Integrated Optical Device With Connection Tap Port For Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated optical devices face challenges in achieving highly accurate and simple connection between optical waveguides of different materials, such as PLC and InP, due to mode field mismatch, leading to optical loss and complex alignment processes.
Innovation Solution
The integrated optical device incorporates an optical amplifier and a connection tap port that branches a part of the signal light for monitoring alignment, allowing for accurate alignment without passing through the optical amplifier, thereby reducing optical loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If optical waveguides of different materials (PLC and InP) are directly connected, then device size is reduced and integration density is increased, but mode field mismatch causes optical loss and alignment difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
An optical amplifier is introduced as an intermediary component between the PLC and InP waveguides. The amplifier receives light from the PLC, amplifies it, and outputs to the InP waveguide. This mediator enables direct connection of different material waveguides while compensating for optical loss through amplification, resolving the contradiction between size reduction and optical loss.
2Productivity
If optical waveguides of different materials are directly connected, then integration density is increased, but alignment precision becomes more difficult due to mode field mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The optical amplifier serves as a mediator that includes alignment adjustment mechanisms. These mechanisms allow for precise positioning and mode field matching between the PLC input waveguide and the amplifier input waveguide, as well as between the amplifier output waveguide and the InP waveguide. This enables high integration density while maintaining alignment precision through the adjustable intermediary component.
3Loss of energy
If an optical amplifier is added to compensate for optical loss, then optical loss is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical amplifier is integrated directly onto the InP substrate, merging the amplifier function with the existing InP waveguide structure. This integration approach reduces device complexity compared to separate amplifier modules, as the amplifier and waveguide form a unified component. The amplifier core is formed by introducing gain media into the InP waveguide, creating a compact integrated structure that compensates for optical loss without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
4Measurement precision
If alignment adjustment mechanisms are provided at both input and output of optical amplifier, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment adjustment mechanisms are provided at both the input and output of the optical amplifier to enable preliminary alignment adjustments. The input adjustment mechanism aligns the PLC waveguide with the amplifier input, while the output adjustment mechanism aligns the amplifier output with the InP waveguide. This preliminary alignment capability ensures high precision connection before final device assembly, reducing the need for complex post-assembly adjustments and ultimately simplifying the overall device complexity.
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 enables highly accurate alignment and reduces optical loss, simplifying the alignment process and maintaining high signal light output, even when integrating optical circuit and function elements with different refractive indices and waveguide shapes.
Implementation Method 1
an optical amplifier that amplifies signal light input from the optical function element to the optical circuit element through a connection portion
Implementation Method 2
a connection tap port that is installed between the optical amplifier and the connection portion, branches a part of the signal light input from the optical function element through the connection portion, and outputs the signal light to the outside
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated optical device includes: an optical amplifier that amplifies signal light input from the optical function element to the optical circuit element through a connection portion; and a connection tap port that is installed between the optical amplifier and the connection portion, branches a part of the signal light input from the optical function element through the connection portion, and outputs the signal light to the outside, and the connection tap port includes an input port that receives the signal light input from the optical function element to the optical circuit element through the connection portion, a demultiplexer that branches a part of the signal light, a first output port that outputs the branched part of the signal light to the outside, and a second output port that outputs a part of the branched signal light to the optical amplifier.