Acousto-Optic Beam Positioner With Phase-Shifting Reflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional half-wave plates used for polarization rotation in acousto-optic devices are expensive and unsuitable for high-power laser applications like CO2 laser-based materials processing, necessitating a cost-effective alternative.
Innovation Solution
A multi-axis beam positioner incorporating a first and second acousto-optic deflector (AOD) with a phase-shifting reflector, such as a half-wave or quarter-wave phase-shifting mirror, to rotate the plane of polarization and facilitate a two-dimensional scan field, using optical relay systems and mirrors for compact assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional half-wave plates are used for polarization rotation, then polarization rotation function is achieved, but cost increases and suitability for high-power laser applications decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive conventional half-wave plates with a more cost-effective phase-shifting reflector system that uses mirrors and acoustic wave generation. This approach achieves the same polarization rotation function at lower cost while maintaining compatibility with high-power laser applications, directly addressing the contradiction between cost-effectiveness and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the mechanical/optical half-wave plate with an acousto-optic system that uses acoustic waves to modulate the refractive index of a medium, creating a phase-shifting reflector. This replaces a static optical component with a dynamically controllable acousto-optic system, achieving polarization rotation through acoustic field manipulation rather than mechanical optical elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple AODs and optical components are used to create a two-dimensional scan field, then scanning functionality is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple acousto-optic deflectors and optical components into an integrated beam positioner system. By merging the first and second AODs with the phase-shifting reflector and optical relay system into a unified compact assembly, the invention achieves two-dimensional scanning capability while reducing overall system complexity and improving compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a pair of AODs with their diffraction axes oriented perpendicular to each other, creating independent scanning dimensions. The first AOD scans in one dimension while the second AOD scans in the perpendicular dimension, achieving two-dimensional scan field capability through dimensional separation of scanning functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient polarization rotation and two-dimensional scanning within high-power laser applications, reducing costs and enhancing system compactness without compromising performance.
Implementation Method 1
a phase-shifting reflector, such as a half-wave or quarter-wave phase-shifting mirror, to rotate the plane of polarization
Implementation Method 2
a first acousto-optic deflector (AOD) to diffract the laser light so as to deflect the beam path
Implementation Method 3
diffract the laser light so as to deflect the beam path
Implementation Method 4
The transducer 104 is generally a piezoelectric transducer, and is operative to vibrate in response to an input RF signal
Implementation Method 5
create an acoustic wave that propagates in the AO medium, manifested as periodic regions of expansion and compression in the AO medium, thereby creating a periodically changing refractive index
Data Source
AI summary
A beam positioner for deflecting a beam path, along which a diffracted beam of linearly polarized laser light is propagatable, within a two-dimensional scan field, the beam positioner includes a first acousto-optic deflectors (AOD) to deflect the beam path within a first one-dimensional scan field extending along a first axis of the two-dimensional scan field, a second AOD to deflect the beam path within a second one-dimensional scan field extending along a second axis of the two-dimensional scan field, a phase retarder arranged between the first AOD and the second AOD and within the beam path along which the beam of laser light is propagatable from the first AOD and a mirror arranged between the first AOD and the second AOD and within the beam path along which the beam of laser light is propagatable from the first AOD.