Photonic Integrated Circuit Frequency Shifting via Waveguide Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current on-chip frequency shifting methods for photonic integrated circuits are inefficient and complex, particularly when generating multiple interferometric sensing beams, leading to increased design size, complexity, and electronics complexity due to the need for multiple single sideband frequency shifters.
Innovation Solution
A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) with a waveguide array, a modulator array, and a free propagation unit that generates multiple sideband frequencies by modulating light signals with a common modulation period, allowing these sidebands to interfere and separate efficiently into different outputs, reducing the need for multiple light sources and electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple single sideband frequency shifters are used to generate multiple interferometric sensing beams, then multiple frequency shifted output beams can be obtained, but the design size, number of pads, and electronics complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple single sideband frequency shifters into a single integrated device that generates multiple frequency shifted beams simultaneously. The waveguide array with coupled waveguides creates a unified frequency shifting structure that produces multiple sidebands, eliminating the need for separate frequency shifter components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the capability to generate multiple interferometric sensing beams
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency shifter is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it generates multiple frequency shifted beams for different sensing directions or wavelengths within a single device structure. The waveguide array enables the same frequency shifting mechanism to serve multiple sensing channels, making the device universal rather than requiring dedicated frequency shifters for each beam
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple single sideband frequency shifters are used to generate multiple interferometric sensing beams, then multiple frequency shifted output beams can be obtained, but the device size becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where multiple frequency shifting functions are embedded within a compact waveguide array. The coupled waveguides are arranged in a nested configuration where each waveguide interacts with its neighbors, allowing multiple frequency shifted beams to be generated within a small footprint by nesting the frequency shifting functionality rather than placing separate shifters side-by-side
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple single sideband frequency shifters are used to generate multiple interferometric sensing beams, then multiple frequency shifted output beams can be obtained, but the efficiency of creating multiple frequency shifted output beams decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by designing the waveguide array such that the frequency shifting process occurs simultaneously across all waveguides through evanescent field coupling. The continuous evanescent interaction between adjacent waveguides maintains constant energy transfer and sideband generation throughout the array, maximizing the efficiency of converting input light into multiple frequency shifted beams without loss or interruption in the frequency shifting process
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 on-chip heterodyning frequency shifting with reduced device size, complexity, and cost, while maintaining power efficiency and sideband separation, facilitating multi-beam interferometry with simplified read-out electronics.
Implementation Method 1
each modulator being configured to provide a modulation, by generation of a modulation signal, of a phase and/or an amplitude of the light signal being guided in the associated waveguide to form a modulated light signal
Implementation Method 2
the modulated light signals from all waveguides propagate freely in two spatial dimensions through the free propagation unit towards an array of outputs
Implementation Method 3
the modulated light signals interfere with each other to form output signals at the array of outputs
Implementation Method 4
a waveguide array, wherein each waveguide in the waveguide array is configured to guide a light signal, wherein the light signal guided by all of the waveguides originates from a common light beam or multiple mutually coherent light beams
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present inventive concept there is provided a photonic integrated circuit, PIC, comprising a waveguide array. Each waveguide is configured to guide a light signal. All guided light signals originate from a common light beam or multiple mutually coherent light beams.Each waveguide is associated with a mutually unique modulator, providing modulation, by a modulation signal, of phase and/or amplitude of the light signal, forming a modulated light signal. The modulation signals of all modulators have a common modulation period, such that the modulated light signal comprises a plurality of sideband frequencies representing different orders of frequency shifts based on harmonics of the modulation period.A free propagation unit comprising inputs associated with the waveguides receives the modulated light signals. The modulated light signals propagate freely in two spatial dimensions through the free propagation unit and interfere to form output signals. Different outputs of the free propagation unit receive light with different peak frequency corresponding to different sideband frequencies.