Optical components and optical modules

Abstract

An optical element and optical module are disclosed, relating to the field of optical technology. The optical element includes a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface disposed opposite to each other. The first surface is planar and forms a first angle with the optical axis, the second surface is concave and forms a second angle with the optical axis, and the third surface is planar. A light beam incident on the first surface is refracted and deflected before being incident on the second surface. After reflection by the second surface, the light beam exits from the third surface. This optical element can reduce the volume of the optical system along the optical axis, solving the problem of size limitations in a single direction and improving the compatibility of the optical system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical technology, and more specifically, to an optical element and an optical module. Background Technology

[0002] Semiconductor lasers have advantages such as small size, light weight, high reliability, long lifespan, and low power consumption. They are now widely used in various sectors of the national economy, such as pumping and industrial processing.

[0003] Most existing semiconductor lasers use transmission collimation, where the beam output direction is parallel to the laser direction. This leads to several problems: first, the optical system is too large along the optical axis; second, when the optical system is installed at a certain angle, the optical system needs to be adjusted accordingly, which greatly reduces the system's compatibility; and third, it has poor flexibility and cannot meet the requirements for directional light output. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an optical element and an optical module that can reduce the volume of the optical system along the optical axis, solve the problem of the size limitation of the optical system in a single direction, and improve the compatibility of the optical system.

[0005] The embodiments of the present invention are implemented as follows:

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides an optical element comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface disposed opposite to each other. The first surface is planar and forms a first angle with the optical axis, the second surface is concave and forms a second angle with the optical axis, and the third surface is planar. A light beam incident on the first surface is refracted and deflected to the second surface, and after reflection by the second surface, the light beam exits from the third surface. This optical element can reduce the volume of the optical system along the optical axis, solve the problem of size limitations in a single direction of the optical system, and improve the compatibility of the optical system.

[0007] Optionally, the first included angle is not equal to 90°. By setting the first included angle to be not equal to 90°, the first surface of the optical element is set at an acute or obtuse angle relative to the optical axis. In this way, the aperture of the emitted light from the final optical element can be relatively increased or relatively decreased by adjusting the specific angle of the first included angle.

[0008] Optionally, the first included angle is between 30° and 150°.

[0009] Optionally, when the first included angle is acute, the aperture of the emitted light from the third surface is positively correlated with the complementary angle of the first included angle; when the first included angle is obtuse, the aperture of the emitted light from the third surface is positively correlated with the supplementary angle of the first included angle. Thus, the aperture of the emitted light from the optical element can be adjusted as needed by adjusting the first included angle.

[0010] Optionally, the optical element satisfies the following formula: α = 2 × (45° - θ), where α is the angle between the emitted light from the third surface and the first direction, θ is the second angle, and the first direction is perpendicular to the optical axis. Thus, in practical applications, the user can adjust the second angle of the second surface to obtain emitted light with a specific emission direction.

[0011] Optionally, when the optical element satisfies the first relationship, it is used to converge the light beam emitted from the light source, and the first relationship is D > R × (n-1); when the optical element satisfies the second relationship, it is used to collimate the light beam emitted from the light source, and the second relationship is D = R × (n-1); when the optical element satisfies the third relationship, it is used to diverge the light beam emitted from the light source, and the third relationship is D < R × (n-1); where D is the distance from the light source to the center of the second surface, R is the radius of curvature of the second surface, and n is the refractive index of the optical element. Thus, by adjusting the radius of curvature of the second surface, the emitted light can be adjusted to convergent, collimated, or divergent light as needed.

[0012] Optionally, the second surface is a sphere, an ellipsoid, a parabola, or a hyperboloid.

[0013] Optionally, a reflective film is deposited on the second surface. By adding a reflective film to the second surface, this application can increase the reflectivity of the second surface, thereby improving the light utilization rate of the optical element.

[0014] In another aspect, the present invention provides an optical module comprising a light source and the aforementioned optical element disposed on the light-emitting side of the light source. A light beam emitted from the light source is deflected by a first surface of the optical element and incident on a second surface of the optical element, and after reflection from the second surface, exits from a third surface. This optical module can reduce the volume of the optical system along the optical axis, solve the problem of size limitations in a single direction, and improve the compatibility of the optical system.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention include:

[0016] The optical element provided in this application includes a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface arranged opposite to each other. The first surface is planar and forms a first angle with the optical axis, the second surface is concave and forms a second angle with the optical axis, and the third surface is planar. A light beam incident on the first surface is refracted and deflected to the second surface, and after reflection by the second surface, the light beam exits from the third surface. By respectively arranging the first, second, and third surfaces on the optical element, and enabling the light beam incident on the first surface to be deflected to the second surface, and then reflected by the second surface to exit from the third surface, this application can reduce the size of the optical element along the optical axis, thus solving the problem of dimensional limitations in a single direction for the optical system. That is, the optical element has lower dimensional requirements in a single direction for its mounting position, higher assembly flexibility, and can improve the compatibility of the optical system. In addition, through the above design, this application can also reduce the number of components and lower the cost and weight of the optical element. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of an optical element provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a second schematic diagram of the structure of an optical element provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is the third schematic diagram of the structure of the optical element provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 Fourth schematic diagram of the structure of the optical element provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 Fifth schematic diagram of the structure of the optical element provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is the sixth schematic diagram of the structure of the optical element provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 The seventh schematic diagram of the structure of the optical element provided in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Icons: 10 - Optical element; 11 - First surface; 12 - Second surface; 13 - Third surface; 20 - Light source. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0027] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0028] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0029] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this invention is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0030] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" do not imply that components must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," not that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 1 This embodiment provides an optical element 10, which includes a first surface 11, a second surface 12, and a third surface 13 disposed opposite to each other. The first surface 11 is planar and forms a first angle with the optical axis, the second surface 12 is concave and forms a second angle with the optical axis, and the third surface 13 is planar. A light beam incident on the first surface 11 is refracted and deflected before being incident on the second surface 12. After being reflected by the second surface 12, the light beam exits from the third surface 13. This optical element 10 can reduce the volume of the optical system along the optical axis, solve the problem of the size limitation of the optical system in a single direction, and improve the compatibility of the optical system.

[0033] It should be noted that, firstly, the first surface 11 is the light-incident surface of the optical element 10, and the light beam incident on the optical element 10 will be incident from the first surface 11.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first surface 11 is a plane, and the first surface 11 has a first angle with the optical axis.

[0035] For example, the first included angle is not equal to 90°. In other words, the first included angle is an acute angle or an obtuse angle, meaning that the first surface 11 is tilted relative to the optical axis. By setting the first included angle to be not equal to 90°, the first surface 11 of the optical element 10 is set at an acute angle or an obtuse angle relative to the optical axis. When the first included angle is acute, the light beam incident from the first surface 11 can be refracted and deflected at the first surface 11 and then incident on the second surface 12. Thus, the aperture of the emitted light from the optical element 10 can be increased relative to when the first included angle is 90°; when the first included angle is obtuse, the aperture of the emitted light from the optical element 10 can be reduced relative to when the first included angle is 90°.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first included angle is between 30° and 150°. For example, the first included angle can be 30°, 50°, 100°, 120°, 150°, etc. The specific angle value of the first included angle is not limited in this application, and those skilled in the art can choose a suitable angle as needed.

[0037] Second, the second surface 12 is located on the light-emitting side of the first surface 11. The second surface 12 is concave and has a second included angle with the optical axis. In this embodiment, the second surface 12 is used to reflect the light beam. Specifically, the second surface 12 can reflect the light beam emitted from the first surface 11 to the third surface 13.

[0038] Wherein, the second included angle of the second surface 12 is the included angle between the second surface 12 and the optical axis, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the second included angle is θ.

[0039] In this embodiment, the second included angle θ can be an acute angle, for example, the second included angle θ can be 30°, 45° or 60°, etc.

[0040] Third, the third surface 13 is a plane, and the third surface 13 is located on the light-emitting side of the second surface 12. In this embodiment, the third surface 13 is the light-emitting surface of the optical element 10.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first surface 11, the second surface 12, and the third surface 13 are all surfaces of the optical element 10, meaning that the first surface 11, the second surface 12, and the third surface 13 are an integral structure made of the same material. In this way, an optical element 10 can achieve angular deflection of the light beam, thereby reducing the size of the element.

[0042] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 As shown, the three surfaces are connected in sequence to form an integral optical element 10. In this embodiment, the light-emitting surface (i.e., the third surface 13) is parallel to the optical axis, that is, the light-emitting direction of the optical element 10 of this application is perpendicular to the direction of the incident light incident on the first surface 11.

[0043] In summary, the optical element 10 provided in this application includes a first surface 11, a second surface 12, and a third surface 13 disposed opposite to each other. The first surface 11 is planar and has a first angle with the optical axis, the second surface 12 is concave and has a second angle with the optical axis, and the third surface 13 is planar. A light beam incident on the first surface 11 is refracted and deflected to the second surface 12, and after reflection by the second surface 12, the light beam exits from the third surface 13. By respectively arranging the first surface 11, the second surface 12, and the third surface 13 on the optical element 10, and enabling the light beam incident on the first surface 11 to be deflected to the second surface 12, and then reflected by the second surface 12 to exit from the third surface 13, this application can reduce the size of the optical element 10 along the optical axis, thus solving the problem of dimensional limitations in a single direction for the optical system. That is, the optical element 10 has low dimensional requirements for the single direction of the installation position, and its assembly flexibility is high, which can improve the compatibility of the optical system; in addition, through the above design, this application can also reduce the number of components and reduce the cost and weight of the optical element 10.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 Optionally, when the first included angle is an acute angle, the aperture of the emitted light emitted from the third surface 13 is positively correlated with the complementary angle of the first included angle; when the first included angle is an obtuse angle, the aperture of the emitted light emitted from the third surface 13 is positively correlated with the supplementary angle of the first included angle.

[0045] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 middle, Figure 3 Taking the first included angle as an acute angle as an example, B represents the light transmission aperture, β is the complementary angle of the first included angle, and θ0 / 2 is the divergence angle of the light source 20 with 1 / 2 of the angle.

[0046] By comparison Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can be observed that, with the divergence angle of the light source 20 remaining constant, adjusting the complementary angle β of the first included angle changes the deflection angle of the first surface 11. Correspondingly, the aperture B of the emitted light from the third surface 13 after reflection from the second surface 12 also changes. Specifically, the aperture of the emitted light from the third surface 13 is positively correlated with the complementary angle β of the first included angle. That is, when the complementary angle β of the first included angle increases, the aperture B of the emitted light from the third surface 13 also increases accordingly. Therefore, the user can adjust the size of the complementary angle of the first included angle of the first surface 11 (or adjust the size of the first included angle of the first surface 11) according to the required aperture of the emitted light from the optical element 10. Of course, when the first included angle is an obtuse angle, the aperture of the emitted light from the third surface 13 can also be adjusted by adjusting the supplementary angle of the first included angle. Since the aperture of the emitted light from the third surface 13 is positively correlated with the supplementary angle of the first angle when the first included angle is obtuse, the adjustment method will not be described in detail in this application.

[0047] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Optionally, the optical element 10 satisfies the following formula: α = 2 × (45° - θ), where α is the angle between the emitted light from the third surface 13 and the first direction, θ is the second angle, and the first direction is perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0048] That is, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 The second included angle θ shown is equal to 45°. When θ equals 45°, the corresponding included angle α between the emitted light from the third surface 13 and the first direction is 0°, that is, the emitted light from the third surface 13 has no included angle with the first direction. Thus, the emitted light from the third surface 13 will be emitted perpendicularly. Figure 1 As shown.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 The second included angle θ shown is greater than 45°. When θ is greater than 45°, the angle α between the emitted light from the third surface 13 and the first direction is angled with the first direction, but the included angle is deflected towards the second quadrant. Thus, by adjusting the angle value of the second included angle θ, the emitted light of the optical element 10 can be emitted in a specified direction.

[0050] It should be understood that when the light emitted from the optical element 10 is required to be emitted toward the first quadrant, the corresponding second included angle θ should be less than 45°.

[0051] Please refer to Figures 5 to 7 When optical element 10 satisfies the first relation, it is used to converge the light beam emitted from light source 20, and the first relation is D > R × (n-1); when optical element 10 satisfies the second relation, it is used to collimate the light beam emitted from light source 20, and the second relation is D = R × (n-1); when optical element 10 satisfies the third relation, it is used to diverge the light beam emitted from light source 20, and the third relation is D < R × (n-1).

[0052] Where D is the distance from the light source 20 to the center of the second surface 12, R is the radius of curvature of the second surface 12, and n is the refractive index of the optical element 10.

[0053] For example, please refer to Figure 5 As shown, when the emitted light from the third surface 13 needs to be a converging light, the distance D from the light source 20 to the center of the second surface 12 and the radius of curvature R of the second surface 12 need to satisfy the relationship D>R×(n-1).

[0054] Please refer to Figure 6 As shown, when the outgoing light emitted from the third surface 13 needs to be collimated, the distance D from the light source 20 to the center of the second surface 12 and the radius of curvature R of the second surface 12 need to satisfy the relationship D=R×(n-1).

[0055] Please refer to Figure 7 As shown, when the emitted light from the third surface 13 needs to be divergent, the distance D from the light source 20 to the center of the second surface 12 and the radius of curvature R of the second surface 12 need to satisfy the relationship D < R × (n-1).

[0056] In this way, the user can achieve the desired output light type by simply adjusting the distance D between the light source 20 and the center of the second surface 12 and the radius of curvature R of the second surface 12. The operation is simple.

[0057] The optical element 10 provided in this application has a first surface 11, a second surface 12, and a third surface 13, and the relevant optical parameters of the three surfaces are set in association. In this way, only the optical parameters of the corresponding surfaces need to be adjusted appropriately to achieve high flexibility, high degree of freedom, and compatibility in the output light of the optical element 10. The optical element 10 has a simple structure, small size, and low requirements for the size of the optical element 10 in a single direction. It can be applied to a variety of occasions and has better application scenarios and practical value.

[0058] In this embodiment, the second surface 12 may optionally be a sphere, an ellipsoid, a parabola, or a hyperboloid. The specific selection of the surface shape of the second surface 12 is not limited in this application, and those skilled in the art can choose and determine it themselves.

[0059] To further improve the reflectivity of the second surface 12 and thus effectively improve the light utilization of the optical element 10, a reflective film may optionally be deposited on the second surface 12.

[0060] In another aspect of the present invention, an optical module is provided, the optical module including a light source 20 and the aforementioned optical element 10 disposed on the light-emitting side of the light source 20, wherein the light beam emitted from the light source 20 is deflected by the first surface 11 of the optical element 10 and incident on the second surface 12 of the optical element 10, and is emitted from the third surface 13 after being reflected by the second surface 12.

[0061] Since the specific structure, optical path principle and beneficial effects of the optical element 10 have been described and explained in detail above, this application will not repeat them here.

[0062] It should be noted that this optical module can be applied to fields such as lidar and industrial processing. This application does not impose specific limitations on the application areas of this optical module.

[0063] The above description is merely an optional embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0064] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable way without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present invention will not describe the various possible combinations separately.

Claims

1. An optical element, characterized by, It includes a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface arranged opposite to each other. The first surface is a plane and has a first angle with the optical axis, the second surface is a concave surface and has a second angle with the optical axis, and the third surface is a plane. The light beam incident on the first surface is refracted and then deflected onto the second surface. After being reflected by the second surface, the light beam exits from the third surface. When the first included angle is an acute angle, the aperture of the emitted light from the third surface is positively correlated with the complementary angle of the first included angle; when the first included angle is an obtuse angle, the aperture of the emitted light from the third surface is positively correlated with the supplementary angle of the first included angle.

2. The optical element according to claim 1, characterized by The first included angle is not equal to 90°.

3. The optical element according to claim 2, characterized in that The first included angle is between 30° and 150°.

4. The optical element according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical element satisfies the following formula: α = 2 × (45° - θ), where α is the angle between the emitted light from the third surface and the first direction, θ is the second angle, and the first direction is perpendicular to the optical axis.

5. The optical element according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, When the optical element satisfies the first relation, it is used to converge the light beam emitted from the light source, and the first relation is D > R × (n-1); when the optical element satisfies the second relation, it is used to collimate the light beam emitted from the light source, and the second relation is D = R × (n-1); when the optical element satisfies the third relation, it is used to diverge the light beam emitted from the light source, and the third relation is D < R × (n-1). Wherein, D is the distance from the light source to the center of the second surface, R is the radius of curvature of the second surface, and n is the refractive index of the optical element.

6. The optical element according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second surface is a sphere, an ellipsoid, a parabola, or a hyperboloid.

7. The optical element according to claim 1, characterized in that, A reflective film is coated on the second surface.

8. An optical module, characterized in that, The light source includes a light source and an optical element as described in any one of claims 1 to 7 disposed on the light-emitting side of the light source. The light beam emitted from the light source is deflected by the first surface of the optical element and then incident on the second surface of the optical element. After being reflected by the second surface, the light beam exits from the third surface.

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