Optical Hybrid Circuit Phase Shifter Tapering for Manufacturing Deviations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical splitting devices face challenges in maintaining specified characteristics due to deviations in waveguide width and angle during manufacturing, leading to degraded performance and limited manufacturing tolerance.
Innovation Solution
The use of a combination of narrow-width-tapered and wide-width-tapered phase shifters in optical splitting devices, where the narrow-width-tapered phase shifter delays the optical signal phase and the wide-width-tapered phase shifter advances it, operates in a complementary fashion to maintain a specified phase difference and reduce the impact of manufacturing deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single type of phase shifter (narrow-width-tapered or wide-width-tapered) is used in the optical splitting device, then the device structure is simple, but manufacturing deviations in waveguide width and angle cause degradation of phase difference characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The optical splitting device is segmented into multiple waveguides, with different phase shifter types assigned to different waveguides. Specifically, at least one waveguide contains a narrow-width-tapered phase shifter while another waveguide contains a wide-width-tapered phase shifter, creating a diversified structure that compensates for manufacturing variations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces asymmetry by using phase shifters with opposite taper directions (narrow-width vs. wide-width) in different waveguides. This asymmetric configuration ensures that manufacturing deviations affecting one phase shifter are compensated by the opposite characteristics of the other phase shifter, maintaining overall phase difference accuracy
2Manufacturing precision
If the waveguide width and angle are tightly controlled to maintain specified characteristics, then the phase difference accuracy is improved, but manufacturing tolerance is reduced and production difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by designing phase shifters with opposite taper characteristics that preemptively counteract manufacturing deviations. The narrow-width-tapered and wide-width-tapered phase shifters are configured to compensate for each other's manufacturing errors, reducing the need for tight dimensional control
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the phase shifters by using opposite taper directions (narrow vs. wide). This parameter diversification allows the system to tolerate variations in waveguide width and angle, as the opposite parameters compensate for manufacturing deviations rather than requiring strict control
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 approach ensures that the optical splitting device maintains a consistent phase change and split ratio, even with deviations in waveguide width and angle, thereby enhancing manufacturing tolerance and device performance.
Implementation Method 1
An optical system includes an optical device that is based on interference between optical signals having a phase difference
Implementation Method 2
a second coupler configured to cause optical signals to interfere with each other
Data Source
AI summary
According to aspects of embodiments, an optical device includes a first coupler configured to split an optical signal; a second coupler configured to cause optical signals to interfere with each other, a first waveguide configured to couple the first coupler to the second coupler, the first waveguide includes a first phase shifter region having a section narrower in width than an end of the first phase shifter region, the second waveguide includes a second phase shifter region having a section wider in width than an end of the second phase shifter region.