Semiconductor Laser Module Folded Optical Path
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor laser modules face a challenge in downsizing their package dimensions, particularly in the long side direction, as the increase in the number of optical components leads to larger package sizes.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor laser module design that includes a semiconductor laser device emitting laser light towards one end, an optical fiber receiving light on the opposite end, and a turn-back unit that redirects the laser light back to the optical fiber, allowing for efficient packaging and heat management, thereby reducing the package size in the long side direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of optical components is increased, then the optical performance is improved, but the package size in the long side direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reconfigures the optical path from a linear arrangement to a folded arrangement using reflective surfaces. The laser light travels from the semiconductor laser device, reflects off a first reflective surface, then a second reflective surface, and finally reaches the optical fiber. This three-dimensional folding of the optical path allows multiple optical components to be arranged within a compact package footprint, effectively reducing the package size in the long side direction while maintaining the required optical performance.
2Volume of moving object
If the package size is reduced, then the integration density is improved, but the heat management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective surface structure that acts as an intermediary element to redirect the optical path. This allows the optical components to be arranged in a folded configuration rather than a linear one, enabling better heat dissipation pathways while maintaining compact packaging. The reflective surfaces enable the optical beam to traverse a longer effective path within a shorter physical distance, creating space for heat management structures without compromising optical performance.
3Length of stationary object
If the optical path is folded back, then the package length is reduced, but the alignment precision becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment function from the component positioning and incorporates it into the reflective surface design. By using fixed reflective surfaces with predetermined angles and positions, the system reduces the alignment tolerance requirements for the movable or adjustable components. The reflective surfaces act as stable reference elements that define the optical path geometry, thereby reducing the overall alignment precision requirements for assembling the compact folded optical system.
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 design effectively downsizes the package in the long side direction while maintaining efficient heat management and optical performance, reducing power consumption and preventing the optical isolator from separating from the support member.
Implementation Method 1
a semiconductor laser device that emits laser light toward one end side in the package
Implementation Method 2
a turn-back unit that turns back the laser light toward the another end side in the package
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor laser module that includes a package accommodating therein a plurality of optical components, includes: a semiconductor laser device that emits laser light toward one end side in the package; an optical fiber having an incident end of the laser light on another end side in the package, the another end being in an opposite direction of an emission direction in which the semiconductor laser device emits the laser light; and a turn-back unit that turns back the laser light toward the another end side in the package, the another end being in the opposite direction of the emission direction in which the semiconductor laser device emits the laser light, and outputs the laser light to the incident end of the optical fiber.