Single Optical Phase Array Integrating 2D Material Detector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical phased array (OPA) devices have complex structures and control difficulties, making them challenging to commercialize due to separate emission and reception components, which hinders their size reduction and simplification.
Innovation Solution
A single OPA device integrating a light source, waveguide, modulator, two-dimensional material layer, and electrode on a single substrate, where the two-dimensional material layer absorbs light reflected from a target, allowing for simultaneous emission and reception control with a simplified structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate emission and reception components are used in OPA devices, then light emission and reception functions are achieved, but device complexity increases and size reduction becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate emission and reception components into a single integrated OPA device. The light source, waveguide, modulator, and two-dimensional material layer are merged into one unified structure on a single substrate, eliminating the need for separate emission and reception units while maintaining both functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The single OPA device performs multiple functions - both light emission and light reception - through a unified structure. The two-dimensional material layer serves dual purposes: modulating outgoing light and detecting incoming reflected light, making the device universal and eliminating the need for separate specialized components.
2Quantity of substance
If separate emission and reception units are used, then light detection function is achieved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components (light source, waveguide, modulator, detector) into a single integrated device structure. All components are fabricated on one substrate and share common structural elements, significantly reducing the total number of discrete components while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single OPA device structure serves multiple purposes: generating light, directing it through waveguides, modulating its phase, and detecting reflected light. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate emission and reception units, reducing component quantity.
3Volume of moving object
If traditional OPA devices with separate components are used, then light emission and reception are achieved, but size reduction is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates all OPA components into a single compact device structure on one substrate. The light source, waveguide network, modulators, and detector are merged into a unified arrangement, enabling significant size reduction compared to systems with separate emission and reception units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where components are integrated within each other's spatial footprint. The waveguide network is embedded within the substrate, modulators are integrated along the waveguide paths, and the detector is positioned to receive light without requiring separate housing, achieving compact nesting that reduces overall device volume.
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 single OPA device achieves size reduction, improved light reception efficiency, and eliminates the need for separate emission and reception units, facilitating a high-performance photosensing system without requiring additional components like photodiodes or lenses.
Implementation Method 1
a two-dimensional material layer 400 which passes or absorbs light incident from the light source
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide 200 which extends from the light source to allow light incident from the light source to pass through
Implementation Method 3
an optical phase array (OPA) method which electrically controls a velocity of light
Implementation Method 4
an electrode 500 which supplies charges to the two-dimensional material layer
Implementation Method 5
basically using a characteristic in that a refractive index of a waveguide material changes according to the temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a single OPA (optical phased array) device including a light source; a waveguide which extends from the light source to allow light incident from the light source to pass through; a plurality of modulators which is disposed in the waveguide to modulate a phase of light in the waveguide; a two-dimensional material layer which passes or absorbs light incident from the light source; and an electrode which supplies charges to the two-dimensional material layer, in which the light incident from the light source passes through the two-dimensional material layer, the waveguide, and the modulator and is reflected by an external target of the single OPA device to pass through the modulator and the waveguide, and then absorbed by the two-dimensional material layer.