Optical Pulse Train Generation Using Pre-Stored Phase Patterns
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for generating optical pulse trains struggle to easily produce temporal intensity waveforms and wavelength components required by users, particularly in applications like dispersion measurement, laser processing, and terahertz wave generation, as they require precise control over spectral phase and intensity modulation.
Innovation Solution
An optical pulse train generation device and method that utilize a storage unit for pre-stored phase patterns, a characteristic setting unit for user input, and a spatial light modulator to form optical pulse trains with specific temporal intensity waveforms and wavelength components, allowing for flexible generation of optical pulse trains with varying center wavelengths and time differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If spectral phase and intensity are modulated using an SLM to control temporal waveforms and wavelength components, then the precision of pulse waveform control is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores optimal phase patterns in a storage unit before operation. These phase patterns are prepared in advance for different pulse train configurations, eliminating the need for real-time calculation during operation and reducing device complexity while maintaining high precision control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the control process into separate functional modules: a storage unit for pre-stored phase patterns, a characteristic setting unit for user input, and an SLM for execution. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision
2Ease of operation
If multiple phase patterns are pre-stored in association with different characteristics, then the ease of operation is improved, but the storage requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates digital copies of phase patterns and stores them in a storage unit. These digital representations allow rapid retrieval and application without requiring physical reconfiguration, improving ease of operation while keeping the storage requirements manageable through efficient data structures
3Manufacturing precision
If iterative Fourier transform methods are used to calculate spectral phase and intensity, then the precision of obtaining desired optical pulse waveform is improved, but the time required for calculation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the computationally intensive iterative Fourier transform calculations in advance and stores the results as pre-computed phase patterns. This eliminates the need for real-time calculation during actual pulse train generation, maintaining high precision while dramatically reducing calculation time to near-instantaneous retrieval
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the time-consuming calculation step from the operational process. The iterative Fourier transform calculations are separated into a pre-processing phase, allowing the main operational phase to simply retrieve and apply pre-computed patterns, thus maintaining precision while minimizing operational time loss
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
Enables the easy and accurate generation of optical pulse trains with desired temporal intensity waveforms and wavelength components, enhancing the capabilities of devices such as dispersion measurement tools and terahertz wave generators by improving control over pulse characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a spatial light modulator that displays one of the plurality of phase patterns and forms the optical pulse train from the first optical pulse
Data Source
AI summary
An optical pulse train generation device includes a storage unit and a characteristic setting unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of phase patterns in advance. The plurality of phase patterns are phase patterns for forming, from a first optical pulse, an optical pulse train including a plurality of second optical pulses having time differences therebetween and having different center wavelengths. Between the plurality of phase patterns, one or both of a first characteristic regarding the first optical pulse and a second characteristic regarding the optical pulse train are different. The characteristic setting unit sets the first characteristic and the second characteristic in response to the user's input. The storage unit stores the plurality of phase patterns in association with the first characteristic and the second characteristic. A spatial light modulator displays a phase pattern corresponding to the first characteristic and the second characteristic set by the characteristic setting unit.