Wavelength Selective Switch Alignment Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wavelength selective switches face challenges in aligning tilted optical axes, leading to fluctuations in light intensity and difficulties in accurately aligning light input/output units, which affects the efficiency of wavelength separation and combination.
Innovation Solution
The wavelength selective switch incorporates at least three light input/output ports with tilted optical axes and an alignment port with an optical axis along a predetermined axis, utilizing a dispersive element to change the optical axes of the input/output ports and a light deflective element to direct light, along with a method that involves inputting alignment light to adjust the optical axis alignment, ensuring higher intensity and easier alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the optical axis of each light input/output port is tilted with respect to the predetermined axis to enable light from the light input/output port of each group to reach its corresponding light deflective part, then the wavelength selective switch can separate or combine a greater number of wavelength components, but aligning the light input/output ports becomes difficult and positional deviations cause light intensity fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated alignment port as an intermediary component that receives alignment light along the predetermined axis and guides it through the optical system to the light deflective element. This alignment port serves as a mediator that enables accurate alignment of the tilted optical axes without directly tilting the main light input/output ports, thus resolving the contradiction between handling multiple wavelength components and maintaining ease of alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs alignment operation before the switch is put into normal operation. By using the alignment port to input alignment light and adjust the positions of light input/output ports and light deflective elements while observing the alignment light intensity, the system establishes correct optical axis orientations in advance. This preliminary alignment action ensures that when the switch operates with tilted optical axes for multiple wavelength components, the alignment remains accurate without requiring continuous adjustment
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical axis of each light input/output port is tilted with respect to the predetermined axis, then the wavelength selective switch can handle more wavelength components, but light intensity of return light fluctuates making accurate alignment hard
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment port acts as an intermediary that decouples the alignment function from the signal transmission function. By providing a dedicated path for alignment light that travels through the same optical components (dispersive element, light deflective element) as the signal light but along the predetermined axis, it enables stable alignment reference that is independent of the tilted optical axes used for wavelength multiplexing, thus ensuring light intensity stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanism where alignment light is input through the alignment port, reflected by the light deflective element, and returned through the same path. By monitoring the intensity of this returned alignment light and adjusting the positions of light input/output ports and light deflective elements to maximize the returned light intensity, the system achieves and maintains stable alignment, providing feedback control for reliable operation
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 improved alignment accuracy and stability, enhancing the ability to separate and combine multiple wavelength components efficiently by maintaining consistent light intensity and facilitating easier manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
The dispersive element changes the optical axis of the input/output light of the first light input/output port and the optical axis of the input/output light of the second light input/output port to a direction intersecting the predetermined axis and first direction by an angle corresponding to a wavelength
Implementation Method 2
The light deflective element has a first light deflective part for directing the light input from the first light input port via the dispersive element to the first light output port and a second light deflective part for directing the light input from the second light input port via the dispersive element to the second light output port
Data Source
AI summary
An light input/output unit has at least three first ports, including a first input port for inputting light and a first output port for outputting light; at least three second ports, including a second input port for inputting light and a second output port for outputting light; and an alignment port for inputting and outputting alignment light. An optical axis of the input/output light of the first port and an optical axis of the input/output light of the second port differ from each other. The dispersive element changes the optical axes of input/output lights of the first and second ports by an angle corresponding to a wavelength. The light deflective element has a first part for directing the light from the first input port to the first output port and a second part for directing the light from the second input port to the second output port.