Angular Light Modulator Beam Steering via Controlled Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Angular Spatial Light Modulator (ASLM) technologies face challenges in achieving high-quality, multi-display applications due to diffraction effects overpowering spatial modulation patterns, making pixel-to-pixel mapping and beam steering inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A light projection system with a spatially-dependent angular light modulator (ALM) and a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) using homogenous telecentric illumination with controlled cone angle, numerical aperture, and F-number to prevent contaminating light, enabling discrete diffraction-based beam steering and projecting into specific diffraction orders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If diffraction effects are utilized for beam steering in ASLM, then beam steering capability is achieved, but spatial modulation pattern quality deteriorates due to diffraction overpowering the modulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the illumination parameters (cone angle, numerical aperture, F-number) to optimize the balance between diffraction effects and spatial modulation. By carefully controlling these optical parameters, the system enables beam steering while maintaining image quality through precise pupil contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different illumination conditions to different regions of the DMD device. By controlling which pupils receive light from specific DMD regions, the system achieves localized beam steering while maintaining overall image quality through selective illumination management.
2Use of energy by moving object
If illumination cone angle is increased to improve light efficiency, then more light reaches the DMD, but pupil contamination increases causing image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the illumination cone angle, numerical aperture, and F-number parameters to achieve the best compromise between light efficiency and image quality. These parameters are carefully selected to maximize light utilization while preventing pupil contamination that would degrade image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses processor control to monitor and adjust illumination parameters based on the desired output direction and quality requirements. This feedback mechanism ensures optimal performance by dynamically managing the balance between light efficiency and image quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple diffraction orders are projected simultaneously, then multi-display capability is achieved, but pupil overlap occurs reducing projection quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different spatial regions of the DMD to different diffraction orders, ensuring that each order projects to a distinct direction without pupil overlap. This localized allocation of DMD regions to specific diffraction orders enables multi-display capability while maintaining projection quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the angular dimension by projecting different diffraction orders at different angles. This dimensional separation in the angular domain allows multiple displays to be projected simultaneously without spatial overlap, resolving the contradiction between multi-display capability and projection quality.
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 system effectively projects full-resolution, high-quality images into different directions by preventing pupil contamination and overlap, allowing for precise control of diffraction orders and spatial modulation, enhancing the efficiency and quality of multi-display applications.
Implementation Method 1
the ALM will project into one diffraction order at one time
Implementation Method 2
A Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) is an array of micromirror pixels which traditionally alternate between ON and OFF positions to direct light toward or away from a projection lens
Data Source
AI summary
A light projection system for projecting full-resolution, high quality images into different directions. The system includes a light source configured to provide a homogenous output beam of light and an illumination shaping optic elements configured with at least one of a predetermined cone angle, numerical aperture, and F-number. The system also includes a spatially-dependent, angular light modulator (ALM) with a plurality of pixels, each having an ON state, an OFF state, one input pupil, and N diffraction order pupils. The ALM is positioned such that the output beam is incident on the plurality of pixels. The at least one of the predetermined cone angle, numerical aperture, and F-number of the illumination shaping optic elements prevents contaminating light from entering an incorrect pupil. The system additionally includes a processor coupled to the ALM to provide discrete diffraction-based beam steering, whereby the ALM will project into one diffraction order at one time.