A fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module

Abstract

The present application discloses a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module, which includes a waveguide substrate, an optical fiber waveguide and a microlens, wherein the substrate is provided with an optical fiber waveguide groove for embedding the optical fiber waveguide into the substrate, and the optical fiber waveguide and the substrate are on the same plane; the ends of the optical fiber waveguide are arranged in a fan shape, and the angle between any two optical fiber waveguides is a fixed characteristic angle; the microlens is arranged at the end of the optical fiber waveguide. The fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in the embodiment of the present application can be used to adjust the laser emission direction without changing the laser emission power, reducing the laser divergence angle, and without the support of mechanical moving parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of laser communication technology, and in particular to a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module. Background Art

[0002] In the field of free-space laser communication, a pointing, acquisition and tracking device (PAT) is usually used between the laser communication transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal to adjust the laser direction in real time. This function is usually completed by a motor-driven two-dimensional rotating mechanism and a piezoelectric-driven two-dimensional galvanometer mechanism.

[0003] PAT is a high-precision and high-sensitivity precision optomechanical device. The relative positions of the two terminals in free space change dynamically over time, causing the PAT to be in a state of continuous mechanical motion (fine-tuning). The long-term continuous motion of mechanical components has an adverse effect on the energy consumption and attitude and orbit control of the aircraft platform equipped with PAT. In addition, for platforms equipped with multiple PATs, their power consumption, volume, weight, deployment envelope and other aspects have varying degrees of adverse effects on the design of the platform.

[0004] In view of this, how to provide a method for adjusting the laser emission direction without changing the emission power, reducing the laser divergence angle, and without the support of mechanical moving parts has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiment of the present application provides a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module to solve the problem in the prior art that it is difficult to adjust the laser emission direction without changing the emission power, reducing the laser divergence angle, and without the support of mechanical moving parts.

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module is provided, wherein the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module comprises a waveguide substrate, an optical fiber waveguide and a microlens, wherein:

[0007] The waveguide substrate is provided with an optical fiber waveguide groove for embedding the optical fiber waveguide into the substrate, and the optical fiber waveguide and the waveguide substrate are on the same plane;

[0008] The ends of the optical fiber waveguides are arranged in a fan shape, and the angle between any two of the optical fiber waveguides is a fixed characteristic angle, which is used to control the emission direction of the laser;

[0009] The microlens is arranged at the end of the optical fiber waveguide, wherein one end face of the microlens is a collimating optical fiber for collimating the incident laser.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the angle between any two of the optical fiber waveguides is a fixed characteristic angle, and the characteristic angle satisfies a first formula, wherein the first formula is:

[0011] in

[0012] Wherein, L is the minimum effective action distance of the laser; r is the radius of curvature of the fan-shaped arc surface of the optical fiber waveguide; θ is the fixed characteristic angle between any two optical fiber waveguides in the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module; ψ is the divergence angle of the laser beam after being collimated into quasi-parallel light.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, one end face of the microlens is a collimating optical fiber whose incident end is a convex spherical surface.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the optical fiber waveguide comprises an optical fiber waveguide core and an optical fiber cladding, wherein:

[0015] In the target temperature range, the refractive index of the optical fiber waveguide core is not less than the target refractive index. The end of the optical fiber waveguide core is a plane;

[0016] The refractive index of the optical fiber cladding is less than the refractive index of the optical fiber waveguide core.

[0017] In an optional embodiment, the difference between the diameter of the optical fiber waveguide cross section and the outer diameter of the optical fiber cladding satisfies a preset difference, wherein the outer diameter of the optical fiber cladding meets a preset outer diameter threshold.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, on the waveguide substrate, according to the light transmission direction, the starting end of the optical fiber waveguide groove is determined as the incident end, and the end of the optical fiber waveguide groove is determined as the exit end.

[0019] In an optional embodiment, the waveguide substrate includes a trapezoidal region, a rectangular region and a fan-shaped region, wherein:

[0020] The optical fiber waveguide grooves disposed on the waveguide substrate are arranged in the shapes of the trapezoidal area, the rectangular area and the fan-shaped area in sequence, and when the optical fiber waveguide grooves pass through the fan-shaped area, the rectangular area and the trapezoidal area, their connecting positions are transitioned with rounded corners.

[0021] In an optional embodiment, the optical fiber waveguide module is used to be combined with a switch to control the emission direction of a single laser beam to change along an arc.

[0022] In an optional embodiment, the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module further includes: an optical fiber flange, wherein the optical fiber flange is used to connect the starting end of the optical fiber waveguide to allow the laser light source to be incident on the optical fiber waveguide from any starting end of the optical fiber waveguide.

[0023] The present application provides a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module, which includes a waveguide substrate, an optical fiber waveguide and a microlens, wherein the waveguide substrate is provided with an optical fiber waveguide groove for embedding the optical fiber waveguide into the substrate, and the optical fiber waveguide and the waveguide substrate are on the same plane; the ends of the optical fiber waveguide are arranged in a fan shape, and the angle between any two of the optical fiber waveguides is a fixed characteristic angle for controlling the emission direction of the laser; the microlens is arranged at the end of the optical fiber waveguide, wherein one end face of the microlens is a collimating optical fiber for collimating the incident laser.

[0024] By using the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in the embodiment of the present application, it is possible to adjust the laser emission direction without changing the laser emission power, reducing the laser divergence angle, and without the support of mechanical moving parts.

[0025] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present application, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be considered as limiting the present application. Also, the same reference symbols are used throughout the accompanying drawings to represent the same components. In the accompanying drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the relative positions of the collimating optical fiber and the optical fiber waveguide of a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the angle coverage of a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the working distance of a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the spatial scanning angle range of a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Among them, 1-waveguide substrate; 2-optical fiber waveguide; 3-collimating optical fiber; 4-optical fiber flange; 21-optical fiber waveguide core; 22-optical fiber cladding. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0034] In the field of free-space laser communication, a targeting, acquisition and tracking device (PAT) is usually used between the laser communication transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal to adjust the laser direction in real time. This function is usually completed by a motor-driven two-dimensional rotating mechanism and a piezoelectric-driven two-dimensional galvanometer mechanism.

[0035] On satellite platforms in space, in order to ensure the normal operation of the motor-driven two-dimensional rotating mechanism and the piezoelectric-driven two-dimensional galvanometer mechanism, a thermal control module is usually required to assist in heating and ensure that the rotating mechanism and the galvanometer mechanism are at an appropriate temperature.

[0036] PAT is a high-precision and high-sensitivity precision optomechanical device. The relative positions of the two terminals in free space change dynamically over time, causing the PAT to be in a state of continuous mechanical motion (fine-tuning). The long-term continuous motion of mechanical components has an adverse effect on the energy consumption and attitude and orbit control of the aircraft platform equipped with PAT. In addition, for platforms equipped with multiple PATs, their power consumption, volume, weight, deployment envelope and other aspects have varying degrees of adverse effects on the design of the platform.

[0037] Small size, light weight and low power consumption are the development direction of micro satellite payloads. The miniaturization of optical and mechanical equipment is an inevitable trend, and two-dimensional rotating equipment is an important factor affecting volume and power consumption. Data proves that optical fiber has good performance in the space environment, and its flexibility and stability lay a good foundation for the application of lasers in space. It makes it possible for optical fiber waveguides to replace mechanical equipment.

[0038] With the continuous improvement of satellite attitude orbit measurement and positioning technology, a piezoelectric-driven galvanometer mechanism can be used to complete the capture and tracking of laser links in a small range between two satellites with relatively stable attitude positions. The Lincoln Laboratory satellite in the United States has achieved satellite-to-ground laser communication without a rotating mechanism, indicating the feasibility of high-precision satellite attitude control.

[0039] Optical fiber waveguides are widely used in optical communications, sensors, analytical instruments, photonic crystals, etc. Optical fiber waveguides are easy to integrate at high density and are usually used to solve special optical transmission problems.

[0040] Current optical equipment has proven that optical fiber has unique advantages in light path splitting, beam combining, and phase modulation. By combining optical switches and other modules, optical fiber waveguide arrays can achieve multiple uses such as light energy merging or dispersion, optical wavelength division multiplexing or demultiplexing, and optical transmission direction modulation. According to the characteristics of laser beams, reasonable design and optimization are used to form optical fiber waveguide array modules to achieve beam coverage within a certain angle range. They are applied to satellite laser communications to make up for the shortcomings of existing PAT equipment, which has far-reaching significance for the future development of satellite Internet.

[0041] An embodiment of the present application provides a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module. One or more embodiments of the present application also relate to a method for adjusting the laser emission direction, which will be described in detail in the following embodiments.

[0042] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module structure provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module includes a waveguide substrate 1, an optical fiber waveguide 2, a collimating optical fiber 3 and an optical fiber flange 4.

[0043] The waveguide substrate 1 has one side configured as a curved surface. In addition, an optical fiber waveguide groove is provided on the waveguide substrate 1 for embedding the optical fiber waveguide 2 into the substrate, and the optical fiber waveguide 2 and the waveguide substrate 1 are on the same plane.

[0044] The ends of the optical fiber waveguides 2 are arranged in a fan shape at a fixed angle θ, and the angle between any two of the optical fiber waveguides 2 is a fixed characteristic angle, which is used to control the emission direction of the laser.

[0045] The microlens is disposed at the end of the optical fiber waveguide 2, wherein one end face of the microlens is a collimating optical fiber 3 for collimating incident laser light. It should be noted that one end face of the microlens is a collimating optical fiber 3 with a convex spherical incident end.

[0046] The optical fiber flange 4 is used to connect the starting end of the optical fiber waveguide 2, and the laser light source is incident on the optical fiber waveguide 2 from any starting end of the optical fiber waveguide 2. In practical applications, the collimating optical fiber 3 is located at the end of the optical fiber waveguide 2, and the optical fiber flange 4 is connected to the starting end of the optical fiber waveguide 2. The laser light source is incident on the waveguide from any starting end of the waveguide, and the laser is incident on the collimating optical fiber 3 through the waveguide, and then is collimated by the collimating optical fiber 3 and then emitted from the device. By selecting different waveguides to emit laser light, the laser light can be emitted from any direction from waveguide 1 to waveguide n, and switching the selected optical waveguide can realize one-dimensional scanning within the nθ angle range covered by the device.

[0047] The material of the waveguide substrate 1 is ceramic or metal alloy. In the embodiment of the present application, the material of the waveguide substrate 1 is selected as ceramic material, but those skilled in the art should know that the material selection of the waveguide substrate 1 here can be determined according to actual needs.

[0048] See also Figure 1 , the waveguide substrate 1 includes a trapezoidal area (T), a rectangular area (J) and a fan-shaped area (S), wherein the optical fiber waveguide grooves provided on the waveguide substrate 1 are arranged in the shape of the trapezoidal area, the rectangular area and the fan-shaped area in sequence, and when the optical fiber waveguide grooves pass through the fan-shaped area, the rectangular area and the trapezoidal area, their connection positions are transitioned with rounded corners. In practical applications, in the fan-shaped area, the optical fiber waveguide grooves are arranged in a fan shape; in the rectangular area, the optical fiber waveguide grooves are arranged in a rectangular shape; and in the trapezoidal area, the optical fiber waveguide grooves are arranged in a trapezoid shape. In addition, the connection position is transitioned with rounded corners, and the radius of the rounded corners here is greater than or equal to 100 mm.

[0049] It should be noted that, in the optical fiber waveguide 2 region, the waveguide groove diameter is close to the outer diameter of the optical fiber waveguide 2 , and in the collimating optical fiber 3 region, the waveguide groove diameter is close to the outer diameter of the collimating optical fiber 3 .

[0050] It should also be noted that the cross-section of the optical fiber waveguide groove here is circular. In the embodiment of the present application, the diameter of the circle is assumed to be D1.

[0051] It should also be noted that four fixing slots (G) are arranged on both sides of the rectangular area (J) of the waveguide substrate 1 for fixing the assembly device with screws.

[0052] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the relative positions of the collimating optical fiber and the optical fiber waveguide of a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the optical fiber waveguide 2 includes an optical fiber waveguide core 21 and an optical fiber cladding 22 .

[0053] In practical applications, according to the order of light transmission direction, the starting end of the optical fiber waveguide 2 is fixed to the rear end face of the waveguide substrate 1 through the optical fiber flange 4. The optical fiber waveguide 2 passes through the trapezoidal area (T), the rectangular area (J), and the fan-shaped area (S) in the optical fiber waveguide groove in sequence. The end face of the optical fiber waveguide 2 is located at the focus of the collimating optical fiber 3. The distance f between the end of the optical fiber waveguide 2 and the incident end face of the collimating optical fiber 3 is equal to the focal length f0 of the collimating optical fiber 3 (f0=5mm).

[0054] Wherein, within the target temperature range, the refractive index of the optical fiber waveguide core 21 is not less than the target refractive index. Wherein, the end of the optical fiber waveguide core 21 is a plane; and the refractive index of the optical fiber cladding 22 is less than the refractive index of the optical fiber waveguide core 21.

[0055] It should be noted that the target temperature region range here is set to be within the temperature range of -100°C to 100°C in the embodiment of the present application; the target refractive index here is set to be 1.5 in the embodiment of the present application.

[0056] It should also be noted that the refractive index of the optical fiber cladding 22 is smaller than the refractive index of the fiber core, and the refractive index ratio thereof varies in the range of [1.3, 1.4].

[0057] In practical applications, within the temperature range of -100°C to 100°C, the refractive index of the optical fiber waveguide core 21 is greater than or equal to 1.5, and the refractive index of the optical fiber waveguide core 21 varies in the range of [1.5, 1.7].

[0058] It should also be noted that the diameter of the optical fiber waveguide core 21 is d (8 μm ≤ d ≤ 100 μm, and d is 20 μm in the embodiment of the present application), and the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the cladding and the optical fiber waveguide core 21 material is less than 1×10 -6 ; The difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the cladding and the waveguide substrate 1 material is less than 1×10 -6 .

[0059] In the embodiment of the present application, the difference between the diameter of the cross section of the optical fiber waveguide and the outer diameter of the optical fiber cladding 22 satisfies a preset difference, wherein the outer diameter of the optical fiber cladding 22 meets a preset outer diameter threshold. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present specification, the outer diameter of the optical fiber waveguide cladding is set to D2, wherein 3d≤D2≤50d, and D1-D2≤20μm.

[0060] In the embodiment of the present application, the refractive index of the microlens is greater than or equal to 1.5, the core diameter of the collimating optical fiber is D2, and the length of the collimating optical fiber is h (1mm≤h≤20mm).

[0061] It should be noted that the end of the optical fiber waveguide core 21 is a plane, the incident end face of the collimating optical fiber 3 is a convex spherical surface, and the focal length is f0, f0≥5mm.

[0062] In addition, the microlens is a collimating optical fiber 3 with a convex spherical end face. Within the temperature range of -100°C to 100°C, the refractive index of the collimating optical fiber 3 is equal to 1.5, the core diameter of the collimating optical fiber 3 is equal to D2, and the length of the collimating optical fiber 3 is h (h is 5mm); the incident end face of the collimating optical fiber 3 is a convex spherical surface, and the focal length is f0, f0=5mm.

[0063] It should be noted that, except for the length parameter, the other parameters of each optical fiber waveguide 2 on the same model device are the same.

[0064] It should also be noted that the number of optical fiber waveguides 2 on the same model device is a fixed value n. For different models, the value range of n is a discrete value (n = 8, 16, 32, 64, 128). In the embodiment of the present application, n = 16 is preferred.

[0065] It should also be noted that, in the optical fiber waveguide 2 on the same model device, the angle between any two adjacent waveguides is θ (θ is the characteristic angle of the device, and θ is determined according to the divergence angle of the laser).

[0066] In the embodiment of the present application, the optical fiber waveguide module is used to be combined with a switch to control the emission direction of a single laser beam to change along an arc.

[0067] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the angle coverage of a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0068] like Figure 3 As shown, using the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided by the present application, the incident angle of the first waveguide is defined as 0°, and the laser is incident from any waveguide i (1≤i≤n), then the laser emission angle is (i-1)θ; by selecting different incident waveguides, the laser can be emitted in the (i-1)θ (1≤i≤16) angle direction.

[0069] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the working distance of a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0070] like Figure 4 As shown, the fan-shaped curvature radius is defined as r. After being emitted through the collimating optical fiber 3, the divergence angle of the laser beam after being collimated is ψ. The characteristic angle of the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module is θ. The light beams emitted from two adjacent waveguides intersect in an area with a distance of L. Then, the angle coverage range of the area in the plane where the target distance is greater than L (in the same plane as the fan-shaped waveguide array) is 0-(i-1)θ.

[0071] Therefore, the relationship between θ, ψ, and L satisfies the following equation:

[0072] in

[0073] Wherein, L is the minimum effective action distance of the laser; r is the radius of curvature of the fan-shaped arc surface of the optical fiber waveguide; θ is the fixed characteristic angle between any two optical fiber waveguides in the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module; ψ is the divergence angle of the laser beam after being collimated into quasi-parallel light.

[0074] In practical applications, the specific model to be used is determined according to the characteristic angle θ, the fan-shaped curvature radius, the laser beam divergence angle, the target distance and the above-mentioned calculation formula. By using the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in this application or its integrated components, one-dimensional or two-dimensional scanning can be achieved in the space laser communication terminal.

[0075] It should be noted that L is the minimum distance between two communication terminals in an actual application environment. The effective radius R of the laser at a distance L is determined according to the power value of the laser (that is, within a light spot with a radius of R, the target receives the laser effectively). The divergence angle ψ of the laser is determined by R and L (the value of the divergence angle is approximately equal to the ratio of R to L). Then, according to the above relationship, appropriate r and θ values ​​are selected to determine the model of the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module. In this embodiment, some typical characteristic values ​​are listed according to the above relationship as shown in Table 1.

[0076] Table 1 Correspondence of typical parameters of fan-shaped fiber waveguide array module

[0077] L(km) ψ(rad) θ(rad) r(m) R(m) 100 0.005 4E-8 100000 500 400 0.00125 1E-8 400000 500 1000 0.0005 4E-9 1000000 500 4000 0.000125 1E-9 4000000 500 10000 0.00005 4E-10 10000000 500 40000 0.0000125 1E-10 40000000 500

[0078] The effective radius corresponding to the laser power in Table 1 is 500m. Different divergence angles can be selected according to different L. The curvature radius r of the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module in this embodiment is equal to L. The corresponding characteristic angle θ is calculated according to the effective spot radius of the laser and the target distance.

[0079] It should be noted that, in the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in the embodiment of the present application, the number of waveguides of the waveguide array module is represented by n, where the value of n here is 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128.

[0080] The angle between any two optical fiber waveguides in the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module is represented by θ, where θ is the characteristic angle of the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module.

[0081] The radius of curvature of the fan-shaped waveguide surface of the optical fiber waveguide is represented by r.

[0082] The incident angle of the first waveguide is represented by 0°. The laser is incident from any waveguide i (1≤i≤n), and the laser output angle is (i-1)θ. After exiting through the microlens, the laser beam is collimated into quasi-parallel light (the divergence angle is ψ).

[0083] The minimum effective distance of the laser is represented by L.

[0084] All waveguides of the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module emit light in an angle range of 0 to (i-1)θ.

[0085] It should also be noted that the number of waveguides n corresponds to a value of θ, and the laser wavelength ranges applicable to different types of optical fiber waveguide cores 21 and collimating optical fibers 3 materials include but are not limited to 400nm~550nm, 550nm~650nm, 650nm~850nm, 850nm~1260nm, 1260nm~1660nm, and 1660nm~10600nm.

[0086] See also Figure 5 , Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the spatial scanning angle range of a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0087] The divergence angle of the collimating fiber 3 is ψ (ψ is 0.000125 rad). Under the condition of satisfying the above relationship, when the device is used independently, the angle range covered in the three-dimensional space is 0.00025 rad (xy direction) and 1.6×10 -8 rad (xz direction), in the xz direction, the scanning coverage range corresponds to 8000m, and the working distance is 4000km; the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided in this embodiment can achieve 1.6×10 -8 Scan within the rad (xz direction) angle range.

[0088] By using a fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module provided by the present invention, the characteristic angle of the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module is selected according to the effective spot radius of the laser and the target distance, and the characteristic angle model of the optical fiber waveguide array module is determined, free scanning within the range of 0 to iθ can be achieved, and it is combined with an optical switch to change the emission direction of a single laser beam along an arc. By using the present invention, the laser emission direction can be adjusted without changing the laser emission power, reducing the laser divergence angle, and without the support of mechanical moving parts, which is of great significance to the development of space laser communication technology.

[0089] In the description of the present invention, it is necessary to understand that the directions or positional relationships indicated by directional words such as "front, back, left, right", "lateral, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal" and "top, bottom" are usually based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific direction or be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. The directional words "inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contours of each component itself.

[0090] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship between a device or feature and other devices or features as shown in the figure. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figure. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below other devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" may include both "above" and "below". The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90° or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0091] In addition, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to limit components is only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. If not otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0092] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it will be appreciated that various changes, substitutions and conversions may be made without exceeding the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments of the processes, devices, means, methods and steps described in the specification. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art from the disclosure of the present invention that the processes, devices, means, methods or steps to be developed in the present and future that perform functions substantially the same as the corresponding embodiments described herein or obtain substantially the same results as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be used according to the present invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to include such processes, devices, means, methods or steps within their scope.

[0093] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module, characterized in that: The fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module comprises a waveguide substrate, an optical fiber waveguide and a microlens, wherein: The waveguide substrate is provided with an optical fiber waveguide groove for embedding the optical fiber waveguide into the substrate, and the optical fiber waveguide and the waveguide substrate are on the same plane; The ends of the optical fiber waveguides are arranged in a fan shape, and the angle between any two of the optical fiber waveguides is a fixed characteristic angle, which is used to control the emission direction of the laser; The microlens is arranged at the end of the optical fiber waveguide, wherein one end face of the microlens is a collimating optical fiber for collimating the incident laser; Wherein, the angle between any two of the optical fiber waveguides is a fixed characteristic angle, and the characteristic angle satisfies a first formula, wherein the first formula is: in Wherein, L is the minimum effective action distance of the laser; r is the radius of curvature of the fan-shaped arc surface of the optical fiber waveguide; θ is the fixed characteristic angle between any two optical fiber waveguides in the fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module; ψ is the divergence angle of the laser beam after being collimated into quasi-parallel light.

2. A fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end face of the microlens is a collimating optical fiber whose incident end is a convex spherical surface.

3. A fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical fiber waveguide comprises an optical fiber waveguide core and an optical fiber cladding, wherein: Within the target temperature range, the refractive index of the optical fiber waveguide core is not less than the target refractive index, wherein the end of the optical fiber waveguide core is a plane; The refractive index of the optical fiber cladding is less than the refractive index of the optical fiber waveguide core.

4. A fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The difference between the diameter of the cross section of the optical fiber waveguide and the outer diameter of the optical fiber cladding satisfies a preset difference value, wherein the outer diameter of the optical fiber cladding meets a preset outer diameter threshold.

5. The fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module according to claim 1, characterized in that: On the waveguide substrate, according to the light transmission direction, the starting end of the optical fiber waveguide groove is determined as the incident end, and the end of the optical fiber waveguide groove is determined as the output end.

6. A fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The waveguide substrate includes a trapezoidal region, a rectangular region and a fan-shaped region, wherein: The optical fiber waveguide grooves disposed on the waveguide substrate are arranged in the shapes of the trapezoidal area, the rectangular area and the fan-shaped area in sequence, and when the optical fiber waveguide grooves pass through the fan-shaped area, the rectangular area and the trapezoidal area, their connecting positions are transitioned with rounded corners.

7. The fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical fiber waveguide module is used to be combined with a switch to control the emission direction of a single laser beam to change along an arc.

8. The fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fan-shaped optical fiber waveguide array module further includes: an optical fiber flange, wherein the optical fiber flange is used to connect the starting end of the optical fiber waveguide, and to allow the laser light source to be incident on the optical fiber waveguide from any starting end of the optical fiber waveguide.

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