Silicon Photonic Solid-State Laser with Ring Resonator Phase Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid state laser devices face issues with inconsistent performance due to slight size variations and alignment discrepancies in optical elements, leading to deviations in precision and power levels, which are difficult to calibrate, and result in reduced output power and stability, especially in high-precision applications like LiDAR systems.
Innovation Solution
A solid state laser device design featuring a gain circuit unit connected to a silicon photonic circuit unit with a closed light waveguide channel, ring resonators, phase shifters, and auxiliary gain chips, which compensates for coupling parameter inconsistencies and light wavelength deviations to enhance output power and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional external cavity laser structure with micro ring resonator is used, then laser imaging and detection function is achieved, but manufacturing precision and performance consistency deteriorate due to size variations and alignment discrepancies of optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the gain circuit unit and silicon photonic circuit unit into a unified solid state laser device structure, where the light waveguide channel directly connects the input terminal to the output terminal without requiring separate alignment of multiple optical elements. This merging eliminates the need for precise alignment between discrete components, thereby improving manufacturing precision and performance consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The light waveguide channel is divided into a first section and a second section, with ring resonators disposed on different sections. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each section while maintaining overall system consistency, reducing the impact of manufacturing variations on overall performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise calibrations are performed to eliminate performance deviations, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous light waveguide channel structure inherently maintains consistent light coupling conditions from input to output without requiring external calibration processes. The design self-compensates for manufacturing variations through its integrated structure, eliminating the need for costly precise calibrations while maintaining high performance precision.
3Power
If uncoupled light is lost without forming interference, then device complexity is reduced, but output power and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous light waveguide channel ensures that light propagation is maintained without interruption from the input terminal to the output terminal. Uncoupled light continues to propagate through the continuous channel and can form constructive interference, ensuring continuous useful action and maximizing output power without requiring complex additional components.
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 design prevents light loss by allowing uncoupled light to form constructive interference, thereby increasing output power and stability, and compensates for manufacturing deviations, resulting in improved performance and reduced manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The design prevents light loss by allowing uncoupled light to form constructive interference, thereby increasing output power and stability
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of phase shifters respectively disposed on the ring resonators
Implementation Method 3
a light waveguide channel continuously disposed between the input terminal and the output terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A solid state laser device includes: a gain circuit unit, and a silicon photonic circuit unit connected with the gain circuit unit. The silicon photonic circuit unit includes: a substrate having an input terminal and an output terminal, the input terminal connected with the gain circuit unit; a light waveguide channel continuously disposed between the input terminal and the output terminal, and having a first section and a second section, the first section connected between the input terminal and the second section; at least two ring resonators disposed on the substrate, two sides of one of the ring resonators coupled with the first section, and two sides of another one of the ring resonators coupled with the second section; and multiple phase shifters respectively disposed on the ring resonators.