Optical Transmission Module Lever Mechanism for Axis Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in optical communication systems is achieving accurate and wide-range optical axis adjustment for silicon waveguides with core sizes smaller than the wavelength of light, necessitating precise coupling to maintain efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optical transmission module incorporating a lever with a fulcrum, a mirror, and a lens, where the lever can be bent or expanded to adjust the optical axis, and is fixed after alignment to ensure accurate coupling of light to a silicon waveguide with a core size smaller than the wavelength, using external forces to optimize coupling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a silicon waveguide with core size smaller than wavelength is used, then transmission capacity is improved, but coupling accuracy requirement increases to 1 μm or less
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a lever mechanism that enables dynamic adjustment of the optical axis position. The lever can be bent in a direction perpendicular to its extending direction by external force, allowing the optical axis to be dynamically adjusted to achieve precise coupling (1 μm or less accuracy) with the silicon waveguide while maintaining the ability to handle the small core size for high transmission capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the lever from fixed to flexible by applying external force to bend it. This parameter change allows the system to transition from a static configuration to a dynamically adjustable one, enabling precise optical axis alignment (1 μm accuracy) required for coupling with the sub-wavelength silicon waveguide core
2Reliability
If optical axis adjustment with 1 μm accuracy is required, then coupling efficiency is improved, but adjustment complexity increases requiring both coarse and fine adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism provides continuous dynamic adjustment capability, eliminating the need for discrete coarse and fine adjustment stages. By bending the lever continuously in the perpendicular direction, the optical axis can be smoothly positioned to achieve 1 μm accuracy, simplifying the adjustment process while maintaining high coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter change (lever bending angle) to achieve continuous optical axis adjustment. This single continuous parameter control replaces complex multi-stage adjustment mechanisms, reducing device complexity while achieving the required 1 μm coupling accuracy and high efficiency
3Manufacturing precision
If lever is made flexible for adjustment, then optical axis alignment is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is designed with conditional flexibility: it remains rigid during normal operation to maintain structural stability, but can be temporarily bent by external force for optical axis alignment. After adjustment, the lever returns to its rigid state, ensuring both alignment capability and operational stability
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 solution enables precise and wide-range optical axis adjustment, allowing for high accuracy in coupling light to silicon waveguides, improving transmission efficiency and simplifying the manufacturing process by integrating the lever and mirror formation into the SOI layer.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror that reflects the light output by the light source
Implementation Method 2
a lens that converges the light reflected by the mirror
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transmission module in which optical axis adjustment is possible in a wide range and with a high accuracy, and a method of manufacturing the optical transmission module are provided. An optical transmission module includes a light source that outputs light, a mirror that reflects the light output by the light source, a lever on which the mirror is arranged and that has a fulcrum, a lens that converges the light reflected by the mirror, and a waveguide that transfers the light converged by the lens, with a core having a section width smaller than a wavelength in vacuum of the light.