Abstract:
A distance measuring device includes a light source emitting light, and an integrated electro-optic modulator arranged such that the emitted light passes through an optical waveguide of the electro-optic modulator in a first direction before being emitted from the distance measuring device, and after being reflected from a target passes through the electro-optic modulator in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction. The forward electro-optic response of a modulating region of the electro-optic modulator is the same as the backward electro-optic response, and a center of gravity of the modulation is independent of modulation frequency.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to au electro-optic distance measuring device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Relevant distance-measuring devices are known from EP 0 205 406, EP 0 313 518, EP-A-1 647 838, WO 97/18486 and EP patent application number 10 405 078, for example. The content of these applications is incorporated in their entirety by reference for elucidating the functioning of the Fizeau method for absolute distance measurement. U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,531 describes a distance measurement device using a light modulator that turns light transmission on and off, similar to a rotating tooth-weel. 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  schematically shows a distance measuring device for measuring absolute distance according to the prior art: A light source  101  emits light, typically in the visible or infrared range, with center wavelength λ, the spectral width of the source being broad enough in order to ensure a low coherence light emission. The parallel light beam emitted by the broadband source  101  illuminates a polarising beam splitter  102 , which ensures a linear polarization state for one of the transmitted beams. The polarized beam passes through an electro-optic crystal  103  having electrodes  104  on opposite sides. The incident light beam is polarized at 45° to the main axes of the electro-optic crystal  103 , called slow (extraordinary) and fast (ordinary) axis, with different refractive indices n e &gt;n c , respectively. Two waves resulting from the projection on the orthogonal axes of the incident light field propagate in the electro-optic crystal  103  with a 90° polarization angle between them. The electrodes  104  allow to apply an electric field parallel to one of the main crystallographic axis of the electro-optic crystal  103 . A sinusoidal electric signal with a frequency f is generated by a signal source  108  and applied to the electrodes  104 . This electric field generates a modification of the refractive index difference between the slow and the fast optical axes of the crystal. A phase modulation is thus introduced between the two orthogonal waves. The value of the index of modulation relative to the slow axis a s  and to the fast axis a f  depends on the electro-optic coefficient r of the for the crystal orientation considered, on the cube of the refractive index of the slow and fast axis respectively, on the distance gap between the electrodes, on the crystal length and on the optical wavelength, and on the voltage amplitude of the electrical signal. The polarization directions(s) along the path of the light indicated by small arrows. 
         [0006]    At the output of the electro-optic crystal  103 , a quarter wave plate  105  is placed with its axes oriented at 45° with respect to the main axes of the electro-optic crystal  103 . The light beam after passing through the quarter wave plate  105  passes on, along the distance to be measured, to reach a target. A corner mirror  106  or other reflecting element is fixed to the target, reflecting the light back to the optical source. After passing a second time through the quarter wave  105  plate, the two orthogonal waves of the returning light are rotated by 90° and cross the electro-optic crystal  103  a second time, now in the opposite direction. The wave, which was modulated the first time along the slow axis, is now modulated along the fast axis, while the wave, which was modulated along the fast axis the first time, is now modulated along the slow axis. The modulation being experienced by the light is the same for the light passing in the forward and backward direction, but is a delayed by the time of flight of the wave on its way to the target and back. The returning light and part of the emitted light are then recombined at the second polarizer output port. The two resulting linear waves can now interfere. The resulting beam, modulated in amplitude according to the interference, is captured by a photoreceiver  107 . 
         [0007]    Thus, basically, a light beam, from a laser or from a broadband light source, is generated, and guided by a focusing optical unit onto a polarizing beam splitter for linearly polarizing the light, and is subsequently guided onto a measurement path by an electro-optical modulator, a lambda/4 retarder and an exit optical unit. Light returning along the measurement path passes through the elements mentioned as far as the polarizing beam splitter and is guided onto a detector by the latter. An evaluation unit serves for determining the length of the measurement path on the basis of the detector signal. 
         [0008]    What is of relevance in the present context is that, in this method, outgoing and returning measurement light is modulated in a modulator. By variation of the frequency of the modulation, a minimum of the intensity of a detected measurement light beam is determined (or substantially synonymously, a zero-crossing of the derivative of the intensity). The length of the measurement path between the measurement device and a retroreflector or a semi-cooperative target is determined from the minimum frequency. A semi-cooperative target returns at least part of incident light along the direction of the incident light, e.g. by diffuse reflection. 
         [0009]    Current implementations of Fizeau-principle based distance-measuring devices use electro-optic modulators with bulk crystals exhibiting the Pockels-effect. In order to reach the voltages of several 100 V (over a crystal width of ˜1 mm) required for full modulation, the modulator needs an electrical drive-power of ˜1 W, and the crystal is placed in an electrical resonator. Setting a particular modulation frequency requires mechanical tuning of the resonator, thus limiting the measurement rate (to e.g. 20 Hz). 
         [0010]    It is desirable to speed up the measurement by using an integrated optics modulator in a distance measurement device. However, since the measurement principle of the distance measurement device requires the light to pass the modulator twice, in opposing directions, known single pass modulators are not suitable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is therefore an object of the invention to create a distance measuring device, using an integrated optics modulator which is traversed by both outgoing and returning light. 
         [0012]    A further object of the invention is to create a distance measuring device having an electro-optical modulator which can be operated with lower modulating voltages and with lower power consumption than known modulators. 
         [0013]    The electro-optic distance measuring device thus includes includes an integrated electro-optic modulator which, in turn, includes includes an optical waveguide of a nonlinear optical material, and travelling wave electrodes arranged to generate a (travelling) electrical field in a modulating region of the waveguide when a voltage is applied to the electrodes, thereby modulating the phase of light passing through the waveguide. Therein
       the forward electro-optic response of the modulating region is the same as the backward electro-optic response (in other words: the effect, such as the phase shift, on light passing the modulator in one direction and light passing in the opposite direction is the same).       
 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the electro-optic response in the used modulation frequency range has a flat (e.g. low-pass or band-pass) characteristic. In an embodiment, this means that over a bandwidth over 125 MHz the loss of electro-optic response is less than 25%, or that over a bandwidth over 125 MHz the electro-optic response varies by less than 25%. 
         [0016]    This allows the use of the modulator in an application in which two beams of light pass through the modulator in opposite directions and where it is important that the two beams be modulated with a high frequency, e.g. in the GHz range, in essentially the same manner. 
         [0017]    Note: A “band-pass characteristic” means, as is commonly brown, that the electro-optic response is essentially zero when a DC voltage is applied to the electrode line, and with increasing frequency rises to a maximum and then falls again at least once. Similarly, a “low-pass characteristic” means that the electro-optic response is essentially at its maximum (“initial maximum”) when a DC voltage is applied to the electrode line, and with increasing frequency falls continuously, either for all frequencies, or only up to a particular frequency, at which it reaches a minimum after which it rises again to a further maximum, usually to a level lower than the initial maximum, and falls again. This falling and rising may repeat itself for increasing frequencies, usually with decreasing height of the maxima. 
         [0018]    Note: An optical waveguide is a physical structure that guides electromagnetic waves in the optical spectrum. Common types of optical waveguides include optical fibers and rectangular waveguides. In an optical waveguide, only selected modes of the light can propagate along the length of the waveguide, since the lateral dimensions of the waveguide (that is, the dimensions orthogonal to the length of the wave guide, along which the light propagates) are within the range of a few wavelengths of the light. 
         [0019]    In contrast to this, in a bulk crystal or volume crystal, the lateral dimensions are significantly larger than the wavelength of the light or the diameter of a beam of light passing through the crystal, and the propagation of different modes of the light is not affected by the dimensions of the crystal. Depending on the type of crystal, the light may of course be affected by other properties of the crystal (refraction, dispersion, etc . . . ). Different from a waveguide, a bulk crystal or volume crystal does not have a light guiding function. 
         [0020]    With such an integrated optics modulator with a very small waveguide and electrode separation, the field strength required for full modulation is thus reached with a modulation voltage of only a few Volts, resulting in a dramatic reduction of drive-power and no need for an external resonator and its time consuming mechanical tuning any more. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, the center of gravity of modulation is independent of modulation frequency. The center of gravity of modulation is a point along the waveguide. Its location y COG  is defined as the integral, over the position along the waveguide, of the product of the phase modulation per unit length a with the position y, divided by the integral, over the position along the waveguide, of the phase modulation. That is 
         [0000]        y   COG =∫ y1   y2   a ( y ) ydy/∫   y1   y2   a ( y ) dy 
 
         [0022]    where y1 and y2 are the beginning and the end position of the modulation region along the waveguide axis Y. As a result, the center of gravity of modulation divides the waveguide into two sections, with the total modulation of the light in both sections being the same the total modulation in one section is the integral of the modulation along the section). 
         [0023]    The distance measuring device includes includes the electro-optic modulator. This allows the distance measuring device to perform at a high measurement rate with high accuracy and with low power consumption. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment, the distance measuring device includes includes a light source emitting light, with the electro-optic modulator being arranged in the distance measuring device such that light emitted by the light source passes through the electro-optic modulator in a first direction before being emitted from the distance measuring device, and such emitted light after being reflected from a target outside the distance measuring device passes through the electro-optic modulator in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment, the modulating region includes includes a first subregion and a second subregion and the electrode line is capable to effect on light passing in one direction through the first subregion the same modulation as on light passing in the opposite direction through the second subregion. 
         [0026]    The superposition of the electrical fields from the two line sections affecting the modulation region results in the electrical field in the waveguide oscillating like a standing wave, symmetrical along the length of the lines, which in turn causes the symmetrical optical response. 
         [0027]    In an embodiment, the electrodes comprise a first branch and a second branch and a midpoint between the two branches, wherein the electrodes are able, when connected to an electric microwave signal source, to generate an electrical field distribution in the waveguide that is symmetrical with respect to the midpoint. 
         [0028]    As a result, light passing through the waveguide along the length of the modulating section in one direction experiences the same total phase shift (which is the integral of the time dependent and location dependent voltage induced phase shift along the modulating section) as light passing in the opposite direction at the same time. In other words, the forward electro-optic response is the same as the backward electro-optic response. 
         [0029]    Such a symmetrical configuration regarding the electrical properties of the branches allows to get the same electro-optic response in the forward and in the backward directions of propagation of light in the optical circuit. The symmetrical configuration regarding the electrical properties can be obtained by geometric symmetry of the branches. 
         [0030]    Thus, in an embodiment, the shape of the electrode line comprising the first and the second branch is symmetric with respect to the midpoint. The shape of the electrode line may be mirror-symmetric with respect to a plane passing through the midpoint and normal to the waveguide. Alternatively, the shape of the electrode line can have a rotational symmetry around an axis passing through the midpoint and normal to the plane in which the electrode line lies. 
         [0031]    In an embodiment, a bottom face of the substrate, opposed to the surface at which the waveguide and electrode line are arranged (top surface), is not parallel to the top surface, or in other words, the bottom face is inclined relative to the opposite, top surface (wedged shape). The substrate thus has the shape of part of a wedge. This reduces or eliminates acoustical resonances that may arise in the substrate due to the piezo-electrical effect. 
         [0032]    In summary, the electro-optic modulator includes one or more of the following features:
       A birefringent electro-optic crystal.   The ordinary and extraordinary axes are orthogonal to the direction of propagation of light.   The direction of propagation of light is parallel to one of the ordinary axis   The symmetrical configuration allows to get the same electro-optic response in the forward and in the backward directions of propagation of light in the optical circuit.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    The subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail in the following text with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the attached drawings, which schematically show: 
           [0038]      FIG. 1  the structure of an optical distance measuring device for measuring absolute distance; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  the frequency dependence of a signal measured in the distance measuring device; 
           [0040]      FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b  an integrated phase modulator with symmetrical electrodes; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  the frequency response of the amplitude of the electro-optical phase modulation of the modulator of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    In principle, identical parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the Figures. 
         [0043]    Convention: A phase modulator uses an electro-optic crystal. The index of modulation will define the so-called half wave voltage Vπ. The half-wave voltage is a characteristic of an electro-optic modulator and corresponds to the voltage that needs to be applied to the crystal in order to modify the optical phase of transmitted light by π-radians. 
         [0044]    A guided wave configuration of an electro-optic modulator is as follows: a straight optical waveguide is shaped in a crystal surface, allowing the confinement of light in a small channel whose cross section is of some micrometers in width and height. Coplanar electrodes are arranged near the waveguides with a gap of some micrometers, application of a strong electric field to the waveguide. The half wave voltage can reduced to a few volts, much less than for bulk crystal modulators. 
         [0045]    Guided wave modulators in, e.g. lithium niobate, can work at very high frequencies, thanks to this low voltage configuration. Special travelling wave electrodes, made of coplanar waveguides (CPW) microwave lines allows to get a phase matching condition between the optical wave propagating in the waveguide and the microwave propagating in the CPW lines, both waves travelling in the same direction and at the same velocity. Generally, in a high speed travelling wave integrated optic modulator, the microwave electrical signal is fed by one side of the modulator to the input strip of the CPW line, close to the optical input of the waveguide. The end of the microwave line is set near the optical waveguide output. 
         [0046]    Using an integrated phase modulator in a distance meter arrangement as in  FIG. 1 , it can be shown that the shape of the average electrical power P(f) at the output of the photoreceiver  107 , as a function of modulation frequency, is similar to the curve shown in  FIG. 2   a . The main property is that the zeros of P(f) remain in place. Ideally, the curves are symmetrical, which is a precondition for the distance measurement, which needs to determine a zero point of the curve. In one method for determining the zero point, rather than determining the zero point itself, two points to the left and right of the zero point having the same power P(fka)=P(fkb) are determined. The frequency of the zero point, assuming symmetry of the curves, is then computed as (fka+fkb)/2. However, depending on the geometrical and physical properties of the microwave electrodes, the shape of the curve around the zero points may become asymmetrical. This is shown in  FIG. 2   b . This, in turn, distorts the distance measurement. With the criterion P(fka)=P(fkb), the asymmetry can cause the resulting (fka+fkb)/2 to be different from the correct fk, introducing an error in the determination of the absolute distance L. 
         [0047]    Furthermore, it is possible to demonstrate that if the electrodes are fed just by the middle of the electrode lines. P(f) becomes equal to zero, and a perfect symmetry of the response of the modulator is recovered for both the forward and backward directions of propagation of light. Furthermore, the center of gravity of modulation remains at the same location, independent of the modulation frequency. 
         [0048]    A possible design is, thus, that two parallel lines are fed by an input electrical strip set at the exact center of the electrodes, yielding a perfect symmetry to the device whose response is totally independent of the direction of propagation of the light. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3   a  in a top view and  FIG. 3   b  in a cross sectional view show such an integrated phase modulator with such symmetrical electrodes: In a substrate  21 , a waveguide  22  is embedded, and a coplanar electrode pair  23  is arranged to apply a field to the waveguide  22 , One electrode of the electrode pair  23  is fed by an input strip  24  or first contact section from, for example, a signal generator  26 , the other electrode is connected by an output strip  25  or second contact section to, for example, a termination resistor arrangement  27 . 
         [0050]    The electrodes  23  include a first branch  3   a  and a second branch  3   b.  These branches  3   a,    3   b  both start at the first and second contact sections, i.e. at the input strip  24  and output strip  25  (both, for example, of microstrip type), but extend along the waveguide  22  in opposite directions. Each of the branches  3   a,    3   b  includes a first electrode section  11  connected at one end to the input strip  24  and running along the waveguide  22 , and a second electrode section  12  connected at one end to the output strip  25  and running along the waveguide  22 . The first and second electrode sections  11 ,  12  can be arranged symmetrically with regard to the waveguide  22 . Each of the branches  3   a,    3   b  ends at a corresponding branch endpoint  9   a,    9   b.  The input strip  24  is electrically connected to and supplied by a signal generator  26 , the output strip  25  is electrically connected to a termination element such as a resistor  27 , whose impedance can be matched to the characteristic impedance of the electrodes. The input strip  24  and output strip  25  are located at a midpoint  16  along the length of the electrodes and are preferably symmetrically shaped and attached, each by a T-coupler  8 , to the beginning of the first line sections  11  and the second line sections  12 , respectively. 
         [0051]    The electrodes  23  give the electro-optic modulation response a low pass filter characteristic and consequently are not ideally suited to work at high frequencies (e.g. in the GHz range). This effect can be reduced to a limited degree by shortening the electrode length, but this in turn increases the required half wave voltage Vπ. 
         [0052]    An electrical signal on the electrode branches  3   a,    3   b  generates an electrical field in the vicinity of the branches  3   a,    3   b.  A section of the waveguide  22  in which this field affects the light passing along the waveguide  22  shall be called modulation region  17 . Its length is essentially the length of the electrode along the waveguide  22 , in other words, the sum of the extension of the first and second branch  3   a,    3   b.  For each branch  3   a,    3   b.  the electrical fields of the two sections  11 ,  12  are superposed, with the resulting superposed or total field affecting the modulation region  17 . The first branch  3   a  influences the light in a first subregion  17   a,  the second branch  3   b  influences the light in a second subregion  17   b  of the modulation region  17 . In the embodiment presented in the present application, the electrode length essentially equals the length of the modulation region  17 , and the extension of each branch  3   a.    3   b  equals the length of the corresponding subregion  17   a,    17   b.    
         [0053]      FIG. 3   b  shows a cross section along the XZ-plane of the integrated phase modulator of  FIG. 3   a . In addition to the elements already described, this figure schematically shows a bottom face  15  opposite the face carrying the electrode lines and having an inclined or wedged surface. This eliminates or at least reduces acoustical resonances that may be generated when the electrical signal is applied to the electrodes  23 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  schematically shows the frequency response of the amplitude of the electro-optical phase modulation Δφ(f): The amplitude of the phase modulation applied to the light wave propagating in the waveguide  22  follows a low pass function. That is, the amplitude has its maximal value at a frequency of zero, has lower values for nonzero frequencies, and falls monotonically up to a certain frequency, after which it can rise and fall again repeatedly, but only up to maximal values that decrease one after the other as the frequency increases. The frequency response can be simulated, given the geometry of the modulator and in particular of the electrodes. Conversely, given a particular requirement regarding the frequency response, such as a condition on the flatness of the response in a particular frequency range, it is straightforward to design the modulator and in particular the size of the electrodes. 
         [0055]    A distance measuring device utilising an integrated modulator as presented in the foregoing preferably has a structure and is operated like the distance measuring device of  FIG. 1 , but with the bulk electro-optic crystal  103  replaced an integrated modulator  21 ,  22 ,  23  as described herein. 
         [0056]    In an embodiment, the center frequency of the microwave signal is, for example, in the range between 2 and 3 GHz. The modulation bandwidth is, for example, in the range of several hundreds of MHz. This is well suited for distance measurement applications. 
         [0057]    While the invention has been described in present embodiments, it is distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope of the claims. For example, whereas the embodiments shown so far use a single source connected to the input strip and a terminating resistance connected to the output, alternative embodiments can have a generalized impedance or a second source connected to the output.