Wavelength Tunable Laser Arbitrary Wavelength Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wavelength tunable lasers are limited in their ability to control oscillation wavelengths to only predefined grid wavelengths, requiring extensive data storage and time-consuming tuning processes, making it impractical to achieve arbitrary wavelengths.
Innovation Solution
A method and structure for a wavelength tunable laser that calculates and applies a second drive condition based on the difference between a reference wavelength and a target wavelength, allowing the laser to oscillate at arbitrary wavelengths within its tunable band by shifting the etalon's temperature characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control conditions for all possible wavelengths are stored in memory, then any wavelength can be selected, but the amount of data becomes huge and tuning time becomes immense
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of wavelength selection from discrete grid wavelengths to continuous arbitrary wavelengths by calculating drive conditions based on wavelength difference from a reference point. This allows any wavelength within the tunable range to be selected without storing data for each possible wavelength, thereby maintaining versatility while reducing data quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a reference drive condition for a reference wavelength and calculates other drive conditions by copying and adjusting this reference based on the wavelength difference. Instead of storing unique data for each wavelength, the system copies the reference data and modifies it mathematically to achieve the desired wavelength, significantly reducing the data storage requirement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control conditions for all possible wavelengths are stored in memory, then any wavelength can be selected, but the tuning process takes an immense amount of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent calculates drive conditions in real-time based on the wavelength difference from a reference wavelength, eliminating the need to search through stored data for each wavelength. This mathematical calculation approach dramatically reduces the time required to tune to any arbitrary wavelength while maintaining full wavelength selection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-stores only the reference drive condition for a single reference wavelength. All other drive conditions are generated on-demand by calculating the wavelength difference from this reference and applying the appropriate adjustment, eliminating the need for extensive pre-computation and storage of all possible wavelength conditions.
3Quantity of substance
If only grid wavelengths are supported, then data storage is manageable, but arbitrary wavelengths cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the wavelength selection capability from discrete grid wavelengths to continuous arbitrary wavelengths by introducing a wavelength difference parameter. The drive condition is calculated as: drive condition = reference drive condition + (wavelength difference × sensitivity coefficient). This mathematical approach enables continuous wavelength tuning while maintaining manageable data storage requirements.
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
Enables the wavelength tunable laser to efficiently select and stabilize at arbitrary wavelengths without the need for extensive data storage or lengthy tuning processes, reducing the complexity and time required for wavelength selection.
Implementation Method 1
shifting the etalon's temperature characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a wavelength tunable laser to control an oscillation wavelength based on a difference between a detection result of a wavelength by a wavelength detecting unit and a target value, the method includes: acquiring a first drive condition of the wavelength tunable laser to make the wavelength tunable laser oscillate at a first wavelength from a memory; calculating a second drive condition to drive the wavelength tunable laser at a second wavelength by referring to the first drive condition and a wavelength difference between the first wavelength and the second wavelength, the second wavelength differing from the first wavelength; and driving the wavelength tunable laser based on the second drive condition calculated at the calculating of the second drive condition.