Optical Module Layout for Reflected Light Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The instability and performance degradation of semiconductor laser devices due to external light beam reflection, which causes deterioration of characteristics and unstable operations, are not effectively addressed by existing optical module configurations.
Innovation Solution
An optical module design that includes an optical isolator with a magnet and magnetic optical element, along with an optical attenuator, to prevent reflected light from coupling back to the semiconductor laser device, thereby reducing reflectivity and maintaining stable operation by attenuating the power of the reflected light beam within the module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an optical isolator is disposed on the optical path to prevent light beam from being incident on the semiconductor laser device, then the stability and characteristics of the semiconductor laser device are improved, but reflected light beam may still affect the device
Solution Approach 1:
An optical attenuator is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical isolator and the semiconductor laser device. The optical attenuator receives the reflected light beam from the optical isolator and attenuates its power before any potential re-incidence on the semiconductor laser device, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of reflected light while maintaining the stability improvement provided by the optical isolator
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful reflected light beam is extracted and separated from the main optical path by the optical isolator, which reflects the unwanted light in a direction not coupled to the first optical part. The optical attenuator then processes this extracted reflected light to remove its harmful effects
2Reliability
If optical components are added to suppress reflected light, then the protection of semiconductor laser device is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical attenuator is integrated into the existing optical module housing and mounted on the same mounting structure as other optical components. The optical path is designed to naturally guide the reflected light from the optical isolator to the optical attenuator, merging the protection function into the existing module architecture rather than adding separate complex subsystems
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 effectively suppresses deterioration and unstable operations in semiconductor laser devices by preventing external light from affecting the semiconductor laser device and improving the accuracy of wavelength control, ensuring stable and high-quality performance.
Implementation Method 1
an optical isolator with a magnet and magnetic optical element
Implementation Method 2
an optical attenuator provided inside the housing and attenuating power of the reflected light beam incident on the optical attenuator in the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An optical module includes: an optical functional element outputting a first light beam; a first optical part receiving the first light beam, having a predetermined effect on the first light beam, and outputting the affected first light beam as a second light beam; a second optical part receiving the second light beam, having a predetermined effect on the second light beam, outputting the affected second light beam as a third light beam, and reflecting a reflected light beam in a direction not coupled to the first optical part, the reflected light beam being generated from the second light on an incident surface on which the second light beam is incident; a housing accommodating the optical functional element, the first optical part, and the second optical part; and an optical attenuator provided inside the housing and attenuating power of the reflected light beam incident on the optical attenuator.