Resonant Mirror Assembly for PLC Transmissivity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planar lightwave circuits (PLCs) lack effective control over transmissivity/reflectivity, which is critical in various applications such as communications and biomedical instrumentation, limiting their performance and versatility.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a resonant mirror assembly with cascaded optical resonators, where each resonator has distinct coupling coefficients, allowing for the control of transmissivity/reflectivity over a range of 0% to 100%, and the use of a shared frequency selective mirror in multiple-gain lasers to achieve higher output power with tunability and narrow linewidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a resonant mirror assembly with cascaded optical resonators is implemented in a PLC, then transmissivity/reflectivity control is achieved over a range of 0% to 100%, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PLC is segmented into multiple cascaded optical resonators, each with distinct coupling coefficients. This segmentation allows independent control of light transmission and reflection at each resonator stage, enabling precise transmissivity/reflectivity control across the full 0-100% range while maintaining modular device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonant mirror assembly incorporates tunable resonators whose coupling coefficients can be dynamically adjusted. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt transmissivity and reflectivity in real-time, providing versatile control over light propagation characteristics without requiring complete device redesign.
2Power
If multiple gain sections are combined in parallel with a shared frequency selective mirror, then output power increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple gain sections are merged in parallel configuration, sharing a common frequency selective mirror assembly. This merging approach combines the output power of individual gain sections while using a single shared mirror structure, thereby increasing overall power output without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared frequency selective mirror assembly serves multiple functions: it provides frequency selection for all parallel gain sections, acts as a common output coupling interface, and enables narrow linewidth operation for the combined laser system. This multi-functionality allows power scaling without linearly increasing device complexity.
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 precise control of light transmission and reflection in PLCs, enhancing their performance by allowing for tunable, high-output, narrow-linewidth lasers with increased power and versatility, overcoming limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a resonant mirror assembly having a number of cascaded resonators that provide or otherwise facilitate the control of the transmissivity/reflectivity of a planar lightwave circuit (PLC)
Implementation Method 2
each optical resonator exhibiting a pair of coupling coefficients
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of the optical resonators are configured in parallel and share a common resonant mirror assembly positioned at one (i.e., distal) end of the optical resonators
Implementation Method 4
such multiple-gain lasers according to the present disclosure allows for higher output power than the prior art. In further contrast to the prior art, systems, and structures according to the present disclosure allow for the construction of tunable, narrow linewidth, laser
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure describe planar lightwave circuit systems, methods and structures including a resonant mirror assembly having cascaded resonators that provide or otherwise facilitate the control of the transmissivity/reflectivity of a planar lightwave circuit (PLC)—or portion thereof—over a range of 0% to substantially 100%.