Kerr Frequency Comb Splitter for Multi-Receiver Optical Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for optical communications require multiple light sources to transmit signals to multiple receivers, increasing complexity and resource requirements, as a single Kerr frequency comb can only be received by a single receiver.
Innovation Solution
An optical communication system that generates multiple Kerr frequency combs from a single master comb by splitting it into multiple lines, with each line used as a slave comb pump to create coherent frequency combs at different receivers, reducing phase noise and hardware complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are used to transmit optical signals to multiple receivers, then communication coverage and capacity are improved, but hardware complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a single master Kerr frequency comb into multiple discrete comb lines using a demultiplexer. Each comb line can be independently directed to different receivers, enabling one master comb to serve multiple communication channels simultaneously. This segmentation transforms one complex multi-source system into a simplified single-source segmented system.
Solution Approach 2:
The master Kerr frequency comb serves multiple functions: it generates multiple comb lines that can be distributed to multiple receivers, each comb line can function as both a data carrier and a local oscillator reference, and the same master comb can support both wavelength-division multiplexing and coherent detection functions across multiple receivers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent Kerr combs are generated for multiple receivers, then signal transmission to multiple destinations is enabled, but system resources and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple comb generation functions into a single master Kerr comb. Instead of requiring separate laser sources and comb generators at each receiver or for each channel, one master comb is generated and then distributed across multiple channels through demultiplexing, significantly reducing the quantity of optical components and system resources required.
Solution Approach 2:
The master comb lines are copied and distributed to multiple receivers through optical fiber networks. Each receiver receives a copy of the relevant comb lines from the master comb, enabling simultaneous multi-destination transmission without requiring duplicate master comb generators at each location.
3Quantity of substance
If a single master comb is transmitted to multiple receivers, then resource efficiency is improved, but phase noise and coherence control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where each receiver uses received comb lines as local oscillators for coherent detection. The phase information from the master comb is preserved and used as a reference at each receiver, enabling phase noise compensation through coherent detection techniques. This feedback loop maintains reliability despite the distributed nature of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The master comb is generated with stable phase characteristics before distribution. By establishing the phase reference in advance at the master comb generator and maintaining it through low-loss optical fiber transmission, the system preliminarily establishes phase coherence that can be utilized by all receivers without requiring complex real-time phase control at each node.
4Adaptability or versatility
If comb lines are separated for different functions, then signal routing flexibility is improved, but system complexity and component requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces demultiplexers and multiplexers as intermediary devices that enable flexible routing of comb lines without requiring complex switching matrices or individual wavelength controllers for each channel. These intermediary components provide a standardized interface for separating and combining comb lines, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining routing flexibility.
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
Enables efficient transmission of multiple signals to different receivers with reduced phase noise and hardware complexity, allowing for coherent communication systems with mutually coherent master and slave combs.
Implementation Method 1
Kerr frequency combs are generated by injecting a continuous wave pump laser into an optical resonator through the Kerr nonlinearity
Implementation Method 2
The slave microresonator is configured to receive the second comb line and use the second comb line as the slave comb pump to generate a slave Kerr frequency comb
Implementation Method 3
The splitter is configured to receive the master Kerr frequency comb and split or demultiplex the master Kerr frequency comb into multiple CW comb lines
Implementation Method 4
The combiner or multiplexer is configured to combine the first comb line carrying signal and the second comb line to produce a combination of a data channel and CW comb line before fiber transmission
Implementation Method 5
The second demultiplexer is configured to receive the combination of data channel and CW comb line. The second demultiplexer is configured to extract the second comb line that is used as the slave comb pump
Implementation Method 6
The combination of the data channel and slave comb pump is transmitted through fiber to the second demultiplexer
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for generating Kerr frequency combs. The system includes a continuous-wave pump laser to provide a master comb pump. The system includes a microresonator that generates a master Kerr frequency comb using the master comb pump. The system includes a splitter that splits the master Kerr frequency comb into multiple CW comb lines including a first comb line used to transmit a data signal and a second comb line used as a slave comb pump. The system includes a combiner that is configured to combine the first comb line and the second comb line to produce a combination of a data channel and CW comb line. The system includes a second demultiplexer that extracts the second comb line that is used as the slave comb pump. The system includes another microresonator that uses the second comb line and generates a slave Kerr frequency comb.