Optical Device Taper Attenuator for Signal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical waveguides often suffer from unwanted optical signal radiation at tapers, leading to interference with other optical devices, which existing attenuators may not effectively address.
Innovation Solution
The optical device incorporates an attenuator with a conductive, doped, or refractive structure to degrade unwanted optical signals from the taper, enhancing isolation between optical ports and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a taper is used to facilitate optical coupling between waveguide and other optical devices, then coupling efficiency is improved, but unwanted optical signal radiation occurs causing interference with other optical devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an attenuator as an intermediary component between the waveguide-taper structure and other optical devices. This attenuator actively degrades unwanted optical signals radiated from the taper, preventing them from causing interference with other optical devices while allowing the taper to maintain its high coupling efficiency function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful unwanted optical signals radiated by the taper into a controllable parameter by using the attenuator to deliberately degrade these signals. This transforms the harmful radiation into a managed effect where the attenuation is intentionally applied only to unwanted signals, thereby eliminating interference while preserving the beneficial coupling function of the taper.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If an attenuator is added to degrade unwanted optical signals from the taper, then interference with other optical devices is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attenuator with the existing waveguide-taper structure by integrating it directly into the optical path at the taper location. This combination approach allows the attenuator to function as part of the overall coupling structure rather than as a separate standalone component, thereby reducing device complexity while still achieving effective degradation of unwanted optical signals.
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 attenuator effectively degrades unwanted optical signals, reducing interference and enhancing isolation between optical ports, thereby improving the performance of optical devices.
Implementation Method 1
An attenuator may be used to degrade unwanted optical signal from a taper
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device includes a waveguide configured to guide light, a taper integrated with the waveguide on a substrate configured for optical coupling, and an attenuator to degrade unwanted optical signal from the taper. The attenuator extends along one side of the taper, and includes one of a conductive structure, a doped structure and a refractive structure.