Arc-Slab Waveguide for Compact Beam Array Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical systems, particularly in 2f configurations, face challenges in achieving accurate alignment and mass producibility due to the need for precise positioning of micro lens arrays and optical fibers, leading to poor manufacture tolerance and inefficient beam formation with parallel principal rays and small beam waists.
Innovation Solution
An optical signal processing device is designed with a waveguide configuration that includes an input waveguide, an array waveguide, and a slab waveguide with arc-shaped ends, allowing for a polynomial path length distribution and one-to-one coordinate conversion, which enables the formation of a beam array with a small diameter without the need for micro lens arrays and optical fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If micro lens arrays and optical fibers are used for beam formation in 2f optical systems, then accurate alignment and parallel principal rays are achieved, but manufacturing precision and mass producibility deteriorate due to poor position tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the micro lens array component from the optical system. Instead of using separate micro lens arrays and optical fibers that require precise alignment, the invention integrates the beam formation function directly into the waveguide structure itself, removing the source of manufacturing complexity while maintaining beam quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of beam formation, collimation, and optical signal processing into a single integrated waveguide structure. The input waveguide, array waveguide, and slab waveguide work together as a unified system, eliminating the need for separate micro lens arrays and optical fiber components that require precise positioning
2Productivity
If conventional optical systems are designed for mass production, then productivity improves, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to relaxed position tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide structure performs self-alignment through its inherent geometric design. The arc-shaped connection between waveguides and the polynomial path length distribution automatically ensure proper beam formation and collimation without requiring external alignment mechanisms or precision positioning, enabling mass production with standard tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the waveguide paths, specifically using arc-shaped connections with specific radius ratios and polynomial path length distributions. These parameter changes create a system that is inherently tolerant to manufacturing variations while maintaining optimal beam formation characteristics
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
This configuration effectively collects light into a beam array with a small diameter, improving beam formation and enabling mass-producible optical signal processing devices that can handle various optical system configurations, including 2f systems, by eliminating the need for precise micro lens array and fiber positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a slab waveguide having at least one first arcs provided around a single point as a center connected to the input waveguide, and a second arc provided around the single point as a center connected to the second arc
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an optical signal processing device that can collect light from an input waveguide to form a beam array having a small diameter. The optical signal processing device includes input waveguides 302a to 302c, an array waveguide 305 and a slab waveguide 304 that is connected to a first arc 304a having the single point C as a center and input waveguides 302a to 302c and that is connected to a second arc 404b having the single point C as a center and an array waveguide 305.