Optical Wavelength Dispersion Device Using Nested Waveguide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectrometers face a trade-off between size and resolution, with high-resolution spectrometers being large and expensive due to complex optical systems, and micro-manufacturing techniques like LIGA struggle to produce precise vertical gratings with sufficient yield and precision.
Innovation Solution
An optical wavelength dispersion device comprising a waveguide unit with a substrate, input unit, grating, reflector, and adjustable reflecting unit, where the grating and reflector are formed using a high energy light source to create a compact structure with adjustable focus and emitting angle, allowing for precise dispersion of optical signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional prism, grating or interference methods are used to realize dispersion effect, then the spectrometer can achieve wavelength dispersion, but the overall size and resolution ability need to be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the grating and reflector within a waveguide structure, creating a nested configuration where the grating is formed on the waveguide surface and the reflector is positioned within the waveguide space. This nesting approach allows multiple optical components to occupy overlapping or adjacent spatial volumes, achieving high resolution dispersion functionality within a compact overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional planar optical layouts to a three-dimensional waveguide structure with vertical stratification. The grating, reflector, and other components are arranged in different vertical layers within the waveguide, utilizing the third dimension (depth/height) to pack optical functions densely without increasing the horizontal footprint, thereby reducing overall device size while maintaining resolution.
2Manufacturing precision
If LIGA micro-manufacturing program is applied to produce micro-structure, then the structure can have higher degree of precision, but the yield during molding process and degree of precision are insufficient for manufacturing vertical grating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical LIGA molding process with a direct laser writing approach. Instead of using complex multi-step lithography, electroplating, and molding operations, the grating structure is directly written onto the waveguide surface using laser ablation or laser-induced chemical etching. This substitution eliminates the molding yield limitations and achieves high precision vertical gratings through direct digital fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from indirect molding to direct laser-based material removal or modification. By controlling laser parameters (power, speed, wavelength, pulse duration), the process directly creates precise vertical grating structures with controlled depth, width, and spacing, achieving both high manufacturing precision and improved ease of manufacture compared to LIGA.
3Measurement precision
If high resolution spectrometer is designed with sizable and complicated optical system, then the resolution ability is improved, but the device becomes more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions (dispersion, reflection, focusing, and detection) into a single integrated waveguide structure. The grating, reflector, and other optical elements are formed on or within the same waveguide substrate, eliminating the need for separate optical components and their associated mounting, alignment, and housing structures. This integration reduces device complexity while maintaining high resolution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the optical signal, provides the surface for the dispersive grating, contains the reflective element, and directs light to the detector. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, simplifying the overall optical system while achieving high resolution spectrometry.
4Ease of manufacture
If light focus shift occurs due to parameter setup during manufacture, then the wavelength dispersion device can be manufactured, but the degree of precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms to detect and compensate for focus shifts caused by manufacturing parameter variations. Sensors monitor the actual focal position and optical path, and control systems adjust the waveguide geometry or component positions to compensate for deviations, ensuring high precision is maintained despite variations in manufacturing parameters.
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 device reduces the size of the spectrometer while improving resolution by using a compact waveguide structure with adjustable optics, maintaining precision and stability through the use of a photoresist layer and outer casing for protection.
Implementation Method 1
the grating is formed on the first substrate for producing an output beam once the optical signal is dispersed
Implementation Method 2
the reflector is located on the first substrate and is used for reflecting the output beam
Implementation Method 3
an adjustable reflecting unit, which is located outside of the wavelength unit, being used for changing emitting angle and adjusting focus of the output beam
Data Source
AI summary
An optical wavelength dispersion device is disclosed, which includes a waveguide unit and an adjustable reflecting unit, wherein the waveguide unit has a first substrate, an input unit, a grating, a reflector and a second substrate. The input unit is formed on the first substrate and having a slit for receiving an optical signal, a grating is formed on the first substrate for producing an output beam once the optical signal is dispersed, the reflector is formed on the first substrate for reflecting the output beam, the second substrate is located on the input unit, the grating and the reflector, and forms a waveguide space with the first substrate; the adjustable reflecting unit is located outside of the waveguide unit, and is used for changing emitting angle and adjusting focus of the output beam.