Integrated Photonic Crystal Defect for Signal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing photonic crystal-based systems require additional light detectors for measuring reflected or emitted signals, making them complex and difficult to realize compact, integrated systems, especially when controlling light beams close to plane waves.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a photoconductive material in a defect member adjacent to the photonic crystal structure, where the input light signal is internally reflected and absorbed, causing a change in the material's properties to output a signal, thereby eliminating the need for separate detectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a 1D PC based system uses separate light detectors to measure reflected or emitted signals, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity increases and compact integration becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal measurement capabilityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the photonic crystal structure with a photoconductive material defect into a single integrated device. The photoconductive material is incorporated directly within the photonic crystal structure, allowing the same component to both manipulate light and detect signals, thereby eliminating the need for separate detectors and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The photonic crystal structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls and manipulates light propagation, and the integrated photoconductive material detects reflected or emitted signals. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components, achieving both light control and signal measurement in a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If additional light detectors are added to measure reflected or emitted signals, then detection capability is improved, but the system becomes harder to realize compact and integrated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the detection function into the photonic crystal structure itself by incorporating photoconductive material within the crystal lattice. This integration eliminates the need for separate external detectors, achieving compact integration while maintaining signal detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The photoconductive material is nested within the photonic crystal structure, with the defect region containing the photoconductive material positioned inside the periodic dielectric structure. This nested configuration allows detection functionality to be embedded within the light-manipulating structure, achieving compact integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If photoconductive material is incorporated in the defect member, then integration is achieved and separate detectors are eliminated, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration levelVSAvoidfabrication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces photoconductive material only in the defect region of the photonic crystal structure, rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized incorporation maintains the periodic structure's simplicity for fabrication while adding detection functionality only where needed, balancing integration benefits with manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration allows for compact, integrated systems that can detect external influences such as pressure, acoustic inputs, or changes in the ambient medium, with high sensitivity and flexibility, enabling applications in sensors and biosensors without the need for additional photodetectors.

Implementation Method 1

the input light signal is internally reflected within the photonic crystal structure and the defect member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the input light signal is absorbed by the photoconductive material in the defect member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoabsorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

a property of the photoconductive material is changed to thereby output an output signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoconductivity: Photoconductivity

Data Source

PatentUS9157856B2Integrated photonic crystal structures and their applications

Publication Date: 2015.10.13 OMEGA OPTICS

AI summary

Devices, methods and systems based on integrated photonic crystal structures are disclosed. An integrated photonic crystal structure includes a photonic crystal structure and a defect member disposed adjacent the photonic crystal structure. The defect member includes a photoconductive material. The integrated photonic crystal structure is configured to receive an input light signal such that the input light signal is internally reflected within the photonic crystal structure and the defect member, such that the input light signal is absorbed by the photoconductive material in the defect member, and such that a property of the photoconductive material is changed to thereby output an output signal.