Diffractive Spatial Light Modulator Order Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diffractive spatial light modulators (DSLMs) face challenges in aligning diffracted images across different order paths, leading to reduced contrast and efficiency in image projection systems due to scattered light from unwanted diffractive orders.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a diffractive spatial light modulator (DSLM) and optical components such as prisms, lenses, and mirrors to align diffracted images from various order paths at a common image plane, with light dumps to absorb or remove unwanted light, enhancing image alignment and contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If diffractive spatial light modulator is used to produce images using diffractive techniques, then the image can be generated along different diffractive order paths, but the illumination light is distributed among the orders leading to reduced contrast and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unwanted diffractive orders from the optical path using optical components such as prisms, mirrors, and light dumps. This selective extraction concentrates the illumination light into the desired image-forming orders while eliminating parasitic light that would otherwise reduce contrast and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines light from multiple desired diffractive orders into a single common image plane using optical components. By merging the light paths of different orders that contribute to the image, the system increases overall light efficiency and brightness while maintaining image quality
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple diffractive order paths are used to produce the image, then more light can be utilized, but the images from different orders are not aligned at a common image plane leading to reduced contrast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary optical components (prisms, mirrors, relay optics) that mediate between the different diffractive order paths and the common image plane. These intermediaries realign the light paths from multiple orders so that they converge at the same image plane, preventing contrast degradation while maintaining high light utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical components to manipulate the spatial dimensions of the light paths from different diffractive orders. By introducing optical path folding and realignment in additional spatial dimensions, the system brings multiple order images into coincidence at the common image plane without losing the benefit of utilizing light from multiple orders
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 system effectively aligns diffracted images across different order paths, improving the brightness and contrast ratio of projected images, suitable for applications like cinema and photolithography, by combining light from multiple diffractive orders into a single, coherent image.
Implementation Method 1
illumination light is diffracted from the DSLM into orders
Implementation Method 2
at least one light dump configured to absorb light from diffractive order paths where the image is not directed to the common image plane
Data Source
AI summary
A system for order alignment of diffractively produced images is provided. The system comprises: a diffractive spatial light modulator (DSLM) configured to provide a computer generated hologram of an image; a substantially coherent light source configured to illuminate the DSLM which responsively produces the image along each of different diffractive order paths; and, at least one set of optical components located along respective diffractive order paths of the DSLM, the at least one set of optical components configured to align at least one respective image diffracted from the DSLM with at least another diffracted image at a common image plane.