Optical Fiber Ring Resonator Structure for Giga-Range Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ring resonators face challenges in achieving high-frequency operation in the giga range while maintaining a small size, and manufacturing processes using optical fibers are costly and inefficient, often requiring the use of integrated circuit semiconductor devices.
Innovation Solution
A ring resonator is manufactured using a single-mode optical fiber with a core, cladding, and jacket, where portions of the jacket are removed and etched to expose the core, and sleeves are inserted to form a ring shape, allowing for high-efficiency operation with a high Q factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a ring resonator is manufactured using an optical fiber, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and applicability is improved, but the supported frequency is limited to mega range instead of giga range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the optical fiber structure by removing the jacket and etching the cladding to reduce the diameter to 10 μm or less. This parameter modification enables the optical fiber-based resonator to support frequencies in the giga range while maintaining the cost advantages of optical fiber manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses chemical etching with hydrofluoric acid solution to remove material from the cladding, similar to a chemical etching process. This allows precise control of the cladding diameter to achieve the required frequency characteristics while using a simple wet chemical process rather than expensive semiconductor fabrication
2Speed
If the resonator is manufactured using an integrated circuit semiconductor device, then the frequency in units of giga can be supported, but the manufacturing cost increases to tens of millions won and applicability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive semiconductor devices with relatively inexpensive optical fibers. By using standard optical fiber components and simple chemical etching processes, the manufacturing cost is dramatically reduced while achieving the required giga-range frequency performance through precise cladding diameter control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the optical fiber parameters (removing jacket, etching cladding to 10 μm or less diameter) to enable giga-range frequency operation, allowing optical fiber to replace semiconductor devices and achieve both high frequency performance and low manufacturing cost
3Speed
If the cladding diameter is reduced to 10 μm or less to support giga frequency, then the frequency performance is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses chemical etching with hydrofluoric acid that automatically etches the cladding material at a controlled rate. The chemical process self-regulates to achieve the target diameter, reducing the need for complex precision mechanical machining while achieving the required 10 μm or less cladding diameter for giga-range frequency operation
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 approach enables the production of a small-sized optical-fiber-based ring resonator with a high Q factor, supporting frequencies in the giga range while utilizing a simple and cost-effective manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a shrinking sleeve that is arranged to surround a portion where the both ends of the core are connected to each other
Implementation Method 2
The etching of the cladding may include etching the cladding using an aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid
Data Source
AI summary
A ring resonator includes a core. Both ends of the core in a lengthwise direction are connected to have a circular shape. The ring resonator further includes a cladding surrounding the core, a jacket surrounding the cladding and a sleeve surrounding a portion of the jacket. A portion of the core is exposed from the cladding and the jacket.