Cascade Ring Resonators with Varying Round-Trip Lengths for Wavelength Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in adjusting the resonance wavelength of ring optical modulators on a silicon substrate to match input light wavelengths, as the operating wavelength band is narrow and sensitive to deviations in the silicon waveguide core layer, leading to difficulties in fabrication and high power consumption due to the need for significant current and heating or carrier injection adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An optical resonator apparatus with a cascade connection of ring optical resonators having varying round-trip lengths, where a controller adjusts the resonance wavelengths of each ring optical resonator to match input light wavelengths, and performs re-resonance wavelength adjustment to minimize power consumption and current requirements by optimizing the alignment of resonance wavelengths with input light wavelengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the resonance wavelength of ring optical modulators is adjusted by heating or carrier injection to match input light wavelengths, then the wavelength alignment is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-adjusting the resonance wavelengths of ring optical resonators during the fabrication process to match the input light wavelengths. This is achieved by controlling the round-trip lengths of the ring optical waveguides to vary in a specific order from the light input side to the light output side. By performing the wavelength matching action in advance during fabrication rather than during operation, the need for high-power heating or carrier injection adjustments during device operation is eliminated, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving precise wavelength alignment and minimizing power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If the resonance wavelength adjustment is performed by significant heating or carrier injection, then the wavelength matching is achieved, but the current requirements increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the wavelength matching action in advance during fabrication by precisely controlling the round-trip lengths of ring optical waveguides, eliminating the need for high-current adjustments during operation. This preliminary structuring of the resonators with varying round-trip lengths in cascade connection ensures that the resonance wavelengths naturally align with input light wavelengths without requiring excessive current for heating or carrier injection.
3Ease of manufacture
If the round-trip lengths of ring optical waveguides are made uniform, then the fabrication process is simplified, but the resonance wavelengths cannot be optimally aligned with multiple input light wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the round-trip lengths of different ring optical waveguides non-uniform, with each waveguide having a specific length tailored to its position in the cascade connection. The round-trip lengths vary in a determined order from the light input side to the light output side, with each length optimized for aligning the resonance wavelength of that specific ring optical resonator with the corresponding input light wavelength. This localized differentiation in waveguide lengths enables precise wavelength alignment for multiple input channels while maintaining a relatively simple cascade fabrication approach.
4Ease of operation
If the resonance wavelengths are not properly aligned with input light wavelengths, then the device operation is simpler, but inter-channel occurrences increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary wavelength alignment during fabrication by setting the round-trip lengths of ring optical waveguides to vary in a specific order, ensuring that each ring optical resonator's resonance wavelength matches the corresponding input light wavelength. This preliminary structuring prevents inter-channel occurrences by establishing proper wavelength separation before the device begins operation, allowing the device to operate simply without complex real-time adjustment mechanisms while maintaining high reliability.
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 approach effectively reduces power consumption and current requirements by aligning resonance wavelengths with input light wavelengths, minimizing the need for excessive power in adjusting the resonators, thus enhancing efficiency and reducing the risk of inter-channel occurrences.
Implementation Method 1
a resonance wavelength adjustment electrode provided on the ring optical waveguide for adjusting a resonance wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
An optical resonator apparatus includes an optical resonator unit wherein ring optical resonators each including a first optical waveguide and a resonance wavelength adjustment electrode are coupled in cascade connection and round-trip lengths of the ring optical waveguides are different from each other and vary in order from an input side to an output side, and a controller that adjusts a resonance wavelength of each ring optical resonator in order beginning with the ring optical resonator provided at the most input side so as to match with an input light wavelength and, when an inter-channel occurs, adjusts the resonance wavelength of the first ring optical resonator from the input side so as to match with a second-matching input light wavelength and adjusts the resonance wavelengths of the second and succeeding ring optical resonators from the input side so as to match with the first-matching input light wavelength.