Short-Wavelength Optical Power Supply for Higher Photoelectric Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical power supply systems require improvement in photoelectric conversion efficiency at both the power supplying and receiving sides to enhance overall efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of semiconductor materials with short wavelengths (200 nm to 500 nm) for semiconductor lasers and photoelectric conversion elements, such as diamond, gallium oxide, and aluminum nitride, to improve photoelectric conversion efficiency, allowing for efficient conversion of optical energy to electric power and vice versa.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials are used for semiconductor lasers and photoelectric conversion elements, then the system structure remains simple, but the photoelectric conversion efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional semiconductor materials to wide-bandgap semiconductor materials (diamond, gallium oxide, aluminum nitride) with specific bandgap energies greater than 2.4 eV. This material parameter change enables higher photoelectric conversion efficiency by matching the bandgap energy with the feed light wavelength, directly resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining wide-bandgap semiconductor materials for the laser medium with corresponding photodetector materials that have matched bandgap energies. This composite approach creates an optimized material system where the laser and detector work together efficiently, improving overall photoelectric conversion while maintaining systematic simplicity through coordinated material selection.
2Loss of energy
If wide-bandgap semiconductor materials are used to improve photoelectric conversion efficiency, then energy conversion efficiency improves, but material selection and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental material parameter (bandgap energy) to greater than 2.4 eV, which directly reduces energy loss during photoelectric conversion. This parameter change enables more efficient utilization of feed light energy, addressing the energy loss issue while the specific material selection (diamond, gallium oxide, aluminum nitride) provides a manageable path for manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific wide-bandgap semiconductor materials for specific functional regions (laser medium and photoelectric conversion elements) where high efficiency is critical. This localized application of advanced materials optimizes energy conversion at the most important points in the system without requiring all components to use difficult-to-manufacture materials.
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 significantly enhances the photoelectric conversion efficiency at both the power supplying and receiving sides, leading to improved optical power supply efficiency and effective energy transmission.
Implementation Method 1
an optical transmitter that transmits signal light modulated with an electric signal and feed light for supplying electric power
Implementation Method 2
an optical receiver that operates with electric power obtained by converting the feed light transmitted through the first cladding of the optical fiber
Data Source
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AI summary
A power sourcing equipment (PSE) device (110) of an optical power supply system (1A, 1, 1B) includes a semiconductor laser (111) that oscillates with electric power, thereby outputting feed light. The semiconductor laser includes a semiconductor region exhibiting a light-electricity conversion effect. A semiconductor material of the semiconductor region is a laser medium having a laser wavelength of 500 nm or less. A powered device (310) of the optical power supply system includes a photoelectric conversion element (311) that converts feed light into electric power. The photoelectric conversion element includes a semiconductor region exhibiting a light-electricity conversion effect. A semiconductor material of the semiconductor region is a laser medium having a laser wavelength of 500 nm or less.