Planar Optical Resonator With Intersecting Waveguides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical resonators face challenges in securing a long enough resonator length and ease of manufacturing, particularly in micro-element forms, which affects wavelength selectivity and production precision.
Innovation Solution
An optical resonator design featuring N intersecting line segment optical waveguide paths connected by curved paths and an optical coupler with a grating, allowing perpendicular light incidence and emission, and adjustable resonator length through electrode control, facilitating easier manufacturing and improved wavelength selectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a Fabry-Perot resonator with fine pores is used to allow perpendicular light incidence, then ease of use is improved, but the resonator length becomes insufficient leading to broad wavelength peaks
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator is segmented into multiple waveguide paths (first waveguide path and second waveguide path) that are disposed at different positions and angles. This segmentation allows the light to traverse a longer total path length while maintaining a compact physical footprint, thereby achieving both perpendicular light incidence and sufficient resonator length for sharp wavelength selectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a one-dimensional linear resonator to a two-dimensional planar configuration with waveguide paths arranged at different angles (e.g., 45 degrees). This dimensional change enables the light to propagate through a longer effective path length within a compact area, resolving the contradiction between compact size and sufficient resonator length.
2Measurement precision
If a grating with period half the wavelength or less is used, then wavelength selectivity is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an adjustable optical path length mechanism that allows dynamic tuning of the resonator characteristics. By adjusting the optical path length, the system can achieve sharp wavelength selectivity without requiring the most stringent grating periods, thereby reducing manufacturing difficulty while maintaining performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the waveguide paths, including their lengths and angles of disposition. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves the desired wavelength selectivity through the interference pattern created by the multiple paths, rather than relying solely on extremely fine grating periods, thus easing manufacturing requirements.
3Measurement precision
If ring shaped optical resonators are used to achieve sharp filters, then wavelength selectivity is improved, but precise positioning is required reducing ease of use
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator is divided into multiple discrete waveguide paths with different orientations and positions. This segmentation approach achieves sharp wavelength selectivity through the interference of light traveling different path lengths, while the planar configuration allows for more relaxed positioning requirements compared to compact ring resonators.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses straight waveguide paths disposed at angles rather than curved ring paths. This linear angular configuration achieves the same wavelength selectivity function through geometric path differences, while being less sensitive to positioning precision and easier to manufacture with standard lithographic techniques.
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
The design ensures a sufficiently long resonator length with narrow wavelength distribution, enhancing manufacturing precision and ease of production, while enabling efficient fluid optical sensing applications.
Implementation Method 1
an optical coupler that couples light input or output perpendicular to the flat-plane with the optical waveguide paths, the optical coupler being formed in a region containing the intersection region where the optical waveguide paths are connected
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an optical resonator including: N individual optical waveguide paths of line segment shape disposed in a common flat-plane so as to intersect at a single intersection region, wherein N is an integer of 2 or more; curved optical waveguide paths connecting respective portions of the optical waveguide paths that extend towards the outside from the intersection region, wherein for a first to a 2Nth optical waveguide path portions in a clockwise direction, connection is made between end portions at the opposite side to the intersection region of the (2i−1)th to 2ith optical waveguide path portions, wherein i is an integer of 1 to N; and an optical coupler that couples light input or output perpendicular to the flat-plane with the optical waveguide paths, the optical coupler being formed in a region containing the intersection region where the optical waveguide paths are connected.