Wavelength Selective Switch Ovalization Relay Optical System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wavelength selective switches face challenges in reducing thickness while maintaining high output efficiency when input/output ports are arranged two-dimensionally, as they struggle to efficiently condense and direct signal light beams across multiple ports.
Innovation Solution
A wavelength selective switch design incorporating a dispersive portion, deflection unit, and an ovalization relay optical system with specific refractive properties, including cylindrical lenses and mirrors, to condense and direct signal light beams effectively across multiple ports, allowing for two-dimensional port arrangement without compromising thickness or efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If input/output ports are arranged two-dimensionally to increase the number of ports, then the number of input/output ports is increased, but the thickness of the wavelength selective switch cannot be reduced while maintaining output efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the optical path by using a beam expander to expand beams in the first direction (perpendicular to the dispersing direction) and a beam compressor to compress beams in the second direction (along the dispersing direction). This dimensional transformation allows two-dimensional port arrangement while controlling the thickness through optimized beam geometry and optical path folding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the beam parameters (size, shape, and propagation direction) through optical elements. The beam expander increases beam diameter in the first direction, while the beam compressor reduces beam diameter in the second direction. These parameter changes enable efficient light coupling and port arrangement without increasing thickness.
2Quantity of substance
If input/output ports are arranged two-dimensionally to increase the number of ports, then the number of input/output ports is increased, but the output efficiency of signal light cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical path folding and beam geometry transformation to map two-dimensional port arrangements onto a compact optical path. The beam expander and compressor work together to maintain efficient light coupling across multiple ports while controlling the overall device thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam expander and beam compressor act as intermediary optical elements that mediate between the two-dimensional port arrangement and the dispersive element. These intermediaries optimize the beam parameters to ensure efficient light coupling and maintain high output efficiency across all ports.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a beam expander is used to condense beams in an elliptic shape to provide a broad transmission band, then the transmission band is broadened, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical path into distinct functional segments: beam expander section, beam compressor section, and dispersive element section. Each segment performs a specific function with optimized parameters, allowing independent design and optimization of each component while achieving the overall goal of broad transmission band with controlled 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
The proposed solution enables increased output efficiency while reducing the thickness of the wavelength selective switch, even with two-dimensionally arranged ports, by optimizing the beam path and condensation points within the optical system.
Implementation Method 1
the first ovalization optical element having a refractive power in a first direction perpendicular to an optical axis which is larger than a refractive power in a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis and to the first direction
Implementation Method 2
the second ovalization optical element having a refractive power in the second direction which is larger than a refractive power in the first direction
Implementation Method 3
a dispersive portion capable of dispersing, along a first plane, the signal light input from the input/output portion in a direction corresponding to the wave length
Implementation Method 4
a deflection unit having a plurality of deflection elements for deflecting each of a plurality of signal light beams that are to be dispersed by the dispersive portion into wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a wavelength selective switch, which includes: an input/output unit; a dispersive portion; a deflection portion; and an ovalization relay optical system. In the input/output unit, input/output portions are two-dimensionally arranged. The dispersive portion is capable of dispersing signal light along a first plane. The deflection portion deflects the signal light. The ovalization relay optical system condenses the signal light beams on to a first conjugate point. The ovalization relay optical system makes a beam waist forming position along a first direction coincide with the first conjugate point. The ovalization relay optical system condenses signal light, in a second direction, onto a first condensing point. The ovalization relay optical system makes the first condensing point conjugate to the first conjugate point. The ovalization relay optical system ovalizes the beam shape of the signal light beams incident on the deflection element.