Optical device for directing a light beam and method for operating an optical device

Abstract

The presented approach relates to an optical device (100) for directing a light beam (105). The optical device (100) comprises at least one micromirror (110) designed to reflect the light beam (105) along an optical path (120) onto at least one redirecting mirror (130). The optical device (100) also comprises the redirecting mirror (130), which is designed to reflect the light beam (105) along the optical path (120) onto at least one deflecting mirror (140). The optical device (100) additionally comprises at least one filter (125) arranged in the optical path (120) and designed to filter the light beam (105) in order to generate a spectrally filtered light beam (135). Alternatively or additionally, the optical device (100) comprises at least one light converter element (105) having a luminescent substance for being excited by the light beam (105) and for outputting same as a modified light beam (135) having a wavelength which differs from a wavelength of the light beam (105). The optical device (100) also comprises the deflecting mirror (140), which is designed to reflect the light beam (105) or the modified light beam (135) along the optical path (120) onto the micromirror (110). The micromirror (110) reflects the light beam (135) onto a defined optical path (150) which is independent of the selection of the previously selected optical path (120 / 220 / 200).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title for directing a light beam and methods for

[0003] Operating a

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The present invention relates to an optical device for directing a light beam, a method for operating an optical device, a control unit, a computer program product and a machine-readable storage medium according to the preamble of the independent claims.

[0006] A standard filter wheel can contain various filters, which can be brought into an optical beam path, for example, by rotating the filter wheel. This allows the filter wheel to enable, for instance, the sequential selection of a filter within an optical system. The rotation can be performed either directly by the user or by a motor.

[0007] Traditionally, filter selection can be achieved using mirrors, particularly mechanical mirrors. For example, one mirror can be used to direct the radiation to be filtered into an optical path with the desired filter, and another mirror can recombine the filtered radiation with the alternative path.

[0008] Interference filters can theoretically function in both transmission and reflection modes. Reflection filters are perhaps better known as dielectric mirrors and are used, for example, to achieve high reflectance, such as in a laser resonator. If reliable filtering with a high blocking characteristic is required, transmission interference filters may be the preferred choice, since dust or other contaminants on a dielectric mirror could scatter incident radiation and thus, for example, cause radiation in a blocking region.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention

[0010] Against this background, the approach presented here introduces an optical device for directing a light beam, a method for operating an optical device, a control unit, a computer program product, and a machine-readable storage medium according to the main claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the respective dependent claims and the following description.

[0011] An optical device for directing a light beam is presented, comprising at least one micromirror configured to reflect the light beam along an optical path onto at least one deflecting mirror. The optical device further includes the deflecting mirror configured to reflect the light beam along the optical path onto at least one deflecting mirror. The optical device also includes at least one filter arranged in the optical path and configured to filter the light beam to produce a spectrally filtered or modified light beam. Alternatively or additionally, the optical device includes at least one light converter element comprising a phosphor to be excited by the light beam and emitted as a modified light beam with a wavelength, i.e.,The optical device outputs light as a modified light beam with a wavelength different from the wavelength of the original light beam. It also includes a deflecting mirror configured to reflect the light beam, or the modified beam, along the optical path onto the micromirror.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the approach presented here, a micromirror can also be understood as a mechanical rotating mirror or tilting mirror, e.g., a galvanometer mirror. While the micromirror, as a very small unit, offers the greatest advantages (for example, regarding installation space or maintenance), the approach presented here is not limited to such a small micromirror; rather, mechanical mobility is relevant here, so that the term micromirror can be understood generally as a rotating mirror or tilting mirror.

[0013] In this context, a filter can be understood as a generally "light-modifying" element that alters one or more properties of light, such as wavelength or polarization. The filtered light beam is therefore generally considered a modified light beam. Specifically, in the setup described here, a spectral filter or a polarizing filter can be used as the light-modifying element. Depending on the filter's position, the light beam or the modified light beam can be reflected or directed onto the deflecting mirror. Alternatively or additionally, at least one light-transducer element can be provided, which contains a phosphor that is excited by the light beam and emits it as a modified light beam with a wavelength different from that of the original light beam.In this sense, the light converter element can also be understood as a "filter," which in this case means that not only are certain wavelengths already contained in the light beam filtered out and transmitted, but also that light with at least one wavelength exits or passes through this "filter" or light converter element that was not present in the light beam shining onto it. The term "filter" in this case is therefore to be interpreted very broadly and also includes elements that convert the incident wavelengths.

[0014] The micromirror can also direct the filtered light beam onto a defined optical path, which is the same for all optical paths with a light-modifying element. The key advantage of the approach presented here is that a rotating mirror allows the selection of one of several optical paths, and the same rotating mirror can then direct the radiation (regardless of the selected path) back onto a defined output path. This approach is based on the understanding that using a micromirror can replace the rotation of a known filter wheel and, additionally or alternatively, the movement of conventional mechanical mirrors.

[0015] The approach presented here is therefore advantageous because the optical device requires no moving parts other than the micromirror. Furthermore, the small size of the micromirror allows the optical device to be implemented in a compact installation space. Since the radiation is directed onto the micromirror twice, a mechanical mirror is eliminated compared to the prior art.

[0016] Furthermore, the micromirror can also be designed according to one embodiment to direct the modified light beam onto a defined optical path.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the filter can be arranged between the micromirror and the deflecting mirror and / or between the deflecting mirror and the deflecting mirror. This allows for a customized, needs-based, and user-friendly design of the optical device.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the deflecting mirror and / or the deflecting mirror can be designed as at least a partially transparent mirror. This allows, for example, the simple extraction of a light beam from the optical device.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the deflecting mirror can be designed to reflect the light beam onto the micromirror essentially in a normal direction or at an angle to the normal. This embodiment allows for minimizing the beam cross-section on the mirror surface (which is usually a projection of the beam corresponding to the angle of incidence) and therefore permits the use of a smaller micromirror. This is based on the principle that the area of ​​the micromirror should not be overexposed by either the incident or the reflected beam. Since the effectively used area of ​​a beam depends on the angle of incidence, it is advantageous to adjust the angles of the incident and reflected beams based on this criterion (equal used area on the micromirror). If both beams advantageously have the same beam diameter, both angles should also be chosen to be the same.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the deflecting mirror and / or the deflecting mirror can be designed as a static mirror. Such an arrangement of the optical device therefore requires no moving elements.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the micromirror can be designed to rotate and / or be rotatable about at least one axis. Moving or being movable by the rotatable micromirror, for example, replaces the rotation of a known filter wheel and, alternatively or additionally, the movement of two conventional mechanical mirrors.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the micromirror can be configured to reflect the light beam along at least one further optical path onto at least one further deflecting mirror. The optical device can include the further deflecting mirror, which can be configured to reflect the light beam along the further optical path onto at least one further deflecting mirror. The optical device can include the further deflecting mirror, which can be configured to reflect the light beam along the further optical path onto the micromirror. The optical device can also include at least one further filter, which is arranged and configured in the further optical path to filter the light beam in order to produce the spectrally filtered light beam. A further filter can generally also be a light-modifying element or a filter such as a spectral or...This can be understood as a color filter or a polarizing filter. Such an embodiment allows different light beams to be directed through the optical device along the optical path or the further optical path, and in particular through the filter or the further filter. According to a further embodiment, the filter and the further filter can be designed to filter different spectral components of the light beam. Such an embodiment allows different light beams to be directed through the optical device along the optical path or the further optical path, and in particular through the filter or the further filter.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the deflecting mirror and the additional deflecting mirror can be arranged adjacent to each other. Alternatively or additionally, the deflecting mirror and the additional deflecting mirror can be arranged adjacent to each other. Alternatively or additionally, the filter and the additional filter can be arranged adjacent to each other. This embodiment allows the optical device to be implemented in a small installation space.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, a first optical path between the micromirror and the deflecting mirror can essentially correspond to a second optical path between the micromirror and the further deflecting mirror. Alternatively or additionally, a third optical path between the micromirror and the filter can essentially correspond to a fourth optical path between the micromirror and the further filter. Alternatively or additionally, a fifth optical path between the deflecting mirror and the deflecting mirror can essentially correspond to a sixth optical path between the further deflecting mirror and the further deflecting mirror. This embodiment offers the advantage that the same beam path exists in the case of the filtered rays with respect to their beam diameter. The reason for this is that all real beams are never perfectly collimated (not all rays are perfectly parallel).Therefore, different propagation durations also result in different beam diameters.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the optical device can have at least one separating unit, which can be configured to optically separate the deflecting mirror, the filter, and the deflecting mirror from the further deflecting mirror, the further filter, and the further deflecting mirror. Using this embodiment, scattered radiation within the optical device can be minimized.

[0026] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, an analysis unit is presented with a variant of an optical device as described herein. The aforementioned advantages can also be realized quickly and efficiently with this embodiment.

[0027] Furthermore, a method for operating an optical device is presented. The method comprises a step of directing a light beam onto the micromirror. The method also comprises a step of reflecting the light beam from the micromirror into the optical path onto the deflecting mirror. The method further comprises a step of deflecting the light beam in the optical path from the deflecting mirror to the deflecting mirror. The method also comprises a step of deflecting the light beam in the optical path from the deflecting mirror to the micromirror. The method further comprises a step of guiding the light beam through the at least one filter to obtain a filtered light beam. Optionally, a step of reflecting the light beam from the micromirror onto a uniform optical path, independent of the illuminated deflecting mirror, can also be performed.

[0028] This method can be implemented in hardware, for example, or in a hybrid form of software and hardware, for example in a control unit.

[0029] The approach presented here also creates a control unit designed to execute, control, and / or implement at least one of the steps of a variant of the presented method in at least one corresponding unit. This implementation variant, in the form of a control unit, also allows the underlying problem of the approach presented here to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0030] For this purpose, the control unit can have at least one processing unit for processing signals or data, at least one storage unit for storing signals or data, at least one interface to a sensor or actuator for reading sensor signals from the sensor or for outputting control signals to the actuator, and / or at least one communication interface for reading or outputting data embedded in a communication protocol. The processing unit can be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller, or the like, and the storage unit can be flash memory or a magnetic storage device.The communication interface can be configured to read or output data wirelessly and / or via wired connections, whereby a communication interface that can read or output wired data can, for example, read this data electrically or optically from or output it into a corresponding data transmission line.

[0031] In this context, a control unit can be understood as an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals accordingly. The control unit can have an interface, which may be implemented in hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware-based interface, the interfaces can, for example, be part of a so-called system ASIC, which incorporates various functions of the control unit. However, it is also possible that the interfaces are separate integrated circuits or at least partially comprised of discrete components. In the case of a software-based interface, the interfaces can be software modules, which, for example, are located on a microcontroller alongside other software modules.

[0032] It is also advantageous to have a computer program product with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk memory or optical memory and is used to carry out the method according to one of the embodiments described above, if the program product is executed on a computer or control unit.

[0033] The presented approach also creates a machine-readable storage medium on which the aforementioned computer program or a similar computer program can be stored. The approach presented here is explained in more detail below using the accompanying drawings as examples. These show:

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an optical device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an optical device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0036] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an optical device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0037] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of an optical device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0038] Fig. 5 Partial representations of a schematic representation of an optical device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0039] Fig. 6 shows a 3D model for a possible mounting of the static mirrors and filters as shown in the following Fig. 7;

[0040] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of an optical device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0041] Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating an optical device; and

[0042] Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a control unit for carrying out and / or controlling at least one step of the method described above for operating an optical device.

[0043] In the following description of favorable embodiments of the present approach, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and which have a similar effect, without repeating these elements.

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an optical device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. In this Fig. 1, the optical device 100 is illustrated by way of example in a side view.

[0045] The optical device 100 can be used, for example, to direct a light beam 105, in particular an incident beam 107, and for this purpose includes, by way of example, a micromirror 110 which rotates about an axis 115 and is additionally or alternatively rotatable about the axis 115. Accordingly, the micromirror 110 can also be referred to as a rotating mirror according to such an embodiment. By means of the micromirror 110, the light beam 105 can be reflected along an optical path 120 onto a filter 125, which, by way of example, is arranged in the optical path 120 between the micromirror 110 and a deflecting mirror 130.

[0046] The filter 125 filters the light beam 105 to produce a spectrally filtered light beam 135. This spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be directed in the optical path 120 onto the deflecting mirror 130.

[0047] The deflecting mirror 130 is optionally configured as a partially transparent mirror. Alternatively or additionally, the deflecting mirror 130 is optionally configured as a static mirror (above). Using the deflecting mirror 130, the light beam 135, spectrally filtered by the filter 125, can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto a deflecting mirror 140.

[0048] The deflecting mirror 140 is optionally configured as a static mirror (below). Using the deflecting mirror 140, the spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the micromirror 110. For illustrative purposes only, the deflecting mirror 140 reflects the spectrally filtered light beam 135 onto the micromirror 110 at a normal 145. Alternatively, the deflecting mirror 140 reflects the spectrally filtered light beam 135 onto the micromirror 110 at an angle deviating from the normal 145. It is also conceivable that the deflecting mirror 140 couples the spectrally filtered light beam 135 out as an output beam 150, specifically from the optical device 100.

[0049] In other words, one possible use or application of a filter changer, i.e., the optical device 100, is, for example, to direct light rays 105 through the selectable filter 125 or, independent of the selected filter 125, to ensure or enable that a filtered radiation, i.e., in particular the spectrally filtered light ray 135, leaves the optical device 100, for example, with a defined divergence, a defined ray diameter and / or with a defined direction.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the optical device 100 is realized without mechanical elements and in a small installation space. In particular, the present approach utilizes the potential of new light sources with high radiance.

[0051] The movement or mobility of the rotatable micromirror 110 replaces, for example, the rotation of a known filter wheel and, additionally or alternatively, the movement of conventional mechanical mirrors. An exemplary arrangement of the presented approach therefore requires no moving elements. According to one embodiment, the arrangement can also be implemented in a small installation space thanks to the small size of the micromirror 110.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the disclosed approach consists, in other words, of a rotatable, ideally non-resonant micromirror 110, N filters 125 and 2 x N static mirrors, i.e. 2 x N deflecting mirrors 130 and deflection mirrors 140.

[0053] In order to utilize the radiation from the optical device 100, the system, i.e., the arrangement of the optical device 100, is tilted, as shown in the side view of Figure 1, in particular so that the filtered radiation, specifically the spectrally filtered light beam 135, leaves the arrangement at a different elevation angle. In Figure 1, the micromirror 110, which is movable in only one dimension, acts as a static mirror. The input radiation, specifically in the form of the incident beam 107, strikes the micromirror 110, is reflected, passes through the filter 125, and is directed by a static system of two planar mirrors, i.e., the deflecting mirror 130 and the deflecting mirror 140, again at a different elevation angle onto the micromirror 110.The filtered radiation reflected by the micromirror 110 now has a different elevation angle than the input radiation and is therefore still usable in this specific way. A superposition of both planes, i.e., a plane of the deflecting mirror 130 and a plane of the deflecting mirror 140, results, for example, in the beam, i.e., the light beam 105, being directed in the same direction for filter 125 or for any filter, but the elevation angle is different from that of unfiltered radiation.

[0054] In the arrangement shown as an example in Fig. 1, the challenge lies, for instance, in not exceeding the aperture (i.e., the opening width) of the micromirror 110 during double reflection (also referred to here as reflection). Furthermore, in some applications, interference filters may be used, through which a beam (i.e., the light beam 105) should ideally pass in a collimated state. Therefore, this arrangement is particularly suitable for light sources that can be collimated well over a small area, i.e., light sources with high radiance. The higher the radiance of the light source, the smaller the micromirror 110 and the installation space for the optical device 100 can be, according to the exemplary embodiments.

[0055] Novel laser-excited phosphor-converted light sources, which can already be used in headlights and projectors, emit higher radiances than an LED and can offer entirely new possibilities for optical systems, such as in the approach presented here.

[0056] If the filter 125, or filters, are placed between the static mirrors, i.e., between the deflecting mirror 130 and the deflecting mirror 140, then the setup, or arrangement, is symmetrical about the x,y plane. One advantage of this arrangement is, for example, the ease of adjusting the filter 125, since it is installed horizontally. Another advantage of a symmetrical arrangement about the x,y plane is that both the incident beam 107 and the spectrally filtered light beam 135 strike the micromirror 110 at the same angle of magnitude and thus illuminate an area that is the same factor larger than the area of ​​their beam cross-section on the micromirror.

[0057] Since every real light source has a certain size, parallelizing the radiation is only possible with a certain residual divergence, which causes the beam to expand further during propagation, i.e., when the light spreads. To relax the radiance requirements, the radiation from the light source can be focused before it strikes the upper static mirrors, especially the deflecting mirror 130. After the focal point, the radiation normally spreads out divergently; therefore, it is important that the upper static mirrors, with their curved surfaces, either refocus or parallelize the divergent radiation. If the radiation is parallelized between the two static mirrors, i.e., between the deflecting mirror 130 and the deflecting mirror 140, an interference filter can be used.Glass filters, on the other hand, are equally suitable for convergent or divergent radiation. The lower static mirrors, especially the deflecting mirror 140, can then focus the filtered radiation onto or behind the micromirror 110. This parallelization or focusing can also be achieved, for example, with lenses, particularly with light-shaping elements and one or more flat mirror surfaces. A combination of curved mirror surfaces and lenses is also possible. The ideal position of the focal points is derived from the apertures, i.e., the opening widths, of the micromirror 110 and the static mirrors.

[0058] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an optical device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. This optical device 100 is, by way of example, the optical device described in Fig. 1 or a similar optical device. In Fig. 2, the optical device 100 is illustrated by way of example in a top view. The optical device 100 can be used, for example, to direct the light beam 105, in particular the incident beam 107, and for this purpose includes, by way of example, the micromirror 110, which rotates about the axis 115. Accordingly, the micromirror 110 can also be referred to as a rotating mirror in such an exemplary embodiment. By means of the micromirror 110, the light beam 105 can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the filter 125, which, by way of example, is arranged in the optical path 120 between the micromirror 110 and the deflecting mirror 130.

[0059] Filter 125 filters the light beam 105 to produce the spectrally filtered light beam 135. This spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be directed along the optical path 120 onto the deflecting mirror 130.

[0060] The deflecting mirror 130 is optionally configured as a partially transparent mirror. Alternatively or additionally, the deflecting mirror 130 is optionally configured as a static mirror (above). Using the deflecting mirror 130, the light beam 135, spectrally filtered by the filter 125, can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the deflecting mirror 140.

[0061] The deflecting mirror 140 is optionally configured as a static mirror (below). Using the deflecting mirror 140, the spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the micromirror 110. The micromirror 110 couples the spectrally filtered light beam 135 out as an output beam 150, specifically out of the optical device 100.

[0062] According to a further embodiment, the light beam 105 can be reflected by means of the micromirror 110 along a further optical path 200 onto a further filter 205. The further filter 205, which is optionally arranged adjacent to the filter 125, is, for example, arranged in the further optical path 200 between the micromirror 110 and a further deflecting mirror 210, which is optionally arranged adjacent to the deflecting mirror 130. A first optical path 211 between the micromirror 110 and the deflecting mirror 130 essentially corresponds to a second optical path 212 between the micromirror 110 and the further deflecting mirror 210.

[0063] A third optical path 213 between the micromirror 110 and the filter 125 essentially corresponds to a fourth optical path 214 between the micromirror 110 and the further filter 205.

[0064] The additional filter 205, which filters different spectral components of the light beam 105 than the filter 125, filters the light beam 105 to generate the spectrally filtered light beam 135. This spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be directed in the further optical path 200 onto the further deflecting mirror 210.

[0065] The additional deflecting mirror 210 is optionally configured as a partially transparent mirror. Alternatively or additionally, the additional deflecting mirror 210 is optionally configured as a static mirror (above). Using the additional deflecting mirror 210, the light beam 135, spectrally filtered by the additional filter 205, can be reflected along the additional optical path 200 onto a further deflecting mirror 215, which is optionally arranged adjacent to the deflecting mirror 140. A fifth optical path 217 between the deflecting mirror 130 and the deflecting mirror 140 essentially corresponds to a sixth optical path 218 between the additional deflecting mirror 210 and the additional deflecting mirror 215.

[0066] This additional deflecting mirror 215 is optionally configured as a static mirror (below). Using the additional deflecting mirror 215, the spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected along the further optical path 200 onto the micromirror 110. The micromirror 110 couples the spectrally filtered light beam 135 out as an output beam 150, specifically out of the optical device 100.

[0067] According to an additional embodiment, the light beam 105 can be reflected by means of the micromirror 110 along an additional optical path 220 onto an additional filter 225. The additional filter 225, which is optionally arranged adjacent to the filter 125, is, for example, arranged in the additional optical path 220 between the micromirror 110 and an additional deflecting mirror 230, which is optionally arranged adjacent to the deflecting mirror 130.

[0068] The additional filter 225, which filters different spectral components of the light beam 105 than the filter 125 and the further filter 205, filters the light beam 105 to generate the spectrally filtered light beam 135. This spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be directed in the additional optical path 220 onto the additional deflecting mirror 230.

[0069] The additional deflecting mirror 230 is optionally configured as a partially transparent mirror. Alternatively or additionally, the additional deflecting mirror 230 is optionally configured as a static mirror (above). Using the additional deflecting mirror 230, the light beam 135, spectrally filtered by the additional filter 225, can be reflected along the additional optical path 220 onto an additional deflecting mirror 235, which is optionally arranged adjacent to the deflecting mirror 140.

[0070] This additional deflecting mirror 235 is optionally designed as a static mirror (below). Using the additional deflecting mirror 235, the spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected along the additional optical path 220 onto the micromirror 110. The micromirror 110 couples the spectrally filtered light beam 135 out as an output beam 150, specifically out of the optical device 100. According to one embodiment, the output beam 150 shines exactly below the incident beam 107.

[0071] A filter selection mechanism can be well explained using two views. Figure 2 shows a top view of an embodiment of the arrangement. The incident beam 107, also referred to as the incident beam, is directed, for example, depending on the position of the micromirror 110, onto one of the filters 125 arranged, for example, in a circle around the micromirror 110. A static optical system, i.e., the deflecting mirror 130, the further deflecting mirror 210, the additional deflecting mirror 230, the deflecting mirror 140, the further deflecting mirror 215, and the additional deflecting mirror 235, which acts as a mirror or as a set of mirrors when considering a plane, reflects the filtered radiation, i.e., in particular the spectrally filtered light beam 135, back onto the micromirror 110, which directs the filtered radiation in the direction of the incident radiation.However, utilizing the filtered radiation can now be challenging, since, for example, each optically active element in the beam path—i.e., in optical path 120, in the further optical path 200, and in the additional optical path 220—would influence unfiltered radiation in addition to the filtered radiation. To still be able to utilize the radiation, the system, i.e., the arrangement of the optical device 100, is tilted, as shown in the side view of Figure 1 described above, specifically so that the filtered radiation leaves the arrangement at a different elevation angle.

[0072] According to one embodiment, both the unfiltered and the filtered radiation, in particular the spectrally filtered light beam 135, are directed over the same rotatable micromirror 110 in order to filter the radiation with a selectable filter 125 and simultaneously direct the filtered radiation, in particular the spectrally filtered light beam 135, in the same direction regardless of the selected filter 125. According to one embodiment, the divergence and beam diameter are the same for all filters due to the equal path lengths, i.e., for filter 125, the further filter 205, and the additional filter 225.

[0073] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an optical device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. This optical device 100 is, by way of example, the optical device described in Figures 1 and / or 2. In this Fig. 3, the optical device 100 is illustrated by way of example in a side view and in an optimized arrangement.

[0074] The optical device 100 can be used, for example, to direct the light beam 105, in particular the incident beam 107, and for this purpose includes, by way of example, the micromirror 110, which rotates about the axis 115. Accordingly, the micromirror 110 can also be referred to as a rotating mirror in such an embodiment. By means of the micromirror 110, the light beam 105 can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the filter 125, which, by way of example, is arranged in the optical path 120 between the micromirror 110 and the deflecting mirror 130.

[0075] Filter 125 filters the light beam 105 to produce the spectrally filtered light beam 135. This spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected onto the deflecting mirror 130 in the optical path 120.

[0076] The deflecting mirror 130 is optionally configured as a partially transparent mirror. Alternatively or additionally, the deflecting mirror 130 is optionally configured as a static mirror (above). Using the deflecting mirror 130, the light beam 135, spectrally filtered by the filter 125, can be partially coupled out as an output beam 150, specifically from the optical device 100. Another part of the spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the deflecting mirror 140.

[0077] The deflecting mirror 140 is optionally configured as a static mirror (below). Using the deflecting mirror 140, the spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the micromirror 110.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the effective reflective surface that the obliquely incident light ray 105 "sees" is smaller than the actual reflective surface due to a tilt. The effective reflective surface is proportional to the cosine of the angle of incidence of the light ray 105 or radiation. Therefore, it can be advantageous to keep the angle of incidence as small as possible.

[0079] Figures 3 and 4 show side and top views of exemplary optimized arrangements that guide the input and output radiation, specifically the incident beam 107 and the output beam 150, between the filters into and out of the system, i.e., into the optical device 100, and select the tilt symmetrically to the normal illustrated in Figure 1 onto a micromirror surface, i.e., a surface of the micromirror 110. Since the beams, i.e., the incident beam 107 and the output beam 150, are superimposed here, the following Figure 5 describes an exemplary path of the radiation step by step.

[0080] Since radiation in an optical system is usually not perfectly collimated (residual divergence > 0), it can also be useful to choose the angles of incidence according to the beam diameter at the respective point.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the optical device 100, as described above in this Fig. 3, is shown in an optimized arrangement or with improved utilization of the effective mirror surface.

[0082] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of an optical device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. This optical device 100 is, by way of example, the optical device described in Figures 1 and / or 2 and / or 3. In this Fig. 4, the optical device 100 is illustrated by way of example in a top view and in an optimized arrangement.

[0083] The optical device 100 can be used, for example, to direct the light beam 105, in particular the incident beam 107, and for this purpose includes, by way of example, the micromirror 110, which rotates about the axis 115. Accordingly, the micromirror 110 can also be referred to as a rotating mirror in such an embodiment. By means of the micromirror 110, the light beam 105 can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the filter 125, which, by way of example, is arranged in the optical path 120 between the micromirror 110 and the deflecting mirror 130.

[0084] Filter 125 filters the light beam 105 to produce the spectrally filtered light beam 135. This spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected onto the deflecting mirror 130 in the optical path 120.

[0085] The deflecting mirror 130 is optionally configured as a partially transparent mirror. Alternatively or additionally, the deflecting mirror 130 is optionally configured as a static mirror (top). Using the deflecting mirror 130, the light beam 135, spectrally filtered by the filter 125, can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the deflecting mirror 140. The deflecting mirror 140 is optionally configured as a static mirror (bottom). Using the deflecting mirror 140, the spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the micromirror 110. The micromirror 110 couples the spectrally filtered light beam 135 out as an output beam 150, specifically out of the optical device 100. According to one embodiment, the output beam 150 is emitted exactly below the incident beam 107.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the effective reflective surface that the obliquely incident light ray 105 "sees" is smaller than the actual reflective surface due to a tilt. The effective reflective surface is proportional to the cosine of the angle of incidence of the light ray 105 or radiation. Therefore, it can be advantageous to keep the angle of incidence as small as possible.

[0087] Figures 3 and 4 show side and top views of exemplary optimized arrangements that guide the input and output radiation, specifically the incident beam 107 and the output beam 150, between the filters into and out of the system, i.e., into the optical device 100, and select the tilt symmetrically to the normal illustrated in Figure 1 onto a micromirror surface, i.e., a surface of the micromirror 110. Since the beams, i.e., the incident beam 107 and the output beam 150, are superimposed here, the following Figure 5 describes an exemplary path of the radiation step by step.

[0088] Since radiation in an optical system is usually not perfectly collimated (residual divergence > 0), it can also be useful to choose the angles of incidence according to the beam diameter at the respective point.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the optical device 100, as described above in Fig. 3, is shown in an optimized arrangement or with improved utilization of the effective mirror surface. Fig. 5 shows partial views of a schematic representation of an optical device 100 according to one embodiment. This optical device 100 is, by way of example, the optical device described in Figures 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4. In this Fig. 5, an exemplary beam path of the optimized arrangement is illustrated in side and top view.

[0090] The first part of the illustration shows how, for example, the light beam 105, and in particular the incident beam 107, can be directed by means of the optical device 100. For this purpose, the optical device 100 includes, by way of example, the micromirror 110, which rotates about the axis 115. Accordingly, the micromirror 110 can also be referred to as a rotating mirror or rotatable mirror according to such an embodiment.

[0091] The second part of the illustration shows how the light beam 105 can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the filter 125 by means of the micromirror 110, which is arranged by way of example in the optical path 120 between the micromirror 110 and the deflecting mirror 130.

[0092] Filter 125 filters the light beam 105 to produce the spectrally filtered light beam 135. This spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected onto the deflecting mirror 130 in the optical path 120.

[0093] The deflecting mirror 130 is optionally designed as a semi-transparent mirror. Alternatively or additionally, the deflecting mirror 130 is optionally designed as an upper static mirror.

[0094] The third part of the diagram shows how, using the deflecting mirror 130, the light beam 135, spectrally filtered by the filter 125, can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the deflecting mirror 140. The deflecting mirror 140 can optionally be configured as a lower static mirror. The fourth part of the diagram shows how, using the deflecting mirror 140, the spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the micromirror 110.

[0095] The fifth part of the illustration shows how the micromirror 110 couples out the spectrally filtered light beam 135 as output beam 150, specifically from the optical device 100.

[0096] Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of an optical device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. This optical device 100 is, by way of example, the optical device described in Figures 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5. In this Fig. 6, an example of the separation of the optical paths by beam traps (for a first, simplified setup) is illustrated.

[0097] A light source, not explicitly shown but visible in Figure 7 below, directs the light beam 105 as an incident beam 107 into the optical device 100. In other words, radiation in the form of light beams 105 emerges from the light source through an opening. The filter 125, which is preferably attached to a holder for the filter 125, filters the light beam 105 to produce the spectrally filtered light beam 135. This spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected onto the deflecting mirror 130. The deflecting mirror 130 is preferably attached to a holder for an upper static mirror, i.e., in this case, for the deflecting mirror 130. Using the deflecting mirror 130, the light beam 135, spectrally filtered by the filter 125, can be reflected onto the deflecting mirror 140. The deflection mirror 140 is attached in particular to a holder for a lower static mirror, i.e. in this case for the deflection mirror 140.Using the deflecting mirror 140, the spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be coupled out as an output beam 150, specifically from the optical device 100. In other words, the spectrally filtered light beam 135, also referred to as filtered radiation, exits through an opening.

[0098] According to another embodiment, the spectrally filtered

[0099] The light beam 135 is reflected onto the further deflecting mirror 210. The further deflecting mirror 210 is attached, in particular, to a holder for an upper static mirror, i.e., in this case, for the further deflecting mirror 210. Using the further deflecting mirror 210, the light beam 135, which has been spectrally filtered by the further filter 205 (which is attached, in particular, to a holder for the further filter 205), can be reflected onto the further deflecting mirror 215. The further deflecting mirror 215 is attached, in particular, to a holder for a lower static mirror, i.e., in this case, for the further deflecting mirror 215. Using the further deflecting mirror 215, the spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be coupled out as an output beam 150, specifically from the optical device 100.

[0100] A plurality of separation units 600, also called beam traps or beam traps for separating the optical paths with filters, cause an optical separation of the deflecting mirror 130 from the further deflecting mirror 210, of the filter 125 from the further filter 205 and of the deflecting mirror 140 from the further deflecting mirror 215.

[0101] To minimize scattered radiation, it is advisable, for example, to use beam traps between the optical paths, which can be implemented using absorbing separating strips. Figure 6 shows an example of such an arrangement for avoiding scattered radiation.

[0102] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of an optical device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. This optical device 100 is, by way of example, the optical device described in Figures 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5 and / or 6. In this Fig. 7, an optimized arrangement is illustrated as a 3D model by way of example. In this arrangement, the filters are located, by way of example, between the upper and lower static mirrors.

[0103] A light source 700 directs the light beam 105, in particular the incident beam 107, onto a light-shaping element 705, in particular a lens. The light-shaping element 705 can, by way of example, also be referred to as a lens for collimating the radiation from the light source 700. The light-shaping element 705 collimates the light beam 105 and directs it onto the micromirror 110, also called a mechanical mirror, which rotates about the axis 115. Accordingly, the micromirror 110 can also be referred to as a rotating mirror in such an embodiment. By means of the micromirror 110, the light beam 105 can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the filter 125, also referred to here as filter 1, filter 2, filter 3, or filter 4, which is arranged, by way of example, in the optical path 120 between the micromirror 110 and the deflecting mirror 130.

[0104] The filter 125 filters the light beam 105 to produce the spectrally filtered light beam 135. This spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected in the optical path 120 onto the deflecting mirror 130, which is arranged in particular in an upper row of static mirrors, i.e. in an upper row of a plurality of deflecting mirrors.

[0105] The deflecting mirror 130 is optionally configured as a partially transparent mirror. Alternatively or additionally, the deflecting mirror 130 is optionally configured as a static mirror (above). Using the deflecting mirror 130, the light beam 135, spectrally filtered by the filter 125, can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the deflecting mirror 140, which is arranged in a lower row of static mirrors, i.e., in a lower row of a plurality of deflecting mirrors.

[0106] The deflecting mirror 140 is optionally configured as a static mirror (below). Using the deflecting mirror 140, the spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the micromirror 110. The micromirror 110 couples the spectrally filtered light beam 135 out as an output beam 150, specifically out of the optical device 100.

[0107] The optical device 100 also includes a detector 710, which is or may be relevant for a simulation shown in this figure 7.

[0108] Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method.

[0109] Method 800 for operating an optical device. Method 800 comprises a step 805 of directing a light beam onto the micromirror. Method 800 also comprises a step 810 of reflecting the light beam from the micromirror into the optical path onto the deflecting mirror. Method 800 further comprises a step 815 of deflecting the light beam in the optical path from the deflecting mirror to the deflecting mirror. Method 800 further comprises a step 820 of deflecting the light beam in the optical path from the deflecting mirror to the micromirror. Method 800 further comprises a step 825 of guiding the light beam through the at least one filter to obtain a filtered light beam.

[0110] Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a control unit 900 for carrying out and / or controlling at least one step of the method described above for operating an optical device. The control unit 900 comprises a steering unit 905 for directing a light beam onto the micromirror. The control unit 900 also comprises a reflecting unit 910 for reflecting the light beam from the micromirror into the optical path onto the deflecting mirror. The control unit 900 optionally also comprises a deflecting unit 915 for deflecting the light beam in the optical path from the deflecting mirror to the deflecting mirror. The control unit 900 optionally also comprises a deflection unit 920 for deflecting the light beam in the optical path from the deflecting mirror to the micromirror.The control unit 900 optionally includes a guide unit 925 for guiding the light beam through at least one filter to obtain a filtered light beam.

[0111] Fig. 10a shows a schematic representation of an optical device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, in which an incident light beam can be filtered. This optical device 100 is, by way of example, the optical device described in Figures 1 and / or 2. In this Fig. 10a, the optical device 100 is illustrated by way of example in a side view and in an optimized arrangement.

[0112] The optical device 100 can be used, for example, to direct the light beam 105, in particular the incident beam 107, in an envelope 1000 and, for this purpose, has, for example, the micromirror 110, which rotates about the axis 115. The light beam 107 can be guided past the lower deflecting mirror 140 onto the micromirror 110, which is designed, for example, as a partially transparent mirror and / or as a partially curved or planar mirror. Accordingly, the micromirror 110 can also be referred to as a rotating mirror according to such an embodiment. By means of the micromirror 110, the light beam 105 can be reflected along the optical path 120 onto the now curved static deflecting mirror 130 and subsequently onto the filter 125, which is arranged by way of example in the optical path 120 behind the deflecting mirror 130. The micromirror 110 has a possibility for reduction in size, as shown in the Fig.Figure 10A illustrates this. The reason for the reduction in size is that the curvature of the static deflection mirrors increases the accepted étendue in the system. Therefore, if the same étendue of the light source can still be used in the system, the micromirror can be reduced in size accordingly.

[0113] Filter 125 filters the light beam 105 to produce the spectrally filtered light beam 135. This spectrally filtered light beam 135 can be reflected in the optical path 120 onto the curved deflecting mirror 140.

[0114] Fig. 10b shows a schematic representation of an optical device 100 according to an embodiment in which a light beam can be filtered. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 10a, a light beam 105 filtered by the filter 125 is now reflected within an envelope 1000 onto the deflecting mirror 140, the micromirror 110 and past the deflecting mirror 130.

[0115] This optical device 100 is, by way of example only, the optical device described in Figures 1 and / or 2. Figure 10a illustrates the optical device 100 by way of example in a side view and in an optimized arrangement.

[0116] Figure 11a shows another embodiment of the optical devices 100 presented here. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 10a, an optical element 1100, which here is designed, for example, in the form of a lens, specifically in the form of a converging lens, is arranged between the deflecting mirror 130 and the filter 125. Additionally, another optical element 1110, which is also designed, for example, in the form of a lens, specifically in the form of a converging lens, can be arranged between the filter 1285 and the deflecting mirror 140. This allows, for example, a fanning light beam 105 to be shaped so that the filter 125 is illuminated uniformly and with collimated radiation.

[0117] Figure 11b shows an embodiment of the optical device 100 presented here. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 10b, an optical element 1100, which here is designed, for example, in the form of a lens, specifically in the form of a converging lens, is provided between the filter 125 and the deflecting mirror 140, so that, for example, a spectrally filtered light beam 105 can be focused onto the deflecting mirror 140 and reflected from there onto the micromirror 110, from where this light beam 105 is then reflected, for example, past the deflecting mirror 130.

[0118] The mirror surface is defined at the steepest possible angle to the mirror normal (for example, an angle in the side view of 5 to 60 degrees, preferably 10 to 45 degrees, or an angle in the top view of 0 to 60 degrees, preferably 0 to 45 degrees), both in the side view (e.g., angle of the incident ray 107, angle of the reflected ray 150 or of the path 105 to the normal of the rotating mirror, Fig. 3, e.g., by symmetry to the xy-plane) and in the top view (angle of the paths (e.g., 105 / 120) compared to the incident (107) and reflected (150) directions, Fig. 4, e.g., by symmetry of the paths in the xz-plane to 150 and 107).

[0119] Instead of filters, elements that generally alter light, changing one or more properties of the light, e.g. wavelength or polarization, could also be used.

[0120] A suitable light source for this arrangement is one with a broad spectrum extending beyond 20 nm, preferably beyond 60 nm, with a peak at half its maximum. Preferably, a light source based on spectral conversion (fluorescence) is used, i.e., one that utilizes a phosphor. The light source is preferably excited by a semiconductor device, preferably a laser, to achieve a small étendue at the same power.

[0121] The embodiments described and shown in the figures are only examples. Different embodiments can be combined completely or with respect to individual features. An embodiment can also be supplemented by features from another embodiment.

[0122] Furthermore, the procedural steps presented here can be repeated and carried out in a different order than described.

[0123] If an embodiment includes an “and / or” connection between a first feature and a second feature, this is to be read as meaning that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature, and according to another embodiment either only the first feature or only the second feature.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the disclosed approach can also be referred to as filter selection micromirror or as filter selection with a micromirror that rotates in one direction.

[0125] In addition to filters, phosphors, for example, can also be placed in the individual optical paths. One embodiment of the arrangement described here, for example, allows for a combination of phosphor and filter.

[0126] According to one embodiment, the described arrangement can be used for switching between beam-modifying components in transmission. Such applications can be considered, in particular, as additional uses besides spectral filtering.

[0127] In fluorescence-based analyses, such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis, a broadband light source can be filtered to a desired spectral interval using interference filters. Besides its application in fluorescence-based methods in medical technology (e.g., at a point-of-care setting), the approach presented here could also be used in RGB projectors and / or actively illuminating sensor applications.

[0128] Since, according to one embodiment, the mirrors are arranged in an upper and a lower circular path of equal height around a z-axis, the arrangement can also be implemented as two ring-shaped components instead of discrete upper and lower static mirrors for simpler manufacturing and adjustment. Specifically, the rings exhibit exactly or approximately the same angle to the horizontal in the radial direction as the discrete mirror they replace.

[0129] For example, injection molding would be suitable as a manufacturing process for producing the basic shape and vapor deposition for mirroring.

Claims

Claims 1. Optical device (100) for directing a light beam (105), wherein the optical device (100) has the following features: - at least one micromirror (110) designed to reflect the light beam (105) along an optical path (120) onto at least one deflecting mirror (130); - the deflecting mirror (130) which is designed to reflect the light beam (105) along the optical path (120) onto at least one deflecting mirror (140); - at least one filter (125) arranged and configured in the optical path (120) to filter the light beam (105) in order to produce a spectrally filtered and / or modified light beam (135) and / or at least one light converter element (105) comprising a phosphor to be excited by the light beam (105) and to emit light as a modified light beam (135) with a wavelength different from a wavelength of the light beam (105); and - the deflecting mirror (140) which is designed to reflect the light beam (105) or the modified light beam (135) along the optical path (120) onto the micromirror (110).

2. Optical device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the filter (125) is arranged between the micromirror (110) and the deflecting mirror (130) and / or between the deflecting mirror (130) and the deflecting mirror (140).

3. Optical device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the deflecting mirror (130) and / or the deflecting mirror (140) is designed at least as a partially transparent mirror.

4. Optical device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the deflecting mirror (140) is configured to reflect the light beam (105) substantially in a normal (145) onto the micromirror (110) or to reflect it onto the micromirror (110) at an angle to the normal (145).

5. Optical device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the deflecting mirror (130) and / or the deflecting mirror (140) is designed as a static mirror.

6. Optical device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the micromirror (110) is configured to rotate and / or be rotatable about at least one axis (115).

7. Optical device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the micromirror (110) is configured to reflect the light beam (105) along at least one further optical path (200) onto at least one further deflecting mirror (210), wherein the optical device (100) comprises the further deflecting mirror (210) configured to reflect the light beam (105) along the further optical path (200) onto at least one further deflecting mirror (215), wherein the optical device (100) comprises the further deflecting mirror (215) configured to reflect the light beam (105) along the further optical path (200) onto the micromirror (110), and wherein the optical device (100) comprises at least one further filter (205) arranged in the further optical path (200) and configured to filter the light beam (105) to generate the spectrally filtered light beam (135).and / or wherein the optical device (100) comprises at least one further light converter element (205) which has a phosphor to be excited by the light beam (105) and to emit as the modified light beam (135) a light with a wavelength which differs from, distinguishes between a wavelength of the light beam (105), in particular wherein the filter (125) and the further filter (205) are designed to filter different spectral components of the light beam (105).

8. Optical device (100) according to claim 7, wherein the deflecting mirror (130) and the further deflecting mirror (210) are arranged adjacent to each other and / or the deflecting mirror (140) and the further deflecting mirror (215) are arranged adjacent to each other and / or the filter (125) and the further filter (205) are arranged adjacent to each other.

9. Optical device (100) according to one of claims 7 to 8, wherein a first optical path (211) between the micromirror (110) and the deflecting mirror (130) essentially corresponds to a second optical path (212) between the micromirror (110) and the further deflecting mirror (210) and / or wherein a third optical path (213) between the micromirror (110) and the filter (125) essentially corresponds to a fourth optical path (214) between the micromirror (110) and the further filter (205) and / or wherein a fifth optical path (217) between the deflecting mirror (130) and the deflecting mirror (140) essentially corresponds to a sixth optical path (218) between the further deflecting mirror (210) and the further deflecting mirror (215).

10. Optical device (100) according to one of claims 7 to 9, comprising at least one separation unit (600) configured to provide optical separation of the deflecting mirror (140), the filter (125) and the deflecting mirror (130) from the further deflecting mirror (215), the further filter (205) and the further deflecting mirror (210).

11. Analysis unit with an optical device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Method (800) for operating an optical device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the method (800) comprises the following steps: - Directing (805) a light beam (105) onto the micromirror (110); - Reflecting (810) the light beam (105) from the micromirror (110) into the optical path (120) onto the deflecting mirror (130); - Deflection (815) of the light beam (105) in the optical path (120) from the deflecting mirror (130) to the deflecting mirror (140); - Deflection (820) of the light beam (105) in the optical path (120) from the deflecting mirror (140) to the micromirror (110); and - Guiding (825) the light beam (105) through at least one filter (125) to obtain a spectrally filtered light beam (135).

13. Control unit (900) configured to perform and / or control at least one of the steps (805, 810, 815, 820, 825) of the method (800) according to claim 12 in at least one corresponding unit (905, 910, 915, 920, 925).

14. Computer program product with program code for carrying out the method (800) according to claim 12, when the program product is executed on a control unit (900) according to claim 13.

15. Machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 14 is stored.

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