Optical Spot Array Pitch Compressor Using Tiltable Wedge Prism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical spot array pitch compressors are unable to efficiently match the pitch of passive WDM MUX/DeMUX with active LD or PD arrays, especially when made by different manufacturers, and lack the capability for a varying compression ratio, making it difficult to achieve a small pitch like 0.25 mm using traditional free space optics.
Innovation Solution
An optical spot array pitch compressor using a single or multiple optical wedges or a grating is introduced between the passive WDM MUX/DeMUX and the active LD or PD array, allowing for adjustable compression ratios by varying the incident angle, which refracts and bends light beams to reduce the spot array pitch without requiring complex structures or fixed compression ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional free space optics are used to compress optical spot pitch, then the structure remains simple, but the compression ratio is fixed and cannot achieve small pitch like 0.25 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a tiltable wedge prism that can be rotated around an optical axis to dynamically adjust the compression ratio. By changing the incident angle of light beams on the wedge prism through rotation, the system achieves variable compression ratios rather than fixed ratios, enabling adaptation to different pitch requirements while maintaining a relatively simple optical structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple mirrors with special structures are used to achieve beam pitch compression, then compression is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the compression function from complex multi-mirror systems and concentrates it into a single wedge prism element. This simplifies the overall device structure by removing the need for multiple mirrors with special periodic structures, reducing both device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining the essential pitch compression capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple optical elements (mirrors and beam steering mechanisms) into a single integrated wedge prism system. The wedge prism simultaneously performs beam deviation, pitch compression, and wavelength separation functions that would otherwise require multiple separate components, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If anamorphic prisms are used for beam compression, then compression ratio is achieved, but the prism length must be long and the structure is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter from fixed anamorphic prism geometry to variable incident angle through wedge prism rotation. By controlling the rotation angle of the wedge prism, the effective compression ratio is adjusted without requiring long physical dimensions, achieving high compression ratios in a compact configuration.
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 solution enables a simple, cost-effective, and compact optical spot array pitch compressor that can match varying pitches, including 0.25 mm, by adjusting the compression ratio, thereby improving the compatibility of passive and active components in optical communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
An optical spot array pitch compressor using a single or multiple optical wedges or a grating is introduced between the passive WDM MUX/DeMUX and the active LD or PD array, allowing for adjustable compression ratios by varying the incident angle, which refracts and bends light beams to reduce the spot array pitch
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a passive wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) demultiplexer (DeMUX) or a passive WDM multiplexer (MUX), an active photo diode (PD) array or an active laser diode (LD) array, and a compressing device disposed between the passive WDM DeMUX or the passive WDM MUX and the active PD array or the active LD array. The compressing device changes the optical spot pitch of the passive WDM DeMUX or the passive WDM MUX to match the pitch of the active PD array or the active LD array. The compressing device may be a single optical wedge, a first and a second optical wedges, a plurality of optical wedges, or a grating. A compression ratio can be adjusted by changing the incident angle of the incident beam to the compressing device.