Multi-Plane Beam Shaping with Pulse Stretching for Fluence Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-plane converters for spatially shaping light beams face challenges in compactness, robustness, and cost due to high fluence levels when processing ultra-short optical pulses, exceeding material damage thresholds.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a stretching device to elongate optical pulses, a compressing device to restore original duration, and a multi-plane converter to shape the beam into a predetermined form, using compact optical elements to reduce beam size and fluence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the beam size is reduced to enable compact converter design, then the device compactness and robustness are improved, but the fluence (surface energy density) increases and exceeds material damage thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by stretching the optical pulse in time before it enters the multi-plane converter. This temporal stretching reduces the peak power and fluence of the beam, allowing the use of compact converter designs with smaller optical elements that would otherwise be damaged by high fluence. The pulse is then compressed back to its original duration after shaping, achieving both compactness and damage-free operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If tighter tolerances are applied to optical parts arrangement, then the manufacturing precision and beam shaping accuracy are improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of the optical pulse by stretching it in time, which fundamentally alters the interaction between the beam and the optical elements. This parameter change allows for relaxed spatial tolerances in the converter design, as the stretched pulse with reduced peak intensity is less sensitive to misalignments and manufacturing imperfections, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining shaping accuracy.
3Reliability
If stronger materials or protective coatings are used to withstand high fluence, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the temporal duration parameter of the optical pulse through stretching, the patent reduces the peak fluence to levels that can be handled by standard, cost-effective optical materials. This eliminates the need for expensive specialized materials or protective coatings, achieving both reliability and cost-effectiveness.
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
Facilitates the manufacture of a compact, robust, and cost-effective multi-plane converter that can withstand high-intensity thermal and mechanical stresses, while maintaining beam stability and shape.
Implementation Method 1
a stretching device with a view to temporally elongating the duration of the optical pulse by spectral spreading of the input light beam
Implementation Method 2
a shaping device, comprising at least one multi-plane converter placed upstream of the compressing device, which is configured to process the temporally stretched radiation with a view to forming the output beam into the predetermined shape
Data Source
AI summary
A device for processing an input light beam comprising at least one optical pulse having an original duration, forms the input light beam into a predetermined shape. The device comprises an optical input; a stretching device, with a view to temporally elongating the duration of the optical pulse and thus transmitting a temporally stretched radiation; a compressing device, with a view to at least partially restoring the original duration of the optical pulse; and an optical output. The processing device also comprises a shaping device comprising at least one multi-plane converter placed upstream of the compressing device, which is configured to process the temporally stretched radiation with a view to forming the output beam into the predetermined shape.