Dual Beam Splitter Optical Micro-Components for Compact Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical components, such as transmitter and receiver subassemblies in fiber optic communication systems, face challenges in packaging additional functionality like power and frequency monitoring due to space constraints, making it difficult to incorporate beam splitters and multiple filter chips within the limited housing dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A micro-optic dual beam-splitter assembly is designed with a housing that includes at least two beam-splitter optical filter chips and photoreceptors, where each filter chip has a thin-film optical filter and an optical tap surface oriented normal to the optical path, allowing for the tapping off of optical signals for monitoring purposes while maintaining the primary function of transmitting selected wavelengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional functionality (power monitoring, frequency monitoring) is incorporated into optical components, then the functionality and versatility of the system is improved, but the device complexity and packaging difficulty increase due to space constraints in size-constrained housings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (filtering and beam splitting) into single integrated optical components. Specifically, optical filters are designed with dual functionality: they filter specific wavelengths while simultaneously acting as beam splitters to direct monitored wavelengths to photodetectors. This merging eliminates the need for separate filter chips and beam splitter components, reducing packaging complexity while maintaining power and frequency monitoring capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filter components are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. Each optical filter serves as both a wavelength selector (allowing specific wavelengths to pass through the optical path) and a beam splitter (redirecting specific wavelengths to monitoring photodetectors). This multi-functionality approach enables power monitoring and frequency monitoring within the same compact housing without requiring additional dedicated components
2Volume of moving object
If beam splitters and multiple filter chips are packaged in size-constrained housings, then the compactness of the system is improved, but the difficulty of accommodating all necessary components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of separate filter chips and beam splitters into integrated optical filter components. By designing optical filters that inherently possess both filtering and beam-splitting capabilities, the system eliminates the need to accommodate multiple discrete components within the housing, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining compact dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes angular separation in the optical path to achieve functional separation without increasing housing volume. Beam splitters are positioned at specific angles (e.g., 45 degrees) to redirect monitored wavelengths to photodetectors located in different spatial dimensions, allowing multiple functions to coexist within the compact housing footprint
3Length of moving object
If beam splitters are provided as thin film filter chips, then the component size is reduced, but it becomes difficult or impossible to incorporate them in view of package space limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the beam splitter function directly into the optical filter structure. Instead of using separate thin film beam splitter chips that would require additional mounting space, the optical filters are designed with dual functionality, incorporating beam-splitting capability into the filter substrate itself. This integration maintains the compact size advantage while enabling successful incorporation into space-constrained packages
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filter components are designed as universal elements that perform both filtering and beam splitting functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate beam splitter chips, making incorporation into compact packages feasible while maintaining the size advantages of thin film technology
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 enables compact packaging of multiple filter chips and beam splitters, allowing for efficient signal processing and monitoring within size-constrained housings, improving signal quality and reach in fiber optic systems.
Implementation Method 1
Each such filter chip comprises an optical substrate having at least a filter surface, an optical tap surface, and a thin-film optical filter on the filter surface. The optical filter chips, as oriented in the housing, are cooperatively transmissive to the optical signal output port of a selected set of optical signal wavelengths received from the optical signal source along the optical path and are reflective of other wavelengths received from the optical signal source.
Implementation Method 2
Each of the optical tap surfaces, as oriented in the housing, is operative as an optical beam splitter to tap off optical tap signals comprising a portion of the optical signals passed along the optical path to the optical filter chip.
Data Source
AI summary
A micro-optic dual beam-splitter assembly comprises at least two beam-splitter optical filters and at least one photoreceptor. Each of the beam-splitter optical filters comprises an optical substrate having at least a coated or uncoated optical tap surface and a filter surface carrying a thin-film optical filter. The thin-film optical filters are substantially normal to the optical path from an optical signal source. Each of the optical tap surfaces is operative as an optical beam splitter to tap off an optical tap signal. The one or more photoreceptors are arranged to receive both or at least one of the optical tap signals. The tap signals comprise a portion of the optical signals passed along the optical path to the optical filter chips. The filter chips are cooperatively transmissive to an optical signal output port of a selected set of wavelengths received from the optical signal source along the optical path, and are reflective of other wavelengths. Each of the one or more photoreceptors are operative to pass tap signals to a corresponding tap signal output port, either as optical or electrical signals. Various different embodiments of the disclosed micro-optic dual beam-splitter assemblies are useful as TOSAs, ROSAs, gain-flattening filters for optical amplifiers, or other applications.