Optical Resonator with Concave Mirror and Solid Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical devices with two opposed mirrors face challenges in achieving high performance due to limitations in resonator mode coupling and photon loss, particularly in minimizing the critical atom number (N0) and optimizing resonator length (L) for improved efficiency and miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
The optical device incorporates a first mirror with a planar surface and a second mirror with a concave surface, where the first distance between the first region of the concave surface and the planar surface is half or less of the curvature radius, and a light-transmissive first member in contact with both, optimizing the resonator length (L) to less than half the curvature radius for enhanced coupling and reduced photon loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the resonator length is reduced for miniaturization, then the device size is reduced, but the coupling between resonator mode and physical systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform resonator structure where the cross-sectional area varies along the resonator length. Specifically, the resonator has a first section with a larger cross-sectional area and a second section with a smaller cross-sectional area, allowing different regions to serve different functions: the larger section enhances coupling with physical systems while the smaller section enables miniaturization and reduces photon loss.
2Quantity of substance
If the resonator length is reduced to minimize critical atom number, then N0 is reduced, but photon loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses local quality by varying the cross-sectional area along the resonator length, with the first section having a larger area to reduce photon loss through improved confinement, and the second section having a smaller area to minimize the critical atom number and enable miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved surfaces, specifically a concave surface on one of the mirrors, to improve optical confinement and reduce photon loss. The curved geometry helps maintain mode confinement even in the reduced resonator length, thereby reducing photon loss while maintaining miniaturization.
3Productivity
If the resonator length is optimized for miniaturization, then device compactness is improved, but resonator mode coupling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the resonator into sections with different cross-sectional areas, where the first section with larger area enhances mode coupling performance while the second section with smaller area achieves device compactness. This local variation allows the resonator to simultaneously achieve good coupling and miniaturization.
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 improves the optical device's performance by minimizing the critical atom number (N0), reducing photon loss, and enabling miniaturization, with the mode waist radius (ω0) being 100 μm or less, thereby enhancing the coupling between the resonator mode and physical systems.
Implementation Method 1
an optical device with two mirrors opposed to each other
Implementation Method 2
The second mirror has a concave surface including a first region and a second region around the first region
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an optical device includes a first mirror, a second mirror, and a first member. The first mirror has a first planar surface. The second mirror is spaced from the first mirror in a first direction crossing the first planar surface. The second mirror has a concave surface including a first region and a second region around the first region. First distance between the first region and the first planar surface in the first direction is longer than second distance between the second region and the first planar surface in the first direction. The first distance is half or less of curvature radius of the concave surface. The first member is light transmissive and solid. The first member includes a first portion provided between the first mirror and the second mirror. The first portion is in contact with the first planar surface and the concave surface.