Multi-Core Optical Fiber Coupling Structure Using Single Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical coupling structures for multi-core optical fibers are complex and require a large number of components, making them difficult to manage and adjust, especially when optically coupling multiple cores for amplification or functional components like optical isolators or filters.
Innovation Solution
An optical coupling structure that uses a single lens or lens group to collimate and focus light from multiple core portions into another set of core portions, with an optical functional component placed between the lenses, reducing the number of components and simplifying the structure while maintaining effective optical coupling and amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate lenses are used for each core portion, then each core can be optically coupled individually, but the device complexity and number of components increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual lenses into a single lens that can simultaneously focus light from multiple core portions to corresponding core portions. This single lens replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate lenses, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective optical coupling for each core.
Solution Approach 2:
The single lens is designed to perform multiple functions: it simultaneously focuses light from multiple different core portions to their respective target core portions. This multi-functional lens eliminates the need for separate dedicated lenses for each core coupling path, reducing the overall component count while preserving coupling effectiveness.
2Reliability
If multiple separate lenses are used for each core portion, then individual core coupling is achieved, but the ease of operation and adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple coupling functions into a single lens, the patent reduces the number of adjustment operations required. Instead of adjusting multiple separate lenses, the user only needs to adjust one lens to achieve proper coupling for all core portions, significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal lens that handles multiple core couplings simultaneously means that a single adjustment action affects all coupling paths. This multi-functionality simplifies the operational complexity, as users deal with one adjustment mechanism rather than multiple independent ones.
3Device complexity
If a single lens is used to focus multiple lights, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single lens is designed with segmented or zoned focusing capabilities, where different regions of the lens focus light from different core portions to their respective targets. This segmentation approach allows the lens to handle multiple coupling paths with appropriate precision for each, managing the manufacturing precision requirements through functional zoning.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens design incorporates specific parameter optimizations such as varying refractive indices across different regions or adjusting curvature radii to accommodate multiple focal points. These parameter changes enable the single lens to achieve the necessary focusing accuracy for multiple core couplings simultaneously.
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 achieves low optical coupling loss and simplifies the structure, allowing for easier adjustment and reduced component complexity while maintaining effective optical coupling and amplification, particularly in multi-core optical fiber amplifiers.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens focusing or collimating the plurality of lights outputted from the plurality of first core portions
Implementation Method 2
a second lens focusing the plurality of lights focused or collimated by the first lens
Data Source
AI summary
An optical coupling structure optically coupling a plurality of core portions and a plurality of core portions includes a plurality of first core portions outputting a plurality of lights, a first lens focusing or collimating the plurality of lights outputted from the plurality of first core portions, a second lens focusing the plurality of lights focused or collimated by the first lens, a plurality of second core portions, the plurality of lights focused by the second lens being inputted into the second core portions respectively, and an optical functional component disposed between the first lens and the second lens, the plurality of lights being inputted into the optical functional component. At least one of the first lens and the second lens is configured by a lens or a lens group focusing or collimating the plurality of lights collectively.