Optical Star Coupler with Absorptive Elements for Uniform Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical star couplers often struggle to distribute light evenly across multiple outputs, leading to variations in power among the outputs, which can be challenging in applications requiring uniform distribution.
Innovation Solution
The use of partial reflectivity mirrors, such as guided mode resonant (GMR) mirrors or nanodot mirrors, with progressively decreasing reflectivity to achieve uniform power distribution across multiple outputs, allowing for the creation of 1×N or M×N output configurations in optical star couplers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional optical star couplers are used to distribute light to multiple outputs, then the device can provide multiple output channels, but the power distribution among outputs becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning discrete absorptive elements at specific locations within the coupler body to selectively absorb excess light in certain regions. This creates non-uniform light absorption characteristics that compensate for the natural non-uniform power distribution, achieving uniform output power across all ports through localized modification rather than changing the entire coupler structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the coupler by introducing absorptive elements with specific absorption coefficients and positioning them at calculated distances from the input face. By adjusting these parameters (absorption coefficient, position, size), the power distribution among outputs can be precisely controlled to achieve uniformity while maintaining a simple coupler structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If discrete absorptive elements are added to achieve uniform power distribution, then power uniformity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the absorptive elements directly into the coupler body structure, integrating light absorption functionality into the existing optical path without adding separate external components. This integration approach achieves power uniformity while minimizing the increase in device complexity by combining multiple functions into a single unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive absorptive materials (such as black paint or carbon-loaded epoxy) that can be easily applied and do not require precise manufacturing tolerances. These low-cost, simple elements effectively compensate for power non-uniformity without requiring complex or expensive components, achieving the desired power uniformity with minimal complexity overhead.
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 approach enables the production of optical star couplers that can efficiently distribute light across multiple outputs with substantially uniform power, simplifying fabrication and reducing costs while maintaining robustness and flexibility in design.
Implementation Method 1
an absorptive element may be positioned within the coupler body at a calculated distance from the input face to absorb light
Implementation Method 2
An optical coupler is an optical device that may have a single light input and one or more light outputs
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device may include a light transmissive medium having two sides. On one side may be a high reflectivity mirror and on the other side may be a plurality of partial reflectivity mirrors that may be guided mode resonance or nanodot mirrors. An optical system may have a plurality of light inputs, a light transmissive medium, and a plurality of light outputs from the light transmissive medium The light transmissive medium may have a high reflectivity mirror on one side and a plurality of partial reflectivity mirrors on a second side.