Laser Module Waveguide Angles Suppress Reflected Light Noise
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In laser modules with separate laser elements and optical amplifiers, reflected light between chips causes noise and deteriorated laser characteristics, and existing solutions fail to effectively suppress these issues.
Innovation Solution
A laser module configuration where the laser element and optical amplifier are provided on different substrates, with their optical waveguides connected at nonparallel angles to the substrate end faces, reducing reflected light and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a laser element and an optical amplifier are arranged separately on different chips, then thermal transfer between the laser element and optical amplifier is suppressed and temperatures can be independently controlled, but reflected light inside the end face of the chip returns to the laser element causing noise and deteriorated laser characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguide is configured at a nonparallel angle relative to the end face of the substrate, creating an asymmetric geometry that prevents reflected light from returning to the laser element. This angular misalignment ensures that reflected light travels in a direction that does not couple back into the waveguide, effectively eliminating the harmful feedback while maintaining separate chip architecture for independent temperature control.
2Ease of manufacture
If the optical waveguide is connected parallel to the end face of the substrate, then optical coupling is simplified, but reflected light returns to the laser element causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguide is intentionally connected at a nonparallel angle to the end face, breaking the symmetry that would allow reflected light to return to the laser element. This asymmetric configuration maintains manufacturability while preventing the harmful optical feedback that occurs with parallel alignment.
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 effectively suppresses reflected light and noise, improving laser characteristics by ensuring that reflected light does not return to the optical waveguide, thereby enhancing the performance of the laser module.
Implementation Method 1
a reflected light inside the end face of the chip of the laser element or outside the end face of the chip of the optical amplifier returns to the laser element
Data Source
AI summary
A laser module that can suppress influence due to a reflected light between chips is provided. A laser module 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a laser element 110 provided on a first substrate and having a laser oscillation unit that generates a laser light and a first optical waveguide that guides the laser light; and an optical amplifier 120 provided on a second substrate and having a second waveguide that guides the laser light. The first optical waveguide is nonparallel relative to an end face of the first substrate and connected thereto, the second optical waveguide is nonparallel relative to an end face of the second substrate and connected thereto, and the first substrate and the second substrate are arranged such that the laser light output from the first optical waveguide is optically coupled to the second optical waveguide.