Multi-Channel AOM with Etched Waveguides for Beam Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Acousto-optic modulators in laser systems face issues with beam pointing errors and inter-channel acoustic crosstalk due to thermal transients and data-dependent variations, which affect the stability and precision of quantum state manipulation systems.

Innovation Solution

A multi-channel acousto-optic modulator system with phase modulation capable transducers and RF drivers configured to maintain constant RF power, reducing thermal gradients and inter-channel strain field interactions, thereby enhancing beam pointing stability and minimizing crosstalk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If acousto-optic modulators are used for Q-switching and beam intensity control, then fast modulation speed is achieved, but thermal transients cause beam pointing errors and reduced precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodulation speedVSAvoidbeam pointing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single optical beam into multiple spatial channels using etched waveguides in the optical body. Each waveguide independently guides light through the acousto-optic medium, allowing parallel processing of multiple beams. This segmentation enables independent control of each channel while sharing the common acousto-optic medium, thus maintaining fast modulation speed while reducing thermal impact per channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical body with etched waveguides as an intermediary between the laser source and the acousto-optic medium. This intermediary guides and separates the optical paths, allowing precise spatial control of light propagation. The waveguides act as intermediaries that maintain beam integrity while reducing sensitivity to thermal transients in the acousto-optic medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple channels are implemented in acousto-optic modulators, then multi-beam control capability is enhanced, but inter-channel acoustic crosstalk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-beam control capabilityVSAvoidinter-channel acoustic crosstalk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The optical body is segmented into multiple etched waveguides that are spatially separated. Each waveguide creates an independent optical path through the acousto-optic medium. The physical separation of waveguides reduces acoustic crosstalk between channels while maintaining the ability to control multiple beams simultaneously, thus enhancing multi-beam control capability without proportionally increasing crosstalk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each waveguide region in the optical body has localized optical properties optimized for its specific channel. The etched waveguides create distinct optical paths with controlled mode confinement, allowing each channel to operate with optimized local characteristics. This local optimization reduces interference between adjacent channels while maintaining overall system versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Power

If RF power is increased for higher modulation depth, then beam intensity control range is improved, but thermal gradients increase causing beam pointing errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam intensity control rangeVSAvoidthermal gradients

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The total RF power requirement is distributed across multiple spatial channels through the segmented waveguide structure. Each waveguide channel receives a portion of the total acoustic energy, allowing the system to achieve high beam intensity control range across all channels while maintaining lower power density and reduced thermal gradients in each individual channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 system achieves improved beam pointing stability and reduced crosstalk, ensuring precise manipulation of quantum states and reducing noise in quantum state manipulation systems.

Implementation Method 1

An electric RF signal oscillates and drives the transducer to vibrate and create sound waves within the transparent medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

create sound waves within the transparent medium which effect the properties of an optical field in the medium via the photo elastic effect, in which a modulating strain field of an ultrasonic wave is coupled to an index of refraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoto elastic effect: Photoelasticity

Implementation Method 3

Incoming light scatters because of the resulting periodic index modulation and interference, similar to Bragg diffraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBragg diffraction: Bragg Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS11327348B2Multi-channel laser system including optical assembly with etched optical signal channels and related methods

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 EAGLE TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

A system may include a laser source, an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) coupled to the laser source, an atom trap, and an optical body coupled between the AOM and the atom trap and having a plurality of spaced apart optical signal channels etched therein. At least one piezoelectric transducer may be coupled to each of the optical signal channels, and a beam polarization controller may be coupled to the piezoelectric transducers.