Diffractive Optical Element for Stable Multi-Emitter Beam Shaping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illumination technologies in mobile communications, AR/VR, and LIDAR markets struggle to create globally optimized output functions, such as intensity profiles and beam shaping, due to the spatially repetitive nature of 'tiling' approaches, which result in areas of light extinction when emitters are turned off.

Innovation Solution

The use of diffractive optical elements (OEs) that combine multiple light sources into a single, unified beam shaping body, enabling globally optimized outputs in intensity and phase, with features like collimation, beam profile control, and angular intensity profile control, while maintaining output intensity distribution even when some emitters are turned off.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a tiling approach with multiple optical surfaces is used to combine emitter outputs, then individual emitter outputs can be split and aligned into a global output pattern, but it is not possible to create globally optimized output functions such as intensity profiles weighted according to powers of inverse cosine functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglobal output function optimizationVSAvoidmultiple optical surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple optical surfaces into a single integrated diffractive optical element that performs both beam splitting and global intensity optimization simultaneously. This unified structure eliminates the need for separate optical components while achieving the desired global output function optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The diffractive optical element serves multiple functions: it acts as a beam splitter, intensity modulator, and phase controller all in one component. This multi-functional design enables global output optimization without requiring multiple specialized optical surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the tiling approach is used to create a global output light pattern, then individual emitter outputs can be processed, but turning off one of a plurality of optical emitters creates an area or portion without light in the output light density distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemitter control flexibilityVSAvoidoutput light density distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The diffractive optical element applies spatially varying phase and amplitude modulation across different regions of the input beam. This local optimization ensures that each region of the output pattern receives appropriate light intensity regardless of which emitters are active, preventing complete darkness in any area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The optical element pre-calculates and pre-distributes light paths through its diffractive structure so that even when some emitters are turned off, the remaining light is redistributed to maintain minimum illumination levels across the entire output area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple optical surfaces are used for splitting and shaping individual emitter outputs, then individual beams can be processed, but globally optimized outputs such as intensity profiles cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam profile controlVSAvoidnumber of optical components

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates beam splitting, shaping, and intensity optimization functions into a single diffractive optical element, eliminating the need for multiple separate optical surfaces while maintaining precise control over beam profiles and global intensity distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 OEs ensure consistent output intensity distribution across varying emitter states, enhancing sensing distance and accuracy by maintaining illumination in areas where emitters are turned off, thus optimizing light patterns for improved performance.

Implementation Method 1

diffractive optical elements (OEs) that combine multiple light sources into a single, unified beam shaping body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP4686962A1Optical element (OE) for combining outputs of multiple optical emitters into a globally weighted intensity output

Publication Date: 2026.02.04 II VI DELAWARE INC

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AI summary

An optical element (OE) includes a body formed whereupon, in response to input electromagnetic fields emitted by an array of optical emitters toward the body that overlap each other, at least partially, to form a combined input electromagnetic field on a first side of the body, the body generates to an output plane disposed on a second side of the body an output electromagnetic field. The output electromagnetic field remains unchanged or substantially unchanged in intensity at the output plane between a first time when all of optical emitters are emitting electromagnetic fields and a second time when a subset of the one or more of the optical emitters is not emitting electromagnetic fields. The output electromagnetic field remains substantially unchanged in intensity when one or more portions or areas of the output electromagnetic field remain illuminated at reduced intensity at the second time versus the first time.