Compact Optical Dispersing System with Fibre Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices based on compact dispersing systems suffer from high insertion loss, crosstalk effects, and limited versatility due to the presence of a small aperture in the plane mirror, which affects beam propagation and increases the size of the device, making them less suitable for telecommunications and test equipment.
Innovation Solution
The optical device incorporates a fibre array with input and output elements positioned on parallel straight lines, a compact dispersing system with a plane mirror, concave mirror, and diffraction grating, where the diffraction grating operates near Littrow, and includes rotation and translation mechanisms for wavelength tuning, minimizing the impact of the plane mirror on beam propagation and allowing for reduced size and improved functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a small aperture is used in the plane mirror to ensure compactness, then the device size is reduced, but insertion loss increases and beam propagation is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the small aperture from the plane mirror configuration entirely. Instead of using a mirror with an aperture, the design employs a fibre array where light couples directly into individual fibres without passing through a shared aperture, thereby eliminating the aperture-induced insertion loss while maintaining compactness through the fibre array structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the optical coupling into individual fibre elements rather than using a single aperture. Each fibre in the array acts as an independent optical channel, allowing light to couple efficiently into each fibre without being constrained by a small common aperture, thus reducing insertion loss while maintaining device compactness
2Length of stationary object
If a small aperture is used in the plane mirror to maintain compactness, then the device height is reduced, but crosstalk effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical paths into separate fibre elements, where each fibre is spatially isolated from others. This segmentation prevents optical crosstalk between adjacent channels while maintaining compact device height through the fibre array configuration, as each fibre operates independently without interference from neighboring fibres
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the fibre array as an intermediary structure that replaces the aperture-based coupling mechanism. The fibre array serves as a mediator that provides both compact coupling and spatial isolation, simultaneously achieving reduced device height and minimized crosstalk effects through its dual functionality
3Reliability
If the plane mirror is positioned to enable wavelength selective conjugation, then the dispersing system functions correctly, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical optical path (involving plane mirrors and apertures) with a fibre-based optical coupling system. The fibre array directly establishes wavelength-selective conjugation between input and output fibres without requiring large-aperture mirrors, thereby maintaining functional reliability while significantly reducing device size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional mirror-based optical path to a three-dimensional fibre array configuration. This dimensional change allows wavelength selective conjugation to be achieved through the spatial arrangement and coupling characteristics of the fibre array rather than through large-aperture mirrors, reducing device size while maintaining functionality
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 design reduces insertion loss, crosstalk effects, and height while enhancing versatility, enabling efficient wavelength selective conjugation and allowing for the implementation of various optical functions such as routers, multiplexers, demultiplexers, and channel monitors with improved manufacturing feasibility.
Implementation Method 1
a plane diffraction grating (50) having a dispersion plane
Implementation Method 2
a concave mirror (60) having a focus and a focal plane
Implementation Method 3
a plane mirror (40) with a small aperture (41) in the centre
Data Source
AI summary
A fibre optic transmission application, in particular, an optical device that can be incorporated into telecommunications equipment as well as into test and measurement equipment with reduced insertion loss, reduced crosstalk effects and reduced height, with increased versatility in the implementation of optical functions other than multiplexers and demultiplexers. Relates to components, modules, equipments and instruments such as multiplexers, demultiplexers, routers, channel monitors, and tunable filters that encompass such optical devices.