Integrated Light Splitting Waveguides for Compact Low-Loss 1×4 Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems face challenges with large size and high optical power loss due to cascading light splitting stages, making them unsuitable for compact devices and inefficient in energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A light splitting device utilizing a primary waveguide coupled with first and second coupling waveguides, converting fundamental modes into hybrid modes and further into multiple fundamental modes through tapered and separated waveguides with Y-junctions to minimize optical loss and maintain a compact form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cascading light splitting stages are used to increase the number of light outputs, then the light splitting capability is improved, but the size of the optical system increases to an unreasonable scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple light splitting operations into a single integrated optical device. The device combines multiple waveguides (first waveguide, second waveguide, third waveguide, fourth waveguide) with coupled regions that perform simultaneous mode conversion and light splitting, eliminating the need for cascading separate splitting stages and achieving compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical stacking of waveguides in the third dimension to achieve multi-output splitting without increasing the horizontal footprint. Multiple waveguides are positioned at different vertical levels and coupled through evanescent fields, enabling 1-to-4 or 1-to-8 splitting while maintaining a compact planar configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cascading light splitting stages are used to increase the number of light outputs, then the light splitting capability is improved, but the optical power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple splitting operations into a single stage, eliminating the cumulative losses associated with cascading multiple separate splitters. The integrated device performs all splitting operations simultaneously through evanescent coupling, reducing total insertion loss and improving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or physical cascading of multiple discrete components with an optical field-based integrated structure. Evanescent mode coupling enables energy transfer between waveguides without physical contact or mechanical alignment, reducing scattering losses and improving overall optical efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If waveguide tapering and mode conversion are employed to minimize optical loss, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs gradual waveguide tapering to adiabatically convert between different optical modes (fundamental mode to higher-order modes and vice versa). By slowly changing the waveguide dimensions, the structure enables efficient mode transformation with minimal reflection and scattering loss, despite the increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses evanescent mode coupling as an intermediary mechanism to transfer optical energy between adjacent waveguides. The overlapping evanescent fields act as a mediator that enables efficient energy transfer without direct physical contact, reducing scattering losses while managing the complexity of multi-waveguide coupling.
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 achieves efficient light splitting with minimal optical loss and reduced size, suitable for compact devices by employing mode conversion and waveguide tapering techniques.
Implementation Method 1
the light may couple from the input waveguide to both the first and second coupling waveguides and the light may be converted from the fundamental mode of light to a first hybrid mode
Data Source
AI summary
Configurations for a one by four light splitting device are disclosed. The light splitting device may include a primary waveguide, a first coupling waveguide, and a second coupling waveguide. The primary waveguide may couple light from the primary waveguide into both the first and second coupling waveguides. Due to the manipulation of the coupling modes, a fundamental mode of light may be input and four fundamental modes of light may be output. In some examples, the primary waveguide may input a fundamental mode of light that may be converted into a first hybrid mode, which may be a four lobe mode. The first and second coupling waveguides may be tapered and separated by a gap such that the first hybrid mode may be converted into two second hybrid modes, which may then be converted back into four fundamental modes of output light.