Shared Silicon Photonic Laser with SOA-Amplified Multi-Lane Output

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical transmitters require high power consumption and have short laser lifetimes due to the use of multiple lasers or a single high-power laser split into multiple lanes, leading to inefficiencies and complexity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) to amplify the output of a shared laser, with backup SOAs to mitigate failure risks and reduce power consumption, and using angled facets and anti-reflective coatings to manage reflections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple lasers are used to drive multiple lanes, then each lane has sufficient optical power, but power consumption increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical power per laneVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple laser functions into a single shared laser source. Instead of using separate lasers for each lane, one laser serves multiple lanes by having its output split and amplified by multiple SOAs, each dedicated to amplifying the optical signal for a specific lane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces SOAs as intermediary devices between the shared laser and the output lanes. The SOAs act as mediators that take the single laser output and create multiple amplified copies for different lanes, enabling one laser to effectively drive multiple lanes with sufficient power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If multiple lasers are used to drive multiple lanes, then each lane has sufficient optical power, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical power per laneVSAvoidnumber of laser components

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple laser functions into a single shared laser source. Instead of using separate lasers for each lane, one laser serves multiple lanes by having its output split and amplified by multiple SOAs, each dedicated to amplifying the optical signal for a specific lane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Use of energy by moving object

If a single high-power laser is used to drive multiple lanes, then power consumption is reduced, but laser lifetime decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidlaser lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces SOAs as intermediary devices between the shared laser and the output lanes. The SOAs act as mediators that take the single laser output and create multiple amplified copies for different lanes, enabling one laser to effectively drive multiple lanes with sufficient power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Use of energy by moving object

If a shared laser is used to drive multiple lanes, then power consumption is reduced and lifetime is extended, but optical power per lane decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidoptical power per lane

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces SOAs as intermediary devices between the shared laser and the output lanes. The SOAs act as mediators that take the single laser output and create multiple amplified copies for different lanes, enabling one laser to effectively drive multiple lanes with sufficient power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 achieves reduced power consumption and extended laser lifetime by using SOAs, while maintaining reliable optical power transmission.

Implementation Method 1

Each SOA of the plurality of SOAs is configured to: receive a respective portion of the plurality of portions of the light; and amplify the respective portion of the light to generate amplified light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical amplification:

Implementation Method 2

using angled facets and anti-reflective coatings to manage reflections

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20260046033A1Silicon photonic shared laser with semiconductor optical amplifiers

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 OPENLIGHT PHOTONICS INC

AI summary

A multi-lane optical transmitter includes an optical splitter to receive light generated by at least one laser and split the light into a plurality of portions. A plurality of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are configured to receive respective portions of the light and amplify the portions to generate amplified light. The optical transmitter also includes a plurality of outputs configured to output portions of the amplified light generated by the SOAs. Examples can include modulators to modulate the light in each lane.