Wavelength Conversion Apparatus Reflection Suppressors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wavelength conversion apparatuses face issues with unwanted light from sum frequency generation returning to the wavelength conversion element and being mixed into optical fibers, leading to degradation of amplification and conversion characteristics, as well as deterioration of optical components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating reflection suppressors on optical elements and end surfaces between input and output optical fibers, excluding the second-order nonlinear optical element, to prevent unwanted light from being reflected back and mixed into output fibers, thereby stabilizing wavelength conversion characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wavelength conversion operation is performed using sum frequency generation, then wavelength conversion efficiency is improved, but unwanted light is generated that returns to the wavelength conversion element and degrades amplification and conversion characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful unwanted light (sum frequency generation light) into a beneficial control mechanism by using it to activate an optical shutter. The shutter blocks the unwanted light from returning to the wavelength conversion element, thereby preventing degradation of amplification and conversion characteristics while maintaining high wavelength conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical shutter as an intermediary component between the wavelength conversion element and the optical path. This shutter acts as a mediator that selectively blocks unwanted light based on its wavelength characteristics, allowing the desired wavelength conversion operation to proceed while preventing harmful feedback
2Power
If excitation light power is increased to maintain amplification operation, then amplification gain is improved, but optical components deteriorate due to high power unwanted light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful high-power unwanted light into a useful control signal that triggers the optical shutter. The shutter's activation is proportional to the unwanted light power, creating a feedback mechanism that protects optical components from deterioration while allowing maximum amplification gain to be achieved
3Reliability
If reflection suppressors are added to prevent unwanted light return, then amplification characteristics are stabilized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical shutter as an intermediary device that dynamically controls the optical path based on unwanted light detection. This single active component provides stabilization of amplification characteristics without requiring multiple static reflection suppressors, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity
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 effectively suppresses the return of unwanted light to the wavelength conversion element and prevents its mixing into output fibers, maintaining stable optical transmission and reducing the risk of optical component deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
a second-order nonlinear optical element which receives excitation light and signal light input from optical fibers on an input side and performs phase sensitive amplification on the signal light
Implementation Method 2
a second-order nonlinear optical element which receives excitation light and signal light input from optical fibers on an input side and performs difference frequency generation from the signal light
Implementation Method 3
a second-order nonlinear optical element which receives excitation light and a plurality of signal light input from optical fibers on an input side and performs sum frequency generation from the plurality of signal light
Implementation Method 4
reflection suppressors on surfaces of optical elements excluding the second-order nonlinear optical element in the wavelength conversion apparatus between the optical fibers on the input side and the optical fiber on the output side
Data Source
AI summary
In a wavelength conversion apparatus, reflection suppressors are provided on surfaces of optical elements indicating lenses, dichroic mirrors, and sealing windows excluding a wavelength conversion element in the apparatus between optical fibers F1 and F2 on the input side and optical fibers F3 and F4 on the output side, and on end surfaces of the optical fibers F3 and F4 on the output side. With this, even when light having a wavelength of a sum frequency component of signal light and excitation light is generated at the operation time of wavelength conversion of the wavelength conversion element, because the reflection suppressors suppress the reflection of unwanted light of the wavelength band, the unwanted light is unlikely to return to the wavelength conversion element and it is also possible to suppress a situation in which the unwanted light is mixed into the optical fibers F3 and F4.