Interferometer with Perpendicular Prism Reflection for Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interferometers used in optical transmission systems, such as Michelson interferometers, face challenges in reducing size due to the need for large optical components to accommodate non-overlapping optical axes of branched light beams, which also lead to instability in laser oscillation and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a light branch element that splits the light into two branched light beams, with a light reflection means that reflects these beams such that their optical axes are moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to a reference plane, allowing for the generation of interference light beams with a controlled optical path difference, thereby reducing the overall size of the interferometer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical axes of branched light beams are made non-overlapping by disposing reflective elements in the direction parallel to the substrate, then the interferometer can function properly, but the size of optical components and the entire interferometer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the direction of optical axis separation from the planar direction (parallel to substrate) to the vertical direction (perpendicular to substrate). The reflective elements are disposed to move optical axes in parallel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reference plane, allowing compact planar arrangement while maintaining proper optical path separation.
2Area of stationary object
If the optical axes of branched light beams overlap after reflection, then the interferometer size can be reduced, but laser oscillation becomes unstable and one of the interference light beams cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by separating optical axes in the vertical dimension rather than the planar dimension. The reflective elements are configured to move the optical axes in parallel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reference plane, enabling size reduction while maintaining stable laser oscillation and proper detection of interference light beams.
3Area of stationary object
If temperature control is implemented in the optical waveguide implementation, then the interferometer can be compact, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical waveguide implementation (which requires temperature control) with a space optical system using bulk optical elements. The reflective elements are disposed on a substrate to form an interferometer that operates without active temperature control, achieving compact size while reducing power consumption.
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
This configuration enables a reduction in the size of the interferometer while maintaining the necessary optical path difference for effective demodulation, improving stability and reducing power consumption compared to traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
a light reflection means for reflecting the first branched light beam and the second branched light beam such that the optical axis of the first branched light beam and the optical axis of the second branched light beam are moved in parallel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reference plane by reflection
Implementation Method 2
The light branch element combines the first branched light beam and the second branched light beam reflected by the light reflection means to generate a first interference light beam and a second interference light beam
Data Source
AI summary
A delay interferometer includes a half beam splitter and two pentagonal prisms disposed on a substrate. The half beam splitter branches light to be measured which travels substantially in parallel with the substrate into two branched light beams. The pentagonal prisms respectively reflect the respective branched light beams such that the optical axes of the branched light beams are moved in parallel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate by reflection. The half beam splitter combines the branched light beams reflected by the pentagonal prisms to generate interference light beams.