Recirculating Optical Buffering for Swept Source Laser Repetition Rates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management and implementation of optical buffering schemes with multiple fiber delay lines become complex and difficult as the repetition rate of swept source lasers increases, particularly beyond 4×, due to the need for kilometer-length fiber delay lines.
Innovation Solution
A re-circulating optical buffering arrangement using a single fiber delay line and dynamically adjustable coupling devices, such as acousto-optical modulators, to modify the frequency and duty cycle of electromagnetic radiation, allowing for efficient optical delays with reduced insertion loss and optimized power ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple fiber delay lines are used to achieve optical buffering with higher repetition rates, then the buffering capability is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of management increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fiber delay lines into a single recirculating fiber delay line loop. Instead of using separate delay lines for each buffered copy, the system uses one continuous loop where light circulates multiple times, with each circulation providing one buffered copy. This merging approach maintains the buffering capability while dramatically reducing device complexity and management difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculating fiber delay line serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides optical buffering for multiple copies, enables frequency multiplication, and allows dynamic control of the number of copies through coupling devices. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized components working in parallel.
2Duration of action of moving object
If kilometer-length fiber delay lines are used to achieve appropriate optical buffering, then the buffering duration is improved, but the loss of energy increases due to longer propagation paths
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculating fiber delay line allows light to continuously circulate through the same physical path multiple times. Instead of using separate kilometer-length fibers for each buffered copy, the same fiber segment is reused continuously, maintaining the required buffering duration while minimizing total fiber length and associated energy loss.
3Productivity
If the number of fiber delay lines is increased to achieve buffering schemes greater than 4×, then the buffering capacity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to tedious implementation and management
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically controllable coupling devices (such as acousto-optical modulators or variable optical couplers) that can adjust the coupling ratio in real-time. This dynamic control allows the system to flexibly change the number of buffered copies (4×, 8×, 16×, etc.) without physically reconfiguring the fiber connections, greatly simplifying operation and management.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffering multiplication factor is controlled by changing the parameter of the coupling device (such as the acoustic power in an acousto-optical modulator or the coupling ratio in a variable optical coupler). By adjusting this single parameter, the system can achieve different buffering factors without changing the physical structure, making the system easy to operate and manage.
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 simplifies the management of optical delays by using a single fiber delay line and dynamic coupling devices, ensuring efficient power transfer and minimizing loss, thus enabling higher repetition rates in swept source lasers without the complexity of multiple fiber delay lines.
Implementation Method 1
dynamically adjustable coupling devices, such as acousto-optical modulators, to modify the frequency and duty cycle of electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
The hardware arrangement(s) can include a resonant cavity having a round-trip propagation time for the first electromagnetic radiation(s) that can be approximately the same as the first characteristic period
Implementation Method 3
the second arrangement(s) can further comprise an amplifying device which can be configured to amplify the first electromagnetic radiation(s) and/or the second electromagnetic radiation(s)
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary apparatus and method can be availed for providing at least one electromagnetic radiation. For example, it is possible to provide at least one first electromagnetic radiation having a frequency that changes over time with a first characteristic period. Further, with at least one hardware arrangement, it is possible to receive and modify the first electromagnetic radiation(s) into at least one second electromagnetic radiation having a frequency that changes over time with a second characteristic period. The second characteristic period can be smaller than the first characteristic period. The hardware arrangement(s) can include a resonant cavity having a round-trip propagation time for the first electromagnetic radiation(s) that can be approximately the same as the first characteristic period.