Method and device for detecting absolute or relative temperature and/or absolute or relative wavelength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting temperature and wavelength changes in optical waveguide structures cannot isolate these changes from other effects influencing optical intensity, such as output power variations or mechanical stress, and cannot distinguish between intensity variations caused by temperature or wavelength changes.
Innovation Solution
An optical detection device with a waveguide structure featuring two optical output ports and differing power transfer functions, allowing for the determination of temperature and wavelength changes by measuring electrical signals from these ports, using calibration or simulation to establish bijective mapping between power transfer functions and parameters, and incorporating optical resonators for enhanced sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single optical output port is used to detect temperature changes, then the detection device is simple, but it is impossible to isolate temperature variations from other effects such as output power variations or coupling changes
Solution Approach 1:
The optical output is segmented into multiple output ports (first and second optical output ports) with different power transfer functions. This segmentation allows independent measurement of temperature and wavelength effects, as each port responds differently to these parameters, enabling isolation and accurate detection of temperature variations despite increased structural complexity.
2Measurement precision
If temperature stabilization is implemented in the detection device, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device uses itself to measure and compensate for temperature effects. By utilizing the different power transfer functions of multiple output ports, the system self-determines temperature and wavelength variations without requiring external stabilization systems, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while avoiding additional complexity.
3Measurement precision
If wavelength stabilization is implemented for the optical probe signal, then wavelength-dependent measurement accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system self-determines wavelength variations by comparing the responses from multiple output ports with different power transfer functions. This self-measurement capability eliminates the need for external wavelength stabilization systems, maintaining measurement precision while reducing overall system complexity.
4Measurement precision
If two different optical resonators are used as in US 6 243 506 B1, then temperature and wavelength can be determined, but the device complexity increases without normalizing for input power variations
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into multiple output ports with different power transfer functions instead of using two separate resonators. This segmentation achieves the same goal of enabling temperature and wavelength determination while providing a more integrated and potentially simpler device structure that also incorporates input power normalization.
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
Enables accurate detection of absolute temperature and wavelength changes without requiring temperature- or wavelength-stabilized detection devices, compensating for variations in both parameters, and improving measurement accuracy by normalizing signals with a constant power reference.
Implementation Method 1
an optical waveguide structure defining an optical input port adapted to receive an optical probe signal and a first and a second optical output port adapted to output a first and a second optical detection signal, respectively
Implementation Method 2
detecting the first and second optical detection signal at the first and second optical output port by means of a first and second opto-electrical converter creating a first and second electrical signal corresponding to the optical power of the respective first or second optical detection signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for detecting the absolute temperature or temperature changes and/or the absolute wavelength or wavelength changes of an optical probe signal using an optical detection device (100; 200; 300) comprising an optical waveguide structure (102; 202; 302) defining an optical input port (102a; 202a; 302a) adapted to receive the optical probe signal (Sprobe) and a first and a second optical output port (102b, 102c; 202b, 202c; 302b, 302c) adapted to output a first and a second optical detection signal (Sd1,opt, Sd2,opt), respectively, as a response to the optical probe signal (Sprobe), the optical waveguide structure (102; 202; 302) being configured in such a way that a first power transfer function F1(λ,T) characterizing the transmission of the optical probe signal (Sprobe) from the optical input port (102a; 202a; 302a) to the first optical output port differs (102b; 202b; 302b), with respect to its wavelength and temperature dependency, from a second power transfer function F2(λ,T) characterizing the transmission of the optical probe signal (Sprobe) from the optical input port (102a; 202a; 302a) to the second optical output port (102c; 202c; 302c). The method comprises the steps of transmitting the optical probe signal (Sprobe) having a predetermined - not necessarily constant - wavelength to the optical input port (102a; 202a; 302a); detecting the first and second optical detection signal (Sd1,opt, Sd2,opt) at the first and second optical output port (102b, 102c; 202b, 202c; 302b, 302c) by means of a first a and second opto-electrical converter (106, 108) which create a first and second electrical signal (Sd1,el, Sd2,el) corresponding to the optical power of the respective first or second optical detection signal (Sd1,opt, Sd2,opt); measuring values of the first and second electrical signal (Sd1,el, Sd2,el) and determining an absolute temperature value or a value of a temperature change of the optical waveguide structure (Sd1,el, Sd2,el) and/or an absolute wavelength value or a value of a wavelength change of the optical probe signal (Sprobe) by using the values measured of the first and second electrical signal (Sd1,el, Sd2,el) and a first and a second previously determined wavelength and temperature dependency of both the first and second power transfer function (F1(λ,T), F2(λ,T)). The invention further relates to an optical detection device (100; 200; 300) for implementing this method.