Wavelength Conversion Module Side-Surface Fiber Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wavelength conversion modules are bulky due to their size, particularly in the width of the housing, which increases the mounting space required, and face challenges in efficiently coupling optical fibers with high-power light sources without compromising optical path length and alignment, leading to increased connection losses and polarization dependency.
Innovation Solution
A wavelength conversion module design with input and output ports on a side surface orthogonal to the optical axis, featuring elongated lens barrels and ferrule collars to accommodate optical fibers, allowing for reduced housing width and mounting space while maintaining optical coupling efficiency and alignment accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional wavelength conversion modules are designed with standard housing width, then optical fiber coupling and alignment are straightforward, but the module size becomes bulky and mounting space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional change by moving the optical fiber input/output ports from the conventional end-face configuration to the side surface of the housing. This spatial reconfiguration allows the optical axes to be arranged parallel to each other along the side surface, enabling compact housing width while maintaining proper optical coupling geometry through altered spatial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustable positioning mechanisms including movable lens barrels and adjustable ferrule collars that allow dynamic adjustment of optical component positions. This enables precise alignment compensation for optical fibers coupled through the side surface, maintaining coupling efficiency despite the non-conventional compact geometry.
2Volume of moving object
If housing width is reduced to decrease mounting space, then device size decreases, but optical path length and alignment precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ferrule collars as intermediary components that provide precise positioning and alignment features for optical fibers. These ferrule collars with定位 holes and adjustment mechanisms serve as mediators between the compact housing structure and the optical fibers, ensuring precise alignment is maintained despite the reduced overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates pre-positioned lens barrels and ferrule collars with built-in alignment features during the housing design phase. The optical components are pre-aligned and fixed in their optimal positions, allowing precise optical coupling to be achieved without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments, thus maintaining alignment precision in the compact design.
3Ease of manufacture
If optical fibers are coupled through end faces, then connection is simple, but polarization dependency and connection losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the coupling geometry by transitioning from end-face coupling to side-surface coupling. This dimensional change allows optical fibers to approach the wavelength conversion element from the side, enabling parallel optical axis arrangement that reduces polarization dependency and minimizes connection losses through improved angular alignment.
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 design achieves a 30% reduction in housing width and mounting space without deteriorating wavelength conversion characteristics, enabling downsized parametric and phase-sensitive amplification devices with improved optical fiber alignment and reduced connection losses.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength conversion element made of a nonlinear optical medium... obtained using a second-order nonlinear optical element
Implementation Method 2
Wavelength conversion expressed by the following equation is referred to as sum frequency generation (SFG)... 1/λ3=1/λ1+1/λ2
Implementation Method 3
wavelength conversion satisfying the following equation obtained by modifying Equation (1) is referred to as second harmonic generation (SHG)... λ3=λ1/2
Implementation Method 4
wavelength conversion satisfying the following equation is referred to as difference frequency generation (DFG)... 1/λ3=1/λ1−1/λ2
Implementation Method 5
a lens for optically coupling the wavelength conversion element to the optical fibers
Implementation Method 6
a ferrule collar that is provided in the lens barrel and fixes a metal ferrule accommodating the optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a wavelength conversion module that can be downsized by reducing the width of the housing and can reduce the mounting space. The wavelength conversion module including a wavelength conversion element includes: a lens barrel that is provided on a side surface of a metal housing and accommodates a lens for optically coupling the wavelength conversion element to an optical fiber; and a ferrule collar that is provided on the lens barrel and fixes a metal ferrule accommodating the optical fiber, and an input port and an output port are different from each other in any of the length in the optical axis direction of a plurality of the lens barrels, the length of a plurality of the metal ferrules, or a sum length of the lens barrels and the metal ferrules.