Prism WDM Filter Layout for Compact Optical Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical multiplexing systems face challenges in achieving a compact design while maintaining small incident angles at wavelength division multiplexing filters, which leads to issues like polarization dependent loss, insertion loss, and central wavelength shift.
Innovation Solution
Employing prism-WDM filters or mirror-WDM filters that utilize prisms or mirrors to manage light paths, allowing for a reduction in the distance between filter rows without increasing the incident angle, thereby reducing lateral shifts and maintaining low insertion loss and passband integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the distance between two rows of WDM filters is reduced to achieve a compact design, then the system size is reduced, but the incident angle at the WDM filter increases causing polarization dependent loss, insertion loss, and central wavelength shift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tilt angle dimension for the WDM filter surfaces, allowing the light path to be redirected in a third spatial dimension. This enables the distance between filter rows to be reduced while maintaining the incident angle within acceptable ranges, thus achieving compact system size without sacrificing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses tilt compensators or wavelength compensators as intermediary elements between the light source and WDM filters. These intermediaries adjust the light path to compensate for angle changes, allowing reduced row distance while maintaining proper incident angles and minimizing polarization dependent loss
2Volume of moving object
If the distance between two rows of WDM filters is reduced, then the system becomes more compact, but lateral shift of light increases after multiple reflections
Solution Approach 1:
By tilting the WDM filter surfaces and introducing angular compensation mechanisms, the patent manages light paths in an additional dimensional space. This allows reduced vertical distance between filter rows while controlling lateral displacement through precise angular management, achieving compactness without excessive lateral shift
3Loss of energy
If the incident angle at WDM filter is kept small to maintain low insertion loss, then the distance between two rows of WDM filters must be large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes angular tilting of WDM filter surfaces to redirect light paths in a third dimension. This enables the system to maintain small incident angles (keeping insertion loss low) while reducing the vertical distance between filter rows, effectively decoupling these two parameters through spatial reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
Tilt compensators serve as intermediary devices that adjust the light path angle before it reaches the WDM filters. These compensators allow the system to maintain optimal incident angles for low insertion loss while enabling closer spacing of filter rows through controlled angular adjustment
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 proposed solution enables a more compact optical multiplexing system design with reduced lateral shifts, preserving low insertion loss, central wavelength stability, and minimizing polarization dependent loss.
Implementation Method 1
Employing prism-WDM filters or mirror-WDM filters that utilize prisms or mirrors to manage light paths
Implementation Method 2
A WDM filter is usually an interference filter, to separate a light beam of multiple wavelengths into multiple beams of light having individual wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
An optical multiplexing system comprises a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) device, an incoming light input to the WDM device, and an exiting light output from the WDM device. The WDM device comprises a WDM filter, an incident light is incident at the WDM filter having an incident angle at the WDM filter. The incident light is partially transmitted through the WDM filter and partially reflected from the WDM filter. An angle formed by the incoming light and the exiting light is larger than twice of the incident angle at the WDM filter.