Amorphous Glass Immersion Diffraction Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing immersion diffraction elements face challenges in easy production and limited design flexibility due to the use of crystal materials, which restrict shape processing and optical degrees of freedom.
Innovation Solution
The use of amorphous glass for both the prism and diffraction portions, allowing for mold press forming and bonding techniques that increase design freedom and production ease, with specific compositions and surface treatments to enhance optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crystal material is used for the diffraction portion, then diffraction efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases and design freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from crystal to amorphous glass, which fundamentally alters the manufacturing approach from precision cutting/etching to mold press forming. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining optical performance while dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process and increasing design freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical processing system (cutting, etching) with a molding system (press forming). This substitution eliminates complex mechanical manufacturing steps while achieving the same functional result, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and increasing design flexibility.
2Reliability
If crystal material is used for the diffraction portion, then optical performance is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter change from crystal to amorphous glass enables a complete transformation of the manufacturing method. Amorphous glass can be directly molded into complex diffraction structures without requiring precision cutting or etching, making the element much easier to manufacture while maintaining optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffraction structure is pre-formed in the mold before the glass is pressed. This preliminary action of creating the diffraction pattern in the mold cavity eliminates the need for subsequent complex processing steps, significantly improving ease of manufacture.
3Manufacturing precision
If crystal orientation is restricted, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from anisotropic crystal to isotropic amorphous glass, which eliminates crystal orientation constraints. This allows the diffraction structure to be designed and molded in any orientation or configuration without being limited by crystallographic directions, thereby maximizing design freedom while maintaining manufacturing precision through mold control.
Solution Approach 2:
Amorphous glass serves as a universal material that can be molded into any diffraction structure configuration without being constrained by material anisotropy. This universality enables the same material to fulfill multiple design requirements and configurations, greatly enhancing adaptability.
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
This approach enables the creation of immersion diffraction elements that are easily producible, offer increased design flexibility, and improve optical degrees of freedom, while maintaining high diffraction efficiency and spectral separation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The prism portion and the diffraction portion are made of amorphous glass
Implementation Method 2
In the diffraction portion, a plurality of diffraction grooves are periodically provided. In spectrally separating light using an immersion diffraction element, light passes through the prism and is reflected and spectrally separated at the diffraction portion.
Implementation Method 3
When light passes through the prism, the wavelength of the light is 1/n where n represents the refractive index of the prism.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an immersion diffraction element easily producible and capable of increasing the degrees of freedom in the design of a diffraction portion. An immersion diffraction element 1 includes a prism portion 2 and a diffraction portion 4, wherein the prism portion 2 and the diffraction portion 4 are made of amorphous glass.