Guide Transition Device Using Digital Grating Deflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guiding systems face issues with optical cross-talk and interference due to inefficient light coupling between devices on a common plane, particularly when using semiconductor lasers, where light can couple through unintended paths like reflections or tunneling, leading to losses and interference.
Innovation Solution
A guide transition device utilizing digital grating deflectors and angular deflection surfaces to efficiently couple light from one plane to another, with digital gratings deflecting light approximately 90 degrees and angular deflection surfaces ensuring high optical coupling, reducing cross-talk and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If light devices are placed on a common plane, then device integration is improved, but optical cross-talk and interference increase due to unintended light coupling paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions light from a common plane to different vertical planes using plane shifting apparatus. The digital grating deflector redirects light at approximately 90 degrees, and the angular deflection surface further directs light to a second plane, effectively separating light paths in the vertical dimension to eliminate optical cross-talk while maintaining device integration.
2Reliability
If angular deflection surfaces are used for plane shifting, then light coupling between planes is improved, but fabrication difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the plane shifting function into two separate components: a digital grating deflector that provides approximately 90-degree light redirection, and an angular deflection surface that provides additional angular deflection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the digital grating handling the primary plane transition and the angular surface fine-tuning the light direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital grating deflector serves as an intermediary component between the light source and the angular deflection surface. It first redirects light at approximately 90 degrees to access the angular deflection surface, which then further directs the light to the second plane. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall fabrication process compared to creating a single complex angular surface.
3Productivity
If light is coupled between devices on the same plane, then device connectivity is improved, but light loss through unintended paths increases
Solution Approach 1:
By shifting light to a different vertical plane, the patent creates dedicated light paths that do not intersect with other device light paths. This vertical separation maintains device connectivity while eliminating unintended light coupling and the associated energy losses from optical cross-talk and interference.
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 reduces optical cross-talk and interference by efficiently transferring light between planes, improving alignment tolerance and manufacturability, and enhancing optical coupling, thus improving the overall performance of light guiding systems.
Implementation Method 1
The plane shifting apparatus includes one or more digital gratings each designed to deflect the light beam approximately ninety degrees
Implementation Method 2
angular deflection surfaces ensuring high optical coupling
Data Source
AI summary
A guide transition device including a light source designed to generate a light beam, a light input port on a first plane and coupled to receive the light beam from the light source, a light output port on a second plane different than the first plane, the light output port designed to couple a received light beam to output equipment and plane shifting apparatus coupled to receive the light beam from the light input port on the first plane and to shift or transfer the light beam to the second plane. The plane shifting apparatus including one or more digital gratings each designed to deflect the light beam approximately ninety degrees. The plane shifting apparatus is coupled to transfer the light beam to the light output port on the second plane.