Pulse-Managed Light Source for Nonlinear Element Lifetime

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current broadband and supercontinuum light sources face limitations in power output due to material degradation of nonlinear optical elements, leading to reduced lifetime and suboptimal performance in applications requiring high-power light.

Innovation Solution

A light source design that distributes optical power over an increased number of pulses, maintaining peak power below a predefined threshold to prevent material degradation, thereby increasing total optical power input to the nonlinear optical element without accelerating its degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If high peak power pulses are used to increase output power, then power output is improved, but material degradation of the nonlinear optical element accelerates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput powerVSAvoidnonlinear optical element lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pulse sequence is segmented into multiple individual pulses instead of using fewer high-energy pulses. The manipulator generates a sequence where the total energy is distributed across multiple pulses, each with peak power below the degradation threshold, thereby achieving high average output power without accelerating material degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The peak power parameter of individual pulses is changed to be below the predefined threshold level that causes material degradation. By controlling the peak power parameter and adjusting the pulse repetition frequency, the system achieves high average output power while maintaining the nonlinear optical element's lifetime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the number of pulses is increased to distribute power, then total optical power input is improved, but pulse energy per pulse decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal optical power inputVSAvoidpulse energy

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The manipulator generates a continuous sequence of pulses with optimized repetition frequency, ensuring that the total optical power input to the nonlinear optical element is maximized. The continuous pulse sequence maintains high average power while each individual pulse remains below the degradation threshold, achieving sustained useful action without energy waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 high-power supercontinuum output with extended nonlinear optical element lifetime, achieving high spectral power density and energy density over a broad wavelength range without causing accelerated material damage.

Implementation Method 1

Supercontinuum generation relates to the formation of a broad, typically continuous spectrum through propagation of high-power light, typically pulses, through a nonlinear element, such as a nonlinear fiber. The term supercontinuum does not cover a specific phenomenon but rather can include at least some of a plethora of nonlinear effects, such as self-phase modulation, Raman scattering, phase matching and soliton generation, leading to considerable broadening of optical pulses.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSupercontinuum generation:

Implementation Method 2

The term supercontinuum does not cover a specific phenomenon but rather can include at least some of a plethora of nonlinear effects, such as self-phase modulation, Raman scattering, phase matching and soliton generation, leading to considerable broadening of optical pulses.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-phase modulation:

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRaman scattering:

Data Source

PatentUS12085835B2Light source

Publication Date: 2024.09.10 NKT PHOTONICS AS

AI summary

A light source including: a pulse generator for providing a first sequence of light pulses, the first sequence of light pulses including a first number of light pulses within a predetermined time period, a manipulator configured to generate a second sequence of light pulses from the first sequence of light pulses, the second sequence of light pulses having a second number of light pulses within the predetermined time period, the second number being different from the first number, and a nonlinear optical element arranged to receive the second sequence of light pulses.