Optical Crystal Heating Plate with Integrated Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating devices for nonlinear optical crystals suffer from temperature instability and reduced service life due to outgassing from plastics, cables, and soldered connections, which complicates the structure and increases the number of individual parts.
Innovation Solution
A simplified heating device design featuring a heating plate that integrates both heating and temperature sensing functions, with indirect heating of the crystal, and uses spring elements or adhesive connections to secure the crystal, eliminating the need for plastics and cables, and incorporating a separate housing for thermal insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional heating devices with plastics, cables, and soldered connections are used, then the structure is complete and functional, but outgassing occurs at elevated temperatures reducing service life and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes harmful materials (plastics, cables, soldered connections) from the heating device structure. The crystal holder is designed as a metal component with integrated heating and sensing elements, eliminating the need for plastic insulators and cable connections that would outgas at elevated temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element and temperature sensor are integrated directly into the crystal holder structure. The holder combines mechanical support, thermal conduction, and electrical connection functions in a single metal component, reducing the number of separate parts and interfaces where outgassing could occur.
2Reliability
If multiple individual parts are used in the heating device, then the structure is complete and functional, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crystal holder integrates multiple functions: mechanical support for the crystal, thermal conduction path from the heater, temperature sensing contact, and electrical connection terminal. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components while maintaining all necessary functions for stable temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal crystal holder serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides structural support, conducts heat from the heating element, contacts the temperature sensor for measurement, and provides an electrical connection point. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.
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 design enhances temperature stability and reduces outgassing, thereby extending the service life of nonlinear optical crystals by minimizing exposure to harmful materials and simplifying the device structure.
Implementation Method 1
The heating surfaces are only in contact with the housing but not with the crystal in order to heat the crystal indirectly
Implementation Method 2
The thermal sensor measures the temperature of the crystal holder and thereby the approximate temperature of the non-linear crystal element
Implementation Method 3
The crystal is held in the housing by at least one spring element, which presses the crystal against the heating plate
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A device (1) according to the invention for heating an optical crystal (2) comprises a housing (3) with an interior space (6) in which the crystal (2) is arranged and with two opposing lateral access openings (7a, 7b) to the interior space (6), as well as a heating plate (4) with a plate side (4a) abutting a housing side (3a), which has at least one exposed heating surface (10) for direct contact with the housing (3) and an exposed sensor surface (11) for measuring the temperature of the crystal (2).