Obliquely Polished Fiber Array with Compensation Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current two-dimensional fiber arrays in optical switches face challenges with high return loss, leading to noise and limited application scope, and existing methods to improve return loss are difficult to implement and costly.
Innovation Solution
An optical device featuring a two-dimensional fiber array with an obliquely polished end face and a compensation block, where the compensation block is disposed between the fiber array and another optical component, ensuring that light beams pass through in parallel, reducing back reflections and improving return loss to above 60 dB, while simplifying the production process and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If matching fluid is filled between the FA and to-be-combined component to improve return loss, then return loss can reach above 60 dB, but efficient sealing is extremely difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a compensation block as an intermediary component between the fiber array and the to-be-combined component. This block compensates for the refractive index mismatch without requiring matching fluid, thereby achieving high return loss while avoiding sealing difficulties. The compensation block serves as a solid mediator that eliminates the need for fluid sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the matching fluid from the system by using a compensation block with specific refractive index properties. Instead of relying on fluid to match refractive indices, the compensation block itself provides the refractive index matching function, eliminating the sealing requirement entirely.
2Reliability
If matching fluid is used to improve return loss, then return loss can reach above 60 dB, but it is costly and difficult to achieve large-scale production
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation block serves as a reusable solid intermediary that can be pre-manufactured and standardized. Unlike matching fluid that requires precise sealing and handling during assembly, the compensation block can be integrated into a modular assembly process, enabling large-scale production through standardized components and simplified assembly procedures.
3Reliability
If refractive index matching is attempted to improve return loss, then return loss may reach above 60 dB, but it is difficult to obtain material with complete refractive index match
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from attempting to match refractive indices precisely to using a compensation block with a specifically designed refractive index profile. The compensation block's refractive index is selected to optimize the optical path and minimize reflections, achieving high return loss without requiring perfect refractive index matching between different materials.
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 effectively enhances the return loss of the two-dimensional fiber array, facilitating mass production with improved optical performance and reduced noise, thereby expanding the application scope of optical switches.
Implementation Method 1
an end face of the two-dimensional fiber array is obliquely polished as a whole... any two light beams that pass through the two-dimensional fiber array and are emitted from the obliquely polished end face of the two-dimensional fiber array are incident to an end face of the compensation block in parallel, and are incident to an end face of the other optical component in parallel after being refracted by another end face of the compensation block
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides an optical component and an optical device, and the optical component includes a two-dimensional fiber array and a compensation block, where: an end face of the two-dimensional fiber array is obliquely polished as a whole; the compensation block is disposed between the two-dimensional fiber array and another optical component; any two light beams that pass through the two-dimensional fiber array and are emitted from the obliquely polished end face of the two-dimensional fiber array is incident to an end face of the compensation block in parallel, and is incident to an end face of the another optical component in parallel after being refracted by another end face of the compensation block; a length λ1 of a path along which a first incident light beam is emitted from the obliquely polished end face of the two-dimensional fiber array, passes through the compensation block, and reaches the end face of the another optical component is equal to a length λ2 of a path along which a second incident light beam is emitted from the obliquely polished end face of the two-dimensional fiber array, passes through the compensation block, and reaches the end face of the another optical component. The optical component and the optical device that are provided in the present invention feature simple techniques and relatively low production costs, which facilitates mass production.