Ring Laser Optical System Phase Control for Unidirectional Lasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical communication systems, ring lasers often generate optical signals in unpredictable directions, leading to inefficient coupling of optical power into the desired output signal, as they may lase unidirectionally or bidirectionally, resulting in wasted power when the direction is opposite to the desired output.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control system that utilizes local waveguides and phase tuning elements to ensure unidirectional lasing in the same direction as the optical output signal by using evanescent coupling and reflective structures to force constructive interference, thereby optimizing the coupling of optical power into the output waveguide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a ring laser is used to generate optical signals in optical communication systems, then the optical signal generation capability is improved, but the direction of lasing becomes unpredictable and can be opposite to the desired output direction, resulting in wasted power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a preliminary counteracting mechanism by adding a reflector that reflects optical signals traveling in the opposite direction back into the ring laser cavity. This reflected light interferes with the bidirectional lasing, suppressing the counter-clockwise (or opposite direction) lasing and forcing unidirectional clockwise lasing. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful opposite-direction lasing before it can be lost, thereby eliminating wasted power while maintaining optical signal generation capability.
2Productivity
If bidirectional lasing occurs in the ring laser, then optical signals can be generated in both directions, but the coupling efficiency into the output waveguide decreases and power is wasted in the opposite direction
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is positioned to intercept optical signals traveling in the opposite direction before they can be coupled into the output waveguide. By reflecting these signals back into the cavity and creating destructive interference with the forward lasing, the system preliminarily prevents opposite-direction signals from reaching the output, thereby ensuring high coupling efficiency and reliable unidirectional output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful opposite-direction lasing into a beneficial control mechanism. The reflected light from the reflector, which initially represents wasted energy, is instead used to provide feedback that suppresses the unwanted lasing direction and reinforces the desired lasing direction through constructive interference. This transforms the harmful bidirectional lasing into a useful mechanism for ensuring unidirectional operation and high coupling efficiency.
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 ensures efficient coupling of optical power into the output waveguide by controlling the phase of the ring laser optical signals, maximizing the power added to the output signal and minimizing waste, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the optical communication system.
Implementation Method 1
a laser array can provide a plurality of individual optical signals onto a common optical bus... One example of a laser is a ring laser that is configured to generate an optical signal that propagates therein in response to a lasing signal
Implementation Method 2
utilizing constructive interference to force unidirectional lasing in a ring laser
Implementation Method 3
efficient coupling of optical power into the output waveguide by controlling the phase of the ring laser optical signals
Implementation Method 4
utilizing constructive interference to force unidirectional lasing
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system includes an output waveguide to propagate an optical output signal and a plurality of ring laser systems. Each of the plurality of ring laser systems includes a ring laser to generate a ring laser optical signal and a local waveguide. The ring laser can be optically coupled to the output waveguide to provide a first portion of the ring laser optical signal on the output waveguide as part of the optical output signal, and can be optically coupled to the local waveguide to provide a second portion of the ring laser optical signal on the local waveguide. Each of the plurality of ring laser systems can be to control a phase of the second portion of the ring laser optical signal to provide constructive interference with the ring laser optical signal at an optical coupling of the ring laser and the local waveguide.