De-Centered Beam Steering With Axial Lens Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam steering devices are constrained in one or more dimensions such as steering capability, efficiency, scan speed, and aperture size, often requiring additional cost, weight, and increased footprint to compensate for reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A beam steering system utilizing a light cone generator and collimator/deflector with a telecentric f-theta lens and moveable reflectors, including a fast steering mirror and optical phased array, to generate and steer a moving cone of light with simultaneous expansion and collimation, achieving diffraction-limited optical quality and wide deflection angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional beam steering devices are used to achieve desired steering capability, then steering deflection angle is improved, but device footprint and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from mechanical rotation of large mirrors (2D plane movement) to axial movement of a small lens along the optical axis (1D linear movement). This dimensional change enables wide steering angles to be achieved through a compact linear translation of the decentering lens, dramatically reducing device footprint while maintaining steering capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation system (large mirrors rotating on gimbals) with an optical system using a small decentering lens that moves axially. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical rotation mechanisms, reducing both weight and footprint while achieving the same steering function through optical path modification
2Speed
If conventional beam steering devices are used to improve scan speed, then steering response time is improved, but steering accuracy and optical quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow mechanical mirror rotation with rapid axial movement of a small lens. The lens can be positioned precisely along the optical axis using compact actuators, enabling both fast response times and high positioning accuracy. This mechanical substitution achieves simultaneous improvement in scan speed and steering accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the decentering lens position along the optical axis. By dynamically adjusting the lens position, the system can rapidly change steering angles while maintaining diffraction-limited optical quality. The dynamic positioning enables fast scanning speeds without sacrificing beam quality or accuracy
3Area of moving object
If conventional beam steering devices are used to increase aperture size, then beam transmission efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the small decentering lens perform multiple functions: it simultaneously controls beam steering angle, maintains beam collimation, and achieves wide angular coverage. This single multi-functional element replaces what would traditionally require multiple large optical components, reducing device complexity while maintaining aperture efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a small decentering lens to create a virtual image of the light source at different angular positions. This optical copying mechanism enables wide aperture coverage without physically moving large mirrors or apertures, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining beam transmission efficiency
4Length of moving object
If conventional beam steering devices are used to achieve wide deflection angles, then steering capability is improved, but optical aberrations and beam quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the decentering function from a large rotating mirror system and isolates it in a small dedicated lens. By separating this specific function into a compact optical element positioned at the focal point, the system achieves wide deflection angles through simple lateral displacement of the lens, avoiding the complex aberrations that arise in large-scale mechanical steering systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the steering mechanism from angular rotation (rotating mirrors) to lateral displacement (moving lens perpendicular to optical axis). This dimensional change in the control mechanism allows wide deflection angles to be achieved through simple transverse movement of the decentering lens, maintaining diffraction-limited beam quality across the entire angular range
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 system achieves fast steering speeds, wide deflection angles, and efficient beam transmission with minimal optical aberrations, allowing for multi-threaded operation and integration with optical phased arrays, while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
A beam steering system utilizing a light cone generator and collimator/deflector with a telecentric f-theta lens and moveable reflectors
Implementation Method 2
A beam steering system utilizing a light cone generator and collimator/deflector with a telecentric f-theta lens and moveable reflectors, including a fast steering mirror
Data Source
AI summary
A device may include a fixed fiber. A device may include a moveable lens, wherein the fixed fiber and the moveable lens are configured to generate a cone of light. A device may include a light cone collimator/deflector (LCCD) comprising: a plurality of lenses, one of the plurality of lenses being downstream of other ones of the plurality of lenses, the one of the plurality of lenses comprising an exit aperture configured to be filled by steered light, such that a steering beam is output at the exit aperture.