Phase Adjuster With Local Refractive Index Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase adjusters face challenges in imparting a significant phase difference between two incident lights while minimizing the increase in size of the waveguides, leading to longer optical paths and manufacturing errors.
Innovation Solution
A phase adjuster is designed with first and second optical paths extending along a predetermined direction, where portions of these paths are formed from members with different light refractive indexes, allowing for a phase difference to be imparted without significantly increasing the size of the waveguides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the waveguide size is increased to impart a significant phase difference, then the phase adjustment capability is improved, but the device size and optical path length increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing a specific section of the waveguide with a different refractive index (n2) from the main waveguide body (n1). This localized modification creates a phase difference between orthogonal polarization components without requiring the entire waveguide to be enlarged, thus achieving phase adjustment capability while maintaining compact device size and shorter optical path length.
2Measurement precision
If the optical path length is increased to achieve sufficient phase difference, then the phase adjustment capability is improved, but manufacturing errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
By confining the phase-difference-generating structure to a localized section with altered refractive index rather than extending it throughout the entire optical path, the patent minimizes the total length of the structure subject to manufacturing tolerances. This localized approach reduces cumulative manufacturing errors while still achieving the required phase difference.
3Measurement precision
If the waveguide dimensions are enlarged to provide sufficient phase difference, then the phase adjustment capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent avoids the complexity of uniformly enlarging the entire waveguide structure by instead creating a localized section with different refractive index. This approach achieves phase adjustment functionality through a simple structural modification rather than complex dimensional changes throughout the device, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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 solution effectively imparts a phase difference between the two lights while keeping the optical path lengths shorter, thereby reducing manufacturing errors and improving the phase adjustment efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A portion of the first optical path and a portion of the second optical path are formed of members having different light refractive indexes
Data Source
AI summary
A phase adjuster includes: a first optical path extending along a predetermined direction to propagate a first light; and a second optical path extending along the predetermined direction to propagate a second light different from the first light. The first optical path and the second optical path oppose to each other. A portion of the first optical path and a portion of the second optical path are formed of members having different light refractive indexes.