Periscope Waveguide Assembly With Mirror-Redirected Light Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical waveguides in optical devices struggle to efficiently redirect light paths from one plane to another without causing interference or requiring extensive curved pathways, limiting the compactness and flexibility of optical assemblies.
Innovation Solution
The integration of mirrors within the light paths of waveguides in optical assemblies, using etching, lithography, metal plating, chemical deposition, and laser patterning to create periscope assemblies that redirect light between parallel planes through a series of mirrors, allowing for modular insertion of optical components like gratings, isolators, and lenses to customize optical behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If curved pathways are used to redirect light in waveguides, then light can be shifted from one straight path to another, but the optical assembly becomes larger and less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide path is segmented into multiple straight sections connected by mirror interfaces. Instead of a single curved pathway, the light path is divided into discrete segments (first waveguide section, second waveguide section, third waveguide section) with mirrors positioned at interfaces between segments to redirect light. This segmentation allows compact arrangement while maintaining efficient light redirection.
Solution Approach 2:
Mirrors are introduced as intermediary elements to facilitate light redirection between straight waveguide sections. The mirrors act as mediators that enable sharp angular transitions without requiring curved waveguide paths, thus achieving compact optical assembly while maintaining simple straight waveguide geometries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mirrors are integrated into waveguide light paths, then light redirection between parallel planes is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mirrors are designed to be self-aligning through the geometric arrangement of the waveguide sections. The interfaces between waveguide sections naturally position the mirrors at appropriate angles and locations, eliminating the need for complex external alignment procedures during assembly. The structure itself provides the alignment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirrors are integrated directly into the waveguide structure by positioning them at the interfaces between waveguide sections. This merging of the mirror function with the waveguide structure reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall manufacturing process, as the mirrors become inherent parts of the waveguide assembly rather than separate elements requiring independent installation.
3Ease of operation
If fixed optical components are used in waveguides, then optical functions are achieved, but flexibility to reorder light inputs and outputs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The optical assembly is designed with dynamic reconfigurability through the modular waveguide-mirror structure. The straight waveguide sections and mirrors are arranged to allow flexible reordering of light inputs and outputs by changing the sequence or orientation of the waveguide sections. This dynamic arrangement capability enables adaptable optical path configuration while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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
This approach enables rapid, compact redirection of light paths with reduced interference, allowing for flexible reordering of light inputs and outputs, and reduces inventory and scrap rates by using modular components in standardized cavities.
Implementation Method 1
The optical waveguides define areas of increased refractive index relative to the optical medium (e.g., SiO2) to direct the light along a desired trajectory. Due to the refractive index difference of the waveguides relative to bulk material of the optical device, waveguides can define curved paths that gradually shift the light from one straight path to another.
Implementation Method 2
a first mirror optically coupled to the first waveguide and the third waveguide; and a second mirror optically coupled to the third waveguide and the second waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
Periscope assemblies are provided which have a light path that travels in a first plane along the first waveguide, a second plane along the second waveguide that is parallel to the first plane, and along a third plane along the third waveguide that intersects the first plane and the second plane. In some examples the periscope assembly includes first and second carriers comprising respective first and second waveguides and defining respective first and second cavities in which a third carrier comprising a third waveguide is disposed and optionally includes an optical component. In some examples, the cavities are defined in one or more carriers on a mating surface, on a side opposite to the mating surface, or on a side perpendicular to a mating surface.