Multi-Mode Laser Architecture for Wavelength Locking Without Power Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-mode lasers face challenges in implementing wavelength locking and spectral bandwidth control, leading to inefficient power utilization due to power loss in waveguide taper technology.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode laser apparatus that includes a mode scrambler, a mode demultiplexer, and Bragg gratings to decompose multi-mode laser light into few-mode or single-mode light, enabling wavelength locking and spectral bandwidth control through Bragg gratings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If waveguide taper technology is used to attenuate power of laser light in some modes for wavelength locking and spectral bandwidth control, then wavelength locking and spectral bandwidth control can be implemented, but power loss of laser light occurs resulting in low power utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-mode laser light into different mode groups using a mode demultiplexer. By dividing the complex multi-mode light into separate mode components, the system can selectively process and control specific modes without attenuating others, thereby achieving wavelength locking and spectral bandwidth control while preserving the power of unselected modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mode demultiplexer as an intermediary device between the multi-mode laser and the Bragg grating. This intermediary separates different modes spatially, allowing the Bragg grating to act only on specific modes for wavelength locking, while other modes pass through without power loss, thus solving the power utilization problem.
2Measurement precision
If waveguide taper technology is used to attenuate power of laser light in some modes, then spectral bandwidth control can be implemented, but power loss of laser light occurs resulting in low power utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The mode demultiplexer segments the laser light into distinct mode groups, enabling precise spectral bandwidth control by selecting which mode groups to include or exclude. This segmentation allows bandwidth control without the continuous power attenuation required by waveguide taper technology, preserving laser power.
Solution Approach 2:
The mode demultiplexer serves as an intermediary that provides precise spectral filtering through spatial separation of modes. Unlike waveguide taper technology that continuously attenuates power, the demultiplexer offers discrete, lossless mode selection, achieving spectral bandwidth control with minimal power loss.
3Measurement precision
If multiple Bragg gratings are used to control each mode separately, then wavelength locking and spectral bandwidth control can be implemented, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mode demultiplexer segments multi-mode light into a smaller number of mode groups, where each group can be controlled by a single Bragg grating. This reduces the total number of Bragg gratings needed compared to controlling each individual mode separately, while still achieving precise wavelength locking and spectral bandwidth control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple modes into mode groups that are collectively controlled by a single Bragg grating. By combining the control function for multiple modes into one grating, the system reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining effective wavelength locking and spectral bandwidth control through the grouped mode management.
4Power
If multi-mode laser is used to generate high-power laser light, then output power and cost-effectiveness are improved, but wavelength locking and spectral bandwidth control become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mode demultiplexer segments the high-power multi-mode laser light into distinct mode groups, enabling precise wavelength locking control on each group. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the high output power advantage of multi-mode lasers while achieving the wavelength precision typically associated with single-mode lasers.
Solution Approach 2:
The mode demultiplexer acts as an intermediary that reconciles the high power of multi-mode lasers with the precision requirements of wavelength locking. By separating modes before they reach the Bragg grating, the system enables precise wavelength control on the high-power light without requiring the laser itself to be single-mode.
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 allows for effective wavelength locking and spectral bandwidth control of multi-mode laser light, improving power utilization and reducing costs by minimizing the number of Bragg gratings required.
Implementation Method 1
The mode scrambler is configured to: equalize power of laser light in different modes in the laser light having the plurality of modes
Implementation Method 2
The Y Bragg gratings are configured to: reflect the Y channels of laser light, and transmit the reflected Y channels of laser light to the mode demultiplexer
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a multi-mode laser apparatus which includes a multi-mode laser, a mode scrambler, a mode demultiplexer, and Y Bragg gratings. The multi-mode laser is configured to generate laser light including a plurality of modes. The mode scrambler is configured to: equalize power of laser light in different modes in the laser light having the plurality of modes, and output equalized laser light. The mode demultiplexer is configured to decompose the equalized laser light into M channels of laser light in different modes. X ports of the mode demultiplexer are configured to output X channels of laser light. Y ports of the mode demultiplexer are configured to output Y channels of laser light. The Y Bragg gratings are configured to reflect the Y channels of laser light. The mode scrambler is further configured to obtain excitation laser light based on the reflected Y channels of laser light.