Optical Module Polarizer Leakage Light Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical modules suffer from wavelength-dependent polarization state deviations, leading to leakage light with deviated polarized components that can affect the operation by being optically coupled to monitor elements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a semiconductor modulator with a rectangular planar shape and strategically placing polarizers between monitor ports and elements to cut off deviated polarized light components, reducing leakage light to monitor elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a semiconductor modulator is used to perform phase modulation of divided light rays, then the optical module can generate modulation signals from divided light rays, but wavelength-dependent polarization state deviations occur causing leakage light with deviated polarized components to be optically coupled to monitor elements
Solution Approach 1:
A polarizer is introduced as an intermediary component between the semiconductor modulator and the monitor elements. This polarizer selectively transmits light with a specific polarization state while blocking light with orthogonal polarization states, thereby preventing leakage light with deviated polarized components from reaching the monitor elements and causing harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the polarization state parameter of the light by using a polarizer. By controlling the polarization state of the light passing through the semiconductor modulator, the system can prevent wavelength-dependent polarization state deviations from affecting the monitor elements, thus eliminating the harmful leakage light while maintaining modulation signal generation efficiency.
2Reliability
If polarizers are added to cut off deviated polarized light components, then leakage light to monitor elements is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A polarizer is introduced as an intermediary component between the semiconductor modulator and the monitor elements. This polarizer selectively transmits light with a specific polarization state while blocking light with orthogonal polarization states, thereby preventing leakage light with deviated polarized components from reaching the monitor elements and causing harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the polarization state parameter of the light by using a polarizer. By controlling the polarization state of the light passing through the semiconductor modulator, the system can prevent wavelength-dependent polarization state deviations from affecting the monitor elements, thus eliminating the harmful leakage light while maintaining modulation signal generation efficiency.
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
Effectively reduces leakage light with deviated polarized components, improving the operational stability of the optical module across various wavelengths.
Implementation Method 1
a first polarizer disposed between the first monitor port and the first monitor element, and a second polarizer disposed between the second monitor port and the second monitor element
Implementation Method 2
the semiconductor modulator being configured to perform phase modulation of divided light rays obtained by dividing the continuous light
Implementation Method 3
applies a modulated voltage signal to the arm waveguide to change the refractive index of light in the arm waveguide. Thus, the phase of the light of the arm waveguide is modulated
Implementation Method 4
an input lens system for optically coupling the input assembly and the input port of the semiconductor modulator to each other
Implementation Method 5
a first output lens system and a second output lens system for optically coupling the output assembly and the first output port and the second output port, respectively, of the semiconductor modulator to each other
Implementation Method 6
The first monitor PD receives the monitor signal light output from the first monitor port, and the second monitor PD receives the monitor signal light output from the second monitor port
Data Source
AI summary
An optical module of one embodiment includes a semiconductor modulator having a rectangular planar shape, an input lens system facing the input port, a first output lens system facing the first output port, a second output lens system facing the second output port, a first monitor element facing the first monitor port, a second monitor element facing the second monitor port, a first polarizer disposed between the first monitor port and the first monitor element, and a second polarizer disposed between the second monitor port and the second monitor element.