Waveguide Optical Device With Lateral Magnetic-Element Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices face challenges in achieving sufficient light intensity due to limitations in light irradiation methods, particularly when using magnetic elements, leading to reduced sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
The optical device incorporates a waveguide with a magnetic element irradiated from the lateral or upper side, utilizing a first and second reflector to enhance light propagation and radiation efficiency, featuring a magnetic element with a stacked structure of ferromagnetic layers and a spacer layer to convert light intensity changes into electrical signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light is radiated from the lower side of the magnetic element using a reflector, then the magnetic element can be irradiated with light, but sufficient intensity of optical device cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the light irradiation direction from vertical (lower side) to lateral irradiation. By introducing a lateral light incident direction, the system achieves both sufficient light intensity and high sensitivity simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between illumination intensity and sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a waveguide as an intermediary component to guide and direct light to the magnetic element. The waveguide structure enables efficient light transmission and focuses the light onto the magnetic element, achieving high intensity irradiation while maintaining sensitivity
2Manufacturing precision
If a stacked structure of ferromagnetic layers and spacer layer is used, then the magnetic element crystallinity and resistance change range are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a stacked structure combining ferromagnetic layers with spacer layers to form a composite magnetic element. This composite structure improves crystallinity and resistance change range while the layered architecture provides a systematic approach to manufacturing, managing the complexity through modular design
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 enhances the sensitivity of the optical device by efficiently converting light intensity changes into electrical signals, improving the magnetic element's crystallinity and resistance change range, thereby increasing its sensitivity and miniaturization potential.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide (10) having a core (11) in which light propagates and a cladding (12) covering the core (11)
Implementation Method 2
Photoelectric conversion elements are used in various applications. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a reception apparatus that receives an optical signal using a photodiode. The photodiode is, for example, a pn junction diode or the like in which a semiconductor pn junction is used and converts light into an electrical signal.
Implementation Method 3
In the magnetic element, when light is radiated, a magnetic state changes and a resistance value changes.
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present invention, an optical device includes a waveguide, a magnetic element, a first reflector, and a second reflector. The waveguide includes a core in which light propagates and a cladding covering the core. The first reflector is located forward in a traveling direction of the light propagating inside the core. The second reflector is located at a position at which the light reflected by the first reflector is radiated and the magnetic element is irradiated with the light. The magnetic element includes a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and a spacer layer located between the first and second ferromagnetic layers. The magnetic element is irradiated with light from a lateral side or from above.