Spiral Optical Delay Layout for Long Delay in a Small Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical delay devices are bulky due to the need for long optical waveguides, which increases their size and hinders compactness in applications like time-resolved spectroscopy and optical communications.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical delay device design featuring a multi-mode waveguide spiraling inward, coupled with single-mode waveguides and couplers that spiral inward and outward, allowing light to propagate through a spiral path with a small footprint, minimizing optical loss and maintaining a compact size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If long optical waveguides are used to provide sufficient delay, then the delay time is improved, but the device size increases and compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spiral-shaped waveguides with varying curvature radii to achieve compact optical delay. The waveguide forms multiple spiral rounds with gradually changing curvature, allowing the optical path to be folded into a compact area while maintaining sufficient propagation length for the required delay time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from linear waveguide布局 to a two-dimensional spiral configuration. By utilizing angular/rotational dimension, the optical path is folded into concentric spiral rounds, achieving long propagation distance within a small planar footprint through dimensional transformation
2Area of stationary object
If multi-mode waveguides with varying curvature are used, then the compactness is improved, but optical loss may increase due to mode coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different curvature radii at different locations along the waveguide path. The curvature radius varies gradually from one spiral round to the next, with each local section optimized to minimize mode coupling while maintaining compact spiral geometry. This local variation in quality prevents abrupt mode transitions that would cause optical loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically changes the curvature radius parameter along the waveguide path. By gradually varying the curvature radius from outer to inner spiral rounds, the optical mode adapts smoothly to the changing geometry, minimizing radiation loss and mode coupling while achieving compact confinement
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 achieves a compact optical delay device with reduced optical loss, enabling efficient light propagation and maintaining a small footprint, thus addressing the bulkiness issue of traditional devices.
Implementation Method 1
Optical waveguides (or waveguides) are widely used for transmitting light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device includes a first multi-mode waveguide, a first optical coupler coupled to the first multi-mode waveguide, the first coupler being tapered and curved, and a first single-mode waveguide having a first end coupled to the first optical coupler. The optical device maybe used in an optical delay device. A method of propagating light in a first multi-mode waveguide toward a first optical coupler, propagating the light in the first optical coupler toward a first single-mode waveguide, the first optical coupler being tapered and curved, and propagating the light along the first single-mode waveguide is also disclosed.