Multi-Wavelength Waveguide Light Source With Low-Loss Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light source modules with merging portions, such as directional couplers or optical elements like mirrors or lenses, face challenges in achieving a compact design while minimizing light loss due to the need for high precision processing.
Innovation Solution
A light source module with a core and cladding structure that includes multiple waveguides for different wavelengths, where light beams are efficiently combined through merging portions without the use of directional couplers or complex optical elements, resulting in a compact and simple structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If directional couplers or complex optical elements like mirrors or lenses are used for merging light beams, then light merging capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates complex optical elements (directional couplers, mirrors, lenses) from the light merging system, retaining only the essential waveguide structure. This simplification maintains light merging capability while dramatically reducing device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex optical elements to merge light beams externally, the patent inverts the approach by designing the waveguide structure itself to perform the merging function internally. The core contains multiple waveguides that naturally merge light beams through their geometric configuration, eliminating the need for separate merging components.
2Loss of energy
If high precision processing is used to minimize light loss in merging portions, then light transmission efficiency is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light transmission and merging functions into a single integrated waveguide structure. The core contains multiple waveguides that are merged at specific portions, allowing light from multiple LEDs to be combined and transmitted through a unified path. This integration reduces the number of interfaces and potential loss points while simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the waveguides, including their cross-sectional shapes (rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal) and merging configurations, to optimize light transmission while maintaining ease of manufacture. These parameter variations allow control over light propagation characteristics without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing tolerances.
3Productivity
If multiple waveguides for different wavelengths are integrated, then light combining efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the core and waveguide structure to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from different wavelength LEDs, merges multiple light beams, and transmits combined light through a single output. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified waveguide structure rather than separate specialized components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where multiple waveguides for different wavelengths are integrated within a single core. The waveguides are arranged and merged in a hierarchical manner, with smaller waveguides merging into larger ones, ultimately converging to a single output waveguide. This nesting approach consolidates multiple light paths into a compact integrated structure.
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
The proposed light source module effectively combines light beams with different wavelengths, reducing light loss and enabling a compact, efficient design suitable for display devices.
Implementation Method 1
a core (4) in the cladding (3)... a first waveguide (41) that transmits light emitted from the first light emitter (21), a second waveguide (42) that transmits light emitted from the second light emitter (22), a third waveguide (43) that transmits light emitted from the third light emitter (23)
Data Source
AI summary
A light source module includes a first light emitter, a second light emitter, and a third light emitter each to emit light with a different wavelength, a cladding, and a core in the cladding. The core includes a first waveguide that transmits light emitted from the first light emitter, a second waveguide that transmits light emitted from the second light emitter, a third waveguide that transmits light emitted from the third light emitter, a first merging portion in which two waveguides of the first waveguide, the second waveguide, or the third waveguide merge, a second merging portion in which the first merging portion merges with a waveguide other than the two waveguides of the first waveguide, the second waveguide, or the third waveguide, and an emission portion at one end of the second merging portion.