Integrated Pump Laser Package with WDM and Lenses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical amplifier systems for data communications and telecommunications face challenges with discrete components requiring significant space, multiple fiber splices, and alignment sensitivity, leading to increased cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A pump laser package integrating a combiner and three lenses in free-space within a package, which combines signal and pumping beams, reducing the need for physical space, fiber splices, and alignment sensitivity, thereby simplifying configuration and construction while reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If discrete components (pump laser, WDM) are used with fiber splicing, then the system can be constructed with separate functional modules, but the space requirement increases and multiple fiber splices are needed which introduce additional loss and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pump laser source, WDM filter, and collimating/focusing optics into a single integrated pump laser package. The laser diode, WDM, and lenses are housed together in one compact structure, eliminating the need for separate discrete components and reducing the overall space required in the optical amplifier system.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated pump laser package serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates pump light via the laser diode, filters wavelengths via the WDM, and performs beam collimation and focusing via the integrated lenses. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require separate components for each function.
2Ease of manufacture
If discrete components are interconnected by fiber splicing, then the system can be assembled from separate parts, but multiple fiber splices are required which introduce additional loss and require precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the WDM filter and optics directly within the pump laser package, the patent eliminates the need for external fiber splices that would connect separate pump laser and WDM components. The single integrated package requires only one fiber splice at the output, reducing cumulative splice loss and improving signal reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optics (lenses) within the package serve as intermediaries that guide and condition the light internally, eliminating the need for external fiber connections and splices that would otherwise be required to interface between discrete components.
3Ease of manufacture
If discrete components are used, then the system can be constructed with separate functional modules, but routing fiber becomes complex and sensitive to bend radius issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pump laser source, WDM filter, and optical conditioning elements into a single compact package with internal free-space optical paths. This integration eliminates the need for complex external fiber routing that would be required to connect separate discrete components, thereby reducing bend radius issues and routing complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If multiple discrete components are used, then the system can be constructed with separate parts, but the alignment sensitivity increases requiring precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates all optical components (laser diode, WDM filter, collimating lens, focusing lens) into a single rigid package structure with fixed relative positions. This integration eliminates the need for precise alignment adjustments between separate components during assembly, as all elements are pre-positioned and mechanically locked together.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components are pre-aligned and pre-assembled within the pump laser package during manufacturing, with alignment performed once during production rather than requiring precise field adjustment. This preliminary alignment action eliminates subsequent alignment sensitivity issues during system deployment.
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 solution reduces the sensitivity of alignment to three degrees of freedom, increases manufacturability, and decreases the cost of implementing optical amplifier systems by integrating components in a compact form, allowing for reduced size and fewer fiber splices.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens arranged on the first optical path and the third optical path... a second lens and a third lens arranged on the second optical path... where the first lens and the third lens may create a virtual image, associated with the source light, at a virtual image plane
Implementation Method 2
a WDM filter in free-space inside the package to: receive the signal light on the first optical path and send the signal light on the third optical path, receive the pump light on the second optical path and send the pump light on the third optical path
Data Source
AI summary
A pump laser package may include an input fiber to send signal light on a first optical path. A first lens may be arranged on the first optical path. The pump laser package may include a source to send pump light on a second optical path. A second lens and a negative lens may be arranged on the second optical path. The first lens and the negative lens may be arranged to create a virtual image associated with the pump light. The pump laser package may include an output fiber on a third optical path. The first lens may be arranged on the third optical path. The pump laser package may include a combiner to receive the signal light on the first optical path, receive the pump light on the second optical path, and send the signal light and the pump light on the third optical path.