Optical Coupling Module Tapered Fiber Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical coupling modules produced by continuous burning with oxyhydrogen flame suffer from uneven temperature fields, leading to poor processing precision and lateral light leakage, which results in low optical coupling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The optical coupling module comprises a transmission optical fiber with a center shaft and a pump optical fiber, both extending along a longitudinal direction. The transmission optical fiber includes a first and second flat portion and a tapered portion, while the pump optical fiber has a flat portion and a tapered portion that is spliced to the transmission tapered portion, reducing lateral light leakage and increasing coupling area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If continuous burning with oxyhydrogen flame is used for fusing optical fibers, then the processing can be completed, but the temperature field is uneven causing insufficient processing precision and lateral light leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing method from continuous burning to intermittent arc discharge, and modifies the fiber geometry by creating tapered portions with specific outer diameters. These parameter changes enable precise control of the fusion process, eliminating lateral light leakage while achieving uniform temperature distribution and high processing precision.
2Productivity
If conventional continuous burning method is used, then the optical coupling module can be produced, but the temperature field uniformity is poor resulting in low processing yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs intermittent arc discharge instead of continuous burning, using periodic heating cycles that allow the fiber material to evenly distribute heat before each discharge pulse. This periodic action prevents localized overheating and ensures uniform temperature field, thereby improving processing yield.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces tapered portions with specifically controlled outer diameters in the optical fibers. These geometric parameter changes optimize the heat distribution during arc discharge processing, ensuring uniform temperature fields and enhancing processing yield.
3Area of stationary object
If the pump optical fiber is spliced to the transmission optical fiber without tapered portions, then the connection can be made, but the coupling area is limited and light leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating tapered portions at specific locations of the optical fibers. These localized geometric modifications concentrate the optical mode fields, increasing the coupling area at the splicing interface while preventing lateral light leakage through precise dimensional control of the tapered regions.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical coupling module, including a transmission optical fiber and at least one pump optical fiber, is provided. The transmission optical fiber has a central shaft extending along a longitudinal direction and includes a first transmission flat portion, a second transmission flat portion, and a transmission tapered portion. The transmission tapered portion is connected between the first transmission flat portion and the second transmission flat portion. The at least one pump optical fiber extends along the longitudinal direction and includes a pump flat portion and a pump tapered portion. The pump flat portion is disposed on the first transmission flat portion. The pump tapered portion is connected to the pump flat portion. A distance from an outer surface of the pump tapered portion to the central shaft gradually decreases from adjacent to the pump flat portion toward a direction away from the pump flat portion.