Photonic Refractive Element with Periodic Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical systems face integration complexity and high fabrication costs due to the need for separate components like lenses and filters, which also suffer from wavelength-dependent performance and polarization effects.
Innovation Solution
A refractive element with a predetermined radius of curvature and periodic structures is formed on a photonic integrated circuit to refract and filter light, integrating multiple functions into a single component, reducing complexity and cost by using materials like silicon and nitride, and incorporating active elements for tunability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate lenses and filters are used for light coupling and filtering, then light guidance and wavelength selection can be achieved, but integration complexity and fabrication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (lensing, filtering, and light coupling) into a single integrated refractive element. The refractive element incorporates both curved surfaces for light focusing/coupling and periodic structures for wavelength filtering, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing integration complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a lens for light coupling, a filter for wavelength selection, and a waveguide for light propagation. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed in the optical system
2Reliability
If separate lenses and filters are used, then optical functions are achieved, but fabrication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple optical functions into a single refractive element that can be fabricated in one process. The element combines curved surfaces for light coupling with periodic structures for filtering, eliminating the need for separate fabrication steps and assembly, thereby reducing manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables tuning of filter ranges by modifying the periodic structure parameters (such as period, depth, and shape) of the refractive element. This allows multiple filter configurations to be achieved through parameter variation rather than manufacturing different physical components, reducing fabrication costs
3Ease of operation
If multiple optical components are used for light coupling and filtering, then comprehensive optical control is achieved, but optical power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of optical interfaces by integrating multiple functions into one component. Fewer interfaces mean fewer opportunities for reflection and scattering losses, thereby improving optical power efficiency while maintaining comprehensive optical control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive element is designed with optimized refractive index profiles and continuous curvature transitions to minimize optical impedance mismatches at interfaces. This reduces reflection losses and improves light coupling efficiency, addressing the energy loss issue while maintaining optical control
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 efficient light guidance, filtering, and focusing within a single refractive element, reducing optical power loss and integration complexity while allowing for tunable performance across different wavelengths and polarization independence.
Implementation Method 1
a refractive element may be formed on the photonic integrated circuit to reciprocally guide light in the photonic integrated circuit from or to an external medium
Implementation Method 2
The group of periodic structures may be configured to filter one or more wavelengths of the incident light by a guided mode resonance
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus including a substrate and a refractive element formed above the substrate. The refractive element including a surface with a predetermined radius of curvature, and a group of periodic structures formed on the surface configured to refract or to filter one or more wavelengths of an incident light.