Pulse-density modulation for tuning a thermally controlled, resonant optical component
OwnerSubal Sahni, Philip Winterbottominventors
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Abstract
One some embodiments, a method for tuning optical components includes receiving an optical signal in a waveguide in a photonic-integrated circuit (PIC) and detecting optical outputs of the optical components. The method further includes determining pulse signals for the optical components designed to cause the optical components to each have a peak-resonance wavelength that matches a corresponding wavelength of the optical signal. The method further includes tuning the optical components by sending the pulse signals to the optical components.
Claims20
A method of tuning temperature controlled resonant optical components (TCROCs) of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), comprising:
- at several consecutive iterations of a time cycle:
- detecting a plurality of optical outputs generated by the plurality of TCROCS, wherein the plurality of TRCOCs generate the plurality of optical outputs based on receiving an optical signal from a light source;
- determining a pulse signal for each of the plurality of TCROCs configured to shift a peak resonance wavelength of an associated TCROC to substantially match the wavelength of the light source;
- applying, with a thermal tuner driver, the associated pulse signal to each of the plurality of TCROCs, wherein each of the pulse signals is applied during a non-overlapping segment of the time cycle.
A method of tuning temperature controlled resonant optical components (TCROCs) of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), comprising:
- detecting a first optical output of a first TCROC and a second optical output of a second TCROC;
- determining a first pulse signal for the first TCROC and a second pulse signal for the second TCROC each designed to shift a peak resonance wavelength of the associated TCROC to substantially match a target wavelength of a light source;
- and
- with a thermal tuner driver:
- applying the first pulse signal to the first TCROC to heat the first TCROC to a first target temperature associated with the first TCROC operating at the target wavelength;
- while allowing the first TCROC to cool below the first target temperature, applying the second pulse signal to the second TCROC to heat the second TCROC to a second target temperature associated with the second TCROC operating at the target wavelength;
- and
- while allowing the second TCROC to cool below the second target temperature, reapplying the first pulse signal to the first TCROC to heat the first TCROC back to the first target temperature, wherein the first pulse signal is reapplied to the first TCROC within a minimum repetition period that is derived from a thermal time constant of the first TCROC.
A device for tuning optical components of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), comprising:
- a first thermally controlled resonant optical component (TCROC) configured to receive light from a light source and generate a first optical output, the first TCROC having a first peak resonance wavelength that varies with a first temperature of the first TCROC;
- a second TCROC configured to receive light from the light source and generate a second optical output, the second TCROC having a second peak resonance wavelength that varies with a second temperature of the second TCROC;
- at least one detector operatively coupled to the first and second TCROCs for detecting the first and second optical outputs;
- a control module configured to determine, based on the first and second optical outputs detected by the at least one detector:
- a first pulse signal designed to change the first temperature and cause the first peak resonance wavelength to substantially match a wavelength of the light source;
- and
- a second pulse signal designed to change the second temperature and cause the second peak resonance wavelength to substantially match the wavelength of the light source;
- and
- a thermal tuner driver configured to apply the first pulse signal to the first TCROC and apply the second pulse signal to the second TCROC.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.