Asymmetric Diffraction Grating for Diamond Color Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Symmetrically arranged diffraction gratings on diamond facets enhance color dispersion but cause undesirable haze due to light interference, reducing the diamond's beauty and value.
Innovation Solution
Asymmetrically arranging diffraction gratings on the facets, with each optical path having only one grating on one side of the axis and a mirror image location on the opposite side without a grating, to minimize light interference and haze.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If diffraction gratings are symmetrically arranged on diamond facets, then color dispersion is enhanced, but haze increases due to light interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging diffraction gratings non-symmetrically on the diamond facets. Specifically, gratings are placed on certain facets (such as the crown facets) while deliberately omitting them from corresponding symmetric facets (such as the pavilion facets). This asymmetric configuration ensures that light rays pass through only one grating structure along their optical path, preventing the formation of multiple diffracted images and eliminating the milky, opalescent haze that occurs with symmetric arrangements, while still maintaining enhanced color dispersion.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple diffraction gratings are placed along light paths, then color dispersion is enhanced, but light interference causes undesirable haze
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing diffraction gratings from specific facets where they would create harmful light interference. By selectively placing gratings only on certain facets (e.g., crown facets) and omitting them from others (e.g., pavilion facets), the design extracts the problematic element (the second grating that causes interference) while retaining the beneficial element (the first grating that provides color dispersion). This ensures each light path encounters only one grating, eliminating interference patterns.
3Productivity
If diffraction gratings are patterned on all facets, then optical paths are maximized for color dispersion, but haze significantly decreases beauty and value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of different facets. Instead of uniformly applying diffraction gratings to all facets, the design applies gratings only to specific facets (such as crown facets) while leaving other facets (such as pavilion facets) without gratings. This localized approach optimizes color dispersion in the regions where gratings are applied while preventing haze formation in regions where gratings would cause interference, thereby preserving the diamond's beauty and value.
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 effectively diminishes haze, preserving the diamond's beauty and value by ensuring each light path is diffracted by a single grating, thereby avoiding interference and maintaining enhanced color dispersion.
Implementation Method 1
a diffractive structure patterned on, e.g., etched in, at least one of the facets for diffracting the light being routed along at least one of the optical paths to enhance color dispersion of the emergent light
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of cut facets on which incident light entering the material is routed along optical paths through the material
Data Source
AI summary
Incident light enters a faceted gemstone and is routed along optical paths to exit the gemstone as emergent light. At least one diffraction grating is patterned on the gemstone in an asymmetrical manner relative to an axis of symmetry. The diffraction grating has a diffractive structure positioned on at least one facet for diffracting the light being routed along at least one of the optical paths to enhance color dispersion of the emergent light. The diffraction grating is the only diffraction grating to diffract the light being routed along the at least one optical path to diminish haze of the emergent light.