阅读说明：本技术 具有干涉放大器阵列的集成半导体激光器 (Integrated semiconductor laser with interferometric amplifier array ) 是由 M.C.拉森 S.帕塔克 B.P.基沃思 于 2020-06-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：光学装置可以包括配置为生成光束的激光器和配置为放大光束的马赫-曾德尔干涉仪MZI。MZI可以包括经由MZI的多个臂连接的第一耦合器和第二耦合器。多个臂中的一个臂可以为光束的一部分提供光路,并且可以包括配置为放大光束的一部分的半导体光放大器SOA和配置为调整光束的一部分的相位的移相器。(The optical device may include a laser configured to generate an optical beam and a mach-zehnder interferometer MZI configured to amplify the optical beam. The MZI may include a first coupler and a second coupler connected via a plurality of arms of the MZI. One of the plurality of arms may provide an optical path for a portion of the light beam, and may include a semiconductor optical amplifier SOA configured to amplify the portion of the light beam and a phase shifter configured to adjust a phase of the portion of the light beam.)

1. A photonic integrated circuit comprising:

a laser configured to generate a light beam; and

a Mach-Zehnder interferometer MZI configured to amplify the optical beam,

wherein the MZI comprises a first coupler and a second coupler connected via a plurality of arms of the MZI,

wherein one of the plurality of arms provides an optical path for a portion of the light beam and comprises a semiconductor optical amplifier SOA configured to amplify the portion of the light beam and a phase shifter configured to adjust a phase of the portion of the light beam.

2. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein:

the first coupler includes a single input and a plurality of outputs,

wherein the single input of the first coupler is connected to the laser and each of the plurality of outputs of the first coupler is connected to a respective one of the plurality of arms of the MZI; and

the second coupler includes a plurality of inputs and a single output,

wherein each input of the plurality of inputs of the second coupler is connected to a respective arm of the plurality of arms of the MZI and the single output is connected to an output surface of the photonic integrated circuit.

3. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein:

the first coupler includes a single input and a plurality of outputs,

wherein the single input of the first coupler is connected to the laser and each of the plurality of outputs of the first coupler is connected to a respective one of the plurality of arms of the MZI; and

the second coupler includes a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs,

wherein each input of the plurality of inputs of the second coupler is connected to a respective arm of the plurality of arms of the MZI and the plurality of outputs are connected to an output surface of the photonic integrated circuit.

4. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein:

the second coupler includes a plurality of outputs,

wherein at least one of the plurality of outputs of the second coupler is connected to a supervisory circuit

A photo diode is controlled.

5. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein:

the second coupler includes a plurality of outputs,

wherein at least one of the plurality of outputs of the second coupler is connected to a tapped photodiode.

6. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the laser and the MZI are connected via a series SOA.

7. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the first and second couplers are multimode interference MMI couplers, star couplers, or directional couplers.

8. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the laser is a tunable laser or a frequency modulated laser,

wherein the laser comprises a back mirror, a phase shifter component, a laser gain component, and a front mirror.

9. A photonic integrated circuit comprising:

one or more lasers; and

a Mach-Zehnder interferometer MZI coupled to the one or more lasers, comprising:

a first coupler comprising at least one input and a plurality of outputs;

an array of semiconductor optical amplifiers SOA, comprising a plurality of arms,

wherein each of the plurality of arms comprises an SOA and a phase shifter; and

a second coupler comprising a plurality of inputs and at least one output.

10. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 9, wherein:

the first coupler is a1 x 2 coupler and the second coupler is a2 x 1 coupler;

the first coupler is a1 x 2 coupler and the second coupler is a2 x 2 coupler;

the first coupler is a2 x 2 coupler and the second coupler is a2 x 1 coupler; or

The first coupler is a2 x 2 coupler and the second coupler is a2 x 2 coupler.

11. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 9, wherein the at least one output of the second coupler is connected to a tap photodiode or a monitor photodiode.

12. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 9, wherein the one or more lasers comprise a first laser and a second laser, wherein:

the first laser is configured to generate a beam associated with a first frequency; and

the second laser is configured to generate a beam associated with a second frequency,

wherein a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency is 50% of a free spectral range of the MZI.

13. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 9, wherein each arm of the plurality of arms of the SOA array is configured to have a different arm length than any other arm of the plurality of arms.

14. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 9, wherein the SOA associated with one of the plurality of arms of the SOA array and the phase shifter are connected via a waveguide.

15. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 9, wherein the one or more lasers comprise a first laser and a second laser, wherein:

the first and second lasers are connected to the first coupler of the MZI via respective front mirrors of the first and second lasers; and

the first laser and the second laser are connected to a third coupler via respective back mirrors of the first laser and the second laser,

wherein an output of the third coupler is connected to a monitor photodiode.

16. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 15, wherein:

the first laser is configured to emit a first beam of light and the second laser is configured to be turned off when the monitor photodiode does not detect a fault condition; or

The second laser is configured to emit a second beam of light, and the first laser is configured to be turned off when the monitor photodiode detects the fault condition.

17. A photonic integrated circuit comprising:

a laser connected to the first coupler;

said first coupler connected to an array of semiconductor optical amplifiers SOA; and

the SOA array includes a plurality of arms, wherein each arm of the plurality of arms includes an SOA and a phase shifter.

18. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 17, wherein the laser is connected to the first coupler via a series SOA.

19. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 17, wherein the first coupler and the SOA array are included in a mach-zehnder interferometer MZI.

20. The photonic integrated circuit of claim 17, wherein the first coupler comprises a single input and a plurality of outputs,

wherein the single input of the first coupler is connected to a front mirror of the laser and each of the plurality of outputs of the first coupler is connected to a respective one of the plurality of arms of the SOA array.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to integrated semiconductor lasers having an interferometric amplifier array, and more particularly to integrated semiconductor lasers having an interferometric amplifier array that utilizes a plurality of semiconductor optical amplifiers.

Background

A Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA) may amplify a light beam propagating through the SOA to increase an amount of optical power of the light beam. Amplification may occur in the gain medium of an SOA which must be pumped (e.g., supplied with current) by an external source.

Disclosure of Invention

According to some implementations, a photonic integrated circuit may include a laser configured to generate a beam of light; and a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) configured to amplify the optical beam, wherein the MZI includes a first coupler and a second coupler connected via a plurality of arms of the MZI, wherein one of the plurality of arms provides an optical path to a portion of the optical beam, and includes a semiconductor optical amplifier SOA configured to amplify the portion of the optical beam and a phase shifter configured to adjust a phase of the portion of the optical beam.

Wherein the first coupler comprises a single input and a plurality of outputs, wherein the single input of the first coupler is connected to the laser and each of the plurality of outputs of the first coupler is connected to a respective one of the plurality of arms of the MZI; and the second coupler comprises a plurality of inputs and a single output, wherein each input of the plurality of inputs of the second coupler is connected to a respective arm of the plurality of arms of the MZI, and the single output is connected to an output surface of the photonic integrated circuit.

Wherein the first coupler comprises a single input and a plurality of outputs, wherein the single input of the first coupler is connected to the laser and each of the plurality of outputs of the first coupler is connected to a respective one of the plurality of arms of the MZI; and the second coupler comprises a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, wherein each of the plurality of inputs of the second coupler is connected to a respective one of the plurality of arms of the MZI, and the plurality of outputs are connected to an output surface of the photonic integrated circuit.

Wherein the second coupler comprises a plurality of outputs, wherein at least one of the plurality of outputs of the second coupler is connected to a monitor photodiode.

Wherein the second coupler comprises a plurality of outputs, wherein at least one of the plurality of outputs of the second coupler is connected to a tapped photodiode.

Wherein the laser and the MZI are connected via a series SOA.

Wherein the first coupler and the second coupler are multimode interference MMI couplers, star couplers or directional couplers.

Wherein the laser is a tunable laser or a frequency modulated laser, wherein the laser comprises a back mirror, a phase shifter component, a laser gain component, and a front mirror.

According to some implementations, a photonic integrated circuit may include one or more lasers; and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) coupled to the one or more lasers, comprising: a first coupler comprising at least one input and a plurality of outputs; a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA) array comprising a plurality of arms, wherein each arm of the plurality of arms comprises an SOA and a phase shifter; and a second coupler comprising a plurality of inputs and at least one output.

Wherein the first coupler is a1 x 2 coupler and the second coupler is a2 x 1 coupler; the first coupler is a1 x 2 coupler and the second coupler is a2 x 2 coupler; the first coupler is a2 x 2 coupler and the second coupler is a2 x 1 coupler; or the first coupler is a2 x 2 coupler and the second coupler is a2 x 2 coupler.

Wherein the at least one output of the second coupler is connected to a tap photodiode or a monitor photodiode.

Wherein the one or more lasers include a first laser and a second laser, wherein: the first laser is configured to generate a beam associated with a first frequency; and the second laser is configured to generate an optical beam associated with a second frequency, wherein a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency is 50% of a free spectral range of the MZI.

Wherein each arm of the plurality of arms of the SOA array is configured to have a different arm length than any other arm of the plurality of arms.

Wherein the SOA and the phase shifter associated with one of the plurality of arms of the SOA array are connected via a waveguide.

Wherein the one or more lasers include a first laser and a second laser, wherein: the first and second lasers are connected to the first coupler of the MZI via respective front mirrors of the first and second lasers; and the first and second lasers are connected to a third coupler via respective back mirrors of the first and second lasers, wherein an output of the third coupler is connected to a monitor photodiode.

Wherein: the first laser is configured to emit a first beam of light and the second laser is configured to be turned off when the monitor photodiode does not detect a fault condition; or the second laser is configured to emit a second beam of light and the first laser is configured to be turned off when the monitor photodiode detects the fault condition.

According to some implementations, a photonic integrated circuit may include a laser connected to a first coupler; a first coupler connected to a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA) array; and an SOA array comprising a plurality of arms, wherein each arm of the plurality of arms comprises an SOA and a phase shifter.

Wherein the laser is connected to the first coupler via a series SOA.

Wherein the first coupler and the SOA array are included in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer MZI.

Wherein the first coupler comprises a single input and a plurality of outputs, wherein the single input of the first coupler is connected to a front mirror of the laser and each of the plurality of outputs of the first coupler is connected to a respective one of the plurality of arms of the SOA array.

Drawings

Fig. 1-9 are schematic diagrams of one or more example implementations described herein.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description of example implementations refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

Coherent modulated continuous wave (FMCW) light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems may utilize semiconductor integrated lasers (e.g., provided in an integrated chip). However, FMCW LIDAR systems may require higher optical power outputs (e.g., 9-10 times higher) than those produced by typical semiconductor integrated lasers (e.g., for coherent telecommunications transmission applications). In some cases, an amplifier (e.g., an SOA) may be integrated with a semiconductor integrated laser (e.g., on the same die as the semiconductor integrated laser), but in order to scale to higher optical power outputs, it may be desirable to increase the length and/or area of the SOA. However, increasing the size of the SOA may change the design of the active layers in the integrated chip (e.g., to maintain chip efficiency, prevent optical power from saturating with injected current, and/or the like). This may inhibit the functionality of the integrated chip and/or FMCW LIDAR system. Additionally or alternatively, catastrophic failure of a laser or amplifier (e.g., in a single amplifier architecture) may result in complete loss of functionality of the integrated chip and/or FMCW LIDAR system.

Some implementations described herein provide an optical device including an integrated laser and an integrated mach-zehnder interferometer (MZI). In some implementations, the optical device may be a photonic integrated circuit that may include various semiconductor materials, such as group III-V semiconductors (e.g., gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), indium gallium arsenide phosphide (InGaAsP), aluminum indium gallium arsenide (InGaAlAs), indium phosphide (InP) and/or the like), group IV semiconductors (e.g., silicon (Si) and/or the like (e.g., as a platform that integrates active and passive photonic circuitry with electronic components on a single chip). In some implementations, the MZI may include a first coupler, an amplifier array, and a second coupler. In some implementations, the first coupler can be configured to split the beam into a plurality of beam portions, where each beam portion propagates through a respective arm of a plurality of arms of the amplifier array. In some implementations, the arms can include amplifiers (e.g., SOAs) and/or phase shifters (phase shifters) to amplify and/or adjust the phase of the respective beam portions. The multiple beam portions (e.g., after being amplified) may propagate to a second coupler, which may recombine the beam portions and/or mix the beam portions for emission from the optical device.

In this way, the amplifier arrays described herein may enable scaling to higher optical power outputs without having to change the design of the active layers of the optical device. Furthermore, the amplifier array may allow the optical device to have greater fault tolerance than an integrated chip using a single amplifier. For example, if one of the amplifiers in the amplifier array fails, the optical device may still deliver the output beam (e.g., at a slightly reduced power output). The reduced power output may reduce FMCW LIDAR the detection range of the system, but may allow FMCW LIDAR the system to continue to operate. In addition, a secondary laser may be included on the same die in the optical device to enable the optical device to continue to operate if the primary laser fails.

Additionally or alternatively, the optical device may provide multiple beams as output from the optical device, which may enable the multiple beam FMCW LIDAR system to provide a wide angle scanning range and high point cloud density. Further, the optical device may provide dynamic reconfigurability of the output power in each of the plurality of beams, which may enable FMCW LIDAR systems to optimize long distance, narrow field of view, or short distance, wide field of view.

Additionally or alternatively, the optical device may provide multiple beams (e.g., from multiple lasers), which may enable a multi-color, multi-beam FMCW LIDAR system to provide resolution of distance and velocity of simultaneous (concurrent) targets. Additionally or alternatively, the optical device may include two lasers of different wavelengths to be coupled to the MZI to allow respective beams in the two lasers to be multiplexed into a single output beam without incurring a coupling loss (e.g., a 3 decibel (dB) coupling loss).

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a top perspective view of an example optical device 100 described herein. As shown in fig. 1, optical device 100 may include a laser 102, a mach-zehnder interferometer (MZI)104, a rear output surface 106, and/or a front output surface 108. The rear output surface 106 and the front output surface 108 may each have an anti-reflective (AR) coating.

In some implementations, the laser 102 and MZI 104 may be integrated into a substrate of the optical device 100 (e.g., on a single die), and the optical device 100 may be a photonic integrated circuit (e.g., may include various semiconductor materials such as GaAs, InGaAs, InGaAsP, InGaAlAs, InP, Si, and/or the like), a planar lightwave chip that integrates optical components to form the optical device 100, and/or the like.

The laser 102 may be a tunable laser and/or a frequency modulated laser. The laser 102 may include a back mirror 110, a phase shifter component 112, a laser gain component 114, a front mirror component 116, and/or the like. The rear mirror 110 may include an output connected to the rear output surface 106 of the optical device 100. The front mirror component 116 may include an output connected to the MZI 104 (e.g., via an input of a first coupler 118 of the MZI 104).

The MZI 104 may comprise a first coupler 118, an amplifier array 120, a second coupler 122, and the like. The first coupler 118 and the second coupler 122 may each be a Multi-Mode Interference (MMI) coupler, a star coupler, a directional coupler, or any other similar type of coupler. The first coupler 118 may include a single input and multiple outputs. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first coupler 118 may be a1 × 2 coupler (e.g., a coupler having one input and two outputs). An input of the first coupler 118 may be connected to the laser 102 (e.g., via an output of the front mirror component 116 of the laser 102). The plurality of outputs of the first coupler 118 may be connected to the amplifier array 120 (e.g., where one output of the plurality of outputs of the first coupler 118 is connected to one input of one SOA124 of a plurality of SOAs 124 of the amplifier array 120).

The amplifier array 120 may include a plurality of SOAs 124 and a plurality of phase shifters 126. In some implementations, the amplifier array 120 may include multiple arms (e.g., arms each connected to one output of the first coupler 118 and one input of the second coupler 122), where each arm includes an SOA124 and/or a phase shifter 126 (e.g., directly or indirectly joined together via waveguides). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, amplifier array 120 includes two arms, where a first arm includes SOA124-1 and phase shifter 126-1 and a second arm includes SOA124-2 and phase shifter 126-2. SOA124-1 and SOA124-2 may each have inputs connected to respective outputs of first coupler 118. Phase shifter 126-1 and phase shifter 126-2 may each have an output connected to a respective input of second coupler 122. Additionally or alternatively, the order of the plurality of SOAs 124 and the plurality of phase shifters 126 may be reversed on each arm of the amplifier array 120. For example, phase shifter 126-1 and phase shifter 126-2 may each have an input connected to a respective output of first coupler 118, and SOA124-1 and SOA124-2 may each have an output connected to a respective input of second coupler 122.

The second coupler 122 may include multiple inputs and a single output. For example, as shown in fig. 1, the second coupler 122 may be a2 × 1 coupler (e.g., a coupler having two inputs and one output). A plurality of inputs of the second coupler 122 may be connected to the amplifier array 120 (e.g., where one input of the plurality of inputs of the second coupler 122 is connected to an output of one phase shifter 126 of the plurality of phase shifters 126 of the amplifier array 120). The output of the second coupler 122 may be connected to the front output surface 108.

In some implementations, the laser 102 can be configured to generate a beam that can propagate to the first coupler 118 (e.g., via an output of the front mirror component 116 of the laser 102 and an input of the first coupler 118). The first coupler 118 may split the beam into a plurality of beam portions. Multiple beam portions may propagate from the first coupler 118 to the amplifier array 120 (e.g., via multiple outputs of the first coupler 118 and respective inputs of multiple SOAs 124 of multiple arms of the amplifier array 120). Amplifier array 120 may amplify and/or adjust the phase of each of the plurality of beam portions (e.g., via a respective SOA124 and a respective phase shifter 126 in the plurality of arms of amplifier array 120). The plurality of beam portions may propagate from the amplifier array 120 to the second coupler 122 (e.g., via respective outputs of a plurality of phase shifters 126 of a plurality of arms of the amplifier array 120 and a plurality of inputs of the second coupler 122). The second coupler 122 may combine the multiple beam portions to form a recombined beam. The recombined beam may propagate from the second coupler 122 to the front output surface 108 (e.g., via the output of the second coupler 122) and then be emitted from the optical device 100 (e.g., via the front output surface 108).

In some implementations, each phase shifter 126 of the multiple arms of the amplifier array can be configured to ensure constructive interference (constructive interference) of the multiple beam portions when the multiple beam portions are combined in the second coupler 122 to form a recombined beam. For example, phase shifter 126-1 may be configured to adjust the phase of a first beam portion, and phase shifter 126-2 may be configured to adjust the phase of a second beam portion, such that the first and second beam portions are summed to form a recombined beam as it propagates to or through second coupler 122. The recombined beam may have an optical power up to 2 times greater than the optical power of any other of the plurality of beam portions.

As shown in FIG. 1, some components (e.g., the unshaded components shown in FIG. 1), such as the rear mirror 110, the phase shifter component 112, the front mirror component 116, the first coupler 118, the phase shifter 126-1, the phase shifter 126-2, and/or the second coupler 122, may provide an adjustable index shift (e.g., phase shift) for the beam and/or at least one of the plurality of beam portions. Additionally or alternatively, some components (e.g., the shaded components shown in FIG. 1), such as the laser gain component 114, the SOA124-1, and/or the SOA124-2, may amplify (e.g., provide optical gain to) the beam and/or at least one of the plurality of beam portions. It should be appreciated that optical amplification may also be accompanied by an optical phase shift, but typically by a much smaller amount than a dedicated phase shifter element with a similar geometry.

In some implementations, the laser gain component 114, the SOA124-1 and/or the SOA124-2 may be connected to the same power supply and may amplify the beam and/or at least one of the beam portions by the same or similar amount (e.g., when the same or similar current is provided to the laser gain component 114, the SOA124-1 and/or the SOA 124-2). Additionally or alternatively, the laser gain component 114, the SOA124-1 and the SOA124-2 may be connected to different power supplies and may amplify the beam and/or at least one of the beam portions by different amounts (e.g., when different currents are each provided to the laser gain component 114, the SOA124-1 and/or the SOA 124-2).

As noted above, fig. 1 is merely provided as one or more examples. Other examples may be different from that described with reference to fig. 1.

Fig. 2A-2B are diagrams illustrating respective top perspective views of example optical devices 200 and 250 described herein. Optical devices 200 and 250 may include the same or similar components as optical device 100. Thus, as described herein, certain components of optical devices 200 and 250 may be configured in the same or similar manner as the same or similar components of optical device 100.

As shown in fig. 2A-2B, optical devices 200 and 250 may each include a laser 102 (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 1) and an MZI 204. The MZI 204 may be similar to the MZI 104 and may include a first coupler 118 and an amplifier array 120 (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 1) and a second coupler 222.

The second coupler 222 may be similar to the second coupler 122 described herein. In some implementations, the second coupler 222 may be an MMI coupler, a star coupler, a directional coupler, or any other similar type of coupler. The second coupler 222 may include a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs. For example, as shown in fig. 2, the second coupler 222 may be a2 x 2 coupler (e.g., a coupler having two inputs and two outputs). A plurality of inputs of the second coupler 222 may be connected to the amplifier array 120 (e.g., where one input of the plurality of inputs of the second coupler 122 is connected to an output of one phase shifter 126 of the plurality of phase shifters 126 of the amplifier array 120).

As shown in fig. 2A and with reference to the optical device 200, multiple outputs of the second coupler 222 may be connected to the front output surface 108 to enable multiple beam emissions from the optical device 200. For example, the second coupler 222 may mix the multiple beam portions (e.g., which propagate to the second coupler 222 via the amplifier array 120, in a manner similar to that described herein with respect to fig. 1) to form a plurality of mixed beam portions. The mixed beam portion may propagate from the second coupler 222 to the front output surface 108 (e.g., via multiple outputs of the second coupler 222) and then be emitted from the optical device 200 (e.g., via the front output surface 108).

Each of the plurality of outputs of the second coupler 222 may be associated with a respective amount of optical power. As shown in fig. 2, when the second coupler 222 is a2 x 2 coupler (e.g., a coupler having two inputs and two outputs), the second coupler 222 may include a main output and a supplemental output, each associated with a different amount of optical power. Phase shifters 126-1 and 126-2 of second coupler 222 and/or amplifier array 120 may be configured to ensure that an amount of output power of the first mixed beam portion propagating via the primary output and an amount of output power of the second mixed beam portion propagating via the supplemental output meet a particular ratio (e.g., the amount of power of the first mixed beam is ten times greater than the amount of power of the second mixed beam).

As shown in fig. 2B and with reference to optical device 250, at least one of the outputs of second coupler 222 may be connected to a monitor photodiode 228. The monitor photodiode 228 may be configured to measure an amount of current associated with the at least one output (e.g., may indicate an amount of optical power of the mixed beam propagating via the at least one output). In some implementations, the monitor photodiode 228 can be used as part of a feedback control loop to minimize the amount of current associated with the monitor photodiode 228, thereby minimizing the amount of optical power of the mixed beam propagating via the at least one output. In this manner, the monitor photodiode 228 may help minimize the amount of optical power of the mixed beam associated with the supplemental output of the second coupler 222, and thus may help maximize the amount of optical power associated with the primary output of the second coupler 222.

As indicated above, fig. 2A-2B are provided as examples only. Other examples may differ from the examples described with reference to fig. 2A-2B.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a top perspective view of an example optical device 300 described herein. Optical device 300 may include the same or similar components as optical devices 100, 200, and/or 250. Thus, as described herein, certain components of optical device 300 may be configured in the same or similar manner as the same or similar components of optical devices 100, 200, and/or 250.

As shown in fig. 3, optical device 300 may include laser 102 (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 1) and MZI 304. MZI 304 may comprise a first coupler 318, an amplifier array 320, and a second coupler 322.

The first coupler 318 may be the same as or similar to the first coupler 118 described herein. In some implementations, the first coupler 318 may be an MMI coupler, a star coupler, a directional coupler, or any other similar type of coupler. The first coupler 318 may include a single input and multiple outputs. For example, as shown in fig. 3, the first coupler 318 may be a1 × N coupler (e.g., a coupler having one input and N outputs), where N is greater than or equal to 2. An input of the first coupler 118 may be connected to the laser 102 (e.g., via an output of the front mirror component 116 of the laser 102). The plurality of outputs of the first coupler 318 may be connected to the amplifier array 320 (e.g., where one of the plurality of outputs of the first coupler 318 is connected to an input of one SOA124 of the plurality of SOAs 124 of the amplifier array 320.

The amplifier array 320 may be the same as or similar to the amplifier array 120 described herein. In some implementations, the amplifier array 320 may include a plurality of SOAs 124 and a plurality of phase shifters 126. In some implementations, the amplifier array 320 may include multiple arms (e.g., respective outputs connected to the first coupler 318 and inputs of the second coupler 322), where each arm includes the SOA124 and/or the phase shifter 126 (e.g., directly or indirectly joined together via waveguides). For example, as shown in fig. 3, amplifier array 320 includes N arms, where N is greater than or equal to 2, and where the first arm includes SOA124-1 and phase shifter 126-1 and the nth arm includes SOA 124-N and phase shifter 126-N. SOAs 124-1 through 124-N may each have an input connected to a respective output of first coupler 318. Phase shifters 126-1 to 126-N may each have an output connected to a respective input of second coupler 322. Additionally or alternatively, the order of the plurality of SOAs 124 and the plurality of phase shifters 126 may be reversed on each arm of the amplifier array 120. For example, the phase shifters 126-1 through 126-N may each have an input connected to a respective output of the first coupler 318, and the SOAs 124-1 through 124-N may each have an output connected to a respective input of the second coupler 322.

The second coupler 322 may be the same as or similar to the second coupler 122 and/or the second coupler 222 described herein. In some implementations, the second coupler 322 may be an MMI coupler, a star coupler, a directional coupler, or any other similar type of coupler. The second coupler 322 may include a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs. For example, as shown in fig. 3, the second coupler 222 may be an N × N coupler (e.g., a coupler having N inputs and N outputs), where N is greater than or equal to 2. A plurality of inputs of the second coupler 322 may be connected to the amplifier array 320 (e.g., where one input of the plurality of inputs of the second coupler 322 is connected to an output of one phase shifter 126 of the plurality of phase shifters 126 of the amplifier array 320). Multiple outputs of the second coupler 322 may be connected to the front output surface 108 to enable multiple beam emission from the optical device 300.

In some implementations, the laser 102 can be configured to generate a beam that can propagate to the first coupler 318 (e.g., via an output of the front mirror component 116 of the laser 102 and an input of the first coupler 318). The first coupler 318 can split the beam into a plurality of beam portions that can propagate from the first coupler 318 to the amplifier array 320 (e.g., via a plurality of outputs of the first coupler 118 and respective inputs of a plurality of SOAs 124 of a plurality of arms of the amplifier array 320. the amplifier array 320 can amplify and/or adjust a phase of each of the plurality of beam portions (e.g., via respective SOAs 124 and respective phase shifters 126 of the plurality of arms of the amplifier array 320.) the plurality of beam portions can propagate from the amplifier array 320 to the second coupler 322 (e.g., via respective outputs of the plurality of phase shifters 126 of the plurality of arms of the amplifier array 320 and respective inputs of the second coupler 322.) the second coupler 322 can mix the plurality of beam portions to form a plurality of mixed beam portions. the mixed beam portions can propagate from the second coupler 322 to the front output surface 108 (e.g., via the multiple outputs of the second coupler 322) and may be emitted from the optical device 300 (e.g., via the front output surface 108). Each output of the second coupler 322 may be configured to propagate a mixed beam portion associated with an amount of optical power. In some implementations, the mixed beam portion emitted via a particular output of the second coupler 322 may have an optical power that is up to N times greater than the optical power of any other mixed beam portion emitted by the second coupler 322.

As described above, fig. 3 is provided merely as one or more examples. Other examples may be different from that described with reference to fig. 3.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a top perspective view of an example optical device 400 described herein. Optical device 400 may include the same or similar components as optical devices 100, 200, 250, and/or 300. Accordingly, certain components of optical device 400 may be configured in the same or similar manner as the same or similar components of optical devices 100, 200, 250, and/or 300 described herein.

As shown in fig. 4, optical device 400 may include laser 102 and MZI 104 (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 1). Additionally, the optical device 400 may include an inline SOA 430. The series SOA 430 may include a single input and a single output. As shown in fig. 4, an input of the series SOA may be connected to laser 102 (e.g., via an output of a front mirror component 116 of laser 102) and an output may be connected to MZI 104 (e.g., via an input of a first coupler 118). Series SOA 430 may be configured to amplify the optical beam generated by laser 102 as the laser beam propagates from laser 102 to MZI 104. As described herein with respect to fig. 1, series SOA 430 may be connected to the same power supply as laser gain component 114, SOA124-1 and/or SOA124-2 or a different power supply.

As described above, fig. 4 is provided merely as one or more examples. Other examples may be different from that described with reference to fig. 4.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a top perspective view of an example optical device 500 described herein. Optical device 500 may include the same or similar components as optical devices 100, 200, 250, 300, and/or 400. Accordingly, particular components of optical device 500 may be configured in the same or similar manner as the same or similar components of optical devices 100, 200, 250, 300, and/or 400 described herein.

The optical device 500 may include a laser 102 (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 1) and a MZI 204 (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 2), as well as one or more additional MZIs 532 (e.g., also referred to as one or more cascaded (cascoded) MZIs 532). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the MZI 204 may be connected (e.g., in parallel) to an additional MZI 532-A and an additional MZI 532-B (e.g., a first output of the second coupler 222 of the MZI 204 is connected to an input of the first coupler 118-A of the additional MZI 532-A and a second output of the second coupler 222 of the MZI 204 is connected to an input of the first coupler 118-B of the additional MZI 532-B).

The additional MZI 532 may be the same as or similar to MZI 204 and may comprise a first coupler 118, an amplifier array 120, and a second coupler 222. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, additional MZIs 532-A may comprise a first coupler 118-A, an amplifier array 120-A (e.g., comprising a first arm comprising SOA 124-A1 and phase shifter 126-A1 and a second arm comprising SOA 124-A2 and shifter 126-A2), and a second coupler 222-A. Additionally or alternatively, additional MZIs 532-B may comprise a first coupler 118-B, an amplifier array 120-B (e.g., comprising a first arm comprising SOA 124-B1 and phase shifter 126-B1 and a second arm comprising SOA 124-B2 and phase shifter 126-B2), and a second coupler 222-B.

As described above, fig. 5 is provided merely as one or more examples. Other examples may be different from that described with reference to fig. 4.

6A-6B illustrate respective top perspective views of example optical devices 600 and 650 described herein. Optical devices 600 and 650 may include the same or similar components as optical devices 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, and/or 500. Accordingly, particular components of optical devices 600 and/or 650 may be configured in a similar or analogous manner to the same or similar components of optical devices 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, and/or 500 described herein.

As shown in fig. 6A-6B, optics 600 and 650 may each include a laser 102 (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 1). As shown in fig. 6A, the optical device 600 may additionally include an MZI 204 (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 2). As shown in fig. 6B, optical device 650 may additionally include MZI 304 (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 3).

Referring to the optical device 600, as shown in fig. 6A, a tapped photodiode (tap photodiode) 634 may be connected to at least one of the plurality of outputs of the second coupler 222 of the MZI 204. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, tap photodiode 634-1 may be connected to a first output of second coupler 222, and tap photodiode 634-2 may be connected to a second output of second coupler 222.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6B and with reference to optics 650, a tap photodiode 634 may be connected to at least one of the plurality of outputs of the second coupler 322 of the MZI 304. For example, as shown in fig. 6, N tap photodiodes 634 (e.g., tap photodiodes 634-1 through 634-N) may be respectively connected to each of the N outputs of second coupler 322.

The tap photodiode 634 may be configured to measure an amount of optical power associated with an output connected to the tap photodiode 634 (e.g., by absorbing a fraction of the optical power of the portion of the optical beam propagating through the output), which may be used as a feedback signal to control a setting (e.g., an amplification setting, a phase setting, and/or the like) of the MZI 204 and/or MZI 304.

6A-6B are provided as examples only. Other examples may be different from that described with reference to fig. 6A-6B.

Fig. 7A-7B are diagrams illustrating respective top perspective views of example optical devices 700 and 750 described herein. Optical devices 700 and 750 may include the same or similar components as optical devices 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, and/or 650. Accordingly, particular components of optical devices 700 and/or 750 may be configured in the same or similar manner as the same or similar components of optical devices 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, and/or 650 described herein.

As shown in fig. 7A-7B, optical devices 700 and 750 may each include a laser 102 (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 1) and/or a series SOA 430 (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 4). As shown in fig. 7A, optical device 700 may additionally include first coupler 118 and amplifier array 120 (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 1) rather than additionally including an MZI. As shown in fig. 7B, the optical device 750 may additionally include the first coupler 318 and the amplifier array 320 (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 3).

As shown in fig. 7A, with respect to optical device 700, an input of first coupler 118 may be connected to an output of series SOA 430, and each of a plurality of outputs of first coupler 118 may be respectively connected to one of one or more arms of amplifier array 120. The arms of the amplifier array 120 may include SOAs 124 and/or phase shifters 126 (e.g., bonded together directly or indirectly via waveguides). Each phase shifter 126 may include an output connected to the front output surface 108 of the optical device 700. For example, as shown in fig. 7A, the series SOA 430 is connected to a first coupler 118, the first coupler 118 including a first output connected to a first arm of the amplifier array 120 and a second output connected to a second arm of the amplifier array 120. The first arm includes an SOA124-1 coupled to a phase shifter 126-1, the SOA124-1 having an output connected to the front output surface 108. The second arm includes an SOA124-2 coupled to a phase shifter 126-2, the SOA124-2 having an output connected to the front output surface 108.

In some implementations, with respect to the optical apparatus 700, the laser 102 can be configured to generate a beam that can propagate to the series SOA 430, which can amplify the beam. The optical beam may propagate to first coupler 118 (e.g., via the output of series SOA 430 and the input of first coupler 118). First coupler 118 may split the beam into a plurality of beam portions that may propagate from first coupler 118 to amplifier array 120 (e.g., via a plurality of outputs of first coupler 118 and respective inputs of a plurality of SOAs 124 in a plurality of arms of amplifier array 120). Amplifier array 120 may amplify and/or adjust the phase of each of the plurality of beam portions (e.g., via a respective SOA124 and a respective phase shifter 126 in the plurality of arms of amplifier array 120). The multiple beam portions may propagate from the amplifier array 120 (e.g., via respective outputs of the plurality of phase shifters 126 in the multiple arms of the amplifier array 120) and may be emitted from the optical device 700 (e.g., via the front output surface 108).

As shown in fig. 7B, with respect to optical device 750, the input of first coupler 318 may be connected to the output of series SOA 430, and each of the plurality of outputs of first coupler 318 may be correspondingly connected to one of the one or more arms of amplifier array 320. The arms of the amplifier array 320 may include SOAs 124 and/or phase shifters 126 (e.g., bonded together directly or indirectly via waveguides). Each phase shifter 126 may include an output connected to the front output surface 108 of the optical device 750. For example, as shown in fig. 7, the series SOA 430 is connected to a first coupler 318, the first coupler 318 including N outputs respectively connected to each of the N arms of the amplifier array 320. The first arm includes an SOA124-1 coupled to a phase shifter 126-1, the SOA124-1 having an output connected to the front output surface 108. In addition, the Nth arm includes an SOA 124-N coupled to a phase shifter 126-N, the SOA 124-N having an output connected to the front output surface 108.

In some implementations, with respect to the optical arrangement 750, the laser 102 can be configured to generate a beam that can propagate to the series SOA 430, which can amplify the beam. The optical beam may propagate to first coupler 318 (e.g., via the output of series SOA 430 and the input of first coupler 318). First coupler 318 may split the beam into a plurality of beam portions that may propagate from first coupler 318 to amplifier array 320 (e.g., via a plurality of outputs of first coupler 118 and respective inputs of a plurality of SOAs 124 of a plurality of arms of amplifier array 320). The amplifier array 320 may amplify and/or adjust the phase of each of the plurality of beam portions (e.g., via the respective SOA124 and the respective phase shifter 126 of the plurality of arms of the amplifier array 320). The multiple beam portions may propagate from amplifier array 320 (e.g., via respective outputs of the multiple phase shifters 126 of the multiple arms of amplifier array 320) and may be emitted from optical device 750 (e.g., via front output surface 108).

As described above, fig. 7 is provided merely as one or more examples. Other examples may be different from that described with reference to fig. 7.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a top perspective view of an exemplary optical device 800 described herein. Optical device 800 may include the same or similar components as optical devices 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 650, 700, and/or 750. Accordingly, particular components of optical device 800 may be configured in the same or similar manner as the same or similar components of optical devices 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 650, 700, and/or 750 described herein.

As shown in FIG. 8, optical device 800 may include a laser 802-1, a laser 802-2, and a MZI 804. The laser 802-1 may be the same as or similar to the laser 102 described herein. In some implementations, the laser 802-1 may include a back mirror component 810-1, a phase shifter component 812-1, a laser gain component 814-1, a front mirror component 816-1, and/or the like. The front mirror component 816-1 may include an output connected to the MZI804 (e.g., one input via multiple inputs of a first coupler 818 of the MZI 804). The rear mirror component 810-1 can include an output connected to the third coupler 836 (e.g., via one of a plurality of inputs of the third coupler 836).

Further, the laser 802-2 may be the same as or similar to the laser 102 described herein. In some implementations, the laser 802-2 may include a back mirror component 810-2, a phase shifter component 812-2, a laser gain component 814-2, a front mirror component 816-2, and/or the like. The front mirror component 816-2 may include an output connected to the MZI804 (e.g., one input via multiple inputs of a first coupler 818 of the MZI 804). The rear mirror component 810-2 can include an output connected to the third coupler 836 (e.g., one input via multiple inputs of the third coupler 836).

MZI804 may include first coupler 818, amplifier array 120, second coupler 222, and/or the like. The first coupler 818 may be similar to the first coupler 118 described herein. In some implementations, the first coupler 818 may be an MMI coupler, a star coupler, a directional coupler, or any other similar type of coupler. The first coupler 818 may provide an adjustable index shift (e.g., phase shift) for one or more portions of the beam propagating through the first coupler 818. The first coupler 818 may include a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs. For example, as shown in fig. 8, the first coupler 818 may be a2 x 2 coupler (e.g., a coupler having two inputs and two outputs). A first input of the first coupler 818 may be connected to the laser 802-1 (e.g., via an output of the front mirror component 816-1 of the laser 802-1). A second input of the first coupler 818 may be connected to the laser 802-2 (e.g., via an output of the front mirror component 816-2 of the laser 802-2). The outputs of the first coupler 818 may be connected to the amplifier array 120 (e.g., where an output of the outputs of the first coupler 818 is connected to an input of one SOA124 of a plurality of SOAs 124 of the amplifier array 120).

In some implementations, the third coupler 836 may be an MMI coupler, star coupler, directional coupler, or any other similar type of coupler. The third coupler 836 may include a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs. For example, as shown in fig. 8, the third coupler 836 may be a2 × 2 coupler (e.g., a coupler having two inputs and two outputs). A first input of the third coupler 836 may be connected to the laser 802-1 (e.g., via an output of the rear mirror component 810-1 of the laser 802-1). A second input of the third coupler 836 may be connected to the laser 802-2 (e.g., via an output of the rear mirror component 810-2 of the laser 802-2). At least one of the plurality of outputs of the third coupler 836 may be connected to the rear output surface 106 of the optical device 800. As shown in fig. 8, at least one of the outputs of the third coupler 836 may be connected to a monitor photodiode 838. The monitor photodiode 838 may be configured to measure an amount of current associated with at least one output.

In some implementations, only one laser 802 of the optical device 800 can generate a beam at a time. For example, laser 802-1 may be configured to generate a first beam of light. A first portion of the optical beam may propagate to MZI804 to form a plurality of mixed optical beams emitted from optical device 800 (e.g., in a manner similar to that described herein with respect to fig. 1 and 2). Further, a second portion of the optical beam may propagate to the third coupler 836 (e.g., via an output of the rear mirror component 810-1 and one of the plurality of inputs of the third coupler 836). The third coupler 836 may divide the second portion of the beam into a plurality of beam portions and may propagate the plurality of beam portions to a plurality of outputs of the third coupler 836. A monitor photodiode 838 connected to at least one of the plurality of outputs of the third coupler 836 may measure an amount of current associated with the at least one output. As long as the monitor photodiode 838 does not detect a fault condition (e.g., as long as a measured amount of current associated with at least one output of the third coupler 836 meets (e.g., is greater than or equal to) a threshold), the laser 802-1 may be configured to generate the first beam and/or the laser 802-2 may be configured to be turned off. Additionally or alternatively, when the monitor photodiode 838 detects a fault condition (e.g., a measured amount of current associated with at least one output fails to meet (e.g., is less than) a threshold), the laser 802-1 may be configured to stop generating the first beam (e.g., the laser 802-1 is configured to be turned off), and the laser 802-2 may be configured to generate the second beam. The second light beam may propagate through the optical device 800 in a similar manner as described herein with respect to the first light beam.

As described above, fig. 8 is provided merely as one or more examples. Other examples may be different from that described with reference to fig. 8.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top perspective view of an example optical device 900 described herein. Optical device 900 may include the same or similar components as optical devices 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 650, 700, 750, and/or 800. Accordingly, particular components of optical device 900 may be configured in the same or similar manner as the same or similar components of optical devices 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 650, 700, 750, and/or 800 described herein.

As shown in FIG. 9, optical device 900 may include laser 802-1, laser 802-2, and MZI 904. The laser 802-1 may be configured to generate a first beam having a first frequency and the laser 802-2 may be configured to generate a second beam having a second frequency (e.g., simultaneously).

The MZI904 may include a first coupler 818, an amplifier array 920, a second coupler 222, and/or the like. Amplifier array 920 may be similar to amplifier array 120 and/or amplifier array 320 described herein. The amplifier array 920 may include a plurality of SOAs 924 and a plurality of phase shifters 926. In some implementations, the amplifier array 920 can include multiple arms, where each arm is connected to a respective output of the first coupler 818 and a respective input of the second coupler 222. Each arm includes an SOA 924 and/or a phase shifter 926 (e.g., directly or indirectly joined together via a waveguide). For example, as shown in FIG. 9, amplifier array 920 includes two arms, where the first arm includes SOA 924-1 and phase shifter 926-1, and the second arm includes SOA 924-2 and phase shifter 926-2. The SOA 924-1 may have an input connected to the first output of the first coupler 818 and an output connected to an input of the phase shifter 926-1. The SOA 924-2 may have an input connected to the second output of the first coupler 818 and an output connected to an input of the phase shifter 926-2. Phase shifters 926-1 and 926-2 may each have an output connected to a respective input of second coupler 222.

In some implementations, the length of each arm of the amplifier array 920 may not be equal to the length of the other arm of the amplifier array 920, which may produce an interference effect that is periodic in optical frequency and may be characterized by the Free Spectral Range (FSR) of the MZI 904. In some implementations, the lasers 802-1 and 802-1 can be configured to generate the first and second beams such that the difference between the first and second frequencies has a particular relationship to the FSR of the MZI904 (e.g., the difference can be 25% of the FSR, 50% of the FSR, 65% of the FSR, and/or the like).

As described herein, the second coupler 222 may include a plurality of outputs, at least one of which is connected to the front output surface 108. In this manner, at least a portion of the first light beam and at least a portion of the second light beam may be emitted from the optical device 900 (e.g., as two-color emission). Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the plurality of outputs of the second coupler 222 may be connected to the monitor photodiode 228 (e.g., used as part of a feedback control loop to minimize an amount of current associated with the monitor photodiode 228, thereby minimizing an amount of power of the beamlet propagating via the at least one output), as described herein with reference to fig. 2.

As described above, fig. 9 is provided merely as one or more examples. Other examples may be different from that described with reference to fig. 9.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations.

As used herein, the terms "input," "output," "connection," "arm," and/or the like are intended to be interpreted as structures that provide an optical path, such as a waveguide (e.g., for a light beam, a light beam portion, and/or the like).

As used herein, the term "component" is intended to be broadly interpreted as hardware, firmware, and/or a combination of hardware and software.

As used herein, meeting a threshold may refer to being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, and/or the like, depending on the context.

Even though particular combinations of features are set forth in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the various implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may depend directly on only one claim, the disclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.

No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles "a" and "an" are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the article "the" is intended to include the item or items referred to by the conjoined article "the" and may be used interchangeably with "one or more". Further, as used herein, the term "collection" is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, combinations of related and unrelated items, etc.) and may be used interchangeably with "one or more". Where only one item is intended, the phrase "only one item" or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms "having," "having," and/or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based, at least in part, on" unless explicitly stated otherwise. Moreover, as used herein, the term "or" when used in tandem is intended to be inclusive and may be used interchangeably with "and/or" unless specifically stated otherwise (e.g., if used in conjunction with "or (eiter)" or "just one of it").