Integrated Cooled Optical Projection System Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light projection systems with cooled light sources, particularly those using semiconductor lasers, suffer from alignment issues due to vibrations and thermal expansion, leading to inefficiencies in cooling and increased size requirements, which negatively impact performance in applications like trace-gas sensing and medical devices.
Innovation Solution
The optical system integrates the cooling chamber with both the light source and optics, utilizing a vacuum-sealed housing and a support assembly to maintain alignment and reduce heat transfer, incorporating a cold shield assembly and wavelength-selective filters, with optical elements like lenses and beam expanders to optimize light projection and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optics are located outside the cooler, then the system is easier to assemble and maintain, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to vibrations and thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optics and the light source into a single integrated assembly that is cooled together. The optics are positioned within close proximity to the light source inside the cooling chamber, forming a unified structure that eliminates alignment issues caused by separate cooling of components. This integration ensures that both elements experience the same thermal conditions and vibrations, maintaining precise alignment.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If optics are located outside the cooler, then cooling capacity requirements are reduced, but system size increases due to larger optics distance from source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optics and light source into a compact integrated assembly that fits within the cooling chamber. This merger allows the use of smaller, closer optics that require less cooling capacity while maintaining effective light projection. The integrated design eliminates the need for large-distance optics outside the cooler, reducing both the cooling chamber size and overall system volume.
3Reliability
If multiple lasers are cooled together in a larger chamber, then each laser can be properly positioned, but cooling efficiency decreases due to larger thermal mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into individual laser-optics units, each comprising a laser source and its associated optics integrated together. Multiple such segmented units can be cooled together in a chamber, with each unit maintaining precise internal alignment while the overall chamber size remains manageable. This segmentation allows efficient cooling of multiple lasers without requiring excessive chamber volume.
4Reliability
If cooling chamber size is increased to accommodate multiple lasers with external optics, then each laser can be properly cooled, but the dewar inefficiencies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges each laser with its optics into a single integrated unit that is cooled together within the dewar. This integration minimizes the required dewar size by eliminating the need for large external optics assemblies. The compact integrated units reduce heat conduction through wires, radiation through optical windows, and convection to walls, thereby minimizing dewar inefficiencies while maintaining effective cooling of multiple lasers.
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 configuration enhances cooling efficiency, reduces system size, and improves alignment accuracy, resulting in more efficient light projection and reduced energy consumption, particularly beneficial for mid- and far-infrared laser applications.
Implementation Method 1
a cooler unit capable of cooling said light source to this cool temperature during the light source operation
Implementation Method 2
an optical window permitting light emergence outside from the cooling chamber
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a vacuum-sealed housing and a support assembly to maintain alignment and reduce heat transfer
Implementation Method 4
incorporating a cold shield assembly and wavelength-selective filters, with optical elements like lenses and beam expanders to optimize light projection and alignment
Data Source
AI summary
A light projection optical system is presented. The system comprises a cooling chamber containing: a light source operative at a cool temperature being lower than 240K; a cooler unit capable of cooling said light source to said cool temperature during the light source operation,- an optical window permitting light emergence outside from the cooling chamber; and an optical unit accommodated in the optical path of light emitted by said light source and enabling emergence of this light through said optical window outside from the cooling chamber.