Multi-Core Fiber Emitter Module for Compact Optical Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical communication systems and amplifiers using single core fibers are bulky, complex, and difficult to troubleshoot due to the need for multiple single core fibers, limiting their transmission capacity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An emitter module utilizing a multi-core fiber with multiple cores within a single cladding, optically coupled to a laser array, where each laser is aligned with a respective core and an integral lens at the fiber tip, facilitating simplified and compact architectures for optical transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple single core fibers are used to increase transmission capacity, then the transmission capacity is improved, but the device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple single-core fibers into a single multi-core fiber structure, where multiple cores are integrated within one cladding. This merging approach maintains the transmission capacity of multiple fibers while reducing the overall system complexity, bulkiness, and number of connection points required.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-core fiber serves multiple transmission functions simultaneously through its multiple cores, allowing a single fiber to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate fibers. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components and simplifies the optical communication system architecture.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple single core fibers are used to increase transmission capacity, then the transmission capacity is improved, but the alignment precision and coupling efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple cores into a single fiber structure with a unified cladding, the patent reduces the number of alignment operations from multiple separate fiber couplings to a single coupling event. The integral lens at the fiber tip provides a common reference point for aligning all cores simultaneously with the laser array, significantly improving alignment precision.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple single core fibers are used to increase transmission capacity, then the transmission capacity is improved, but the ease of operation and troubleshooting deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fiber connections into a single multi-core fiber connection point. This consolidation simplifies operation by reducing the number of connection points that need to be managed and makes troubleshooting easier by limiting the number of potential failure points from multiple separate fibers to a single integrated fiber 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
The solution enables simplified and miniaturized optical communication systems and amplifiers, allowing for increased transmission capacity and reduced complexity by using a single multi-core fiber to pump individual cores, thereby improving alignment precision and coupling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Laser diodes are semiconductor devices that may be pumped with electrical current to create lasing conditions that may be used to convert electrical energy into light
Implementation Method 2
a laser diode may be optically coupled to an optical fiber. This may be useful to safely transport the light
Implementation Method 3
the optical fiber includes an integral lens at the tip of the optical fiber, and where the integral lens at the tip of the optical fiber is in alignment with the multiple cores of the optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, an emitter module may include an emitter array that includes multiple emitters, and an optical fiber that includes multiple cores within a single cladding. The emitter array may be optically coupled to a tip of the optical fiber such that each emitter, of the multiple emitters of the emitter array, is optically coupled to a respective core of the multiple cores of the optical fiber. The optical fiber may include an integral lens at the tip of the optical fiber. The integral lens at the tip of the optical fiber may be in alignment with the multiple cores of the optical fiber.