Optical Modulator Parallel Fiber Light Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical modulators with parallel input and output fibers face increased size and light loss due to the need for bending optical waveguides to change light direction, especially when using electro-optic crystals like lithium niobate, which exacerbates loss through refractive index differences.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical-path changing unit with prisms to redirect light between parallel fibers without bending the optical waveguide, using an electro-optic crystal substrate for modulation, and integrating ferrules and lenses to minimize size and loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If an optical waveguide has a bent portion to change light direction in parallel fiber configuration, then the area occupied by the optical modulator is reduced, but light loss increases due to refractive index difference between the waveguide and electro-optic crystal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light direction-changing function from the optical waveguide by introducing a separate optical element (prism or mirror). This allows the waveguide to maintain a straight configuration without bent portions, eliminating light loss while still achieving the necessary light path redirection for parallel fiber coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical element (prism or mirror) between the optical waveguide and the electro-optic crystal substrate. This intermediary component performs the light direction-changing function, allowing the waveguide to remain straight and preventing light leakage caused by refractive index mismatches at bent waveguide interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If a mirror and optical modulation chip are used to change light direction, then light travel direction is changed between parallel fibers, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light direction-changing function with the electro-optic crystal substrate by integrating prisms or mirrors directly onto the substrate. This integration combines multiple functions (modulation and beam steering) into a single compact unit, reducing the overall device size compared to separate mirror and modulator configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the substrate surface plane to position optical elements (prisms or mirrors) at specific locations and orientations. By strategically placing these elements in two dimensions on the substrate, the light path is efficiently redirected between parallel fibers without requiring additional vertical space or increasing the overall footprint of the device.
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 reduces light loss during direction change and minimizes the size of the optical modulator, maintaining efficient optical modulation without the need for bent waveguides, even with electro-optic crystals, thereby enhancing the modulator's performance and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a technique that uses a mirror and an optical modulation chip is proposed. This technique causes light emerging from the tip of the input optical fiber to be reflected by the mirror toward a side surface
Implementation Method 2
if an optical waveguide on the optical modulation chip has a bent portion having a small refractive index, light will leak from this bent portion due to the small difference in refractive index between the optical waveguide on the optical modulation chip and the electro-optic crystal
Implementation Method 3
An electro-optic crystal, such as lithium niobate (LiNbO3), is applied to an optical modulator chip in some cases
Data Source
AI summary
An optical modulator connected to a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber arranged in parallel includes an optical-path changing unit that redirects light emerging from a tip of the first optical fiber toward a tip of the second optical fiber and an optical modulation chip that modulates the light redirected by the optical-path changing unit and outputs a light beam obtained by modulating the light to a tip of the second optical fiber.