Cylindrical Lens Array Layout to Reduce Laser Beam Light Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser transformation devices suffer from significant light losses due to imperfect collimation and over-illumination of lenses, leading to non-uniform beam focusing and reduced product quality in applications like Flat Panel Display manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A transformation device with cylindrical lenses arranged at angles greater than 45° and less than 90°, where the first array's lenses have a longer focal length than the second array's lenses, reducing the beam size and minimizing light losses by preventing radiation from hitting spaces between lenses, and using a reduction factor between 1.1 and 3 to achieve efficient beam transformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If cylindrical lenses are arranged at 45° angle in a telescopic system, then beam quality factor in one direction is reduced to approximately 1, but beam quality factor in the longitudinal direction is significantly increased causing over-illumination and light losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the angle parameter from the conventional 45° to a range greater than 45° and less than 90° (preferably 60°-75°). This parameter modification simultaneously improves beam quality in the transverse direction while preventing over-illumination in the longitudinal direction, thereby reducing light losses at lens edges and between lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustable optical elements (such as movable lenses or adjustable mirror positions) that allow dynamic optimization of the beam transformation. This enables adaptation to different input beam conditions and maintains optimal performance while minimizing light losses across varying operational conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If beam transformation device is designed as a telescopic system for well collimated entrance beams, then beam transformation is effective in one direction, but entrance beams with noticeable divergency in other direction lead to over-illumination of lenses and light losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable optical elements that enable the system to adapt to varying beam conditions. The adjustable components allow optimization of beam collimation and transformation for different divergence angles, making the system versatile for both well-collimated and divergent entrance beams while preventing over-illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the optical system to perform multiple functions: it can effectively transform both well-collimated and divergent beams, and the same optical arrangement prevents over-illumination across different beam conditions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate optimization for different beam types.
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 reduces light losses and ensures uniform beam transformation with minimal interference, enhancing the beam quality and focusing capabilities while maintaining a compact and robust structure.
Implementation Method 1
The transformation device consists of two arrays of cylindrical lenses which together form an array of telescopes. The cylinder axes of the cylindrical lenses are inclined at an angle of 45° to the direction in which the cylindrical lenses are arranged side by side. This design ensures that the cross sections of the partial beams passing through the telescopes are mirrored relative to the axis of the cylindrical lenses.
Data Source
AI summary
Transformation device (1) for laser radiation (7), comprising a first array (2) of cylindrical lenses (3) arranged side by side in a first direction (x) and a second array (4) of cylindrical lenses (5) arranged side by side in the first direction (x), it being provided that during operation of the transformation device (1) the laser radiation (7) to be transformed first passes through the first array (2) and then through the second array (4), and wherein in each case one of the cylindrical lenses (3) of the first array (2) is associated with one of the cylindrical lenses (5) of the second array (4) in such a way that an array of reducing telescopes results, wherein the cylinder axes (6) of the cylindrical lenses (3) of the first array (2) enclose an angle (γ) greater than 45° and less than 90° with the first direction (x).