Fabry-Perot Optical Filter With Nonlinear Cavity Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional optical filters, particularly Fabry-Perot structures, lack the ability to dynamically adjust their response based on incident irradiance and cannot effectively filter multiple wavelengths simultaneously while maintaining intensity control.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a two-dimensional (2D) material with a non-linear response to irradiance into the cavity layer of a Fabry-Perot optical filter, which changes absorption with irradiance, allowing for intensity-dependent resonance suppression and enabling multifunctional filtering of multiple wavelengths within a reflective band.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional Fabry-Perot optical filter is used, then it provides a reflective band with a passband, but it cannot dynamically adjust its response based on incident irradiance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic response adjustmentVSAvoidintensity control stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a non-linear optical material in the cavity layer that changes its optical absorption properties based on incident irradiance intensity. At low irradiance, the material allows resonance and transmission; at high irradiance, it becomes absorptive and suppresses resonance, enabling dynamic intensity-dependent filtering without mechanical movement or external control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines traditional Fabry-Perot cavity structure with non-linear optical materials (such as transition metal dichalcogenides like MoS2 or WS2) to create a composite optical filter. This composite structure integrates the wavelength-selective functionality of the Fabry-Perot resonator with the intensity-responsive properties of the non-linear material, achieving both spectral filtering and dynamic intensity control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the cavity layer uses linear absorption material, then it provides stable transmission, but it cannot suppress cavity resonance at high irradiance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission stabilityVSAvoidintensity-dependent filtering

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The non-linear optical material exhibits irradiance-dependent absorption coefficient changes. At low irradiance levels, the material maintains low absorption allowing resonant transmission. As irradiance increases beyond a threshold, the material's absorption coefficient increases dramatically, suppressing the cavity resonance and blocking transmission. This automatic parameter change enables intensity-dependent filtering while maintaining stability at operating points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cavity layers are added to filter multiple wavelengths, then wavelength selectivity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-wavelength filteringVSAvoidcavity layer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding multiple complex cavity layers, the patent introduces non-linear optical material at specific strategic locations within the cavity. This localized modification enables the same cavity structure to dynamically adapt its transmission characteristics based on irradiance intensity, achieving multi-functional behavior (wavelength filtering + intensity control) without proportionally increasing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution enables a strong intensity filter with a large dynamic range, capable of transmitting multiple signals while maintaining intensity control, suitable for high-energy applications and optical communication, and offers flexibility in cavity layer design, enhancing device performance beyond traditional filters.

Implementation Method 1

the cavity layer includes a material having a non-linear response to incident irradiance such that cavity absorption changes with irradiance and suppresses cavity resonance at high irradiance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNon-linear optical absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the cavity layer defines a resonant transmission band within the targeted stopband with the resonant band wavelength depending on the optical thickness of the cavity layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS11630371B2Multifunctional optical filters

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 HAMR IND LLC

AI summary

An optical filter includes a substrate; a first mirror on the substrate; a cavity layer on the first mirror; and a second mirror on the cavity layer. Each of the first and second mirrors provide high reflection, low transmission and low absorption over a targeted stopband. The cavity layer defines a resonant transmission band within the targeted stopband with the resonant band wavelength depending on the optical thickness of the cavity layer. The cavity layer includes a material having a non-linear response to incident irradiance such that cavity absorption changes with irradiance and suppresses cavity resonance at high irradiance. The material having the non-linear response to the incident irradiance includes a two-dimensional (2D) material.