Portable automated wavelength-tunable polarized beam generation system

Abstract

The application belongs to the field of polarized light source, and particularly relates to a portable automatic wavelength-adjustable polarized light beam generating system, which comprises a wide-spectrum light source, a monochromator, a polarization module and an automatic control module, wherein the automatic control module is connected with the wide-spectrum light source, the monochromator and the polarization module through data transmission lines, and the monochromator and the polarization module are arranged on the light path of the wide-spectrum light source in sequence. The application provides a portable automatic wavelength-adjustable polarized light source which can output a specified wavelength and specified polarization light beam, and greatly simplifies the manual adjustment for obtaining the specified wavelength and specified polarization light beam in the current experimental process, thereby improving the experimental efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of polarization light sources, specifically a portable, automated wavelength-tunable polarization beam generation system. Background Technology

[0002] In fields such as biology, materials, and atomic and molecular biology, spectral measurement of samples is a very important characterization method. Under certain conditions, obtaining the polarization spectral characteristics of a sample is an important basis for understanding the sample's structural properties, optical characteristics, and other features. Different samples will have different responses to different polarized light. Therefore, it is particularly important to provide an automated beam generation system with selectable polarization mode and wavelength.

[0003] Traditional sample spectral characterization systems integrate a light source, a sample measurement area, and a spectral detection module. Such characterization systems are often difficult for users to expand their functions and are expensive. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention proposes an automated beam generation system that can provide wavelength-tunable and polarization-mode-tunable beams. Its key feature is that the target beam can be obtained immediately and without manual adjustment simply by setting the wavelength and polarization mode. This invention modularizes and simplifies traditional sample characterization systems, providing only portable automated polarization light source technology. Users can easily obtain the target polarization light source, and during sample spectral measurements, the sample measurement area and spectral detection module can be customized according to their needs. It has a wide range of applications and is inexpensive.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to achieve the above objectives is as follows:

[0006] A portable automated wavelength-tunable polarized beam generation system includes: a broadband light source, a monochromator, a polarization module, and an automatic control module, wherein: the automatic control module is connected to the broadband light source, the monochromator, and the polarization module respectively via data transmission lines, and the monochromator and the polarization module are sequentially arranged in the optical path of the broadband light source.

[0007] The broadband light source includes at least one of xenon lamps, halogen lamps, and mercury lamps.

[0008] The monochromator is an electrically adjustable monochromator.

[0009] The polarization module includes a polarization device, an electrically rotating mirror frame, and an electrically moving stage. The polarization device is mounted on the electrically rotating mirror frame, and the electrically rotating mirror frame is mounted on the electrically moving stage. Both the electrically rotating mirror frame and the electrically moving stage are connected to the automatic control module via data transmission lines.

[0010] The polarization device includes at least one of a polarizer, a waveplate, and a polarizing prism.

[0011] The polarization module also includes an optoelastic modulator mounted on an electric translation stage, and the optoelastic modulator and the polarization device are located on the same optical path.

[0012] A portable, automated method for generating wavelength-tunable polarized beams includes the following steps:

[0013] The automatic control module receives user commands, which include: light emission commands, wavelength data, and polarization mode commands.

[0014] The automatic control module processes user commands and sends the light emission command to the broadband light source, wavelength data to the monochromator, and polarization mode command to the polarization module via the data transmission line.

[0015] The broadband light source, monochromator, and polarization module perform corresponding operations based on the received user commands.

[0016] The automatic control module receives the light emission command, converts it into a Boolean variable, and sends it to the broadband light source. The broadband light source controls the on / off state of the light source according to the received Boolean variable. When the Boolean variable is 1, the light source is turned on; when the Boolean variable is 0, the light source is turned off.

[0017] The automatic control module receives wavelength data in floating-point format and sends it to the monochromator. The monochromator adjusts its internal optical elements according to the wavelength data and outputs a beam with a wavelength consistent with the wavelength data.

[0018] The automatic control module receives a polarization mode command and sends it to the polarization module. The polarization mode command includes the polarization mode and the deflection angle. The electric translation stage in the polarization module moves a set distance according to the polarization mode, and the electric rotating frame in the polarization module rotates according to the deflection angle.

[0019] The present invention has the following beneficial effects and advantages:

[0020] This invention provides a portable, automated light source with adjustable wavelength and polarization, capable of producing a beam of specified wavelength and polarization. This greatly simplifies the current experimental process, which requires manual adjustments to obtain a beam of specified wavelength and polarization, thus improving experimental efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the modular structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the system control data flow of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the specific structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the specific structure of Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the specific structure of Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0026] Among them, 1 is a xenon lamp, 2 is a monochromator, 3 is a polarizer, 4 is a system control computer, 5 is the first data transmission line, 6 is the second data transmission line, 7 is the third data transmission line, 8 is a quarter-wave plate, and 9 is a photoelastic modulator. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0028] The purpose of this invention is to provide a portable, automated, wavelength-tunable polarized beam generation system, comprising a broadband light source, a monochromator polarization module, and an automatic control module. The polarization module includes one or more polarizers or waveplates, a mounting bracket for the polarizers or glass slides, and a rotating motor. The automatic control module includes an automatic control system and a data transmission line. When generating a beam with a specific wavelength and polarization state, the operator inputs the wavelength and polarization state through the automatic control system. The input wavelength data is transmitted to the monochromator via the data transmission line. The monochromator adjusts according to the input wavelength data, and the broadband beam emitted from the broadband light source can then output a single-wavelength beam of the input wavelength through the monochromator. The input polarization state is transmitted to the polarization module via the data transmission line. The polarization module controls the rotation of its motor according to the input polarization mode, adjusting the optical axis angle of the polarizers or waveplates that rotate with the motor. The single-wavelength beam of the input wavelength, transmitted through the monochromator, becomes a single-wavelength polarized beam consistent with the input wavelength and input polarization mode after passing through the polarization module.

[0029] The broadband light source can be a broadband light source such as a xenon lamp, halogen lamp, or mercury lamp, or a combination of such broadband light sources. The broadband light source is equipped with a power supply that can be manually or automatically controlled.

[0030] The monochromator is an electrically adjustable monochromator, on which the electric motor can adjust the optical elements in the monochromator to diffract and separate the broadband beam incident on it and output a specific wavelength.

[0031] The polarization module consists of polarizing optical elements such as polarizers, waveplates, and polarizing prisms, or combinations thereof.

[0032] The automatic control module consists of a system control computer, a control system, and data transmission lines.

[0033] The polarized beam output has three modes: manual control, automatic control, and time delay. In manual mode, the system can control the light output by clicking the light output button on the panel. In automatic mode, the system can control the light output by clicking the start button. In time delay mode, the light output time can be controlled by setting the system's light output time delay.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention includes a broadband light source, a monochromator, a polarization module, and an automatic control module. User-specified data is input to the automatic control module via the system. The automatic control module transmits wavelength data to the monochromator and inputs polarization data to the polarization module. The monochromator receives the wavelength data and adjusts its internal optical elements according to the wavelength data. After the broadband beam emitted from the broadband continuous light source is incident on the monochromator, the monochromator can output a single-wavelength beam of the specified wavelength data. The polarization module receives the polarization data and adjusts its polarizers or waveplates according to the polarization data. After the single-wavelength beam is incident on the polarization module, the polarization module can output a single-wavelength beam with a specific polarization state of the polarization state of the polarization data.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the system control process of this invention is as follows: Before light emission, the user needs to input the desired wavelength, polarization state, and whether delayed light emission is required through the control system. The wavelength data is input to the broadband light source through the data transmission line, and the polarization state is input to the polarization module through the data transmission line. When light emission occurs, if the user specifies a time-delayed light emission mode, the system control computer will wait according to the time delay. When the waiting time reaches the time delay, it will send a light emission command to the broadband light source power supply. If the user adopts the system-controlled light emission mode, when the user clicks the light emission button on the system, the system control computer sends a light emission command to the broadband light source power supply. If the user adopts the manual control light emission mode, when the user clicks the light emission control button, the broadband light source receives the light emission command from the user's click of the light emission control button.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment includes 1, a broadband light source, 2, a monochromator, 3, a polarizer, 4, a system control computer, 5, a first data transmission line, 6, a second data transmission line, 7, a third data transmission line, and a control system. The polarizer 3 is mounted on an electrically operated rotating mirror frame with a degree of freedom of rotation around the beam propagation direction. This embodiment represents the working state of the single-wavelength linearly polarized beam emitted by the present invention.

[0038] The control system is installed on the system control computer 4. In this embodiment, parameter settings are performed before light output. During parameter settings, the user uses the control system installed on the system control computer 4 to set parameters, including wavelength, linear polarization direction, and whether time delay is required for light output. The wavelength is transmitted to the monochromator 2 via the second data transmission line 6, and the linear polarization direction is transmitted to the motorized rotating frame of the polarizer 3 via the third data transmission line 7. The monochromator 2 adjusts its internal optical elements according to the wavelength to output the wavelength. The motorized rotating frame of the polarizer 3 rotates according to the polarization direction, and when it stops rotating, the polarizer 3 is in a neutral position. Regarding the output polarization direction, during the light emission operation, the user pre-specifies the system's light emission mode. If the system-controlled light emission mode is used, the broadband light source 1 can be controlled to emit light by clicking the light emission button on the system. If the manual control light emission mode is used, the broadband light source 1 can be controlled to emit light by clicking the light emission button on the broadband light source 1. If time-delayed light emission is used, the system sets the time delay. When the time delay is reached, the control system can control the broadband light source 1 to emit light. The broadband beam emitted by the broadband light source 1 is converted into a single-wavelength beam of the specified wavelength after passing through the monochromator 2. The single-wavelength beam is then converted into a single-wavelength linearly polarized beam of the specified linear polarization direction after passing through the polarizer 3.

[0039] Example 2

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment includes 1, a broadband light source, 2, a monochromator, 3, a polarizer, 4, a system control computer, 5, a first data transmission line, 6, a second data transmission line, 7, a third data transmission line, 8, a quarter-wave plate, and a control system. The polarizer 3 and the quarter-wave plate 8 are respectively mounted on an electrically operated rotating frame with a degree of freedom of rotation around the beam propagation direction. This embodiment represents the working state of the single-wavelength circularly polarized beam emitted by the present invention.

[0041] The control system is installed on the system control computer 4. In this embodiment, parameter settings are performed before light output. During parameter settings, the user sets parameters through the control system installed on the system control computer 4. The parameters to be set are wavelength, circular polarization state, and whether time delay is required for light output. The wavelength is transmitted to the monochromator 2 via the second data transmission line 6, and the circular polarization state is transmitted to the motorized rotating frame of the polarizer 3 and quarter-wave plate 8 via the third data transmission line 7. The monochromator 2 adjusts its internal optical elements according to the wavelength to output the wavelength. The motorized rotating frame of the polarizer 3 and quarter-wave plate 8 rotates according to the polarization direction. When rotation stops, the polarizer 3 and quarter-wave plate 8 are aligned. The optical axis angle of the 1 / 4 wave plate 8 is 45°, which is in the state of outputting a circularly polarized beam. When performing the light output operation, the user specifies the light output mode of the system in advance. If the system-controlled light output mode is used, the light output button on the system can be clicked to control the light output of the broadband light source 1. If the manual control light output mode is used, the light output button on the broadband light source 1 can be clicked to control the light output of the broadband light source 1. If the time-delay light output mode is used, the time delay is set by the system. When the time delay is reached, the control system can control the broadband light source 1 to output light. The broadband beam emitted by the broadband light source 1 is converted into a single-wavelength beam of the specified wavelength after passing through the monochromator 2. The single-wavelength beam is converted into a single-wavelength circularly polarized beam after passing through the polarizer 3 and the 1 / 4 wave plate 8.

[0042] Example 3

[0043] like Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment includes 1, a broadband light source, 2, a monochromator, 3, a polarizer, 4, a system control computer, 5, a first data transmission line, 6, a second data transmission line, 7, a third data transmission line, 9, a photoelastic modulator, and a control system. The polarizer 3 is mounted on an electrically operated rotating mirror frame with a degree of freedom of rotation around the beam propagation direction. This embodiment represents the working state of the periodically changing left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized beam emitted by the present invention.

[0044] The control system is installed on the system control computer 4. In this embodiment, parameter settings are performed before light output. During parameter settings, the user sets parameters through the control system installed on the system control computer 4. The parameters to be set are wavelength, left-hand and right-hand circular polarization change period, and whether time delay is required for light output. The wavelength is transmitted to the monochromator 2 via the second data transmission line 6. The left-hand and right-hand circular polarization states are transmitted to the motorized rotating frame of the polarizer 3 and the photoelastic modulator 9 via the third data transmission line 7. The monochromator 2 adjusts its internal optical elements according to the wavelength to output the wavelength. The motorized rotating frame of the polarizer 3 and the photoelastic modulator 9 are initialized according to the polarization direction. When initialization is complete, the photoelastic modulator is in a 1 / 4 waveplate state, and the optical axis angle between the polarizer 3 and the photoelastic modulator 9 is +45°, indicating that it is outputting a circularly polarized beam. During light output, the user uses... The user can specify the light output mode of the system in advance. If the system-controlled light output mode is used, the broadband light source 1 can be controlled to output light by clicking the light output button on the system. If the manual control light output mode is used, the broadband light source 1 can be controlled to output light by clicking the light output button on the broadband light source 1. If the time-delayed light output mode is used, the system sets the time delay. When the time delay is reached, the control system can control the broadband light source 1 to output light. The left-hand and right-hand circular polarization change period information is transmitted to the photoelastic modulator 9 through the third data transmission line 7. The photoelastic modulator 9 rotates the optical axis according to the period. The endpoint of the optical axis rotation in each period is the angle between the optical axis and the polarization direction of the polarizer 3, which is -45° and +45°, respectively. The broadband beam emitted by the broadband light source 1 is converted into a single-wavelength beam of the specified wavelength after passing through the monochromator 2. The single-wavelength beam is converted into a periodically changing single-wavelength left-hand and right-hand circularly polarized beam after passing through the polarizer 3 and the photoelastic modulator 9.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the data transmission and processing process of the system of the present invention is as follows:

[0046] This invention provides three light emission modes: user system controlled light emission, user manual controlled light emission, and time-delayed light emission. The instructions for the three light emission modes are all Boolean variables. When the Boolean variable is 1, it is a light emission instruction, and when the Boolean variable is 0, it is a shutdown instruction.

[0047] When the user selects the system to control light output, the user can control the light output by clicking the switch button on the control system. When the user lights up the light output button on the control system, the control system sends a light output command to the broadband light source 1. The light output command is a Boolean variable 1. After receiving the Boolean variable 1, the broadband light source 1 turns on the power and outputs light.

[0048] When the user selects manual control of light output, the user controls the light output by clicking the switch button on the front panel of the present invention. When the user presses the switch button on the front panel of the present invention, the light source of the broadband light source 1 is turned on and the broadband light source 1 emits light.

[0049] When the user selects a time delay for light emission, the user sets the delay time on the control system. After the delay time is completed, the user lights up the light emission button on the control system, and the control system enters a waiting process. When the waiting time reaches the delay time, the control system sends a light emission command to the broadband light source 1. The light emission command is a Boolean variable 1. After receiving the Boolean variable 1, the broadband light source 1 turns on its power and emits light.

[0050] When selecting wavelength, the user inputs the wavelength data to be obtained through the wavelength setting window on the control system. The wavelength data is floating-point data. After the user sets the wavelength data, the control system transmits the wavelength data of the floating-point data to the monochromator 2 through the data transmission line. The monochromator 2 receives the wavelength data of the floating-point data and adjusts the internal optical elements according to the wavelength data. Finally, it outputs a light beam with a wavelength consistent with the wavelength data set by the user from the output window.

[0051] When selecting the polarization state, the present invention uses a polarization module composed of a polarizer 3, a quarter-wave plate 8, and a photoelastic modulator 9. All three components are mounted on an electrically driven translation stage with linear displacement capabilities. The polarizer 3 and quarter-wave plate 8 are mounted on a rotating frame with a degree of freedom to rotate around the beam propagation direction. The user can set the beam polarization mode through the control system. The present invention automatically adjusts the position and state of each optical element in the polarization module according to the set polarization mode, thereby meeting the user's requirements for the polarization mode. The polarization mode of the present invention can be a linear polarization mode, a circular polarization mode, or a periodically changing left-handed or right-handed polarization mode, etc. These three polarization modes will be further described in detail below.

[0052] When the user selects the linear polarization mode, the user sets the polarization angle of the linearly polarized beam in the linear polarization mode through the control system. The polarization angle is the angle with the vertical direction, and the angle range is 0°-180°. The control system presets the moving direction and moving distance of the motorized translation stage that houses the polarizer 3, quarter-wave plate 8, and photoelastic modulator 9. After receiving the user's selection of the linear polarization mode, the control system starts the motorized translation stage that houses the quarter-wave plate 8 and photoelastic modulator 9 according to the preset moving direction and distance of the motorized translation stage, moving the quarter-wave plate 8 and photoelastic modulator 9 out of the optical path. At the same time, the control system converts the polarization angle into the rotation distance of the motorized rotating frame that houses the polarizer 3. The rotation distance is a floating-point number. The motorized rotating frame that houses the polarizer 3 receives the rotation distance and rotates the corresponding distance according to the rotation distance, so that the polarizer is at the linearly polarized beam angle specified by the user. At this time, the polarization module converts the single-wavelength beam emitted from the monochromator 2 into a linearly polarized single-wavelength beam with the specified polarization angle.

[0053] When the user selects the circular polarization mode, the user sets the polarization direction of the circularly polarized beam in this mode through the control system. The polarization direction is either left-handed or right-handed circular polarization. The control system pre-sets the movement direction and distance of the motorized translation stage, which houses the polarizer 3, quarter-wave plate 8, and photoelastic modulator 9. After receiving the user's selected circular polarization mode, the control system, according to the user-specified mode and the pre-set movement direction and distance, starts the motorized translation stage housing the photoelastic modulator 9, moving the photoelastic modulator 9 out of the optical path. Simultaneously, the control system... The polarization direction is converted into the rotation distance of the motorized rotating frame that mounts the polarizer 3 and the quarter-wave plate. The rotation distance is a floating-point number. The motorized rotating frame that mounts the polarizer 3 and the quarter-wave plate receives the rotation distance and rotates the corresponding distance according to the rotation distance. After the rotation is completed, the angle between the polarization direction of the polarizer 3 and the optical axis of the quarter-wave plate is 45° or -45°. Different angles cause the polarization module to be in a left-hand circular polarization mode or a right-hand circular polarization mode. At this time, the polarization module converts the single-wavelength beam emitted by the monochromator 2 into a circularly polarized single-wavelength beam with a specified polarization direction.

[0054] When the user selects a periodically changing left-hand and right-hand circular polarization mode, the user sets the change period of the left-hand and right-hand circular polarization under the periodically changing polarization mode through the control system. The change period is floating-point data. The control system pre-sets the moving direction and distance of the motorized translation stage equipped with polarizer 3, quarter-wave plate 8, and photoelastic modulator 9. After receiving the user's selection of the periodically changing left-hand and right-hand circular polarization mode, the system starts the motorized translation stage equipped with quarter-wave plate 8 according to the user-specified periodically changing left-hand and right-hand circular polarization mode and the preset moving direction and distance of the motorized translation stage, moving quarter-wave plate 8 out of the optical path. At the same time, the control system converts the change period of the left-hand and right-hand circular polarization into the polarization mode and optical axis rotation rate of the photoelastic modulator 9. When the polarization module is in the periodically changing left-hand and right-hand circular polarization mode, the photoelastic... The controller of modulator 9 receives the mode selection command and applies voltage to the photoelastic modulator 9, causing the photoelastic modulator 9 to appear as a quarter-wave plate. The control system processes and calculates the rotation rate of the optical axis of the photoelastic modulator 9 based on the floating-point data of the variation period of left-hand circular polarization and right-hand circular polarization specified by the user, and transmits the rotation rate data to the controller of the photoelastic modulator 9 through the data transmission line. The controller of the photoelastic modulator 9 controls the rotation rate of the optical axis of the photoelastic modulator 9 according to the rotation rate, so that at the beginning and midpoint of each cycle, the angle between the optical axis of the photoelastic modulator 9 and the polarizer 3 is 45° and -45°, respectively. At the beginning and midpoint of each cycle, the polarization module converts the single-wavelength beam emitted by the monochromator 2 into left-hand and right-hand circularly polarized single-wavelength beams. When the time continues, periodically changing left-hand and right-hand circularly polarized single-wavelength beams can be obtained.

Claims

1. A portable, automated wavelength-tunable polarized beam generation system, characterized in that, include: The system includes a broadband light source, a monochromator, a polarization module, and an automatic control module, wherein the automatic control module is connected to the broadband light source, the monochromator, and the polarization module via data transmission lines, and the monochromator and the polarization module are sequentially arranged in the optical path of the broadband light source. The polarization module includes a polarization device, an electrically rotating mirror frame, and an electrically moving stage. The polarization device is mounted on the electrically rotating mirror frame, and the electrically rotating mirror frame is mounted on the electrically moving stage. Both the electrically rotating mirror frame and the electrically moving stage are connected to the automatic control module via data transmission lines.

2. The portable automated wavelength-tunable polarized beam generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The broadband light source includes at least one of xenon lamps, halogen lamps, and mercury lamps.

3. The portable automated wavelength-tunable polarized beam generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monochromator is an electrically adjustable monochromator.

4. The portable automated wavelength-tunable polarized beam generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The polarization device includes at least one of a polarizer, a waveplate, and a polarizing prism.

5. The portable automated wavelength-tunable polarized beam generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The polarization module also includes an optoelastic modulator mounted on an electric translation stage, and the optoelastic modulator and the polarization device are located on the same optical path.

6. A portable, automated method for generating wavelength-tunable polarized beams, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: The automatic control module receives user commands, which include: light emission commands, wavelength data, and polarization mode commands. The automatic control module processes user commands and sends the light emission command to the broadband light source, wavelength data to the monochromator, and polarization mode command to the polarization module via the data transmission line. The broadband light source, monochromator, and polarization module execute corresponding operations based on the received user commands; The automatic control module receives the light emission command, converts it into a Boolean variable, and sends it to the broadband light source. The broadband light source controls the on / off state of the light source according to the received Boolean variable. When the Boolean variable is 1, the light source is turned on; when the Boolean variable is 0, the light source is turned off.

7. The portable automated wavelength-tunable polarized beam generation method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The automatic control module receives wavelength data in floating-point format and sends it to the monochromator. The monochromator adjusts its internal optical elements according to the wavelength data and outputs a beam with a wavelength consistent with the wavelength data.

8. The portable automated wavelength-tunable polarized beam generation method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The automatic control module receives a polarization mode command and sends it to the polarization module. The polarization mode command includes the polarization mode and the deflection angle. The electric translation stage in the polarization module moves a set distance according to the polarization mode, and the electric rotating frame in the polarization module rotates according to the deflection angle.

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