Optical Module Stray Light Refraction Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical modules, large alignment errors between light emitting and receiving elements and lens surfaces lead to stray light, which deteriorates performance by causing noise in adjacent light receiving elements and affecting automatic power control circuits.
Innovation Solution
The optical module incorporates a block with a collimating lens, an optical splitter, a mirror, and a refraction part with specific refracting surfaces to convert and direct radiated light, splitting it into reflected and transmitted beams, ensuring that stray light is deflected away from the adjacent light receiving element, thereby reducing noise and improving alignment accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If alignment between light emitting element and lens surface is not precise, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but stray light increases causing performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stray light prevention structure that converts the harmful stray light into a controlled optical path. The structure includes a light-shielding portion that blocks stray light from reaching adjacent light receiving elements, while a refracting portion redirects the stray light onto the intended light receiving element, thus converting the harmful effect into a beneficial one that maintains signal integrity even with alignment errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure between the lens array and light receiving elements that acts as a mediator to control light paths. This intermediate structure includes light-shielding portions and refracting portions that manage the interaction between stray light and light receiving elements, preventing direct harmful interaction while maintaining functional optical coupling
2Ease of operation
If alignment error between light receiving element and lens surface increases, then ease of assembly improves, but signal accuracy deteriorates due to stray light entering adjacent elements
Solution Approach 1:
The refracting portion of the stray light prevention structure converts stray light that would normally cause noise into useful signal light by redirecting it onto the intended light receiving element. This conversion allows the system to maintain signal accuracy even when assembly tolerances result in alignment errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different functional regions within the stray light prevention structure. The light-shielding portion provides blocking function in specific directions, while the refracting portion provides light redirection function in other directions, allowing precise control of light paths to maintain signal accuracy under varying alignment conditions
3Device complexity
If no stray light prevention structure is added, then device complexity is reduced, but light intensity control on receiving elements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stray light prevention structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it blocks stray light from reaching adjacent elements, redirects stray light onto the intended element, and maintains proper light intensity distribution. This multi-functionality achieves light intensity control without requiring multiple separate components, thus managing device complexity
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 effectively minimizes stray light, enhancing the accuracy of optical signals and maintaining desired light intensities, even at higher transmission speeds, by ensuring that light remains focused on the intended receiving elements, thus improving the overall performance and reliability of the optical module.
Implementation Method 1
a collimating lens configured to convert the radiated light into collimated light
Implementation Method 2
an optical splitter configured to split the collimated light into a reflected light and a transmitted light
Implementation Method 3
a first condensing lens configured to condense the reflected light on an optical waveguide member
Implementation Method 4
a mirror configured to reflect the transmitted light
Implementation Method 5
The refraction part has a first refracting surface and a second refracting surface. The first refracting surface is configured to refract the transmitted light reflected by the mirror for guiding the transmitted light reflected by the mirror to the second condensing lens
Implementation Method 6
The second condensing lens is configured to condense a portion of the transmitted light refracted by the refraction part on the light receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
An optical module includes a substrate, a light emitting element, a light receiving element, and a block by which some of light emitted from the light emitting element is guided to the light receiving element. The block includes a collimating lens, an optical splitter, condensing lenses, a mirror, and a refraction part. The refraction part includes a surface at which a light beam transmitted by the optical splitter is guided to the condensing lens and a surface at which a light beam transmitted by the optical splitter is deflected from the condensing lens.