Redirected Optical Modulator Output for Cryogenic Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic computing systems face temperature increases due to unused light signals from optical modulators, which are not efficiently managed, leading to increased cooling demands and system complexity.
Innovation Solution
A system is implemented to redirect unused light signals from the cryogenic environment to the non-cryogenic environment using integrated optical devices such as polarization beam splitters, circulators, and modulators, eliminating the need for additional fibers and reducing temperature increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical modulators are used in cryogenic computing systems, then data communication capability is improved, but temperature control deteriorates due to heat generation from unused light signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful unused light signals from the cryogenic environment by implementing a redirection mechanism that directs these signals to a non-cryogenic environment, thereby removing the heat source while preserving the functional light signals needed for data communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical redirection mechanism that acts as a mediator between the optical modulator output and the environment, separating the useful modulated light signals from the harmful unused light signals and directing them to appropriate destinations
2Reliability
If optical modulators output unused light signals in cryogenic environment, then modulator functionality is maintained, but cooling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful unused light signals into a beneficial situation by redirecting them to a non-cryogenic environment where they can be dissipated without affecting the cryogenic temperature, thereby transforming a cooling burden into a manageable output routing issue
3Temperature
If additional components are added to manage unused light, then temperature control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an optical redirection mechanism that performs multiple functions simultaneously: it redirects unused light signals away from the cryogenic environment, maintains the functionality of the optical modulator, and enables efficient heat management, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function
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 effectively prevents temperature rises in the cryogenic environment by redirecting unused light signals, minimizing cooling requirements and system complexity while maintaining optical modulator performance.
Implementation Method 1
an optical modulator, in the cryogenic environment, to receive the light signal from the second optical device, modulate the light signal (e.g., with a superconducting electrical signal) to produce the first modulated light signal and a second modulated light signal
Implementation Method 2
redirecting one or both of the modulated light signals from the cryogenic environment to the non-cryogenic environment. In an example, an integrated optical polarization beam splitter combiner (PBSC) located on a modulator chip
Data Source
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AI summary
In an example, a system (100) comprises a first optical device (110), a second optical device (120), and an optical modulator (130). The first optical device (110), in a non-cryogenic environment (111), receives a light signal, outputs the light signal, receives a first modulated light signal, and outputs the first modulated light signal into the non-cryogenic environment. The second optical device (129), in a cryogenic environment (121), receives the light signal from the first optical device (110), outputs the light signal, receives the first modulated light signal, and outputs the first modulated light signal. The optical modulator (130), in the cryogenic environment, receives the light signal from the second optical device (120), modulates the light signal to produce the first modulated light signal and a second modulated light signal, outputs the second modulated light signal, and outputs the first modulated light signal to the second optical device (120).