Tilted Optical Receptacle for VCSEL Return Light Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical modules using vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, a portion of the light transmitted to optical transmission members is reflected back, disturbing the intensity distribution by returning to the light-emitting element, which affects light coupling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optical receptacle is designed with a first optical surface tilted relative to the laser's optical axis and a reflection surface that internally reflects light to minimize return light to the laser, while maintaining efficient coupling to the optical transmission member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the optical receptacle uses a conventional configuration with perpendicular optical surfaces, then the light coupling efficiency to the optical transmission member is maintained, but the return light reaches the light-emitting element and disturbs the intensity distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The first optical surface is tilted at a specific angle (e.g., 8 degrees) relative to the optical axis of the vertical cavity surface emitting laser. This asymmetric configuration causes reflected light to diverge at an angle that prevents it from returning to the light-emitting element, while still maintaining effective coupling to the optical transmission member through proper optical design
Solution Approach 2:
The optical receptacle is designed with a tilted first optical surface that proactively redirects reflected light away from the light-emitting element before the return light can cause disturbance. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful effect of intensity distribution disturbance while maintaining light coupling efficiency
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the first optical surface is tilted to reduce return light, then the return light disturbance is reduced, but the light coupling efficiency may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The optical receptacle employs specific tilt angle parameters (e.g., 8 degrees) and optimized surface geometries to achieve the optimal balance between reducing return light and maintaining light coupling efficiency. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the design minimizes energy loss while effectively preventing return light disturbance
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 configuration reduces the return light to the vertical cavity surface emitting laser, preserving light coupling efficiency to the optical transmission member, thereby minimizing light distribution disturbances.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical surface allowing incidence of light emitted from one or more vertical cavity surface emitting lasers
Implementation Method 2
a second optical surface emitting, toward an end surface of one or more optical transmission members, light entered from the first optical surface and transmitted inside
Data Source
AI summary
The optical receptacle, which is disposed between one or more vertical resonator surface emitting lasers arranged on a substrate and one or more optical transmission bodies to optically couple the vertical resonator surface emitting lasers and end surfaces of the optical transmission bodies, has: a first optical surface on which light emitted from the vertical resonator surface emitting lasers is incident; and a second optical surface for emitting light, which enters the first optical surface and passes through the inside thereof, toward the end surfaces of the optical transmission bodies. The first optical surface is disposed such that a central axis of the first optical surface is inclined with respect to an optical axis of the vertical resonator surface emitting laser or the central axis and the optical axis are parallel to and do not coincide with each other.