Optical Modulator Light-Receiving Element Downstream Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in optical modulators is to reduce the size of the substrate while maintaining effective light-receiving sensitivity, as the inclusion of multiple light-receiving elements increases substrate size, hindering size reduction efforts.
Innovation Solution
The optical modulator design features a light-receiving element with a light-receiving section positioned downstream of its center in the light wave propagation direction, accompanied by a broadened waveguide width and optimized buffer layer thickness, allowing for a reduction in the length and height of the light-receiving element, thereby minimizing substrate size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple light-receiving elements are disposed in the substrate to perform independent bias control for multiple optical modulation sections, then measurement precision and control accuracy are improved, but the substrate size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the light-receiving section only in the downstream half of the light-receiving element rather than distributing it uniformly throughout. This localized placement optimizes the light-receiving function in the critical downstream region where monitoring light is most effectively detected, while minimizing the overall element size and thus the substrate area required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the light-receiving section from a centralized or upstream location to specifically the downstream side of the light-receiving element. This spatial reconfiguration in the light propagation direction optimizes the detection of monitoring light while reducing the lateral dimensions required, thereby decreasing substrate area without compromising light-receiving sensitivity.
2Area of stationary object
If the light-receiving element size is reduced to decrease substrate size, then the substrate area is reduced, but light-receiving sensitivity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By concentrating the light-receiving function specifically in the downstream half of the element rather than distributing it throughout, the patent achieves effective light-receiving sensitivity with a smaller overall element size. This localized approach ensures that the reduced-size element maintains adequate sensitivity where it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the light-receiving section in the downstream region where monitoring light has already propagated through the optical modulation section. This preliminary positioning ensures that the light-receiving element captures the monitoring light at the optimal point in the light path, maximizing detection efficiency even with reduced element dimensions.
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 effectively reduces the size of the light-receiving element and consequently the substrate, while maintaining necessary light-receiving sensitivity, facilitating smaller optical modulator designs.
Implementation Method 1
a light-receiving element that is disposed on the substrate. The light-receiving element includes a light-receiving section that receives a light wave that propagates through the optical waveguide
Implementation Method 2
a substrate having an electro-optic effect, an optical waveguide that is formed in the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
An optical modulator includes a substrate having an electro-optic effect, an optical waveguide that is formed in the substrate, and a modulation electrode (not illustrated) for modulating a light wave that propagates through the optical waveguide. In the optical modulator, a light-receiving element is disposed on the substrate, and the light-receiving element includes a light-receiving section that receives a light wave that propagates through the optical waveguide, and the light-receiving section is located on the downstream side of a center of the light-receiving element in a light wave propagating direction.