Diffractive Laser Drilling Optics for Circular Beam Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser machining devices for drilling are complex and difficult to manufacture and adjust, requiring multiple translatable and rotatable components to direct the laser beam effectively.
Innovation Solution
A simpler drilling device is proposed, featuring a light source and a diffractive beam propagation device with a circular diffraction grating, which rotates to surround an area with a substantially circular shape, focusing the light beam onto a ringlike area for efficient drilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple translatable and rotatable components are used to direct the laser beam, then the laser beam can be directed to be incident on the surface of the work piece as appropriate, but the device becomes complicated and difficult to manufacture and adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical beam manipulation system (mirrors, wedges, rotatable components) with an optical diffraction-based system. The beam propagation device uses diffraction gratings to directly generate and control multiple beams without mechanical movement, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining beam direction control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the single laser beam into multiple beams using a diffraction grating. This allows the beam to be distributed to multiple locations on the work piece simultaneously, achieving the functionality of multiple mechanical components through optical segmentation alone
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components such as mirror in beam manipulator system and wedges in compensation system are adjusted, then the size of the area to be drilled can be adjusted, but the adjustment process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the beam propagation device, specifically using adjustable diffraction gratings with variable line densities or spacings. By changing the grating parameters, the beam distribution and focal spot size are directly controlled without mechanical adjustment, simplifying the adaptation process while maintaining versatility
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 allows for easier manufacturing and adjustment, while achieving effective drilling by rotating the diffractive beam propagation device to surround the work piece with a circular beam, resulting in efficient material removal.
Implementation Method 1
The diffractive beam propagation device is configured to propagate the light beam as one or more propagated beams such that the one or more propagated beams directly surround an area with a substantially circular shape by forming one or more cones
Implementation Method 2
a focusing system for focusing the one or more propagated beams on a substantially ringlike area. The one or more propagated beams are incident on the focusing system and thereby become one or more direction-changed beams
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drilling device (10) comprising: a light source (12) configured to provide a light beam (14); and a diffractive beam propagation device (16) having a substantially planar surface (13); wherein the light source (12) is configured such that the light beam (14) is incident on the planar surface (13) of the diffractive beam propagation device (16), and wherein the diffractive beam propagation device (16) is configured to propagate the light beam (14) as one or more propagated beams (18) such that the one or more propagated beams (18), at least when being integrated over time, surround an area with a substantially circular shape. A use of the drilling device (10) for drilling a hole in a work piece (40) and a method suitable for drilling a hole in a work piece (40) are also provided.