Multi-channel optical device with demultiplexer in laser cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical communication systems face challenges in generating multiple channels with narrow wavelength ranges efficiently, as Fabry-perot lasers emit a broad spectrum that is hard to control, while DFB lasers are expensive and can only produce single wavelength channels, leading to high costs when multiple DFB lasers are used.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel optical device with a demultiplexer in a laser cavity that demultiplexes a multi-channel light beam into multiple channels, each with a narrow range of wavelengths, using a combination of channel waveguides, optical couplers, reflectors, and modulators to control and amplify the channels, allowing a single laser cavity to produce multiple channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple DFB lasers are used to generate multiple wavelength channels, then each channel has a narrow wavelength range, but the system cost increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laser channels into a single laser cavity using a demultiplexer component. The demultiplexer separates the broad spectrum from a single Fabry-Perot laser into multiple wavelength channels, each with narrow spectral width, eliminating the need for multiple separate DFB lasers and reducing system cost while maintaining wavelength precision
Solution Approach 2:
The single laser cavity is designed to perform multiple functions by generating multiple wavelength channels simultaneously through the demultiplexer. This multi-functional approach allows one laser source to replace multiple specialized DFB lasers, achieving both cost reduction and wavelength control
2Ease of manufacture
If Fabry-Perot lasers are used to generate multiple channels, then the system cost is reduced, but the wavelength spectrum becomes broad and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The demultiplexer acts as an intermediary component between the Fabry-Perot laser and the output channels. It takes the broad spectrum from the inexpensive Fabry-Perot laser and separates it into multiple narrow wavelength channels, providing wavelength control without requiring expensive DFB lasers
3Device complexity
If a single laser cavity is used to produce multiple channels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the wavelength control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The demultiplexer extracts specific wavelength components from the broad spectrum generated by the single laser cavity. By selectively separating wavelengths, it achieves narrow wavelength ranges for each channel while maintaining the simplicity of a single laser cavity structure
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 the production of multiple channels with narrow wavelength ranges from a single laser cavity, reducing costs and improving wavelength control, while allowing independent modulation of each channel without directly modulating the laser, thus maintaining performance.
Implementation Method 1
A demultiplexer in a laser cavity is provided. The demultiplexer is configured to demultiplex a multi-channel light beam into a plurality of channels
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of reflectors are each configured to reflect at least a portion of the channel that entered one of the coupled waveguide back into the coupled channel waveguide
Implementation Method 3
Each optical coupler includes a coupled waveguide optically coupled with one of the channel waveguides such that a portion of a channel traveling along the channel waveguide enters the coupled waveguide
Implementation Method 4
A plurality of modulators are each configured to modulate one of the channels after the channel has exited the laser cavity
Data Source
AI summary
The multi-channel optical device includes a demultiplexer in a laser cavity. The demultiplexer is configured to demultiplex a multi-channel light beam into a plurality of channels. The device also includes a plurality of ports. Each channel exits the laser cavity through a different one of the ports.