives light from a separate region of the device and optically couples with the first waveguide along its length. The coupling strength between the power waveguide and the first waveguide increases in the direction of optical propagation through the power waveguide.
The first waveguide in the integrated photonic device can evanescently couple with the power waveguide. The power waveguide has a larger width than the first waveguide and is designed to optically couple a portion of optical power to the first waveguide and another portion to a second waveguide. The second waveguide is positioned to optically couple with at least two sample wells in the same row.
The device may also include a second row of sample wells and a second waveguide that optically couples with at least two sample wells in the second row. The power waveguide can optically couple with the first waveguide through a first directional coupler and with the second waveguide through a second directional coupler. The second coupling coefficient of the second directional coupler is larger than the first coupling coefficient of the first directional coupler.
Furthermore, the integrated photonic device may have a grating coupler that receives light from the surface of the device and optically couples with the power waveguide. There can also be a second waveguide that optically couples with a second sample well in the row, while the first waveguide may have a tapered end and evanescently couple with the power waveguide at a location distal from the tapered end.
Additionally, the device may include at least one photodetector positioned to receive light emitted from one of the sample wells.
Overall, this patent describes an integrated photonic device with various features and configurations that enable efficient optical coupling and power distribution within the device.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
