Optical Waveguide Dual-Mode Coupling Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical communication systems require high accuracy to minimize positional deviation in single mode fibers, leading to increased costs due to the need for precise alignment and expensive components.

Innovation Solution

An optical module and adjustment device that utilize an optical waveguide capable of propagating both fundamental and first order modes, with a light intensity distribution adjusted to an intermediate position between high intensity portions, allowing for favorable coupling efficiency regardless of optical axis deviation direction, eliminating the need for additional complex components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high accuracy alignment is used to minimize positional deviation in single mode fibers, then coupling efficiency is improved, but component cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling efficiencyVSAvoidalignment precision requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter of light from the conventional 1310nm single-mode wavelength to 850nm, which enables both fundamental mode and first order mode propagation in the optical waveguide. This parameter change fundamentally alters the light intensity distribution pattern, creating alternating high intensity portions that provide tolerance against optical axis deviation, thereby maintaining coupling efficiency without requiring high precision alignment components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If additional components or complex light sources are used to propagate only fundamental mode, then positional deviation tolerance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional deviation toleranceVSAvoidcomponent structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the optical waveguide multi-functional by enabling it to propagate both fundamental mode and first order mode simultaneously at 850nm wavelength. This eliminates the need for additional components or complex light source structures that would be required to achieve positional deviation tolerance through conventional single-mode propagation, as the dual-mode propagation inherently provides the necessary tolerance while simplifying the overall device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

Reduces the cost and complexity of optical communication systems by maintaining high coupling efficiency across various optical axis deviations without requiring precise alignment or additional components, thus lowering the overall component cost.

Implementation Method 1

an optical waveguide that propagates light from the light emitting element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical waveguide propagation: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

the light propagating through the optical waveguide is light having components of a fundamental mode and a first order mode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight mode propagation:

Data Source

PatentUS12147077B2Optical module, adjustment device, and adjustment method

Publication Date: 2024.11.19 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is provided a light emitting element and an optical waveguide that propagates light from the light emitting element. For example, the optical waveguide is an optical fiber or a silicon optical waveguide. The light propagating through the optical waveguide is light having components of a fundamental mode and a first order mode, and the light propagates through the optical waveguide while having a light intensity distribution in which high intensity portions alternately appear in one direction and another direction opposite to the one direction with respect to the center of a core along the optical waveguide. A light intensity distribution at an output end surface of the optical waveguide is a light intensity distribution corresponding to an intermediate position between a first position where the high intensity portion is in the one direction and a second position where the high intensity portion is in the another direction. In a case of propagating the light having the components of the fundamental mode and the first order mode, it is possible to obtain favorable coupling efficiency regardless of a direction of an optical axis deviation, as in a case of propagating light having only the component of the fundamental mode. A cost is thus reduced by reducing accuracy of positional deviation.