Optical Side Tap Circuit With Fiber Bragg Grating for Multi-Point Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wavelength multiplexing couplers are large in size and have high reflection and loss at connecting points, making them difficult to dispose at multiple points in a transmission path, while tap waveguides lack sufficient wavelength selectivity.
Innovation Solution
An optical side input/output circuit with a tap waveguide and fiber Bragg grating formed in the core of an optical fiber, allowing for wavelength selectivity and easy disposition at multiple points, featuring a tap portion and grating portion arranged in the propagation direction, with a tap waveguide outputting reflected light from the side surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional wavelength multiplexing coupler is used, then wavelength selectivity is achieved, but the device becomes large in size and has high reflection and loss at connecting points, making it difficult to dispose at multiple points
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber Bragg grating is formed directly inside the core of the optical fiber, nesting the wavelength-selective element within the fiber structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate external coupler devices and their connecting points, thereby reducing device size and connection-related losses while maintaining wavelength selectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical wavelength multiplexing couplers with an optical solution using fiber Bragg gratings. The grating structure provides wavelength selectivity through optical interference rather than mechanical coupling, eliminating physical connecting points and associated reflection losses.
2Ease of operation
If conventional tap waveguides are used, then easy disposition at multiple points is achieved, but wavelength selectivity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tap waveguide function with the fiber Bragg grating by forming the grating portion and tap portion continuously in the optical fiber. This integration combines the wavelength-selective grating structure with the side-output tap function, achieving both wavelength selectivity and ease of disposition at multiple points through a unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber Bragg grating is formed with specific local refractive index modulation in the core region, creating wavelength-selective properties at precise locations. The tap waveguide is simultaneously formed with specific geometry to extract light at desired wavelengths, providing localized wavelength-selective tapping functionality.
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
The optical side input/output circuit provides wavelength selectivity and easy disposition at multiple points in a transmission path, enabling efficient extraction and reception of desired wavelengths.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber Bragg grating that reflects light of a desired wavelength is formed in the core of an optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
a tap waveguide that outputs a reflected light reflected by the grating portion from a side surface of the optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to provide an optical side input/output circuit that has wavelength selectivity and is easily disposed at multiple points in a transmission path, and an optical connector. An optical side input/output circuit according to the present invention includes: a grating portion in which a fiber Bragg grating that reflects light of a desired wavelength is formed in the core of an optical fiber, the light of the desired wavelength being of light propagating in the core; and a tap portion that is disposed at a stage before the grating portion in the propagation direction of the light, and is provided with a tap waveguide that outputs the light reflected by the grating portion from a side surface of the optical fiber.