Angled Surface Optical Light Splitter Eliminates Internal Corner Reflections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal corners in optical light splitters cause reflections, which are difficult to eliminate due to lithographical and etching limitations, leading to unwanted light transmission back into input waveguides.
Innovation Solution
Designing an optical light splitter where the transition from input to output waveguides occurs with a surface angled to the light propagation direction, eliminating internal corners and using a capture waveguide to redirect light that would otherwise reflect back into the input waveguide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If surfaces are arranged at angles to avoid perpendicular intersections, then reflections are reduced, but internal corners still form due to lithographical and etching limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic internal corner region entirely by designing a light splitter that transitions directly from input waveguides to output waveguides without forming corners. The angled surface is positioned such that it eliminates the corner region that would otherwise cause reflections, extracting the harmful geometric feature from the device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new geometric dimension by positioning an angled surface at a specific orientation relative to the light propagation direction. This angled surface creates a three-dimensional configuration that eliminates the formation of internal corners while maintaining the waveguide transition function, effectively solving the corner rounding problem through dimensional redesign.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If internal corners are eliminated by removing output waveguides, then reflections are minimized, but light splitting functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the light splitter structure multi-functional by designing it to simultaneously achieve two objectives: minimizing reflections through the elimination of internal corners and maintaining light splitting capability. The angled surface configuration allows the device to function as both a reflection-minimizing structure and an effective light splitter, eliminating the need for separate components.
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
Significantly minimizes reflections by avoiding internal corners and redirecting light away from the input waveguide, improving the efficiency of light splitting processes.
Implementation Method 1
Internal corners in optical light splitters cause reflections, which are difficult to eliminate due to lithographical and etching limitations, leading to unwanted light transmission back into input waveguides.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical light splitter includes or is connected to at least two input waveguides (4; 6, 7; 18, 19; 32,33) for light. The light splitter (1, 2, 30, 40), on the side opposite to the input waveguide or input waveguides (4; 6, 7; 18, 19; 32, 33; 41, 42) transitions into at most one output waveguide (8, 10, 20, 34) in the direction of propagation of the incoming light. A surface (14, 25, 31, 45) is present set at an angle to the direction of propagation of the light in that part of the light splitter that is opposite to the input waveguide or input waveguides, the surface is present where the light splitter has an image from incoming light, and internal corners are not present in the part.