Optical Modulator Polarization Selection Thin Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical modulators with thin substrates of 20 μm or less face challenges in precisely selecting specific polarized waves without increasing manufacturing complexity and risk of substrate damage due to thermal expansion differences and light absorption issues.
Innovation Solution
An optical modulator design featuring a thin plate with an electrooptic effect, an optical waveguide, and a control electrode, where a light absorbing attenuating means is strategically placed near the waveguide to absorb specific polarized light, potentially integrated into the control electrode or formed on the substrate surfaces, allowing for efficient polarization selection without additional buffer layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a polarizer is attached to the end surface of the substrate, then specific polarized waves can be selected, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in high-precision attachment on thin substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The polarizer is integrated directly into the substrate structure during the substrate formation process itself, rather than being attached separately. This merging of the polarizer function into the substrate eliminates the need for separate attachment processes, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving polarized wave selection capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a metal film is attached to the top surface of the thin plate, then specific polarized waves can be selected, but reliability deteriorates due to substrate damage risk from thermal expansion difference
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is formed with uniform material composition and structure that inherently provides polarized wave selection capability, eliminating the need for heterogeneous metal film attachments. This homogeneous structure avoids thermal expansion mismatches and prevents substrate damage while maintaining the desired optical function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a metal film is formed on the optical waveguide, then specific polarized waves can be selected, but loss of information increases due to absorption of unwanted polarized light
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is designed with anisotropic properties specifically oriented to affect only the unwanted polarized wave components while leaving the desired polarized waves unaffected. This localized quality control ensures that polarized wave selection occurs without absorbing or attenuating the useful light signals.
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 effectively attenuates specific polarized waves while minimizing substrate damage and simplifying the manufacturing process, maintaining mechanical strength and reducing the need for additional buffer layers, thus enhancing productivity and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an optical intensity modulator... in which an applied voltage is applied to an optical waveguide formed in a substrate having an electrooptic effect, thereby modulating light propagating in the optical waveguide
Implementation Method 2
an attenuating means which absorbs light having a specific polarization plane of a light wave which propagates in the optical waveguide... the attenuating means includes a light absorbing member
Data Source
AI summary
An optical modulator using a thin plate including a portion having 20 μm or less thickness, capable of selecting a specific polarized wave from a light wave which propagates in an optical waveguide in the modulator without reduced productivity. The modulator includes an X-cut or Y-cut thin plate of a material having an electrooptic effect; an optical waveguide formed in a top or bottom surface of the plate; and a control electrode on the top surface of the plate to modulate light which propagates in the waveguide. An attenuating means which absorbs light having a specific polarization plane of a light wave which propagates in the waveguide is disposed in the vicinity of the waveguide. The attenuating means includes light absorbing members disposed at a gap L which is 0.5 to 2 times the mode-field diameter of the light wave which propagates in the waveguide with the waveguide interposed therebetween.