WDM Filter Block Using Tilted Surfaces for Perpendicular Beam Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing WDM receivers/transmitters face challenges in designing compact devices due to the need for perpendicular light beam alignment, which often requires additional optical elements like prisms or wedges, increasing volume and complexity, especially for devices with more than four output channels.
Innovation Solution
A compact filter block design featuring a plurality of reflecting surfaces and filters arranged in a two-dimensional array with non-parallel normal vectors, allowing light to be guided in a zigzag path and output beams to be perpendicular to the base plate without additional components, using reflection and refraction principles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additional optical elements (prisms, wedges, reflectors) are used to straighten output light beams, then perpendicular output beams are achieved, but device volume and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (reflection, refraction, beam steering) into a single integrated filter block structure. The tilted filter surfaces and internal reflecting surfaces work together as one unified component rather than separate elements, eliminating the need for additional prisms, wedges, or reflectors while achieving perpendicular output beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tilted filter surfaces with specific angles (e.g., 45 degrees) to redirect light beams in three-dimensional space. By utilizing angular orientation and spatial arrangement of filter surfaces, the device achieves beam straightening through geometric configuration rather than additional optical components.
2Ease of operation
If additional optical elements are added to achieve perpendicular output beams, then beam alignment is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating all beam-steering functionality into the filter block itself through tilted surfaces, the patent eliminates multiple separate components that would require precise alignment during assembly. The single integrated structure reduces assembly steps and manufacturing complexity while maintaining perpendicular beam output.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more channels are added to the WDM device, then functionality is improved, but device volume increases due to additional optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The filter block is designed as a universal structure where multiple wavelength-selective filters can be integrated into a single compact unit. Each filter handles a different wavelength channel, allowing the device to support multiple channels (N-channel) without proportionally increasing volume, as all filters share the same integrated housing and beam path structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses three-dimensional spatial arrangement and angular orientation of filter surfaces to accommodate multiple channels within a compact footprint. By utilizing vertical stacking and angular differentiation of filter surfaces, the device can handle N channels without linearly increasing device volume.
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 design enables a compact, efficient WDM receiver/transmitter with perpendicular output light beams, reducing the need for extra optical elements and allowing for flexible arrangement of photodiodes, while maintaining efficiency and adaptability for multiple channels.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of N reflecting surfaces and a plurality of N filters, wherein each reflecting surface is associated to a corresponding N filter so as to reflect a light beam to said associated filter
Implementation Method 2
each of said N filters is transparent to a defined wavelength of the light beam and reflective for the rest of the light beam
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a filter block 300, 800, 1000 for an optical N-channels multiplexing/demultiplexing device 600 for receiving or emitting light, wherein the filter block 300, 800 comprises: a plurality of reflecting surfaces 301, 801-804, 1201-1206 and a plurality ofN filters 302, 805-808, 1207-1212, wherein the plurality of reflecting surfaces 301, 801-804, 1201-1206 and the N filters 302, 805-808, 1207-1212 are arranged such that a light beam can be reflected between the plurality of reflecting surfaces 301, 801-804, 1201-1206 and the N filters 302, 805-808, 1207-1212, and each of said N filters 302, 805-808, 1207-1212 is transparent to a defined wavelength, wherein at least two reflecting surfaces 301, 801-804, 1201-1206 are arranged in a different plane and at least two filters 302, 805-808, 1207-1212 are arranged in a different plane. Moreover, the present invention further provides an optical wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing device 600, comprising such a filter block.