Standing-Wave Optical Comb Resonator With Bragg Grating Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traveling wave optical resonators with Bragg gratings require high optical pump signal power to generate a frequency comb due to resonances being split into two separate resonances, which is energy inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A standing wave optical resonator with a Bragg grating that alternately shifts resonances higher and lower in wavelength, allowing for the generation of an optical frequency comb with lower optical pump signal power by compensating for the Kerr effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a travelling wave optical resonator with a Bragg grating is used to generate an optical frequency comb, then the resonance wavelength can be compensated for the Kerr effect, but the optical pump signal power requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional travelling wave resonator configuration by using a standing wave resonator with the Bragg grating positioned at a node rather than along the entire propagation path. This inversion changes the interaction mechanism between the pump signal and the grating, allowing compensation of the Kerr effect while avoiding the resonance splitting that occurs in travelling wave configurations, thereby reducing the required optical pump power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a standing wave pattern that creates multiple virtual copies of the resonance condition at different positions within the resonator. By positioning the Bragg grating at a node where the standing wave has minimal amplitude, the system effectively copies the compensation function to multiple locations without requiring high power at any single point, thus reducing overall power requirements while maintaining compensation effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a travelling wave optical resonator with a Bragg grating is used, then resonance wavelength compensation is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to resonance splitting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the resonance structure by inverting from a travelling wave configuration to a standing wave configuration with the Bragg grating at a node. This inversion eliminates the resonance splitting into multiple modes that occurs in travelling wave systems, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving the wavelength compensation function through the standing wave's natural node positioning.
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 standing wave optical resonator generates an optical frequency comb efficiently with reduced power requirements, utilizing a Bragg grating to shift resonances and compensate for wavelength changes caused by the Kerr effect.
Implementation Method 1
a Bragg grating (BG) including a first BG port and a second BG port, wherein the first BG port is optically coupled to the second FM port, and wherein the Bragg grating is configured to alternately shift, lower and higher in wavelength, resonances of the standing wave optical resonator in a stop bandwidth of the Bragg grating
Implementation Method 2
A travelling wave optical resonator includes a Bragg grating to compensate for a shift in a resonance closest to an optical pump signal due to the Kerr effect
Implementation Method 3
a standing wave optical resonator configured to generate an optical frequency comb
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods are provided for generating an optical frequency comb with a standing wave optical resonator including a Bragg grating. The Bragg grating shifts alternatively higher and lower wavelengths of resonances in a stop bandwidth of the Bragg grating. A resonance in the stop bandwidth whose wavelength is shifted higher can be used to compensate for shifting of the wavelength lower due to the Kerr effect.