Multichannel Optical Coupler with Vanishing Core Waveguides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical coupler technologies face challenges in achieving low-loss, high-accuracy connections between optical waveguide devices with different numerical apertures and channel spacings, particularly in multichannel configurations, leading to increased insertion losses and decreased coupling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multichannel optical coupler design featuring a common housing structure with vanishing core waveguides and a refractive index gradient, allowing for adjustable channel-to-channel spacing and mode field diameter, enabling efficient coupling between optical fibers and devices with varying numerical apertures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical fibers are used to interface with optical waveguide devices having different NAs and channel spacings, then the device can be universally applied, but insertion losses increase and coupling coefficient decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is segmented into multiple functional regions: a first section with a first NA for coupling to the waveguide device, and a second section with a second NA for coupling to conventional optical fibers. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific coupling task, resolving the contradiction between universal compatibility and low insertion loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the optical fiber are assigned different numerical apertures tailored to their specific coupling requirements. The first section has a NA matched to the optical waveguide device, while the second section has a NA matched to conventional fibers, allowing local optimization of coupling efficiency without compromising overall adaptability.
2Quantity of substance
If channel spacing is reduced below conventional fiber diameter, then more channels can be packed, but coupling accuracy and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber includes an adjustable section that allows dynamic modification of the channel spacing between adjacent channels. This adjustability enables optimization of the spacing to achieve the desired channel density while maintaining manufacturable alignment tolerances, resolving the contradiction between high channel density and alignment precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mode field diameter is increased, then coupling to multimode fibers improves, but coupling to single mode fibers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is divided into multiple sections, each with a specific mode field diameter optimized for its intended coupling target. The first section has a mode field diameter matched to multimode fibers, while the second section has a mode field diameter matched to single mode fibers, allowing the system to maintain low coupling loss across different fiber types while preserving adaptability.
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 provides a low-loss, high-coupling coefficient interface with improved alignment accuracy and flexibility, optimizing optical coupling across diverse optical waveguide configurations, including those with small channel spacings and varying numerical apertures.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element having a first end operable to optically couple with a plurality of optical fibers and a second end operable to optically couple with an optical device
Implementation Method 2
each having a capacity for at least one optical mode of a predetermined mode field profile, each embedded in said common single housing structure
Data Source
AI summary
A multichannel optical coupler can include an output optical coupler array and a plurality of optical fibers. At least two of the plurality of optical fibers can be connected together at an end opposite the output optical coupler array.