Compact Dichroic Beam Combiner with Stray Light Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems that combine multiple optical beams face challenges related to size, weight, and power (SWaP) due to the need for a large number of optical devices, which also leads to optical losses and thermal management issues from stray optical energy.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical beam combiner package is developed, utilizing a dichroic combiner array with multiple mirrors and dichroic filters to combine input optical beams, along with a beam dump array to terminate stray optical energy, thereby reducing system size and weight while minimizing optical losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional optical devices are used to combine multiple optical beams, then the beams can be combined effectively, but the system size and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (beam combining, stray light termination, cooling) into a single integrated package. The dichroic combiner array and beam dump array are mounted together on a common platform, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and reducing overall system weight while maintaining beam combination effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated package serves multiple functions simultaneously: the dichroic combiner array combines multiple optical beams, the beam dump array terminates stray optical energy, and the coolant system provides thermal management. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing system weight.
2Reliability
If multiple optical devices are used to combine beams, then beam combination is achieved, but the number of components increases leading to increased system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the beam combining function and stray light termination function into a single packaged unit. By mounting the dichroic combiner array and beam dump array on a common platform with shared alignment features, the system reduces the number of separate devices and simplifies the overall configuration while maintaining effective beam combination.
3Reliability
If traditional beam combining systems are used, then optical beams can be combined, but optical losses increase due to multiple reflections and transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dichroic filters as intermediary elements that selectively transmit or reflect specific wavelengths. This allows for efficient wavelength-division beam combining where each beam can be combined at its optimal wavelength without excessive reflections or transmissions, minimizing optical losses while maintaining the beam combination function.
4Reliability
If optical devices are used to combine multiple beams, then beam combination is achieved, but thermal management becomes difficult due to stray optical energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful stray optical energy into a beneficial cooling opportunity. The beam dump array is specifically designed to intercept and absorb stray optical energy that would otherwise cause thermal management problems. By providing dedicated absorption surfaces for stray light, the system transforms a thermal hazard into a controlled energy dissipation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coolant system as an intermediary between the optical components and the environment. Coolant channels are integrated into the package, allowing efficient heat removal from the dichroic combiner array and beam dump array, thereby maintaining optimal operating temperatures despite the presence of high-power optical beams and stray energy.
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 compact optical beam combiner package effectively combines multiple optical beams in a reduced footprint, achieving low optical losses and efficient thermal management by capturing and absorbing stray optical energy, thus enhancing the overall performance and efficiency of optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
The dichroic combiner array is configured to receive multiple input optical beams and combine the optical beams to generate an output optical beam. The dichroic combiner array includes multiple mirrors and multiple dichroic filters.
Implementation Method 2
A first of the mirrors is configured to reflect a first of the input optical beams towards a first of the dichroic filters. A second of the mirrors is configured to reflect a combined optical beam from the first dichroic filter to a second of the dichroic filters.
Implementation Method 3
A beam dump array is provided including multiple beam dumps configured to terminate stray optical energy. The stray optical energy includes at least one of: (i) optical energy reflecting from at least one of the dichroic filters and (ii) optical energy transmitted through at least one of the dichroic filters.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a dichroic combiner array configured to combine multiple input optical beams and generate an output optical beam. The dichroic combiner array includes multiple mirrors and multiple dichroic filters. A first mirror is configured to reflect a first input optical beam towards a first dichroic filter, which is configured to combine the first input optical beam and a second input optical beam. A second mirror is configured to reflect a combined optical beam from the first dichroic filter to a second dichroic filter. A last dichroic filter is configured to generate the output optical beam. The apparatus also includes a beam dump array having multiple beam dumps configured to terminate stray optical energy. The stray optical energy includes at least one of: (i) optical energy reflecting from at least one of the dichroic filters and (ii) optical energy transmitted through at least one of the dichroic filters.