An adjustable light attenuation device and system with integrated light splitting detection function

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of optical devices, and specifically to an adjustable optical attenuation device and system with integrated spectroscopic detection function. The adjustable optical attenuation device includes a cavity, an input optical fiber, a reflector, a spectroscope, a photodetector, and an output optical fiber. The input optical fiber and the output optical fiber are arranged inside the cavity. After being transmitted by the input optical fiber, the optical signal is emitted to the reflector, and the reflector reflects the optical signal to the spectroscope. The spectroscope divides the optical signal into two beams of optical signals, one of which is emitted to the photodetector, and the optical power is detected by the photodetector, and the other beam of optical signal is emitted back to the reflector, and the reflector reflects the optical signal to the output optical fiber, and the output optical fiber outputs the optical signal. While achieving optical attenuation, optical power detection can be achieved, so that the input optical signal can be adjusted, and the precision control level of optical power attenuation can be improved; and each device can be integrated, which greatly reduces the volume.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of optical devices, and in particular to an adjustable light attenuation device and system with integrated light splitting detection function. Background Art

[0002] Optical attenuator is a very important fiber optic passive component. It can attenuate the optical signal energy as required by the user. It is often used to absorb or reflect the optical power margin, evaluate the system loss and various tests. At present, serialized optical attenuators have been widely used in the field of optical communications, bringing great convenience to users.

[0003] However, there are two main types of optical attenuators with integrated splitting detection function. The first type is two separation devices connected in series through optical fiber, which can be referred to Figure 1 : After the light is input to the input end of the jumper 2 through the optical fiber 1, a layer of spectroscopic film is coated on the surface of the lens 3, a beam of light is emitted from the lens 3, and then enters the photoelectric detection 4 to realize power detection, another beam of light is reflected from the lens 3 to the jumper 2, and then passes through the output end of the jumper 2, and is emitted to the input end of the next jumper 5 through the optical fiber 1, passes through another lens 6, and is incident on the MEMS mirror chip 7, the MEMS mirror chip 7 reflects the light back to the lens 6, and the lens 6 passes through the output end of the jumper 5 and outputs the light through the optical fiber 1. However, this kind of optical attenuator is realized by connecting multiple devices in series, the overall volume is large, and there are limitations in the application environment.

[0004] The second type is the light-blocking optical attenuator, which can be referred to Figure 2 The light outputted from the incident optical fiber 10a passes through the MEMS light-blocking attenuation chip 20 and is outputted to the lens 30, which is coated with a spectroscopic film 30a. After passing through 30a, the light is divided into two beams, one of which is reflected back to the optical fiber 10b, and the other is transmitted to the photoelectric converter 40, wherein the attenuation chip 20 realizes the attenuation control of the light, and the photoelectric detector 40 realizes the detection of the optical power of the incident light. However, this type of optical attenuator is usually thermally driven and has poor stability. Summary of the invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an adjustable optical attenuation device and system with integrated spectroscopic detection function in view of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, so as to solve the problem that the existing optical attenuator requires multiple devices to be connected in series, has poor integration and is large in size.

[0006] To solve this technical problem, the present invention provides an adjustable optical attenuation device with integrated spectroscopic detection, the adjustable optical attenuation device comprising a cavity, an input optical fiber, a reflector, a spectroscope, a photodetector and an output optical fiber, the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber being arranged inside the cavity, the optical signal being transmitted through the input optical fiber and then emitted to the reflector, the reflector reflecting the optical signal to the spectroscope, the spectroscope dividing the optical signal into two optical signals, one of which is emitted to the photodetector, the optical power of which is detected by the photodetector, and the other optical signal is emitted back to the reflector, the reflector reflecting the optical signal to the output optical fiber, and the output optical fiber outputs the optical signal.

[0007] Among them, a preferred solution is: the adjustable light attenuation device also includes a MEMS chip, and the reflector is arranged on the surface of the MEMS chip.

[0008] Among them, the preferred solution is: the adjustable optical attenuation device also includes a first lens, the optical signal is emitted to the first lens after being transmitted through the input optical fiber, and is emitted to the reflector through the first lens; the optical signal emitted back to the reflector is emitted to the first lens after being reflected by the reflector, and is emitted to the output optical fiber through the first lens.

[0009] Among them, a preferred solution is that the reflector forms an acute angle with the axis of the first lens.

[0010] Among them, a preferred solution is that the surface of the cavity is parallel to the surface of the first lens, and the optical signal emitted by the input optical fiber is emitted into the first lens.

[0011] Among them, a preferred solution is: the adjustable light attenuation device also includes a second lens, the second lens is arranged adjacent to the photodetector, and the light signal passing through the beam splitter first passes through the second lens and then is emitted to the photodetector.

[0012] Among them, a preferred solution is: the beam splitter is arranged on the surface of the second lens.

[0013] Among them, a preferred solution is that the cavity is a capillary.

[0014] Among them, a preferred solution is: the adjustable light attenuation device also includes a shell, a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate are arranged inside the shell, the reflector is placed on the first substrate, and the spectroscope and the photodetector are placed on the second substrate.

[0015] The present invention also provides an adjustable optical attenuation system with integrated spectroscopic detection function, the adjustable optical attenuation system comprising an optical transmitter, an optical receiver and the adjustable optical attenuation device as described above, the optical transmitter emits an optical signal, the optical signal is transmitted through an input optical fiber and then emitted to a reflector, the reflector reflects the optical signal to the spectroscope, the spectroscope divides the optical signal into two optical signals, one of which is emitted to a photodetector, the photodetector detects the optical power, and the other is emitted back to the reflector, the reflector reflects the optical signal to an output optical fiber, and the output optical fiber outputs the optical signal to the optical receiver.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are that, compared with the prior art, the present invention designs an adjustable optical attenuation device and system with integrated spectroscopic detection function, which can realize optical power detection while realizing optical attenuation, thereby adjusting the input optical signal and improving the precision control level of optical power attenuation; and, various devices can be integrated to form a single independent device, rather than being connected in series through optical fibers, which can greatly reduce the volume; and, the reflector is arranged on the surface of the MEMS chip, and the MEMS chip is usually driven by electrostatics, which can improve the stability of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional light attenuation device with integrated spectroscopic detection;

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another existing light attenuation device with integrated spectroscopic detection;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a first embodiment of an adjustable light attenuation device with integrated spectroscopic detection according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of Embodiment 2 of the adjustable light attenuation device with integrated spectroscopic detection according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an adjustable light attenuation device provided with a housing according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the adjustable light attenuation device of the present invention in which a right-angle prism replaces a second prism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Now, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the present invention provides a preferred embodiment of an adjustable light attenuation device with integrated light splitting detection function.

[0026] Specifically, refer to Figure 3 , an adjustable light attenuation device with integrated light splitting detection function, the adjustable light attenuation device comprises a cavity 13, an input optical fiber 11, a reflector 31, a spectroscope 41, a photodetector 43 and an output optical fiber 12, the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are arranged inside the cavity 13, the reflector 31 is arranged adjacent to the spectroscope 41, and the spectroscope 41 is arranged adjacent to the photodetector 43. Wherein, reference Figure 3 , the externally generated optical signal is transmitted through the input optical fiber 11 and then directed to the reflector 31, and the reflector 31 reflects the optical signal to the beam splitter 41; the beam splitter 41 divides the optical signal into two optical signals, one of which is used for photoelectric detection, and continues to be transmitted from the beam splitter 41 and directed to the photodetector 43, and the photodetector 43 converts the optical signal into an electrical signal to detect the optical power; the other optical signal is used for optical attenuation, and is reflected from the beam splitter 41 back to the reflector 31, and the reflector 31 reflects the optical signal again and reflects the optical signal to the position of the output optical fiber 12, and the output optical fiber 12 outputs the optical signal. Subsequently, refer to Figure 4 , the angle of the optical signal emitted to the output optical fiber 12 is deflected at the position of the reflector 31, and finally the optical signal emitted to the output optical fiber 12 deviates from the output optical fiber 12, thereby generating coupling loss and achieving optical attenuation. The output optical fiber 12 then outputs the optical signal after optical attenuation. Optical attenuation and photoelectric detection are both basic components of optical communication networks, especially in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers. Therefore, the above-mentioned devices are extremely easy to obtain. The adjustable optical attenuation device can detect optical power while achieving optical attenuation through the principle of rotating mirrors, so that the input optical signal can be adjusted to improve the precision control level of optical power attenuation; and each device can be integrated to form a single independent device, rather than connected in series through optical fibers, which can greatly reduce the volume; in addition, the optical signal actually passes through the reflector 31 twice. When the angle and position of the reflector 31 remain unchanged, the actual deflection angle of the optical signal is doubled, that is, under the same driving voltage of the optical signal, the device that finally receives the optical signal can obtain a larger attenuation, which can also reduce the requirement for the maximum driving voltage.

[0027] In this embodiment, reference Figure 3The adjustable light attenuation device also includes a MEMS chip 32. MEMS (full name: Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) is a micro-electromechanical system with a size of several millimeters or even smaller. It is an intelligent micro-device that integrates micro-sensors, micro-actuators, micro-mechanical structures, micro-power sources, micro-energy, signal processing and control circuits, high-performance electronic integrated devices, interfaces, and communications. The reflector 31 is arranged on the surface of the MEMS chip 32. It can also be said that the reflector 31 is a part of the MEMS chip 32. Generally, the MEMS chip 32 is driven by electrostatics, so it is easy to control the accuracy and can also greatly improve the stability.

[0028] Further, refer to Figure 3 The adjustable optical attenuation device further includes a first lens 21, which can be a self-focusing lens, a spherical lens or an aspherical lens. The first lens 21 is arranged between the cavity 13 and the reflector 31. The optical signal generated externally is transmitted through the input optical fiber 11 and then directed to the first lens 21. The first lens 21 refracts the optical signal and then directs it to the reflector 31. The reflector 31 reflects the optical signal to the beam splitter 41. The beam splitter 41 divides the optical signal into two optical signals, one of which is reflected back to the reflector 31. The reflector 31 then reflects the optical signal and directs it to the first lens 21. After being collimated by the first lens 21, the reflector 31 directs it to the output optical fiber 12. The output optical fiber 12 then outputs the optical signal. The reflector 31 and the axis of the first lens 21 are at a preset angle, that is, the reflector 31 and the optical signal incident on the input optical fiber 11 are at a preset angle, and the preset angle is an acute angle. Specifically, the preset angle is in the range of 5° to 85°. Preferably, the surface of the cavity 13 and the surface of the first lens 21 are parallel to each other, and the two surfaces are adjacent surfaces. The optical signal emitted by the input optical fiber 11 enters the first lens 21 along the same straight line, and then is refracted by the first lens 21 and then emitted to the reflector 31.

[0029] Further, refer to Figure 3, the adjustable light attenuation device also includes a second lens 42, the second lens 42 is arranged adjacent to the photodetector 43, specifically arranged between the reflector 31 and the photodetector 43, one of the light signals separated by the beam splitter 41 passes through the second lens 42 and then projects to the photodetector 43, and the photodetector 43 realizes photoelectric detection. Preferably, the beam splitter 41 is arranged on the surface of the second lens 42. Of course, the surface of the second lens 42 can also be directly coated with a first layer of beam splitting film, thereby replacing the beam splitter 41. The second lens 42 can be a self-focusing lens, a spherical lens or an aspherical lens. Even more, if the photosensitive surface of the photodetector 43 is large enough, the second lens 42 can also be replaced by a plane mirror with an infinite radius of curvature.

[0030] Alternatively, refer to Figure 6 , the adjustable light attenuation device also includes a right-angle prism 45, which is arranged adjacent to the photodetector 43, specifically between the reflector 31 and the photodetector 43. After one of the light signals separated by the beam splitter 41 passes through the right-angle prism 45, the right-angle prism 45 deflects the light signal by 90° and then projects it toward the photodetector 43, and the photodetector 43 can still realize photoelectric detection. Preferably, the beam splitter 41 is arranged on the surface of the right-angle prism 45. It can be seen from the above that there is no need to limit the specific device between the reflector 31 and the photodetector 43, as long as the light signal finally split by the beam splitter 41 can be projected toward the photodetector 43, the photoelectric detection function can be realized.

[0031] In this embodiment, the cavity 13 is preferably a capillary tube, which refers to a thin tube with an inner diameter equal to or less than 1 mm and a very small volume, and is used for inserting an optical fiber.

[0032] More specifically, refer to Figure 5 The adjustable optical attenuation device further comprises a housing 51, a first substrate 33 and a second substrate 44, wherein the first substrate 33 and the second substrate 44 are arranged inside the housing 51, the first lens 21 is clamped on the housing 51, the reflector 31 and the MEMS chip 32 are placed on the first substrate 33, and the beam splitter 41, the second lens 42 and the photodetector 43 are placed on the second substrate 44. A sealed cavity is formed inside the housing 51, which can provide protection for the reflector 31, the MEMS chip 32, the beam splitter 41, the second lens 42 and the photodetector 43 placed in the sealed cavity, the first substrate 33 can provide support for the reflector 31 and the MEMS chip 32, and the second substrate 44 can provide support for the beam splitter 41, the second lens 42 and the photodetector 43.

[0033] The present invention also provides a preferred embodiment of an adjustable light attenuation system with integrated light splitting detection function.

[0034] Specifically, an adjustable optical attenuation system with integrated optical splitting detection function, the adjustable optical attenuation system includes an optical transmitter, an optical receiver and the adjustable optical attenuation device as described above, the optical transmitter emits an optical signal, the optical signal is transmitted through the input optical fiber 11 and then directed to the reflector 31, the reflector 31 reflects the optical signal to the spectroscope 41, the spectroscope 41 divides the optical signal into two optical signals, one of which is directed to the photodetector 43, the photodetector 43 detects the optical power, and the other is directed back to the reflector 31, the reflector 31 reflects the optical signal to the output optical fiber 12, and the output optical fiber 12 outputs the optical signal to the optical receiver. The driving voltage of the optical transmitter can be changed, that is, the power of the optical signal input to the input optical fiber 11 changes, the optical signal continues to be transmitted in the above-mentioned flow direction, and an angle deflection occurs at the position of the reflector 31, and the optical signal finally directed to the output optical fiber 12 deviates from the output optical fiber 12, thereby generating coupling loss and achieving optical attenuation, and the output optical fiber 12 then outputs the optical signal after optical attenuation to the optical receiver.

[0035] In summary, the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable light attenuation device with integrated spectroscopic detection function, characterized in that: The adjustable optical attenuation device comprises a cavity, an input optical fiber, a reflector, a beam splitter, a photoelectric detector and an output optical fiber. The cavity is a capillary. The input optical fiber and the output optical fiber are arranged inside the cavity. After being transmitted by the input optical fiber, the optical signal is emitted to the reflector. The reflector reflects the optical signal to the beam splitter. The beam splitter splits the optical signal into two beams of optical signals, one of which is emitted to the photoelectric detector, and the optical power is detected by the photoelectric detector. The other beam of optical signal is emitted back to the reflector. The reflector reflects the optical signal to the output optical fiber, and the output optical fiber outputs the optical signal. The adjustable optical attenuation device further comprises a first lens, wherein the optical signal is emitted to the first lens after being transmitted by the input optical fiber, and then emitted to the reflector through the first lens; the optical signal emitted back to the reflector is emitted to the first lens after being reflected by the reflector, and then emitted to the output optical fiber through the first lens; The adjustable light attenuation device further comprises a second lens, which is arranged adjacent to the photoelectric detector. The light signal passing through the beam splitter first passes through the second lens and then is emitted to the photoelectric detector.

2. The adjustable light attenuation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjustable light attenuation device also includes a MEMS chip, and the reflector is arranged on the surface of the MEMS chip.

3. The adjustable light attenuation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reflector forms an acute angle with the axis of the first lens.

4. The adjustable light attenuation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The surface of the cavity is parallel to the surface of the first lens, and the optical signal emitted from the input optical fiber is emitted into the first lens.

5. The adjustable light attenuation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The beam splitter is arranged on the surface of the second lens.

6. The adjustable light attenuation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The adjustable light attenuation device further comprises a housing, a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate are arranged inside the housing. The reflector is placed on the first substrate, and the beam splitter and the photoelectric detector are placed on the second substrate.

7. An adjustable light attenuation system with integrated spectroscopic detection function, characterized in that: The adjustable optical attenuation system comprises an optical transmitter, an optical receiver and the adjustable optical attenuation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the optical transmitter emits an optical signal, which is transmitted through an input optical fiber and then emitted to a reflector, and the reflector reflects the optical signal to a beam splitter, and the beam splitter splits the optical signal into two optical signals, one of which is emitted to a photodetector, and the photodetector detects optical power, and the other optical signal is emitted back to the reflector, and the reflector reflects the optical signal to an output optical fiber, and the output optical fiber outputs the optical signal to the optical receiver.

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