Angled Output Interface Optical Turning Mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical turning mirrors in optical transceivers introduce loss and distortion due to the need for reflective coatings to increase reflectivity, which raises costs and manufacturing complexity, while adjusting the reflective surface angle to improve reflectivity can compromise focus and optical coupling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optical turning mirror with a substantially transparent body and a reflective surface angled less than 45 degrees, combined with an angled light-transmissive output surface, to redirect incident wavelengths efficiently towards a photodetector without the need for highly reflective coatings, ensuring high optical coupling efficiency by maintaining focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reflective coatings are applied to increase reflectivity, then optical signal reflection improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/coating-based solution (reflective coatings) with an optical geometry-based solution (angled light-transmissive surface). The angled surface uses refraction and internal reflection principles to achieve the same light redirecting function without requiring additional coating materials or complex manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the light-transmissive surface (angling it at a specific angle) to alter the optical path and achieve efficient light coupling. This parameter change enables the system to function without reflective coatings by utilizing the angle-dependent refraction and reflection properties of the interface
2Reliability
If reflective surface angle is adjusted to improve reflectivity, then optical signal reflection improves, but focus quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the angle parameter of the light-transmissive surface to simultaneously achieve both high reflectivity and good focus quality. By carefully selecting the angle, the design balances the competing requirements of reflection efficiency and beam focusing, eliminating the need for trade-offs between these two parameters
3Adaptability or versatility
If turning mirrors are used to redirect light, then optical path flexibility improves, but optical coupling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional turning mirror mechanism with an integrated angled light-transmissive surface that achieves the same light redirecting function through optical geometry rather than mechanical reflection. This substitution eliminates the losses associated with mirror surfaces while maintaining optical path flexibility
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances optical coupling efficiency by maintaining focus and reducing losses, while eliminating the need for costly reflective coatings, thus addressing the challenges of thermal management, insertion loss, and manufacturing complexity in space-constrained optical transceiver modules.
Implementation Method 1
a light-transmissive surface that extends at a second predetermined angle relative to the first optical path to compensate for the angle of the reflective surface
Implementation Method 2
the light-transmissive surface of the body extends at a second predetermined angle relative to the first optical path to introduce a compensating angle of reflection
Data Source
AI summary
In general, the present disclosure is directed to an optical turning mirror for receiving channel wavelengths along a first optical path and reflecting the same towards a fiber or photodetector (PD) without the necessity of disposing a highly reflective layer to increase reflectivity. In more detail, the optical turning mirror includes a substantially transparent body, e.g., capable of passing at least 80% of incident wavelengths, that defines an input region with integrated focus lens(es) for receiving channel wavelengths along a first optical path and a reflective surface disposed opposite the input region to direct/launch received channel wavelengths along a second optical path towards an output interface having an angled light-transmissive surface, with the second optical path extending substantially transverse relative to the first optical path.