Optical Element with Segmented Condensing Lenses for Wavelength Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Efficient transmission of light through optical fibers is hindered by the inability to effectively separate and manage signal light and feed light of different wavelengths, leading to significant loss and reduced optical power supply efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optical element comprising a first condensing lens positioned at the core of the optical fiber and multiple second condensing lenses arranged around the first cladding, which separates and focuses signal light and feed light with minimal loss, utilizing semiconductor materials with high photoelectric conversion efficiency to enhance transmission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If light is transmitted through an optical fiber, then transmission can be achieved, but separation and management of signal light and feed light of different wavelengths is insufficient, leading to significant loss
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is segmented into functionally distinct regions: a core region for signal light transmission and a cladding region for feed light transmission. This spatial segmentation enables separate management of different wavelength lights, preventing interference and reducing optical loss by directing each light type to its designated path.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical fiber are assigned different optical properties: the core has properties optimized for signal light (first wavelength) transmission while the cladding has properties optimized for feed light (second wavelength) transmission. This local differentiation enables wavelength-specific transmission characteristics, improving both separation capability and reducing loss.
2Productivity
If conventional optical transmission is used, then basic transmission is achieved, but photoelectric conversion efficiency is reduced due to inability to effectively separate and manage different wavelength lights
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber structure segments signal light and feed light into separate transmission paths (core and cladding respectively). This segmentation ensures that when light reaches the photoelectric conversion element, it is already separated by wavelength, allowing efficient conversion of feed light to electrical power without interference from signal light, thereby improving productivity while minimizing energy loss.
3Loss of energy
If light separation is not effectively achieved, then transmission simplicity is maintained, but significant loss occurs and optical power supply efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light separation function directly into the optical fiber structure itself through its core-cladding geometry and refractive index design. This integration eliminates the need for separate external optical components for wavelength separation, reducing overall device complexity while achieving effective light separation that minimizes transmission loss and improves power supply efficiency.
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 optical element achieves highly-efficient transmission and photoelectric conversion by focusing signal light onto a photodiode and feed light onto a photoelectric conversion element, reducing loss and improving overall optical power supply efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing semiconductor materials with high photoelectric conversion efficiency to enhance transmission efficiency
Implementation Method 2
a first condensing lens disposed at a position corresponding to the core, and a plurality of second condensing lenses disposed around the first condensing lens at positions corresponding to the first cladding
Data Source
AI summary
An optical element includes a first condensing lens and a plurality of second condensing lenses. The optical element is disposed so as to face an end of an optical fiber. The optical fiber includes a core, a first cladding located around the core, and a second cladding located around the first cladding. The first condensing lens is disposed at a position corresponding to the core. The second condensing lenses are disposed around the first condensing lens at positions corresponding to the first cladding.