Light Modulator Reflective Multilayer Resonator Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light modulators face challenges in precisely controlling reflectivity and transmittance, and in efficiently modulating the phase of incident light, particularly due to limitations in their structural designs and responsiveness to external stimuli.
Innovation Solution
A light modulator with a reflective multilayer structure comprising alternately stacked first and second material layers with different refractive indices, and a third material layer, where the thicknesses of these layers are optimized to achieve precise reflectivity control, and an external stimulus such as heat, voltage, or a magnetic field is used to modulate the refractive index and phase of incident light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional light modulator structure is used, then the device can operate with simple structure, but the reflectivity and transmittance control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective structure is segmented into multiple alternating material layers (first material layers and second material layers) with different refractive indices. This segmentation allows precise control of reflectivity by adjusting the number, thickness, and material composition of each layer, achieving high-precision optical property control while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures where first material layers and second material layers with different refractive indices are alternately stacked. This composite approach enables tailored optical responses by selecting specific materials and their combinations, achieving precise reflectivity and transmittance control that cannot be obtained with single-material structures.
2Productivity
If a conventional light modulator structure is used, then the device can operate with standard design, but the light phase modulation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator structure is designed to be dynamically responsive to external stimuli (such as voltage, temperature, or optical signals), allowing the refractive index and resonant frequency to be tuned in real-time. This dynamic capability enables efficient light phase modulation by adjusting the resonator's optical properties to match the incident light wavelength, achieving high modulation efficiency without excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the resonator structure, specifically varying the refractive index through external stimuli and adjusting the layer thicknesses and material compositions. These parameter adjustments enable precise control over the resonant conditions and light phase modulation efficiency, allowing optimization of performance without requiring fundamentally complex structural changes.
3Manufacturing precision
If the resonator structure is optimized for precise reflectivity control, then the reflectivity adjustment precision is improved, but the device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by carefully selecting the thickness and material properties of specific layers within the resonator structure. Rather than uniformly increasing the thickness of all layers, the design optimizes each layer's local contribution to reflectivity control, achieving precise reflectivity adjustment with minimized overall device thickness through targeted layer design.
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 enables precise adjustment of reflectivity and efficient modulation of light phase, enhancing the performance of light modulators by allowing for higher resonance efficiency and precise control over light output, suitable for applications in optical devices and electronic apparatuses like LiDAR and 3D imaging systems.
Implementation Method 1
a resonator configured to modulate a phase of incident light by modulating a refractive index based on an external stimulus
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the first reflective structure or the second reflective structure comprises first material layers, second material layers that are alternately stacked with the first material layers
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a light modulator including a substrate, and a resonator configured to modulate a phase of incident light by modulating a refractive index based on an external stimulus, the resonator comprising a first reflective structure provided on the substrate, a cavity layer provided on the first reflective structure, and a second reflective structure provided on the cavity layer, wherein at least one of the first reflective structure or the second reflective structure comprises first material layers, second material layers that are alternately stacked with the first material layers, and a third material layer, and wherein each of the first material layers has a first refractive index, each of the second material layers has a second refractive index that is different from the first refractive index, and the third material layer has a third refractive index that is different from the first refractive index.