Multicore Fiber Optical Branching via Crosstalk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical branching devices are difficult to accurately connect with multiple optical fibers due to the need for precise alignment and joining of optical waveguide chips during installation, making them challenging to attach correctly in optical communication systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of a multicore optical fiber with a fan-out part, where light is distributed from a first core to multiple second cores through core-to-core crosstalk, allowing for easier optical coupling and connection with optical fibers, and the fan-out part further distributes light to multiple exit ports, simplifying the connection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an optical waveguide chip is used as the optical branching device, then light can be branched from one optical fiber to multiple optical fibers, but the device requires precise alignment and joining operations during installation, making it difficult to connect accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the optical branching function into two separate components: a multicore optical fiber that performs the light branching function, and a fan-out part that distributes the branched light to multiple optical fibers. This segmentation eliminates the need for precise alignment operations during installation, as the multicore optical fiber can be connected to the input optical fiber and the fan-out part can be connected to multiple output optical fibers independently, without requiring complex alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan-out part acts as an intermediary component between the multicore optical fiber and the multiple output optical fibers. It receives the branched light from the multicore optical fiber and distributes it to multiple optical fibers, simplifying the connection process by eliminating the need for direct precise alignment between the optical branching device and multiple optical fibers during installation.
2Productivity
If an optical waveguide chip is used, then optical signal distribution is achieved, but the joining and alignment operations increase installation time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the optical branching system into a multicore optical fiber for signal distribution and a fan-out part for fiber connection, eliminating complex alignment operations and reducing installation time and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multicore optical fiber inherently provides the light branching function through its structure, without requiring external alignment or joining operations. The fan-out part automatically distributes the branched light to multiple optical fibers, making the system self-sufficient and reducing installation complexity.
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 solution enables easier and more accurate connection of optical fibers, reducing the complexity and time required for installation while maintaining efficient light distribution and branching, improving the connectivity and reliability of optical communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of the light incident on the first core through the entrance port A is branched to the second core by core-to-core crosstalk
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an optical branching device and an optical communication system which are easy to connect with optical fibers. In the optical branching device, when light emitted from an optical fiber in a front stage is incident on an entrance port of a multicore optical fiber, the light propagates through a first core and then is distributed from the first core to four second cores by core-to-core crosstalk between the first and second cores. The light beams distributed to the four second cores propagate through the respective cores and are emitted to four optical waveguides optically coupled core-to-core thereto within a fan-out part at exit ports.