Blazed Optical Receptacle for Misalignment-Tolerant VCSEL Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In VCSEL assemblies, positional deviations between the optical receptacle and the optical transmission member can lead to distorted signal light spots, significantly lowering optical coupling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optical receptacle with a diffraction portion featuring a blaze shape is used, which diffracts light as n-th order diffracted light (n=−1, −2, or −3) to maintain optical coupling efficiency even with positional deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the tilt angles of the reflective surface and the first surface are changed to separate signal light and monitor light, then light separation is achieved, but the spot shape becomes distorted and optical coupling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical path configuration by introducing a beam splitter and adjusting the angles of the reflective surface and first surface. Specifically, the reflective surface is set at a first angle and the first surface at a second angle different from the first, allowing simultaneous achievement of light separation and maintained spot shape. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between light separation efficiency and optical coupling efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a prism is used to separate signal light and monitor light, then light separation is achieved, but molding defects cause spot distortion and reduce optical coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light separation function from the optical path by using a beam splitter instead of a monolithic prism. This allows independent optimization of each component: the beam splitter for light separation and the optical surfaces for maintaining spot shape. The segmentation reduces the impact of molding defects on overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the angles of the reflective surface and first surface to compensate for potential molding defects. By carefully selecting the first angle and second angle, the design ensures that even with manufacturing variations, the spot shape remains stable and optical coupling efficiency is maintained.
3Ease of operation
If the positional relationship between the optical receptacle and the optical transmission member is not precisely controlled, then alignment is easier, but the spot shape distorts and optical coupling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical path with built-in tolerance compensation. By optimizing the angles of the reflective surface and first surface, and using a beam splitter configuration, the system becomes less sensitive to positional deviations. This beforehand cushioning against potential misalignment maintains optical coupling efficiency even when alignment is not perfectly precise.
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 optical receptacle effectively suppresses decreases in optical coupling efficiency due to positional deviations, ensuring stable optical coupling by minimizing spot distortion.
Implementation Method 1
a diffraction portion (123) including a blaze shape and diffracting at least a part of the light incident on the first optical surface (121) as n-th order diffracted light (n=−1, −2, or −3) toward the optical transmission member (140)
Data Source
AI summary
This optical receptacle comprises a first optical surface (121), a second optical surface (122) and a diffraction portion (123) which is for diffracting at least a part of the light that has entered at the first optical surface toward the optical transmission body as n-order diffracted light. The diffraction portion (123) satisfies formula (1) sinθr=(1/N)×{N×sinθi−n×(λ/Λ)} and formula (2) 70°<θr+θi<110°, where X represents the wavelength of the light incident on the first optical surface, N represents the refractive index of a medium in which the light incident on the diffraction portion travels, A represents the period of the blazed shape, θi represents the angle of incidence of the light incident on the first optical surface with respect to the diffraction portion, and Or represents the reflection diffraction angle with respect to the optical transmission body.