Multicore Fiber Optical Amplifier Single Pump Core Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber amplifiers using multicore fibers require multiple pump light sources, increasing the number of components and circuit size due to individual pumping of each core, which complicates the amplification process and enlarges the device.
Innovation Solution
An optical amplifier design featuring a single pumping core that supplies pump light to multiple signal light cores doped with active substances, where the pump light radially propagates to collectively amplify the signal light, reducing the number of pump light sources and circuit size by using a coupler to input pump light into the pumping core and allowing it to spread radially to the signal cores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pump light sources are provided for each core in a multicore fiber amplifier, then each core can be independently pumped to achieve signal amplification, but the number of components and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pump light sources are merged into a single pump light source that illuminates multiple cores simultaneously. The pump light source emits pump light that is distributed to multiple signal cores through the multicore fiber structure, eliminating the need for separate pump sources for each core while maintaining amplification functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A single pump light source is designed to serve multiple functions by providing pump light to multiple different cores in the multicore fiber. This universal pump source can amplify signals across multiple cores simultaneously, reducing the overall component count while maintaining the ability to amplify signals in each core independently.
2Power
If multiple pump light sources are provided for each core, then adequate pumping is achieved, but the circuit size and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump light delivery system merges multiple individual pump sources into a single integrated source. This consolidated approach maintains adequate pump power delivery to all cores while significantly reducing the circuit area required, as one pump source occupies less space than multiple separate sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump light distribution transitions from a one-to-one mapping (one pump source per core) to a one-to-many mapping (one pump source to multiple cores). This dimensional change in the pump-light-core relationship allows efficient power delivery across multiple cores without proportionally increasing the circuit footprint.
3Device complexity
If a single pump light source is used to pump multiple cores, then the number of components is reduced, but pump light distribution to all cores must be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The pump light distribution system combines multiple core pumping functions into a single integrated approach. The single pump source is positioned and configured to illuminate multiple cores simultaneously, simplifying the overall device structure while the pump light naturally distributes to all required cores through the fiber geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The multicore fiber structure itself facilitates the pump light distribution automatically. Once the single pump source is positioned, the fiber's internal structure guides and distributes the pump light to the appropriate cores without requiring additional active distribution components or complex control mechanisms.
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 design effectively amplifies signal light across multiple cores with reduced component count and device size, enhancing efficiency and compactness while maintaining high amplification performance.
Implementation Method 1
the pump light propagating the pumping core and exciting the active substance in the signal light cores, so as to amplify the at least one signal light propagating through the at least one of the signal light cores
Data Source
AI summary
An optical amplifier includes a pump light source that outputs pump light, and a multicore fiber that includes at least one pumping core, the pump light being input to the at least one pumping core by coupler, at least two signal light cores doped with an active substance for optical amplification, at least one signal light being input to at least one of the signal light cores, and a cladding, wherein the pump light propagating the at least one pumping core and exciting the active substance in the signal light cores, so as to amplify the at least one signal light propagating through the at least one of the signal light cores.