Optical Receptacle Diffraction Surface for Stable Light Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing coupling lenses for optical communications require complex optical design to adjust light of two diffraction orders, making it difficult to accurately attenuate light, and attenuation coatings can crack, leading to inconsistent light attenuation.
Innovation Solution
An optical receptacle with a diffraction surface configured to ensure only primary diffraction light reaches the optical transmission member, while zero-order diffraction light is blocked, eliminating the need for additional components like optical filters or coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an attenuation coating is provided on the optical surface to attenuate light, then light quantity can be reduced, but the attenuation coating may crack and attenuation becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical attenuation coating system with an optical diffraction system. Instead of using a physical coating that can crack, the invention uses a diffraction surface with precise geometric patterns that redirect light through optical diffraction, eliminating mechanical failure modes while maintaining reliable light attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter control approach from coating thickness/opacity to diffraction grating geometry. By controlling the shape, size, and arrangement of diffraction patterns, the light attenuation is achieved through optical path manipulation rather than absorption, providing stable and crack-free attenuation.
2Loss of energy
If a coupling lens utilizes zero-order and primary diffraction light, then light transmission is achieved, but complex optical design is required and light attenuation control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the primary diffraction light component while eliminating the zero-order diffraction light. This is achieved by designing the diffraction surface to direct primary diffraction light toward the optical fiber while blocking or redirecting zero-order light, simplifying the optical path and improving attenuation control without requiring complex multi-order optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to optimize both zero-order and primary diffraction light transmission as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the approach by intentionally blocking zero-order light and utilizing only primary diffraction light. This inversion simplifies the optical design while achieving better light attenuation control and transmission efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If additional components like optical filters or attenuation coatings are used to attenuate light, then light quantity control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light attenuation function directly into the coupling lens structure by integrating a diffraction surface onto the optical receptacle. This eliminates the need for separate attenuation coatings or optical filters, reducing component count while maintaining precise light quantity control through the diffraction pattern design.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical receptacle with the diffraction surface performs multiple functions simultaneously: it couples light from the emitter to the fiber while also providing precise light attenuation control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated attenuation components, simplifying the overall device structure.
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 allows for precise attenuation of light emitted from the light emitting element, improving light coupling efficiency and reliability without using additional members.
Implementation Method 1
a diffraction surface disposed on the first optical surface, on the second optical surface, or on a light path between the first optical surface and the second optical surface. The diffraction surface is configured such that primary diffraction light of the light emitted from the light emitting element reaches an end portion of the optical transmission member, and that zero-order diffraction light of the light emitted from the light emitting element does not reach the end portion of the optical transmission member
Data Source
AI summary
An optical receptacle including a first optical surface configured to allow incidence of light emitted from the light emitting element; a second optical surface configured to emit, toward the optical transmission member, light emitted from the light emitting element and advanced inside the optical receptacle; and a diffraction surface disposed on the first optical surface, on the second optical surface, or on a light path between the first optical surface and the second optical surface. The diffraction surface is configured such that primary diffraction light of the light emitted from the light emitting element reaches an end portion of the optical transmission member, and that zero-order diffraction light of the light emitted from the light emitting element does not reach the end portion of the optical transmission member.