Dichroic Beam Distributor for Laser Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beam distributors experience a significant decrease in visible light output power and visibility due to the use of anti-reflection and high-reflective coatings on optical components, which are optimized for infrared wavelengths, leading to power loss when visible guide lasers pass through multiple optical components.
Innovation Solution
A rectilinear beam distributor is designed with a beam direction changing unit that has dichroic properties, allowing it to reflect infrared beams while transmitting visible light, minimizing the number of optical components through which the visible light passes, and incorporating a guide laser that moves with the beam direction changing unit to maintain visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical components with AR/HR coatings are used to distribute laser beams, then beam distribution functionality is improved, but visible light transmission is worsened due to power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical path into two separate channels: one for infrared laser beams and one for visible guide light. The beam distributor housing contains distinct optical paths where the laser beam path and guide light path are separated, allowing each to be optimized independently without interference from the other's optical requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dichroic mirror as an intermediary component that selectively reflects infrared laser beams while transmitting visible guide light. This mediator allows both optical paths to coexist within the same housing without the visible light needing to pass through components optimized for infrared wavelengths
2Use of energy by moving object
If AR/HR coatings optimized for infrared wavelengths are applied to optical components, then laser light transmission is improved, but visible light transmission is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical coating properties to different components based on their specific function. Components in the laser beam path (feed fiber, collimator lens, focus lens) have AR/HR coatings optimized for infrared wavelengths, while components in the guide light path (beam distributor housing, dichroic mirror) are optimized for visible light transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The dichroic mirror serves as an intermediary that separates the infrared and visible optical paths. It reflects infrared laser beams toward the workpiece while allowing visible guide light to pass through unaffected, enabling each optical path to use components with coatings optimized for its specific wavelength range
3Device complexity
If the guide laser is kept stationary while the beam direction changes, then structural simplicity is improved, but guide light visibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the guide laser with the beam direction changing unit by mounting the guide laser on the same movable component that directs the laser beam. This ensures that whenever the laser beam direction changes, the guide light automatically follows the same path, maintaining continuous visibility of the beam trajectory
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the guide laser dynamic by coupling its movement to the beam direction changing unit. The guide laser moves dynamically in coordination with the changing beam direction, ensuring the visible guide light always indicates the current beam path regardless of directional changes
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 configuration minimizes power loss and maintains visibility by reducing the number of optical components visible light encounters, enhancing the output power and usability of the guide laser.
Implementation Method 1
the beam direction changing unit has a dichroic property that the beam direction changing unit reflects the incident beam and transmits the visible light
Implementation Method 2
the incident beam is reflected from the beam direction changing unit and a reflection beam is guided to the beam exiting opening
Data Source
AI summary
A rectilinear beam distributor capable of maintaining visibility of visible light emitted from a guide laser is provided. In a beam distributor, a beam direction changing unit has a dichroic property that the beam direction changing unit reflects an incident beam and transmits a visible light. A guide laser is disposed so as to move with movement of the beam direction changing unit in an optical axis direction of the incident beam when oscillating the visible light so that the visible light passes through the beam direction changing unit and the optical axis thereof is identical to a reflection beam.