Dielectric Ridge Optical Polarizer for High Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical polarizers face limitations in achieving high transmissivity and extinction ratio simultaneously due to fundamental absorption losses, which restrict their performance in applications requiring both high transmission and extinction.
Innovation Solution
The development of optical polarizers with elongated dielectric ridges on a dielectric substrate, featuring electrically conductive coatings and a multi-layer dielectric substrate structure, including layers like silicon, zinc selenide, and magnesium fluoride, to minimize absorptive losses and enhance performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional metal wire grid polarizers are used to achieve high extinction ratio, then extinction ratio is improved, but transmissivity deteriorates due to fundamental absorption losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to dielectric, fundamentally altering the interaction mechanism with light. This parameter change eliminates the absorption losses inherent in metal structures while maintaining the polarization function through dielectric contrast and geometric design of the ridge structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining dielectric ridges with conductive coatings on specific surfaces. This composite approach allows the dielectric to provide low absorption while the conductive coating enhances the polarization effect, achieving both high transmissivity and high extinction ratio simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If metal conductive ridges are used in polarizers, then extinction ratio is improved, but corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where dielectric material forms the ridge structure and conductive coating is applied only on the lateral surfaces. This composite design provides corrosion resistance from the dielectric while maintaining electrical conductivity where needed for polarization function.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive coating is applied locally only on the lateral surfaces of the ridges where it is needed for electrical function, rather than coating the entire structure. This local application reduces exposure to corrosive environments while maintaining the necessary electrical properties for polarization.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional polarizer designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but transmissivity deteriorates due to absorption losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental material parameter from metal to dielectric, which eliminates absorption losses and improves transmissivity. The manufacturing process remains relatively simple as it uses standard semiconductor fabrication techniques for creating dielectric structures and applying conductive coatings.
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
These polarizers achieve improved transmissivity and extinction ratio, reducing absorptive losses and enabling better performance in applications where both high transmission and extinction are necessary, such as in the near-infrared and mid-infrared spectral ranges.
Implementation Method 1
The polarizer operates by passing a beam of light (traversing from bottom to top or vice versa in FIG. 1), at or close to the operational wavelength range, with an electric field orientation or vector perpendicular to the conductive ridges and reflecting at least parts of the passing light beam with an electric field orientation or vector orthogonal, but not perpendicular, to the conductive ridges
Implementation Method 2
reflecting at least parts of the passing light beam with an electric field orientation or vector orthogonal, but not perpendicular, to the conductive ridges
Data Source
AI summary
An optical isolator includes a polarizer for receiving an optical signal from an optical signal source, a Faraday rotator disposed on one surface of the polarizer for rotating a polarization of the optical signal output by the polarizer and outputting the same as a rotator output optical signal, and an analyzer disposed on an opposing surface of the polarizer for receiving the rotator output optical signal and for outputting at least a part thereof. The polarizer and the analyzer each include a number of spaced elongated dielectric ridges. Each dielectric ridge has a length direction extending along the one surface of the Faraday rotator, pair of spaced sides that extend away from the one surface of the Faraday rotator and a top extending between the spaced sides opposite the one surface of the Faraday rotator. Each dielectric ridge includes an electrically conductive coating on each side of the dielectric ridge.