Optical Modulator Ring Resonance for Stable Extinction Ratios

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical modulators suffer from low extinction ratios due to temperature-induced wavelength drift and increased absorption loss with high doping concentrations, limiting their performance in high-capacity data communication systems.

Innovation Solution

An optical modulator design incorporating an adjustable ring-shaped resonant cavity with feedback loop and mode converters for successive resonance and mode conversion processes, enhancing the extinction ratio by multiplexing optical signals of multiple modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high doping concentration is used to improve modulation performance, then modulation efficiency is improved, but absorption loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodulation efficiencyVSAvoidabsorption loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameters by utilizing resonance conditions in a ring resonator structure, allowing effective modulation without requiring high doping concentrations that would cause excessive absorption loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional direct modulation mechanisms with a resonance-based optical modulation approach using ring resonators, fundamentally changing how modulation is achieved to avoid the trade-off between efficiency and loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If temperature increases, then device operation continues, but wavelength drift occurs reducing extinction ratio

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidwavelength stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the ring resonator's resonance condition provides inherent wavelength selectivity, and the coupled cavity structure creates feedback that stabilizes the operating wavelength against temperature-induced drift

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamically adjustable resonance conditions in the ring resonator, allowing the system to adapt to temperature changes by tuning the resonance wavelength to maintain stable operation and high extinction ratio

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If single-mode resonance is used, then device complexity is low, but transmission capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresonance cavity structureVSAvoidtransmission capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the ring resonator structure multi-functional by enabling it to support multiple resonance modes (TE and TM modes) that can be independently utilized for modulation, thereby increasing transmission capacity without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds another dimension to the modulation capability by utilizing both TE and TM polarization modes in the ring resonator, effectively doubling the available modulation channels and increasing overall transmission capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design improves the extinction ratio of optical signals by amplifying specific frequency amplitudes through resonance and mode multiplexing, ensuring stable operation and increased transmission capacity.

Implementation Method 1

an adjustable ring-shaped resonant cavity coupled to the input waveguide and configured to perform resonance processing on the initial optical signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

a first mode converter coupled to the feedback loop waveguide and configured to perform mode conversion processing on the first optical signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMode conversion:

Implementation Method 3

the adjustable ring-shaped resonant cavity being further configured to perform resonance processing on the second optical signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS12372848B2Optical modulator and control method therefor

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 ZTE CORP

AI summary

Disclosed are an optical modulator and control method therefor, the optical modulator includes an input waveguide, an adjustable ring-shaped resonant cavity, a feedback loop waveguide, a first mode converter, and an output waveguide. The input waveguide is configured to receive an initial optical signal, the adjustable ring-shaped resonant cavity is configured to perform resonance and modulation processing on the initial optical signal and output a first optical signal, the feedback loop waveguide is configured to receive and transmit the first optical signal, the first mode converter is configured to perform mode conversion processing on the first optical signal and output a second optical signal to the adjustable ring-shaped resonant cavity, the adjustable ring-shaped resonant cavity is further configured to perform resonance and modulation processing on the second optical signal and output a third optical signal, and the output waveguide configured to receive and output the third optical signal.