Pulsed Light Wavelength Modulation Without Multi-Solitonization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pulsed light generation devices face challenges in suppressing the formation of multiple pulsed light beams with different wavelengths, known as multi-solitonization, which is undesirable due to the need to eliminate unnecessary light and limits practical applications.

Innovation Solution

A pulsed light generation device that includes an oscillation unit, an amplification unit to broaden the spectrum of pulsed light, and a modulation unit using a soliton self-frequency shift to modulate the wavelength, specifically employing a normal dispersion fiber and a double-clad fiber co-doped with erbium and ytterbium to enhance output power and suppress multi-solitonization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the intensity of pulsed light before modulation is increased to achieve wavelength splitting and multi-solitonization, then wavelength conversion capability is improved, but multi-solitonization occurs causing formation of multiple unwanted pulsed light beams

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewavelength conversion capabilityVSAvoidmulti-solitonization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by broadening the spectrum of pulsed light before modulation using an amplification unit. This pre-processing step modifies the spectral characteristics of the light prior to wavelength modulation, creating conditions that suppress multi-solitonization while enabling effective wavelength conversion. The spectrum broadening is performed in advance to prevent the formation of multiple solitons during subsequent modulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the spectral width parameter of the pulsed light through amplification. By changing the spectrum broadening parameter and using normal dispersion fiber, the system alters the fundamental characteristics of the light beam, which suppresses the nonlinear effects that lead to multi-solitonization while maintaining wavelength conversion capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If spectrum broadening is applied before modulation to suppress multi-solitonization, then multi-solitonization is suppressed, but device complexity increases due to additional amplification unit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-solitonization suppressionVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating the amplification unit with existing components in the pulsed light generation system. The amplification function is combined with the spectral broadening requirement, and the normal dispersion fiber is integrated into the existing optical path. This merging approach reduces overall device complexity while achieving multi-solitonization suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If normal dispersion fiber is used for spectrum broadening, then spectrum broadening efficiency is improved, but pulse stretching occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum broadening efficiencyVSAvoidpulse width
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using mode-locked oscillation to generate periodic ultrashort pulses. This periodic generation of pulses with specific temporal characteristics allows the system to maintain pulse integrity through the normal dispersion fiber while achieving effective spectrum broadening. The periodic nature of the pulses helps manage the pulse stretching effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic 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

The device effectively suppresses multi-solitonization, enabling high-power output and rapid wavelength modulation up to GHz frequencies without physical movable parts, allowing for flexible wavelength conversion and high-speed modulation.

Implementation Method 1

the amplification unit broadens the spectrum of the pulsed light by similariton amplification

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSimilariton amplification:

Implementation Method 2

the amplification unit includes a normal dispersion fiber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 3

a modulation unit configured to modulate a wavelength of the pulsed light whose spectrum has been broadened by the amplification unit, using a soliton self-frequency shift

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSoliton self-frequency shift: Soliton

Implementation Method 4

a double-clad fiber co-doped with erbium and ytterbium can be used as the amplification unit, thereby enabling the pulsed light before modulation to be effectively output at high power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical amplification:

Data Source

PatentEP4707914A1Pulsed light generation device and pulsed light generation method
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP4707914A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4707914A1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(d)
  • EP4707914A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pulsed light generation device comprises: an oscillation unit configured to oscillate pulsed light; an amplification unit configured to broaden a spectrum of the pulsed light oscillated from the oscillation unit; and a modulation unit configured to modulate a wavelength of the pulsed light whose spectrum has been broadened by the amplification unit, using a soliton self-frequency shift.