Adjustable Microlens Array Optical Assembly for Multi-Focus Profiles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical assemblies for generating a multi-focus profile from a collimated laser beam are limited in their ability to vary the number of foci, as they require specific microlens arrays with fixed focal lengths, which restricts adaptability to different production tasks and intensity distribution uniformity.
Innovation Solution
An optical assembly with an adjustment mechanism that allows for the adjustable optical distance between microlens arrays, enabling the effective focal length to be set, thereby varying the number of foci and achieving uniform intensity distribution by selecting appropriate adjustment positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed focal length microlens arrays are used, then the optical assembly can generate a multi-focus profile, but the number of foci cannot be varied and adaptability to different production tasks is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the optical distance between microlens arrays adjustable rather than fixed. The adjustment mechanism allows the microlens arrays to be positioned at different distances from one another, enabling the effective focal length to be varied dynamically. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same optical assembly to adapt to different production tasks by changing the number of foci generated, without requiring different microlens array configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical distance between microlens arrays is adjusted to vary the effective focal length, then the number of foci can be changed, but maintaining uniform intensity distribution becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by systematically adjusting the optical distance between microlens arrays to specific values that satisfy a mathematical condition. The adjustment mechanism is configured with multiple discrete adjustment positions, where each position corresponds to a specific optical distance that ensures the term (a²)/(λ·fML,i) results in a natural number. This parameter optimization approach maintains uniform intensity distribution across all adjustment positions while enabling variation in the number of foci.
3Ease of operation
If multiple microlens arrays with different focal lengths are used, then flexibility in focus generation is improved, but the device complexity and alignment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by using microlens arrays with identical focal lengths rather than arrays with different focal lengths. The adjustment mechanism provides the flexibility to achieve different effective focal lengths by changing the optical distance between the identical arrays. This approach maintains ease of operation through standardized components while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple arrays with different specifications and their associated alignment requirements.
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
The optical assembly allows for flexible adjustment of the number of foci and ensures uniform intensity distribution across the multi-focus profile, enhancing adaptability to various production tasks without the need for precise microlens array configurations.
Implementation Method 1
multiple microlens arrays having a uniform aperture a of their microlenses, wherein the entirety of the microlens arrays has an effective focal length fML
Data Source
AI summary
An optical assembly includes a beam path, passing, in succession, through multiple microlens arrays and a Fourier lens assembly. The microlens arrays have a uniform aperture of their microlenses, and the entirety of the microlens arrays has an effective focal length. The optical assembly further includes an adjustment mechanism, configured to adjust a mutual optical distance of at least some of the microlens arrays in the beam path, thereby setting the effective focal length of the entirety of the microlens arrays. The adjustment mechanism has multiple adjustment positions i=1, . . . , M wherein M is a natural number ≥2, i is an adjustment position index, at which the terma2λ·fML,iin each case essentially smoothly results in a natural number Ni. λ is a center wavelength, fML,i is an effective focal length fML of the entirety of the microlens arrays set by the adjustment position i.