On-Chip Laser Injection Locking With Electro-Optic Resonator Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional injection locked laser architectures face challenges with large, difficult-to-manufacture discrete resonators and chip-to-chip coupled systems that struggle to achieve narrow linewidth and efficient frequency modulation for FMCW lidar applications, often supporting multiple modes and requiring complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
The system employs separate integrated circuit chips with an on-chip laser optically coupled to an external on-chip resonator formed from electrooptic material, utilizing an add/drop resonator configuration with a mirror for enhanced feedback and a lidar optical engine to achieve injection locking, allowing for control of spectral properties and narrow linewidth emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional discrete resonators are used for injection locking, then frequency modulation capability is achieved, but device size and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional discrete mechanical/optical resonators with an electrooptic resonator that utilizes the electrooptic effect to achieve frequency modulation. This substitution of the modulation mechanism eliminates the need for large discrete components while maintaining frequency modulation capability through electrical control of the resonator's optical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using electrooptic material properties to modulate the resonator frequency through applied electric fields. This allows frequency modulation to be achieved through parameter changes in the material rather than through mechanical or discrete optical component adjustments, reducing device size and complexity.
2Power
If conventional chip-to-chip coupled architectures are used, then laser output is achieved, but injection locking and narrow linewidth are difficult to obtain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the laser and resonator onto a single integrated circuit chip, creating an on-chip injection-locked laser. This integration ensures precise optical coupling and feedback between the laser and resonator, achieving the narrow linewidth and stable frequency characteristics of injection locking while maintaining laser output capability. The merged structure eliminates alignment issues inherent in chip-to-chip coupling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional discrete resonators are used, then frequency modulation is achieved, but linewidth narrowing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional discrete resonator structures with an on-chip electrooptic resonator that provides stronger feedback to the laser. This substitution enables both frequency modulation through electrooptic control and effective linewidth narrowing through the integrated resonator feedback mechanism, simultaneously achieving both goals that were previously conflicting.
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 configuration reduces the size, weight, and manufacturing costs of FMCW laser sources while providing a low-noise, narrow linewidth laser source suitable for lidar and other applications, improving coherence range and spectral purity.
Implementation Method 1
The laser and the resonator are optically coupled, such that the light from the laser is provided to the resonator, circulates inside the resonator undergoing total internal reflection, and is provided back from the resonator to the laser
Implementation Method 2
The resonator can be formed of an electrooptic material. The resonator can be configured to receive the light emitted by the laser of the first integrated circuit chip via the first path and return feedback light to the laser of the first integrated circuit chip via the first path
Data Source
AI summary
Various technologies described herein pertain to injection locking on-chip laser(s) and external on-chip resonator(s). A system includes a first integrated circuit chip and a second integrated circuit chip. The first integrated circuit chip and the second integrated circuit chip are separate integrated circuit chips and can be optically coupled to each other. The first integrated circuit chip includes a laser configured to emit light via a first path and a second path. The second integrated circuit chip includes a resonator formed of an electrooptic material. The resonator can receive the light emitted by the laser of the first integrated circuit chip via the first path and return feedback light to the laser of the first integrated circuit chip via the first path. The feedback light can cause injection locking of the laser to the resonator to control the light emitted by the laser (e.g., via the first and second paths).