Arc-Shaped Contact End for Transmitter Optical Sub-Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical fiber communication systems, high data rates require reducing signal attenuation and reflection at the optical fiber end face to ensure stable and efficient data transmission, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A transmitter optical sub-assembly with an arc-shaped contact end and a prism body that includes a first lens and a plug-in, ensuring gapless interconnection with the optical fiber, minimizing end face reflection and signal attenuation by eliminating air medium in the optical transmission path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a planar contact end is used for connection with optical fiber, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but there is an air gap between the contact end and optical fiber end face, causing end face reflection and signal attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The contact end of the plug-in is designed with an arc-shaped surface that matches the curvature of the optical fiber end face. This curved geometry enables gapless contact between the plug-in and optical fiber, eliminating the air gap that causes reflection and signal loss, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard arc-milling or grinding processes.
2Device complexity
If a planar contact end is used for connection with optical fiber, then the structure is simple, but end face reflection occurs due to the air medium in the optical transmission path
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped contact end surface is designed to conform to the spherical end face of the optical fiber. This curvature matching eliminates the air gap between components, removing the dielectric interface that causes Fresnel reflection, thereby reducing end face reflection without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Loss of energy
If an arc-shaped contact end is used for gapless interconnection with optical fiber, then end face reflection and signal attenuation are reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped contact end is designed with a radius of curvature that matches the optical fiber end face, enabling gapless contact. While this improves optical performance by eliminating reflection and signal loss, it does require precise control of the arc radius and surface finish during manufacturing to ensure proper contact geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact end geometry is changed from planar to arc-shaped, modifying the physical parameters of the interface. This parameter change (from flat to curved surface) enables gapless contact and reduces optical losses, but necessitates tighter control over dimensional parameters such as arc radius, surface roughness, and contact pressure during manufacturing.
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 effectively reduces signal attenuation and return loss, achieving stable and efficient data transmission with minimal reflection, suitable for high-speed data centers and enterprise networks.
Implementation Method 1
reduce end face reflection of the contact end... there is no air medium on an optical transmission path between the plug-in and the optical fiber, and light directly enters the optical fiber from the plug-in
Data Source
AI summary
A transmitter optical sub-assembly, includes a prism body, a first lens, and a plug-in. The prism body includes a light inlet end and a light outlet end, the first lens is disposed between the light outlet end and the plug-in, and the plug-in includes a contact end. The contact end is located on a surface that is of the plug-in and that is away from the first lens, a center of the contact end is located on a focus on an optical path of the first lens, and the contact end is arc-shaped for a purpose of a gapless interconnection with an optical fiber, to reduce end face reflection of the contact end. An optical transceiver assembly includes the transmitter optical sub-assembly, and has comparatively small reflection and a comparatively small return loss of an optical fiber end face.