Electro-optical Intensity Modulator with Extracted Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integrated electro-optical intensity modulators have a fixed extinction ratio and suffer from optical loss due to electrode configuration at the Y-shaped waveguide, leading to manufacturing challenges and reduced yield in mass production.
Innovation Solution
An electro-optical intensity modulation apparatus and system with a non-linear optical substrate and electrodes, utilizing a high-polarization selectivity optical waveguide and integrated electro-optical polarization rotator to adjust the extinction ratio through polarization-dependent loss characteristics and optical interference, allowing for active control of the extinction ratio using external voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electrodes are configured at the Y-shaped waveguide to adjust light intensity ratio, then extinction ratio control is achieved, but optical loss increases and manufacturing stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrodes from the Y-shaped waveguide configuration and relocates them to separate adjustment waveguides. This separation removes the harmful effect of electrode-induced optical loss from the main light propagation path while preserving the extinction ratio control function through independent adjustment of light intensity ratios in the two arms of the interferometer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustment waveguides as intermediary elements that contain the electrodes. These adjustment waveguides serve as mediators to control the light intensity ratio between the two arms of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer without requiring electrodes to be directly configured at the Y-shaped waveguide, thereby reducing optical loss while maintaining control capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrodes are configured at the Y-shaped waveguide to adjust light intensity ratio, then extinction ratio control is achieved, but manufacturing precision and yield decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrodes from the Y-shaped waveguide configuration and relocates them to separate adjustment waveguides. This separation removes the harmful effect of electrode-induced optical loss from the main light propagation path while preserving the extinction ratio control function through independent adjustment of light intensity ratios in the two arms of the interferometer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device into distinct functional modules: the Y-shaped waveguide for beam splitting/combining, separate adjustment waveguides for intensity control, and the interferometer arms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the manufacturing process by avoiding the complex integration of electrodes directly at the Y-junction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple Y-branched optical waveguides are used for light splitting and combining, then extinction ratio is regulated, but optical loss increases and light intensity ratio variation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrodes from the Y-shaped waveguide configuration and relocates them to separate adjustment waveguides. This separation removes the harmful effect of electrode-induced optical loss from the main light propagation path while preserving the extinction ratio control function through independent adjustment of light intensity ratios in the two arms of the interferometer.
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 active adjustment of the extinction ratio, reduces optical loss, and improves manufacturing yield by avoiding electrode absorption issues and precise alignment requirements, enhancing the predictability and convenience of the system.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a high-polarization selectivity optical waveguide and integrated electro-optical polarization rotator to adjust the extinction ratio through polarization-dependent loss characteristics and optical interference
Implementation Method 2
adjust the extinction ratio through polarization-dependent loss characteristics and optical interference
Implementation Method 3
the combined light is interfered based on the principle of optical phase interference to achieve the purpose of light intensity modulation
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-optical intensity modulation apparatus has a non-linear optical substrate and electrodes. The non-linear optical substrate is provided with a first branch waveguide, a second branch waveguide, a first channel waveguide and a second channel waveguide thereon. The first channel waveguide and the second channel waveguide are disposed between the first branch waveguide and the second branch waveguide, and the first channel waveguide and the second channel waveguide are branched from the first branch waveguide and converged at the second branch waveguide. The electrodes are disposed on an area between the first branch waveguide and the second branch waveguide to make the first channel waveguide, the second channel waveguide and the electrodes form a radio frequency conversion push-pull electro-optic phase modulation unit, a push-pull electro-optic bias control unit, two sets of independent polarization rotation control units and a dual-channel relative light intensity ratio adjustment unit, which are sequentially connected.