Switchable Photonic Filter Using Stress-Optic Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fast switchable and high extinction ratio optical filters are limited by their construction using bulk-optic components, which are bulky and cannot be integrated with other components on small, low-cost, low-power integrated chips, making them unsuitable for applications like quantum computing, atomic systems, and communications that require high performance and compactness.
Innovation Solution
The development of high contrast optical filters using coupled ultra-high Q resonators actuated by stress-optical actuators, such as piezo-electric actuators, integrated with ring resonators made of materials like silicon nitride, tantalum pentoxide, or alumina oxide, which enable fast switching and high extinction ratios compatible with CMOS foundry processes, allowing for compact and low-power operation across various wavelength ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If bulk-optic components are used to construct fast switchable optical filters, then fast switching and high extinction ratio are achieved, but the device becomes bulky and cannot be integrated on small chips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulk-optic mechanical components with integrated photonic circuit elements including ring resonators, waveguides, and micro-heaters fabricated on a chip. This substitution enables fast optical switching through thermal or electro-optic effects in the integrated structure, achieving rapid switching speeds while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for chip-scale integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (filtering, switching, wavelength selection) into a single integrated photonic device. By merging the resonator, waveguide, and actuator components into one chip-based system, the invention achieves both compact size and high performance, eliminating the need for separate bulk-optic components.
2Reliability
If bulk-optic components are used to construct high extinction ratio optical filters, then high channel rejection is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive bulk-optic filtering components with integrated photonic structures that achieve high extinction ratios through resonant effects in ring resonators. The chip-based fabrication process using standard photonic materials and techniques significantly reduces manufacturing cost and complexity compared to assembling precision bulk-optic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves high extinction ratios by precisely controlling resonant parameters of the ring resonator (radius, thickness, material composition) and coupling conditions with waveguides. By tuning these parameters during fabrication and operation, high channel rejection is achieved without requiring complex bulk-optic assemblies.
3Volume of moving object
If integrated photonic structures are used, then compactness and low cost are achieved, but integration of fast switching actuators becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuator (micro-heater or electro-optic element) directly with the ring resonator structure, sharing the same substrate and fabrication process. This integration simplifies the overall device architecture by eliminating separate actuator components and their associated mounting and alignment complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring resonator structure itself provides the switching mechanism through its resonant properties. By applying thermal or electrical fields to the resonator material, the device self-regulates its optical transmission without requiring external mechanical actuators, simplifying the overall system architecture.
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
These filters achieve switch times less than 100 ns and extinction ratios greater than 100 dB, enabling high channel rejection and signal-to-noise ratio maximization, suitable for precision applications like quantum computing and communications, while being compatible with CMOS fabrication for cost-effective and compact integration.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator is a stress-optical actuator, an electro-optical actuator, or a thermo-optical actuator
Implementation Method 2
the actuator is a thermo-optic actuator. Some embodiments further comprise a heater, wherein the actuator is a thermo-optic actuator
Implementation Method 3
The development of high contrast optical filters using coupled ultra-high Q resonators actuated by stress-optical actuators, such as piezo-electric actuators
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for fast switchable optical filters with high extinction ratio are described. The fast switchable and high extinction ratio optical filters can be based on coupled ultra-high quality factor resonators that are actuated using stress-optical actuators.