Open-Loop Ring Resonator Coupling Without Closure-Point Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical resonators, particularly ring resonators, face challenges in achieving high quality factors due to fabrication issues at the closure point, leading to radiation leakage and scattering, and controlling the storage time of radiation is difficult, especially for certain technological platforms.
Innovation Solution
An optical resonator design featuring a single continuous waveguide with a folded configuration that forms an open loop, eliminating the need for a closed loop, thereby reducing radiation leakage and allowing dynamic control of radiation storage time through a three-dimensional structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a closed-loop ring resonator is fabricated using ultra-short pulsed lasers, then the ring structure can be created, but the quality factor is limited due to scattering at the closure point where two ends overlap or gap remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar two-dimensional ring resonator to a three-dimensional folded waveguide structure. The waveguide is folded back on itself in 3D space to form an open-loop resonator, eliminating the closure point problem that plagues 2D ring resonators fabricated with ultra-short pulsed lasers. This dimensional change allows the waveguide ends to meet without overlapping or creating gaps, thus eliminating scattering losses at the closure point.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a closed-loop ring resonator is used, then the resonator structure is complete, but the storage time of radiation cannot be dynamically controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control capability to the resonator structure by incorporating可调 coupling mechanisms (tunable coupling mechanisms) that allow the storage time of radiation to be adjusted. The open-loop folded waveguide structure enables the integration of coupling points where the coupling strength can be dynamically varied, providing adaptability in controlling the quality factor and storage time while maintaining the structural stability of the folded waveguide.
3Loss of energy
If a single continuous folded waveguide is used instead of a closed loop, then radiation leakage is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to three-dimensional folding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs three-dimensional folding of a single continuous waveguide to create an open-loop resonator structure. This 3D configuration allows the waveguide to fold back on itself without requiring closure, thereby eliminating radiation leakage at the closure point while maintaining a relatively simple single-waveguide implementation. The complexity is managed by utilizing the third dimension (vertical or lateral folding) rather than complicating the planar 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 open loop design minimizes scattering losses and enables efficient manufacturing with ultra-short pulse lasers, providing high-quality factors and dynamic control of radiation storage, suitable for various applications in photonics and communications.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric optical waveguide (2) with a guide input (3) for receiving light, a guide output (4) for outputting light and a folded guide portion (5) positioned between the guide input and the guide output for transmitting light from the input to the output
Implementation Method 2
This configuration eliminates the requirement to create a closed loop within the guide, thus solving the issues of possible radiation leaking that can arise from waveguide inhomogeneities at the closing point
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Optical resonator (1) having a dielectric optical waveguide (2) comprising a guide input (3) for receiving light, a guide output (4) for outputting light, and a folded guide portion (5) positioned between the guide input (3) and the guide output (4) for transmitting light from the input (3) to the output (4), wherein the optical waveguide (2) is folded to form an optical ring resonator, wherein the optical waveguide (2) is a single continuous waveguide comprising a crossing point (6), said crossing point (6) being a point of the waveguide (2) where a first portion (7) of the waveguide (2) passes below or above a second portion (8) of the waveguide (2).