Optical Buffer Apparatus for High-Repetition Light Sources

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical time-multiplexing methods for increasing the repetition rate of tunable light sources face issues with polarization misalignment and high optical losses, limiting their effectiveness in high-speed applications such as optical coherence tomography and spectroscopy.

Innovation Solution

The use of Faraday mirrors and optical switches in novel configurations to align polarization states and reduce optical losses, allowing for the doubling or quadrupling of the repetition rate of swept light sources without the need for additional polarization controllers and minimizing signal degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional optical time-multiplexing methods are used to increase repetition rate, then the repetition rate of the light source increases, but polarization misalignment occurs and optical losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepetition rateVSAvoidoptical losses

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a polarization-maintaining optical delay line as an intermediary component between the light source and the combination point. This delay line preserves the polarization state of the delayed light beam, acting as a mediator that prevents polarization misalignment from degrading the interference signal quality while still enabling time-multiplexing to increase repetition rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical polarization controllers with a polarization-maintaining optical delay line system. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms while maintaining polarization alignment, thereby reducing optical losses and improving system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If conventional optical time-multiplexing methods are used to increase repetition rate, then the repetition rate of the light source increases, but system complexity increases due to polarization controllers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepetition rateVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the polarization controller component from the time-multiplexing system by using polarization-maintaining optical delay lines instead. This extraction eliminates the source of polarization misalignment and the associated complexity of continuous adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The polarization-maintaining optical delay line provides self-alignment functionality, automatically preserving polarization states without requiring external control mechanisms. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex polarization control systems while maintaining interference signal quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If conventional optical time-multiplexing methods are used to increase repetition rate, then the repetition rate of the light source increases, but image quality degrades due to polarization misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepetition rateVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The polarization-maintaining optical delay line serves as an intermediary that preserves polarization coherence between the original and delayed light beams. This mediator ensures that interference fringes maintain high contrast and signal quality even at increased repetition rates, preventing image quality degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach enables high-repetition rate acquisition of interferometric image data without degrading image quality, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining high optical throughput.

Implementation Method 1

The use of Faraday mirrors and optical switches in novel configurations to align polarization states

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFaraday effect: Faraday Effect

Implementation Method 2

a first optical delay line having a first end in optical communication with the third arm of the first optical coupler and a second end in optical communication with a second mirror

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical propagation: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

a first optical coupler having a first arm, a second arm and a third arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical coupling: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS9983356B2Optical buffer-based apparatus for increasing light source repetition rate

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 LIGHTLAB IMAGING LLC

AI summary

In one embodiment, the invention relates to an apparatus for increasing the repetition rate in a light source. The apparatus includes a first optical coupler comprising a first arm, a second arm and a third arm; a first mirror in optical communication with the second arm of the first optical coupler; and a first optical delay line having a first end in optical communication with the third arm of the first optical coupler and a second end in optical communication with a second mirror, wherein light entering the first arm of the first optical coupler leaves the first arm of the first optical coupler either delayed by an amount (τ) or substantially undelayed.