Optical Frequency Comb Feedback Structure for Higher Output Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical frequency comb technologies suffer from low output power, which cannot meet the requirements of large-capacity multi-wavelength transmission applications.
Innovation Solution
An optical frequency comb light source is designed with a laser diode, coupler, Kerr nonlinear device, beam splitter, and phase shifter, utilizing a feedback structure to superimpose multi-wavelength beams multiple times, enhanced by optical amplifiers and polarization controllers to improve power and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Kerr optical frequency comb technology is used to generate multi-wavelength light source, then the technology can provide multiple wavelengths from a single microring resonant cavity, but the output optical power is relatively low and cannot meet the power requirement of actual large-capacity transmission application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple microring resonant cavities (first microring resonant cavity and second microring resonant cavity) to work together in a coupled system. Each cavity generates optical frequency combs, and their combined output achieves higher total optical power while maintaining multi-wavelength capability, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a continuous wave laser to pre-generate an optical frequency comb signal that is then injected into the microring resonant cavities. This preliminary action allows the system to build up sufficient optical power before the final comb generation process, enabling both high power output and multi-wavelength performance.
2Productivity
If the quality factor of the microring resonant cavity is increased to improve conversion efficiency of the optical frequency comb, then the conversion efficiency should improve, but the effect is not good
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the microring resonant cavities, specifically optimizing the coupling coefficient between cavities and the injection power levels. By adjusting these parameters rather than simply increasing the quality factor, the system achieves improved conversion efficiency with stable performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of the optical injection process, where the continuous wave laser frequency is tuned to match the resonant frequencies of the coupled microring cavities. This dynamic frequency matching optimizes energy transfer and conversion efficiency while maintaining system stability.
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 solution achieves a multi-wavelength light source with high output power, meeting the power requirements for large-capacity transmission and supporting various network applications with a simple structure and low costs.
Implementation Method 1
an optical frequency comb (namely, a plurality of wavelengths) may be generated based on a Kerr nonlinear effect of a single microring resonant cavity
Implementation Method 2
an optical coupler that couples the laser beam into the resonator and light inside the resonator out of the resonator as a self-injection feedback beam towards the laser
Implementation Method 3
an optical filter located between the laser and the resonator to filter the self-injection feedback beam directed from the optical evanescent coupler to the laser to direct light at the laser carrier frequency into the laser to cause injection locking of the laser to the resonator at the laser carrier frequency while blocking other spectral components in the self-injection feedback beam from entering the laser
Implementation Method 4
a photodiode located to receive an output optical beam coupled out of the resonator carrying the optical frequency comb to produce an RF oscillation signal as a second device output
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses an optical frequency comb light source and an optical frequency comb generation method. The light source includes a laser diode, a coupler, a Kerr nonlinear device, a beam splitter, and a phase shifter. The laser diode is connected to one input port of the coupler, and the other input port of the coupler is connected to an output port of the phase shifter. An output port of the coupler is connected to an input port of the Kerr nonlinear device. An output port of the Kerr nonlinear device is connected to an input port of the beam splitter. One output port of the beam splitter is connected to an input port of the phase shifter. The other output port of the beam splitter is configured to output a plurality of optical frequency combs. By using the apparatus, a multi-wavelength light source with relatively high power may be provided, and a related requirement for output power of the multi-wavelength light source in actual network deployment may be met.