Optical Coupling Device Spherical Aberration Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical coupling devices experience reduced fiber coupling efficiency due to spherical aberration when focusing beams from multiple light sources onto a single fiber, leading to increased focusing diameter and power loss.
Innovation Solution
The optical coupling device employs a configuration where the distance between light sources and collimating lenses is adjusted to account for spherical aberration, with the second distance being shorter than the first when aberration is positive, and longer when negative, and optionally incorporates inclined collimators to obliquely incident beams, thereby reducing spherical aberration and improving focusing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beams from multiple light sources are focused on a fiber using a conventional optical system, then the fiber coupling efficiency deteriorates due to spherical aberration, but the system structure remains simple
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different object distances for different light sources based on their position (center vs. end portions). Light sources at end portions are positioned closer to the reduction optical system than the central light source, compensating for the spherical aberration that occurs when beams pass through peripheral regions of the optical system. This local adjustment of positioning parameters resolves the contradiction by optimizing coupling efficiency for each light source location.
2Volume of moving object
If the beam diameter is reduced by the reduction optical system, then the focusing diameter increases due to spherical aberration, but the beam diameter reduction is necessary for fiber coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the object distance parameter for light sources at end portions, positioning them closer to the reduction optical system. This parameter adjustment compensates for the spherical aberration introduced during beam diameter reduction, maintaining precise focusing diameter control. The different positioning distances create appropriate incident angles that counterbalance the aberration effects.
3Ease of manufacture
If all light sources are positioned at the same distance from the collimating lens, then the system is easy to manufacture, but spherical aberration increases the focusing diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by differentiating the positioning of light sources based on their location. Central light sources maintain the standard distance from the collimating lens, while light sources at end portions are positioned at a shorter distance. This localized adjustment compensates for spherical aberration in peripheral beams without complicating the overall manufacturing process, as it only requires adjusted positioning for specific light source locations.
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 effectively suppresses spherical aberration, enhancing fiber coupling efficiency by maintaining a smaller beam diameter and reducing power loss during focusing, thereby improving the overall performance of the optical coupling device.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of collimating lens configured to collimate the plurality of beams emitted from the plurality of light sources
Implementation Method 2
a reduction optical system configured to reduce a beam diameter of the plurality of beams collimated by the plurality of collimating lens
Implementation Method 3
a focusing lens configured to focus the plurality of beams reduced by the reduction optical system on the fiber
Data Source
AI summary
This optical coupling device couples a plurality of beams to a single fiber. A plurality of light sources is arranged at predetermined intervals and emits the plurality of beams. A plurality of collimating lens is arranged to face the plurality of light sources and collimates the plurality of beams emitted from the plurality of light sources. A reduction optical system reduces the beam diameter of the plurality of beams collimated by the plurality of collimating lens. A focusing lens focuses the plurality of beams reduced by the reduction optical system on a fiber. A first distance between the light source and the collimating lens arranged so as to correspond to a beam passing through the center of the reduction optical system is different from a second distance between the light source and the collimating lens arranged so as to correspond to a beam passing through the end portion of the reduction optical system.