Waveguide Light Emitting Device with Photodetector Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light emitting devices struggle to effectively change light emission direction and maintain optimal emission characteristics, particularly in varying environmental conditions and over time, due to limitations in refractive index control and wavelength adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting device incorporating a waveguide element with a light transmissive first mirror, a second mirror, and an optical waveguide layer, where the direction of emitted light is controlled by adjusting the refractive index, thickness, or wavelength of the optical waveguide layer, and further enhanced by using photodetectors to monitor and adjust light intensity and direction through a driving device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the refractive index or thickness of the optical waveguide layer is adjusted to change light emission direction, then the light emission direction can be controlled, but the emission characteristics deteriorate over time due to environmental changes and aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs photodetectors to detect the actual light emission characteristics and feeds this information back to a control device. The control device adjusts the refractive index or thickness of the optical waveguide layer based on the detected deviations, compensating for environmental changes and aging effects to maintain stable emission characteristics while enabling direction control.
2Reliability
If photodetectors and control mechanisms are added to improve emission characteristics and compensate for environmental changes, then reliability and performance improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the waveguide element structure. The optical waveguide layer serves both as the light propagation medium and as the element whose refractive index or thickness can be dynamically adjusted for compensation. The photodetectors monitor both input and output light to provide comprehensive feedback for maintaining emission characteristics, reducing the need for separate compensation mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the optical waveguide layer parameters are dynamically adjusted to maintain optimal emission characteristics, then emission performance is maintained under varying conditions, but the device requires more complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the detected light signals from the photodetectors to automatically adjust its own parameters. The control device modifies the refractive index or thickness of the optical waveguide layer based on real-time feedback about emission characteristics, enabling the device to self-correct and maintain optimal performance without external intervention.
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 allows for precise control of light emission direction and intensity, enabling one-dimensional and two-dimensional scanning capabilities, while compensating for environmental changes and aging effects, thereby improving the reliability and performance of the light emitting device.
Implementation Method 1
an optical waveguide layer located between the first mirror and the second mirror, the waveguide element allowing light input to the optical waveguide layer to propagate along a first direction
Implementation Method 2
a first mirror that is light transmissive, a second mirror that faces the first mirror, and an optical waveguide layer located between the first mirror and the second mirror, the waveguide element allowing light input to the optical waveguide layer to propagate along a first direction and to be emitted through the first mirror
Implementation Method 3
a first photodetector that is located on a path of light to be input to the optical waveguide layer or on another path branching off from the path and outputs a first signal according to an amount of received light; and a second photodetector that is located on a path of light that has propagated through the optical waveguide layer along the first direction and passed the optical waveguide layer and outputs a second signal according to an amount of received light
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting device includes a waveguide element including a first mirror that is light transmissive, a second mirror that faces the first mirror, and an optical waveguide layer located between the first mirror and the second mirror, the waveguide element allowing light input to the optical waveguide layer to propagate along a first direction and to be emitted through the first mirror; a first photodetector that is located on a path of light to be input to the optical waveguide layer or on another path branching off from the path and outputs a first signal according to an amount of received light; and a second photodetector that is located on a path of light that has propagated through the optical waveguide layer along the first direction and passed the optical waveguide layer and outputs a second signal according to an amount of received light.