Space Optical Coupling Apparatus Phase Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In coherent space optical communications, coupling light from space to a single-mode fiber is challenging due to beam wander, angle of arrival fluctuations, laser intensity fluctuations, phase fluctuations, and beam expansion, which are exacerbated by atmospheric and environmental changes.
Innovation Solution
A space optical coupling apparatus is designed with M first couplers, a phase adjustment apparatus, M second couplers, a coupling apparatus, and a controller. The phase adjustment apparatus includes input ports, phase adjusters, output ports, beam splitters, and detectors, allowing for phase adjustments based on detected beam intensities and single-mode fiber intensities to align with Gaussian beam phase relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical fiber nutation tracking technology is used to counteract beam wander and angle of arrival fluctuation, then coupling efficiency is improved for these specific disturbances, but the system cannot counteract laser intensity fluctuation, phase fluctuation, beam expansion, and other atmospheric effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the optical beam into M parallel channels using M first couplers, with each channel independently processed by phase adjusters and beam splitters. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for specific atmospheric disturbances while maintaining overall system versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts phase parameters in each of the M channels using phase adjusters, controlled by a controller that processes feedback from detectors. This enables adaptation to various atmospheric conditions including intensity fluctuations, phase fluctuations, and beam expansion by modifying optical parameters in real-time
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple phase adjusters and beam splitters are introduced to handle multiple atmospheric effects, then adaptability to counteract various disturbances is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The M first couplers, phase adjusters, and beam splitters serve multiple functions simultaneously: they divide the beam for parallel processing, independently adjust phase for each channel, and enable adaptation to various atmospheric effects. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each disturbance type
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that receives feedback from detectors and coordinates the M phase adjusters and beam splitters. This centralized control simplifies the management of multiple components by providing unified coordination rather than requiring independent control systems for each element
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 solution improves wavefront phase compensation and light collection efficiency, effectively counteracting the impacts of laser intensity fluctuations, phase fluctuations, and beam expansion on optical fiber coupling, while also enhancing coupling efficiency when using a lens array as the first coupler.
Implementation Method 1
Each beam splitter of the N beam splitters is located between an input port and a phase adjuster corresponding to the input port, and is configured to split a received beam into two beams
Implementation Method 2
the M phase adjusters are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the M output ports... control, based on the beam intensity detected by each detector and the beam intensity on the single-mode fiber, the M phase adjusters to respectively adjust phases of received beams
Implementation Method 3
The first coupler is configured to receive a beam and couple the beam to the phase adjustment apparatus... The M second couplers are configured to: receive output light respectively from the M output ports, and couple the output light to the coupling apparatus
Implementation Method 4
one beam is sent to a corresponding detector, and the other beam is sent to a corresponding phase adjuster... obtain beam intensity detected by each detector and beam intensity on the single-mode fiber
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a space optical coupling apparatus, including M first couplers, a phase adjustment apparatus, N beam splitters, M second couplers, a coupling apparatus, and a controller. The first coupler receives a beam, and couples the beam to the phase adjustment apparatus. The phase adjustment apparatus includes M phase adjusters, N beam splitters, and N detectors. Each beam splitter is configured to split a received beam into two beams, one beam is sent to a corresponding detector, and the other beam is sent to a corresponding phase adjuster. The second coupler receives output light from the coupling apparatus, and couples the output light to space. The coupling apparatus is configured to couple a beam coupled to space to a single-mode fiber. The controller is configured to control, based on beam intensity detected by the detector and beam intensity on the single-mode fiber, the M phase adjusters to adjust phases of received beams. Impact of beam wander, an angle of arrival fluctuation, a laser intensity fluctuation, a phase fluctuation, beam expansion, and the like on optical fiber coupling can be counteracted.