Tapered Optical Fiber Signal Delay Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for delaying optical signals, such as using optical fibers, require complex and expensive tension systems to achieve the necessary delay, making them cumbersome and costly for practical applications.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a tapered optical fiber portion with a diameter between λ/3 and 10 μm, where the fiber is stretched elastically to achieve a desired delay, reducing the required tension and allowing for simpler, less expensive stretching means, with a tension ratio (ΔL/L)/T between 20%/N and 4·105%/N.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a standard optical fiber is stretched to achieve a desired delay, then the delay is produced, but a large tension (about 35 N) is required which necessitates complex, cumbersome, heavy and expensive tension production means
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is transformed into a tapered structure where the cross-sectional area varies along its length. This local geometric modification creates regions of different mechanical properties, allowing the fiber to achieve the same lengthening with much lower tension forces compared to a uniform fiber.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the optical fiber from a uniform cylindrical shape to a tapered shape with varying diameter. This parameter change fundamentally alters the mechanical response of the fiber to applied tension, enabling large lengthening ratios with minimal force requirements.
2Loss of time
If a standard optical fiber is stretched to achieve a desired delay, then the delay is produced, but the tension production means are heavy and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered geometry concentrates the mechanical deformation in specific regions of the fiber, allowing the use of lighter tension production means that can generate the same effective delay with reduced weight and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the geometric parameters of the fiber to create a tapered structure, the mechanical efficiency is improved, allowing lighter tension production means to achieve the same delay effect that would require heavy equipment with standard fibers.
3Loss of time
If the optical fiber length is increased to achieve a desired delay, then the delay increases, but the fiber becomes more sensitive to tension and requires more complex control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered geometry parameter change allows the fiber to achieve large lengthening ratios with minimal applied tension, making the system easier to control and less sensitive to tension variations while still producing the desired delay.
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 allows for a reduced tension value, enabling a lengthening of 6% with 1 mN, facilitating easier and more cost-effective signal delay implementation, suitable for various applications including interferometry and optical telecommunications.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting a length of the optical fiber through elastic stretching of this optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
causing the useful optical signal to propagate in an optical fiber
Implementation Method 3
causing at least a part of the useful optical signal that has propagated in the optical fiber without change in the wavelength value of this part of the useful optical signal, to mix with the reference optical signal, so that a stationary optical intensity produced by the optical signal mixing depends on a delay
Data Source
AI summary
A process for delaying a useful optical signal (P1) having a wavelength value λ between 0.2 μm and 3 μm, with respect to a reference optical signal (P2) having the same wavelength value λ. The process includes having the useful optical signal propagate along a tapered fiber portion. A length of the tapered fiber portion can be varied using stretching means that are light, less cumbersome and less expensive compared to those necessary for a standard optical fiber. In addition, the delay value which is effective for the useful optical signal can be varied over a wide range. Such process can be useful for interferometry measurements in particular.