Compound-Lens Optical Probe for Faster Precision Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of optical devices and probes is challenging due to small numerical apertures and precise alignment requirements, leading to increased measurement time and connection loss fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
An optical probe with a compound lens system comprising a plano-convex first lens and a second lens with a larger curvature radius embedded in a medium with a higher refractive index, allowing for angular and positional corrections of the optical axis to improve alignment efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a single-mode optical probe with small numerical aperture is used, then the optical transmission path maintains low loss, but the alignment precision between optical device and probe becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical probe is segmented into multiple functional sections: a core section for low-loss transmission, a lens section with compound lens for beam expansion and alignment, and a cladding section. This segmentation allows each section to optimize for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between low loss and precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension transformation by expanding the optical beam through the compound lens system. The beam is expanded from a small core diameter to a larger diameter at the tip surface, effectively increasing the alignment tolerance in the transverse dimension while maintaining single-mode operation.
2Measurement precision
If precise position adjustment with multiple degrees of freedom is performed, then the alignment accuracy is improved, but the measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compound lens system performs preliminary beam expansion and directional correction before the optical signal reaches the tip surface. This preliminary action reduces the alignment sensitivity, allowing coarser initial positioning and reducing the time required for fine adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using a compound lens system that transforms the beam diameter and divergence angle. This parameter transformation allows the system to achieve acceptable alignment accuracy with reduced adjustment precision requirements, thereby reducing measurement time.
3Reliability
If the optical probe uses a small core diameter for single-mode operation, then the mode field diameter is reduced, but the error tolerance for alignment becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical probe structure is segmented into a core section with small diameter for single-mode operation and a lens section that expands the beam. This allows the core to maintain single-mode reliability while the expanded beam at the tip provides larger error tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The compound lens system acts as an intermediary between the small core and the external optical device. It transforms the small core diameter into a larger effective beam diameter at the tip surface, providing error tolerance without compromising single-mode operation in the core.
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 solution reduces alignment time and connection loss fluctuations by correcting optical axis deviations, enabling alignment with fewer degrees of freedom adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a refractive index of the medium is larger than a refractive index of the compound lens
Data Source
AI summary
An optical probe includes a medium through which an optical signal propagates; a plano-convex first lens disposed on a first surface of the medium with a bottom surface facing the medium; and a plano-convex second lens which constitutes a compound lens in which a bottom surface of the second lens is connected to the bottom surface of the first lens by aligning an optical axis of the second lens and an optical axis of the first lens. The second lens is embedded in the medium and has a curvature radius of a convex surface larger than that of the first lens. A refractive index of the medium is larger than a refractive index of the compound lens.