Photonic Spectrometer Using Waveguide Mode Interference

The patent replaces the mechanical grating-based monochromator system with an integrated photonic circuit using waveguides and microring resonators. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical moving parts while achieving comparable or superior spectral resolution through optical resonance effects in the photonic structures.

The patent transitions from traditional spatial dispersion methods to spectral analysis in the frequency domain using resonant modes. By utilizing the resonant frequencies of microring structures, the system achieves high-resolution spectral measurement without requiring large physical dispersion elements, effectively adding a frequency-based dimensional approach to spectral analysis.

The patent replaces heavy mechanical monochromator components with lightweight integrated photonic circuits fabricated on semiconductor substrates. This substitution dramatically reduces the weight of the spectrometer while maintaining high spectral resolution through the resonant properties of microring structures.

The patent implements a compact design where multiple functional elements (waveguides, microring resonators, detectors) are nested within a small photonic integrated circuit footprint. The microring resonators are coupled to waveguides in a nested configuration, allowing high-resolution spectral analysis in a miniaturized form factor.

The patent replaces expensive mechanical monochromators with photonic integrated circuits that can be manufactured using standard semiconductor fabrication processes. This substitution leverages established industrial manufacturing capabilities to produce high-resolution spectrometers at lower costs with better scalability.

The patent utilizes the resonant frequency parameter of microring structures to achieve high spectral resolution. By designing microrings with specific radius, thickness, and material properties, the system achieves precise spectral filtering and measurement without requiring expensive mechanical scanning or large optical components.

The patent divides the spectral analysis function into multiple parallel waveguide channels, each handling specific frequency bands. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing of multiple spectral regions, enabling hyperspectral imaging capabilities where each spatial location can be analyzed across multiple frequency bands in parallel.

The patent designs the photonic integrated circuit to handle multiple frequency bands and multiple spatial channels simultaneously. The waveguide array and microring resonator system are configured to process broadband spectral information across multiple bands in parallel, providing universal spectroscopic imaging capability for various applications.