Elastically Deformable Holder for Photoelastic Modulator Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photoelastic modulator (PEM) holding mechanisms are rigid, leading to performance limitations such as decreased oscillation efficiency and unstable resonant frequency due to mechanical coupling, requiring higher driving voltages and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An elastically deformable optical element holder with deformable receiving portions that cushionably support the optical element, allowing for reduced mechanical coupling and improved vibrational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid barrel supports with grommet extensions are used to hold the optical element, then the optical element is securely held in place, but mechanical coupling to the housing increases which decreases oscillation efficiency and destabilizes resonant frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid barrel supports with flexible foam material that conforms to the optical element. This flexible support reduces mechanical coupling to the housing while maintaining secure holding, thereby improving oscillation efficiency and stabilizing resonant frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical properties of the support from rigid to compliant by using foam material with appropriate durometer hardness. This parameter change allows the support to be soft enough to reduce mechanical coupling but firm enough to hold the optical element securely in position.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid supports are used to hold the optical element, then the optical element is firmly positioned, but driving voltage and power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible foam support reduces mechanical coupling and damping of the optical element's vibration, allowing the transducer to operate more efficiently with lower driving voltage and power requirements while maintaining stable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of foam material provides a composite support structure that combines positioning stability with vibration isolation properties, reducing the energy required to drive the optical element at its resonant frequency.
3Reliability
If additional machining steps and grommets are added to the holding mechanism, then the optical element can be secured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the grommets and complex machining steps from the holding mechanism, replacing them with a simpler foam support that can be directly attached to the housing without additional components or complex fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam support combines the functions of positioning, securing, and vibration isolation into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate grommets and complex machined features.
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 elastically deformable holder reduces vibrational translation, enabling higher power efficiency, lower driving voltage requirements, and increased absolute retardation cycles, while maintaining modulation amplitude.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable optical element holder situated to receive an optical element
Implementation Method 2
The resonant frequency and oscillation efficiency are sensitive to any mechanical coupling to the PEM housing so that an increase of such mechanical coupling decreases oscillation efficiency
Implementation Method 3
A PEM employs the photoelastic effect as a principle of operation. The term 'photoelastic effect' means that an optical element that is mechanically stressed and strained (deformed) exhibits birefringence that is proportional to the amount of deformation induced into the element
Implementation Method 4
The transducer vibrates at a fixed frequency within, for example, the low-frequency, ultrasound range of about 20 kHz to 100 kHz
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an elastically deformable optical element holder situated to receive an optical element having a plurality of holder contact surfaces, the optical element holder including a plurality of receiving portions adjacent to an aperture and corresponding to respective holder contact surfaces, each receiving portion displaceable through deformation of the optical element holder so that the optical element is insertable in the aperture so as to be cushionably supported in a predetermined position with the receiving portions in contact with the respective holder contact surfaces.