Optical prism and optical fiber transmission system

Abstract

The invention discloses an optical prism and an optical fiber transmission system, and relates to the technical field of optical fiber communication. The optical prism comprises a main body part, a first cone part and a second cone part, and the first cone part and the second cone part are arranged at the two ends of the main body part; the side, away from the main body part, of the first cone part is provided with a plurality of first optical surfaces which are obliquely arranged, the first optical surfaces are distributed around the central axis of the optical prism, the side, away from the main body part, of the second cone part is provided with a plurality of second optical surfaces which are obliquely arranged, and the second optical surfaces are distributed around the central axis of the optical prism. The number of the second optical surfaces is equal to that of the first optical surfaces; the inclination angle alpha 1 of the first optical surface is smaller than the inclination angle alpha 2 of the second optical surface. According to the optical prism provided by the invention, the coupling efficiency between the multi-core optical fiber transmission assembly and the single-core optical fiber transmission assembly can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of optical fiber communication technologies, and particularly relates to an optical prism and an optical fiber transmission system. Background Art

[0002] A single-core fiber (SCF) is currently the most common type of optical fiber. A single-core fiber contains only one core for transmitting optical signals, and its diameter is generally about 250 micrometers. A multi-core fiber (MCF) is a new type of optical fiber that contains multiple independent optical signal transmission channels inside a single optical fiber, which can significantly improve data transmission capacity and network efficiency.

[0003] In related technologies, when a multi-core fiber and a single-core fiber are combined and applied, there is still a problem of low coupling efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides an optical prism and an optical fiber transmission system to improve the coupling efficiency between a multi-core fiber transmission component and a single-core fiber transmission component.

[0005] The present application provides an optical prism, including a main body portion, a first conical portion, and a second conical portion. The first conical portion and the second conical portion are respectively arranged at two ends of the main body portion;

[0006] On a side of the first conical portion facing away from the main body portion, a plurality of first optical surfaces are arranged obliquely. The plurality of first optical surfaces are distributed around the central axis of the optical prism. On a side of the second conical portion facing away from the main body portion, a plurality of second optical surfaces are arranged obliquely. The plurality of second optical surfaces are distributed around the central axis of the optical prism. The number of the second optical surfaces is equal to the number of the first optical surfaces;

[0007] The inclination angle α of the first optical surface 1 is less than the inclination angle α of the second optical surface 2 .

[0008] In some possible implementation manners, the optical prism is applied between a multi-core fiber transmission component and a single-core fiber transmission component. The first conical portion is configured to face the multi-core fiber transmission component, and the second conical portion is configured to face the single-core fiber transmission component;

[0009] The number of the first optical surfaces and the number of the second optical surfaces are both equal to the number of cores of the multi-core fiber transmission component.

[0010] In some possible embodiments, the first optical surface is triangular, one side of the first optical surface is connected to the main body portion, and one ends of the plurality of first optical surfaces away from the main body portion intersect at a point.

[0011] In some possible embodiments, the second optical surface is triangular, one side of the second optical surface is connected to the main body portion, and one ends of the plurality of second optical surfaces away from the main body portion intersect at a point.

[0012] In some possible embodiments, the plurality of first optical surfaces and the plurality of second optical surfaces are arranged in a back-to-back corresponding manner.

[0013] In some possible embodiments, the main body portion is a multi-prismatic shape, the main body portion includes a plurality of side walls, and the number of the side walls is equal to the number of the first optical surfaces;

[0014] The side walls are connected between the first optical surface and the second optical surface arranged in a back-to-back manner.

[0015] In some possible embodiments, the plurality of side walls are all parallel to the central axis of the optical prism.

[0016] In addition, the present application further provides an optical fiber transmission system, including a multi-core optical fiber transmission component, a single-core optical fiber transmission component, and the optical prism provided in each of the above embodiments. The optical prism is disposed between the multi-core optical fiber transmission component and the single-core optical fiber transmission component, the first cone portion faces the multi-core optical fiber transmission component, and the second cone portion faces the single-core optical fiber transmission component.

[0017] In some possible embodiments, the multi-core optical fiber transmission component includes a multi-core optical fiber head and a first collimator lens, and the first collimator lens is disposed between the multi-core optical fiber head and the optical prism.

[0018] In some possible embodiments, the single-core optical fiber transmission component includes a single-core optical fiber head and a second collimator lens, and the second collimator lens is disposed between the single-core optical fiber head and the optical prism.

[0019] Advantages of the present application: The optical prism provided by the present application can realize the conversion of the optical crossing angle between the multi-core optical fiber transmission component and the single-core optical fiber transmission component, make the optical crossing angle of the multi-core optical fiber transmission component match the optical crossing angle of the single-core optical fiber transmission component, thereby improving the coupling efficiency between the multi-core optical fiber transmission component and the single-core optical fiber transmission component and reducing the insertion loss. Description of the Drawings

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the accompanying drawings required for the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following accompanying drawings only show some embodiments of the present application, and therefore should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other related accompanying drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 Shows a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an optical prism in some examples;

[0022] Figure 2 Shows a side view structural schematic diagram of an optical prism in some embodiments;

[0023] Figure 3 Shows a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of an optical prism in some embodiments;

[0024] Figure 4 Shows a structural schematic diagram of an optical fiber transmission system in some embodiments.

[0025] Main element symbol description:

[0026] 100 - Optical prism; 110 - Main body part; 111 - Side wall; 120 - First cone part; 121 - First optical surface; 130 - Second cone part; 131 - Second optical surface;

[0027] 200 - Multi-core optical fiber transmission component; 210 - Multi-core optical fiber head; 220 - First collimator lens;

[0028] 300 - Single-core optical fiber transmission component; 310 - Single-core optical fiber head; 320 - Second collimator lens;

[0029] L - Central axis. Detailed implementation manners

[0030] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below. The examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements or elements with the same or similar functions from beginning to end. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application and should not be construed as a limitation of the present application.

[0031] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

[0032] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0033] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms such as "mounted", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0034] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0035] Such as Figure 4As shown, there are certain differences between the mode field distributions at the ports of the multi-core fiber optic head 210 and the single-core fiber optic head 310, which can lead to a relatively low coupling efficiency and a relatively large insertion loss between the multi-core fiber optic head 210 and the single-core fiber optic head 310. Additionally, the core pitch of the multi-core fiber optic head 210 is relatively small, while the core pitch of the single-core fiber optic head 310 is relatively large, resulting in inconsistent optical crossing angles between the multi-core fiber optic head 210 and the single-core fiber optic head 310. During coupling, there is a mismatch, leading to a low coupling efficiency. If the optical crossing angle of the multi-core fiber optic head 210 is matched with that of the single-core fiber optic head 310 by adjusting the curvature radius of the collimating lens, it will cause a mismatch in the waist spot sizes after collimation of the two, which will also affect the coupling efficiency.

[0036] As Figures 1 to 4 shown, in an embodiment, an optical prism 100 is provided, which can be applied to an optical system to improve the coupling efficiency between the multi-core fiber optic transmission component 200 and the single-core fiber optic transmission component 300.

[0037] In some embodiments, the optical prism 100 includes a main body portion 110, a first cone portion 120, and a second cone portion 130. The main body portion 110 can be disposed between the first cone portion 120 and the second cone portion 130, and the main body portion 110, the first cone portion 120, and the second cone portion 130 are coaxially arranged. In some embodiments, the main body portion 110, the first cone portion 120, and the second cone portion 130 are of an integral structure.

[0038] In other embodiments, the main body portion 110, the first cone portion 120, and the second cone portion 130 can also be of a split structure and can be fixedly connected by means such as bonding.

[0039] In some embodiments, a plurality of first optical surfaces 121 are disposed on the side of the first cone portion 120 facing away from the main body portion 110, and the first optical surfaces 121 can be inclined with respect to the end face of the main body portion 110 toward the first cone portion 120. Correspondingly, the angle α between the first optical surfaces 121 and the main body portion 110 1 can be the inclination angle of the first optical surfaces 121. In the embodiment, the plurality of first optical surfaces 121 are evenly distributed around the central axis L of the optical prism 100.

[0040] In some embodiments, a plurality of second optical surfaces 131 are disposed on the side of the second cone portion 130 facing away from the main body portion 110, and the second optical surfaces 131 can be inclined with respect to the end face of the main body portion 110 toward the second cone portion 130. Correspondingly, the angle α between the second optical surfaces 131 and the main body portion 110 2May be the tilt angle of the second optical surface 131. In an embodiment, multiple second optical surfaces 131 may be evenly distributed around the central axis L of the optical prism 100. Additionally, the number of the second optical surfaces 131 may be equal to the number of the first optical surfaces 121.

[0041] In some embodiments, the tilt angle α of the first optical surface 121 1 is less than the tilt angle α of the second optical surface 131 2 .

[0042] When applying the optical prism 100 to a fiber optic transmission system, the optical prism 100 may be disposed between the multi-core fiber optic transmission component 200 and the single-core fiber optic transmission component 300, with the first tapered portion 120 facing the multi-core fiber optic transmission component 200 and the second tapered portion 130 facing the single-core fiber optic transmission component 300. Among them, the optical signal will undergo corresponding refraction when reaching the first optical surface 121 and the second optical surface 131. Thus, the optical prism 100 can achieve the conversion of the optical crossing angle between the multi-core fiber optic transmission component 200 and the single-core fiber optic transmission component 300, making the optical crossing angle of the multi-core fiber optic transmission component 200 match the optical crossing angle of the single-core fiber optic transmission component 300, thereby improving the coupling efficiency between the multi-core fiber optic transmission component 200 and the single-core fiber optic transmission component 300 and reducing the insertion loss.

[0043] As Figures 1 to 4 shown, in some embodiments, the first optical surface 121 may be triangular. One side of the first optical surface 121 may be connected to the main body portion 110, and the ends of multiple first optical surfaces 121 away from the main body portion 110 may intersect at a point. Correspondingly, the first tapered portion 120 may be presented as a multi-pyramid structure. In an embodiment, the number of the first optical surfaces 121 may be equal to the number of cores of the multi-core fiber optic transmission component 200. In use, multiple optical signals emitted from the multi-core fiber optic transmission component 200 may be projected onto multiple first optical surfaces 121 one by one.

[0044] In some other embodiments, the ends of multiple first optical surfaces 121 away from the tapered portion 120 may also be connected to a plane parallel to the end surface of the main body portion 110. The first tapered portion 120 may be presented as a multi-prism structure.

[0045] In some embodiments, the second optical surface 131 may also be triangular. One side of the second optical surface 131 may be connected to the main body portion 110, and the ends of multiple second optical surfaces 131 away from the main body portion 110 intersect at a point. Correspondingly, the second conical portion 130 may also be presented as a multi-pyramid structure. In the embodiment, the number of the second optical surfaces 131 is equal to the number of the first optical surfaces 121, that is, the number of the second optical surfaces 131 is equal to the number of the cores of the multi-core optical fiber transmission component 200. Correspondingly, the optical signals output from one end of the optical prism 100 toward the single-core optical fiber transmission component 300 may be evenly distributed and emitted from multiple second optical surfaces 131 and projected onto the single-core optical fiber transmission component 300.

[0046] In some other embodiments, the ends of multiple second optical surfaces 131 away from the conical portion 130 may also be connected to a plane parallel to the end face of the main body portion 110. The second conical portion 130 may be presented as a multi-prism structure.

[0047] Exemplarily, in some embodiments, the number of the first optical surfaces 121 and the second optical surfaces 131 may both be set to four, seven, eight, nineteen or other numbers.

[0048] In addition, in some embodiments, multiple second optical surfaces 131 may be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence and opposite to multiple first optical surfaces 121.

[0049] In some embodiments, the inclination angle α of the first optical surface 121 1 may be set to 1.1° to 3.2°. Exemplarily, the inclination angle α of the first optical surface 121 1 may be set to 1.1°, 1.5°, 1.8°, 2.2°, 2.6°, 2.7°, 3.0°, 3.2° or any other angle between 1.1° and 3.2°.

[0050] In some embodiments, the inclination angle α of the second optical surface 131 2 may be set to 5.2° to 6.3°. Exemplarily, the inclination angle of the second optical surface 131 may be set to 5.2°, 5.4°, 5.7°, 5.9°, 6.0°, 6.1°, 6.3° or any other angle between 5.2° and 6.3°.

[0051] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, in some embodiments, the main body portion 110 may be multi-prismatic. The number of the side walls 111 of the main body portion 110 may be equal to the number of the first optical surfaces 121. The side walls 111 may be connected between the first optical surfaces 121 and the second optical surfaces 131 arranged oppositely. And the side walls 111 are all parallel to the central axis L of the optical prism 100.

[0052] As Figure 4As shown in the figure, an optical fiber transmission system is provided in the embodiment, which includes a multi-core optical fiber transmission component 200, a single-core optical fiber transmission component 300, and an optical prism 100 provided in the embodiment. Among them, the optical prism 100 is disposed between the multi-core optical fiber transmission component 200 and the single-core optical fiber transmission component 300. And the optical prism 100, the multi-core optical fiber transmission component 200, and the single-core optical fiber transmission component 300 are coaxially arranged, that is, the optical axis of the optical prism 100, the optical axis of the multi-core optical fiber transmission component 200, and the optical axis of the single-core optical fiber transmission component 300 are on the same straight line.

[0053] In some embodiments, the first conical portion 120 of the optical prism 100 is disposed toward the multi-core optical fiber transmission component 200, and the second conical portion 130 is disposed toward the single-core optical fiber transmission component 300.

[0054] In some embodiments, the multi-core optical fiber transmission component 200 includes a multi-core optical fiber head 210 and a first collimator lens 220 arranged coaxially. Among them, the multi-core optical fiber head 210 can be used to realize the transmission of multiple optical signals. The first collimator lens 220 is disposed between the multi-core optical fiber head 210 and the optical prism 100, and the first collimator lens 220 can be used to perform collimation and focusing processing on the passing light beam. Exemplarily, the light beam output by the multi-core optical fiber head 210 can be transmitted to the first collimator lens 220, and the first collimator lens 220 can collimate the passing light beam, and the included angle of the light beam output from the first collimator lens 220 will be smaller than the included angle of the light beam output by the multi-core optical fiber head 210. In some embodiments, the first collimator lens 220 can be a multi-core optical fiber collimating lens matching the multi-core optical fiber head 210. The multi-core optical fiber head 210 can include four cores, seven cores, eight cores, nineteen cores, etc.

[0055] In some embodiments, the single-core optical fiber transmission component 300 can include a coaxial single-core optical fiber head 310 and a second collimator lens 320. Among them, the single-core optical fiber head 310 can realize the transmission of a single optical signal. The second collimator lens 320 is disposed between the single-core optical fiber head 310 and the second conical portion 130. The second collimator lens 320 can collimate the passing light beam. In some embodiments, the second collimator lens 320 can be selected as a single-core optical fiber collimating lens matching the single-core optical fiber head 310. Exemplarily, the light beam output by the single-core optical fiber head 310 can be transmitted to the second collimator lens 320, and the second collimator lens 320 can collimate the passing light beam. In the embodiment, the core pitch of the single-core optical fiber head 310 is greater than the core pitch of the multi-core optical fiber head 210. Correspondingly, the included angle of the light beam output by the second collimator lens 320 can be greater than the included angle of the light beam output by the first collimator lens 220. The single-core optical fiber head 310 can include four single-core optical fibers, seven single-core optical fibers, eight single-core optical fibers, nineteen single-core optical fibers, etc., and the number of single-core optical fibers can be equal to the number of cores in the multi-core optical fiber head 210.

[0056] When transmitting an optical signal from the multi-core fiber optic head 210 to the single-core fiber optic head 310, the multi-core fiber optic head 210 can output multiple beams of light. After being collimated by the first collimator lens 220, the multiple beams of light are transmitted to the first conical part 120. The multiple beams of light can be projected onto multiple first optical surfaces 121 one by one, and after refraction, enter the optical prism 100. Then, the light beam can be refracted and emitted through the second optical surface 131, and after being collimated by the second collimator lens 320, enter the single-core fiber optic head 310. In the embodiment, the inclination angle α of the first optical surface 121 1 is less than the inclination angle α of the second optical surface 131 2 , when the light beam passes through the optical prism 100, the optical prism 100 can realize the conversion of the optical crossing angle of the light beam emitted from the multi-core fiber optic head 210, so that the optical crossing angle of the light beam output by the optical prism 100 matches that of the single-core fiber optic head 310. Thus, the coupling efficiency between the multi-core fiber optic head 210 and the single-core fiber optic head 310 can be improved, and the insertion loss can be reduced.

[0057] When transmitting an optical signal from the single-core fiber optic head 310 to the multi-core fiber optic head 210, the single-core fiber optic head 310 can output multiple beams of light. After being collimated by the second collimator lens 320, the multiple beams of light are output to the optical lens. When passing through the optical lens, the optical crossing angle of the light beam can be converted, so that the optical crossing angle of the light beam output by the single-core fiber optic head 310 is adapted to the optical crossing angle of the multi-core fiber optic head 210. Thus, the coupling efficiency between the single-core fiber optic head 310 and the multi-core fiber optic head 210 can be improved, and the insertion loss can be reduced. Correspondingly, the product yield can also be improved, which is beneficial to the mass production of products. In addition, the fiber optic transmission system provided in this application can avoid the problem of mismatch in the waist spot size between the single-core fiber optic head 310 and the multi-core fiber optic head 210 caused by adjusting the curvature radius of the collimating lens.

[0058] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0059] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An optical prism, characterized in that: It comprises a main body, a first cone part and a second cone part, wherein the first cone part and the second cone part are arranged at two ends of the main body; A plurality of first optical surfaces are arranged obliquely on one side of the first cone portion away from the main body portion, and the plurality of first optical surfaces are arranged around the central axis of the optical prism; a plurality of second optical surfaces are arranged obliquely on one side of the second cone portion away from the main body portion, and the plurality of second optical surfaces are arranged around the central axis of the optical prism, and the number of the second optical surfaces is equal to the number of the first optical surfaces; The inclination angle α1 of the first optical surface is smaller than the inclination angle α2 of the second optical surface.

2. The optical prism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical prism is applied between a multi-core optical fiber transmission component and a single-core optical fiber transmission component, the first cone portion is configured to be disposed toward the multi-core optical fiber transmission component, and the second cone portion is configured to be disposed toward the single-core optical fiber transmission component; The number of the first optical surfaces and the number of the second optical surfaces are both equal to the number of fiber cores of the multi-core optical fiber transmission component.

3. The optical prism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first optical surface is in a triangular shape, one side of the first optical surface is connected to the main body, and ends of the plurality of first optical surfaces away from the main body intersect at a point.

4. The optical prism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second optical surface is in a triangular shape, one side of the second optical surface is connected to the main body, and ends of the plurality of second optical surfaces away from the main body intersect at a point.

5. The optical prism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The plurality of first optical surfaces and the plurality of second optical surfaces are arranged opposite to each other in a one-to-one correspondence.

6. The optical prism according to claim 5, characterized in that: The main body is in a polygonal column shape, and includes a plurality of side walls, the number of the side walls being equal to the number of the first optical surfaces; The side wall is connected between the first optical surface and the second optical surface which are arranged opposite to each other.

7. The optical prism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The plurality of side walls are all parallel to the central axis of the optical prism.

8. An optical fiber transmission system, characterized in that: It comprises a multi-core optical fiber transmission component, a single-core optical fiber transmission component and the optical prism as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the optical prism is arranged between the multi-core optical fiber transmission component and the single-core optical fiber transmission component, the first cone portion faces the multi-core optical fiber transmission component, and the second cone portion faces the single-core optical fiber transmission component.

9. The optical fiber transmission system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The multi-core optical fiber transmission component comprises a multi-core optical fiber head and a first collimator lens, wherein the first collimator lens is arranged between the multi-core optical fiber head and the optical prism.

10. The optical fiber transmission system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The single-core optical fiber transmission component comprises a single-core optical fiber head and a second collimator lens, wherein the second collimator lens is arranged between the single-core optical fiber head and the optical prism.

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