A spatial light modulator

Abstract

The invention is applicable to the field of optoelectronic devices and discloses a spatial light modulator, comprising a base component, a flip cover component and a locking component. The flip cover component can flip relative to the base component by 0-180 degrees. The locking component is located between the flip cover component and the base component and is used to lock the flip cover component when the flip cover component flips to a certain angle. The flip cover component comprises a flip cover body and a liquid crystal light valve installed on the flip cover body. The locking component comprises a flip frame installed on the base component and a ball screw arranged between the flip frame and the flip cover body. The flip cover body is hinged to the flip frame. The spatial light modulator can realize the flipping of the flip cover component within the range of 0-180 degrees, thereby realizing the adjustment of the optical device. The spatial light modulator is locked when the flip cover component flips to a certain angle by arranging the locking component between the flip cover component and the base component, that is, the flip cover component can be stably stopped without relying on external force when rotating to 0 degrees, 90 degrees and 180 degrees.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optoelectronic devices, and in particular to a spatial light modulator capable of rapidly adjusting the angle of an optical component. Background Art

[0002] A spatial light modulator (SLM) is a device that can carry a computer-generated hologram and perform optoelectronic reproduction. The spatial light modulator can modulate the amplitude, phase, polarization and other characteristics of the incident light in real time according to the input control signal to achieve the control of the light field.

[0003] The current spatial light modulator basically adopts a structure that encapsulates the liquid crystal light valve and the driving circuit module together, and the liquid crystal light valve is relatively static in the modulator housing. When the product is used, the optical support rod and the modulator are first fixed together, and then the support rod is fixed on the optical platform. In this way, the liquid crystal surface of the modulator cannot be moved or rotated relative to the optical platform surface. When building the optical path, due to the error of the fixed installation of the light valve itself, the pitch angle of the light valve surface may not match the experimental requirements. At this time, it is necessary to constantly adjust the support rod to meet the use angle of the liquid crystal light valve.

[0004] This operation is extremely inconvenient, because a small angle adjustment requires loosening the connecting screws between the optical support rod and the optical platform, and the angle can only be adjusted by gently pushing and pulling the support rod by hand. This adjustment method wastes time and each operation is relatively troublesome, which brings great inconvenience to the user. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a spatial light modulator, which aims to solve the technical problem that the existing spatial light modulator needs to loosen the connecting screws between the optical support rod and the optical platform for slight angle adjustment, and the support rod needs to be gently pushed and pulled by hand to adjust the angle.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the solution provided by the present invention is:

[0007] A spatial light modulator comprises a base component, a flip cover component and a locking component, wherein the flip cover component can be flipped 0 to 180 degrees relative to the base component, the locking component is located between the flip cover component and the base component, and is used to lock the flip cover component when the flip cover component is flipped to a certain angle, the flip cover component comprises a flip cover body and a liquid crystal light valve mounted on the flip cover body, the locking component comprises a flip frame mounted on the base component and a ball screw arranged between the flip frame and the flip cover body, and the flip cover body is hinged to the flip frame.

[0008] Preferably, the base assembly includes an upper plate, a middle frame, a lower plate, a first circuit board and a second circuit board, the upper plate and the lower plate are respectively located on both sides of the middle frame, the upper plate, the middle frame and the lower plate are combined to form a receiving cavity, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are located in the receiving cavity, and the first circuit board and the second circuit board are sequentially mounted on the upper plate.

[0009] Preferably, a concave platform adapted to the flip frame is provided on the upper plate, and the flip frame is mounted on the concave platform.

[0010] Preferably, a cable groove is provided on a side of the upper plate facing away from the lower plate, the cable groove is higher than the bottom surface of the concave platform, and the cable of the liquid crystal light valve passes through the cable groove to be connected to the first circuit board.

[0011] Preferably, mounting holes are provided on the side surface of the middle frame and on a side of the lower plate facing away from the upper plate.

[0012] Preferably, the flip cover assembly also includes a rotating ring, an analyzer polarizer, a flip cover back cover and a polarizing polarizer, the flip cover body is provided with a mounting groove adapted to the rotating ring, the rotating ring is installed in the mounting groove and is rotatably connected to the flip cover body, the analyzer polarizer is installed in the rotating ring, the flip cover back cover is connected to the flip cover body, the polarizing polarizer is installed on the flip cover back cover, the liquid crystal light valve is located between the flip cover body and the flip cover back cover, and the analyzer polarizer is located on the side of the flip cover body facing away from the liquid crystal light valve.

[0013] Preferably, the flip cover assembly further comprises a rotating block and a rotating shaft arranged between the flip frame and the flip cover body, one end of the rotating shaft is connected to the flip frame, and the other end passes through the rotating block and is connected to the flip cover body.

[0014] Preferably, the ball screw comprises a steel ball and a spring, the spring and the ball are both installed in the flip frame, and the ball is in contact with the flip cover body.

[0015] Preferably, the locking assembly further comprises a top screw provided on the flip frame, and the top screw is used to adjust the gap between the flip frame and the flip cover body.

[0016] Preferably, the locking assembly further comprises a fixing nut connecting the flip frame and the base assembly.

[0017] The spatial light modulator provided by the present invention has a compact and light structure, and is convenient and reliable to use. The flip cover assembly is hinged to the base assembly, so that the flip cover assembly can be flipped within a range of 0 to 180 degrees, thereby adjusting the optical device; and the spatial light modulator of the embodiment of the present invention is locked when the flip cover assembly is flipped to a certain angle by arranging a locking assembly between the flip cover assembly and the base assembly, that is, the flip cover assembly can be stably stopped without external force when rotating to 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees. In addition, when the flip cover assembly is fixed, a certain force is applied to the flip cover assembly to push the flip cover assembly to rotate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying creative work.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a spatial light modulator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a base assembly provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a flip cover assembly provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a locking assembly provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a first usage mode of the spatial light modulator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a second usage of the spatial light modulator provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0026] 100. Spatial light modulator;

[0027] 10. Base assembly; 11. Upper plate; 111. Concave platform; 112. Cable slot; 12. First hexagonal copper column; 13. First circuit board; 14. Second hexagonal copper column; 15. Second circuit board; 16. Middle frame; 17. Lower plate; 18. Mounting hole;

[0028] 20. Flip cover assembly; 21. Rotating ring; 22. Analyzer polarizer; 23. Flip cover body; 231. Mounting slot; 24. Liquid crystal light valve; 25. Polarizer; 26. Flip cover back cover; 27. Rotating block;

[0029] 30. Locking assembly; 31. Flip frame; 32. Locking nut; 33. Top screw; 34. Ball screw.

[0030] 100, spatial light modulator; 10, base assembly; 11, upper plate; 111, recess; 112, cable slot; 12, first hexagonal copper column; 13, first circuit board; 14, second hexagonal copper column; 15, second circuit board; 16, middle frame; 17, lower plate; 18, mounting hole; 20, flip cover assembly; 21, rotating ring; 22, analyzer polarizer; 23, flip cover body; 231, mounting slot; 24, liquid crystal light valve; 25, polarizing polarizer; 26, flip cover back cover; 27, rotating block; 30, locking assembly; 31, flip frame; 32, locking nut; 33, top screw; 34, ball-end screw. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present invention (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0033] It should also be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed on" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time.

[0034] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. in the present invention are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but they must be based on the ability of ordinary technicians in the field to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, it is a spatial light modulator 100 of an embodiment of the present invention, which can enable optical components to be flipped around and provide a large range of flipping: 0 to 180 degrees. When the optical components are flipped to 0 degrees, 90 degrees and 180 degrees, the optical components can be lightly locked with appropriate force to provide positioning.

[0036] See also Figure 1-Figure 6 The spatial light modulator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention includes a base component 10, a flip cover component 20 and a locking component 30. The flip cover component 20 can be flipped 0 to 180 degrees relative to the base component 10. The locking component 30 is located between the flip cover component 20 and the base component 10, and is used to lock the flip cover component 20 when the flip cover component 20 is flipped to a certain angle. For example, when the flip cover component 20 is flipped to 0 degrees, 90 degrees and 180 degrees, the flip cover component 20 can be lightly locked with appropriate force to provide positioning. The flip cover component 20 includes a flip cover body 23 and a liquid crystal light valve 24 installed on the flip cover body 23. The locking component 30 includes a flip frame 31 installed on the base component 10 and a ball screw 34 arranged between the flip frame 31 and the flip cover body 23. The flip cover body 23 is hinged to the flip frame 31.

[0037] Specifically, the ball screw 34 includes a steel ball and a spring. Both the spring and the ball are installed in the flip frame 31, and the ball is in contact with the flip cover body 23. The elastic force of the spring ensures that the ball is always in contact with the flip cover body 23.

[0038] The spatial light modulator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention has a compact and light structure, and is convenient and reliable to use. The flip cover assembly 20 is hinged to the base assembly 10, so that the flip cover assembly 20 can be flipped within a range of 0 to 180 degrees, thereby adjusting the optical device; and the spatial light modulator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a locking assembly 30 between the flip cover assembly 20 and the base assembly 10 so that the flip cover assembly 20 is locked when it is flipped to a certain angle, that is, the flip cover assembly 20 can be stably stopped without external force when it is rotated to 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees. In addition, when the flip cover assembly 20 is fixed, a certain force is applied to the flip cover assembly 20 to push the flip cover assembly 20 to rotate.

[0039] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The base assembly 10 includes an upper plate 11, a middle frame 16, a lower plate 17, a first circuit board 13, and a second circuit board 15. The upper plate 11 and the lower plate 17 are respectively located on both sides of the middle frame 16. The upper plate 11, the middle frame 16, and the lower plate 17 are connected and enclosed to form a receiving cavity. The first circuit board 13 and the second circuit board 15 are located in the receiving cavity. The first circuit board 13 and the second circuit board 15 are sequentially mounted on the upper plate 11.

[0040] Specifically, the first circuit board 13 is mounted on the upper plate 11 through the first hexagonal copper pillars 12, and the second circuit board 15 is mounted on the first circuit board 13 through the second hexagonal copper pillars 14 and screws. During installation, four first hexagonal copper pillars 12 are first screwed into the upper plate 11, and the second circuit board 15 is placed on the mounting surface of the first hexagonal copper pillars 12; then four first hexagonal copper pillars 12 are screwed in to fix the first circuit board. Then the second circuit board 15 is placed on the second hexagonal copper pillars 14, and then four screws are screwed in, so that the two layers of circuit boards can be firmly fixed to the upper plate 11, saving the internal space of the base assembly 10.

[0041] Preferably, a recess 111 adapted to the flip frame 31 is provided on the upper plate 11, and the locking assembly 30 can be smoothly placed in the recess 111 of the base assembly 10, with a gap between the joint surfaces of the two assemblies, which can be disassembled and adjusted when necessary.

[0042] See also Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6, mounting holes 18 are provided on the side of the middle frame 16 and the side of the lower plate 17 facing away from the upper plate 11, and the spatial modulator can be easily fixed on the optical platform through an optical support rod. The spatial light modulator 100 is fixed on the optical platform through the mounting hole 18 on one of the sides. After the spatial light modulator 100 is fixed on the optical platform through the mounting hole 18 of the lower plate 17, the flip cover is flipped to 90° to ensure that the light path is perpendicular to the incident surface of the liquid crystal light valve 24. When the modulator is fixed on the optical platform through the mounting hole 18 on the side, the flip cover is flipped to 180° to ensure that the light path is perpendicular to the incident surface of the liquid crystal light valve 24. This provides a very flexible installation method.

[0043] Specifically, the mounting hole 18 is a threaded hole, which is convenient for mounting and dismounting.

[0044] Preferably, a cable groove 112 is provided on one side of the upper plate 11 facing away from the lower plate 17. The cable groove 112 is higher than the bottom surface of the recessed platform 111. The cables of the liquid crystal light valve 24 pass through the cable groove 112 and are connected to the first circuit board 13. By carefully arranging the position of the cable groove 112, the cable groove 112 can protect the cables and beautify the appearance, thereby ensuring that the outer shell of the liquid crystal light valve 24 will not scratch the cables and cause damage when the liquid crystal light valve 24 is flipped.

[0045] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3 The flip cover assembly 20 further includes a rotating ring 21, an analyzer polarizer 22, a flip cover back cover 26 and a polarizing polarizer 25. The flip cover body 23 is provided with a mounting groove 231 adapted to the rotating ring 21. The rotating ring 21 is mounted in the mounting groove 231 and is rotatably connected to the flip cover body 23. The analyzer polarizer 22 is mounted in the rotating ring 21. The flip cover back cover 26 is connected to the flip cover body 23. The polarizing polarizer 25 is mounted on the flip cover back cover 26. The liquid crystal light valve 24 is located between the flip cover body 23 and the flip cover back cover 26. The analyzer polarizer 22 is located on the side of the flip cover body 23 away from the liquid crystal light valve 24. The flip cover assembly 20 integrates the analyzer polarizer 22, the liquid crystal light valve 24 and the polarizing polarizer 25 into one module, thereby improving the space utilization of the flip cover assembly 20. The polarizing polarizer 25 on the incident light side is fixed on the flip cover assembly 20, and the polarization angle is fixed. The analyzer polarizer 22 on the outgoing light side can be rotated 360° around the optical path axis and locked.

[0046] Optionally, the rotating ring 21 is threadedly connected to the flip cover body 23 to facilitate assembly and disassembly.

[0047] Optionally, the liquid crystal light valve 24 is fixed to the flip cover body 23 by means of cross countersunk screws, so as to facilitate assembly and disassembly.

[0048] Optionally, the flip cover rear cover 26 is fixed to the flip cover body 23 by cross countersunk screws for easy assembly and disassembly.

[0049] Furthermore, the flip cover assembly 20 also includes a rotating block 27 and a rotating shaft (not shown) arranged between the flip frame 31 and the flip cover body 23. One end of the rotating shaft is connected to the flip frame 31, and the other end passes through the rotating block 27 and is connected to the flip cover body 23. The rotating block 27 is made of wear-resistant material, which can avoid wear caused by frequent use of the flip cover assembly 20.

[0050] See also Figure 1 and Figure 4 The locking assembly 30 further includes a top screw 33 disposed on the flip frame 31 , and the top screw 33 is used to adjust the gap between the flip frame 31 and the flip cover body 23 .

[0051] Furthermore, the locking assembly 30 further includes a fixing nut 32 connecting the flip frame 31 and the base assembly 10 , and the fixing nut 32 can adjust the gap between the flip frame 31 and the base assembly 10 .

[0052] Due to errors in machining and installation, the flip cover assembly 20 may be very loose when flipped. At this time, the fixing nut 32 and the top screw 33 on the locking assembly 30 can be slightly adjusted to ensure that the flip function meets the use requirements.

[0053] Furthermore, a wrench hole is designed on the fixing nut 32, and a small diameter screw can be inserted to tighten the nut. The design position of the top screw 33 is relatively hidden and can be adjusted by an Allen wrench. In addition, the fixing nut 32 and the top screw 33 will not interfere with the normal flipping of the flip cover assembly 20.

[0054] It is understandable that the number and position of the fixing nuts 32 and the top screws 33 are set according to actual needs. For example, the fixing nuts 32 and the top screws 33 can be symmetrically arranged on both sides of the flip frame 31.

[0055] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural changes made by using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or directly / indirectly applied in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A spatial light modulator, characterized in that: The invention comprises a base component, a flip cover component and a locking component, wherein the flip cover component can be flipped 0 to 180 degrees relative to the base component, the locking component is located between the flip cover component and the base component, and is used to lock the flip cover component when the flip cover component is flipped to a certain angle, the flip cover component comprises a flip cover body and a liquid crystal light valve mounted on the flip cover body, the locking component comprises a flip frame mounted on the base component and a ball screw arranged between the flip frame and the flip cover body, and the flip cover body is hinged to the flip frame; The base assembly comprises an upper plate, a middle frame, a lower plate, a first circuit board and a second circuit board, wherein the upper plate and the lower plate are respectively located on both sides of the middle frame, the upper plate, the middle frame and the lower plate are enclosed to form a receiving cavity, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are located in the receiving cavity, and the first circuit board and the second circuit board are sequentially mounted on the upper plate; The flip cover assembly also includes a rotating ring, an analyzer polarizer, a flip cover back cover and a polarizing polarizer. The flip cover body is provided with a mounting groove adapted to the rotating ring. The rotating ring is installed in the mounting groove and is rotatably connected to the flip cover body. The analyzer polarizer is installed in the rotating ring. The flip cover back cover is connected to the flip cover body. The polarizing polarizer is installed on the flip cover back cover. The liquid crystal light valve is located between the flip cover body and the flip cover back cover. The analyzer polarizer is located on the side of the flip cover body facing away from the liquid crystal light valve.

2. The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, wherein: The upper plate is provided with a concave platform adapted to the flip frame, and the flip frame is mounted on the concave platform.

3. The spatial light modulator according to claim 2, wherein: A cable groove is arranged on a side of the upper plate facing away from the lower plate. The cable groove is higher than the bottom surface of the concave platform. The cable of the liquid crystal light valve passes through the cable groove and is connected to the first circuit board.

4. The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, wherein: The side surface of the middle frame and the side of the lower plate facing away from the upper plate are both provided with mounting holes.

5. The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, wherein: The flip cover assembly further comprises a rotating block and a rotating shaft arranged between the flip frame and the flip cover body, one end of the rotating shaft is connected to the flip frame, and the other end passes through the rotating block and is connected to the flip cover body.

6. The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, wherein: The ball screw comprises a steel ball and a spring. The spring and the ball are both installed in the flip frame, and the ball is in contact with the flip cover body.

7. The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, wherein: The locking assembly further comprises a top screw arranged on the flip frame, and the top screw is used to adjust the gap between the flip frame and the flip cover body.

8. The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, wherein: The locking assembly also includes a fixing nut connecting the flip frame and the base assembly.

Images