Beam Steering Device Using Polarization Converter and Slot Antenna Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical devices face challenges in miniaturization due to limitations in light diffraction, making it difficult to manufacture integrated optical circuits smaller than several micrometers, and optical array antennas are complex to manufacture due to fiber connection and phase tuning heater complications.
Innovation Solution
A beam steering device using a simplified antenna array structure with slots and grooves in a metal layer, where the slots have different orientations and grooves reflect light to adjust the propagation direction, allowing for polarization direction variation of light without phase tuning, enabling efficient light steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If optical array antennas use phased array to vary propagation direction, then signal processing rate is maintained, but device complexity increases due to phase tuning heater and fiber connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the phase tuning heater and fiber connection components from the optical array antenna system. Instead of using phased array with these complex components, the invention uses a metal layer with slots and grooves that directly control light propagation through geometric structures, eliminating the need for active phase tuning mechanisms and complex fiber connections while maintaining the ability to vary propagation direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal phase tuning system with a static geometric structure. The phase tuning heater that required thermal control and mechanical adjustment is substituted with slots and grooves in a metal layer that passively control light propagation direction through their geometric configuration, eliminating the need for active thermal or mechanical phase tuning mechanisms.
2Volume of moving object
If optical devices are miniaturized below wavelength scale, then integration density increases, but light diffraction limits manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the diffraction limit by moving the miniaturization challenge to a different dimensional approach. Instead of attempting to miniaturize the entire optical device below the wavelength scale, the invention uses a planar metal layer with sub-wavelength slots and grooves that control light propagation in three dimensions. The slots and grooves have dimensions smaller than the wavelength of light, allowing precise control of light direction while the overall device structure remains manufacturable.
3Ease of operation
If conventional polarisation filter with groove/slot structure is used, then light propagation direction can be adjusted, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the groove structure and slot structure into a single integrated metal layer. Instead of using separate conventional polarisation filter components with grooves and slots that require complex assembly, the invention combines these elements into one monolithic metal layer where slots and grooves work together to control light propagation direction, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining beam steering capability.
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 device effectively adjusts light propagation direction by varying polarization, simplifying the manufacturing process and enabling more compact optical devices, while maintaining high signal processing rates.
Implementation Method 1
the grooves reflecting the light beams to have the different propagation directions, respectively
Implementation Method 2
a beam steering device capable of adjusting a propagation direction of light by varying a polarization direction of the light
Data Source
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AI summary
A beam steering device, an optical apparatus including the beam steering device, and a beam steering method are provided. The beam steering device includes a polarization converter adjusting a polarization direction of light that is emitted from a light source, and an antenna array receiving the light from the polarization converter and emitting light in different propagating direction depending on the polarization direction of the light from the polarization converter.