Compact Displacement Detection Using Polarization Beam Splitter Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing displacement detection apparatuses using light interference are complex, leading to increased size and requiring high assembly accuracy, which can result in distortion and reduced reliability, especially when used continuously.
Innovation Solution
A compact displacement detection apparatus utilizing a reflective diffraction grating and a polarization beam splitter with integrated polarization altering elements and a transmissive area, allowing for reduced size and maintaining high assembly accuracy, and enabling accurate two-dimensional displacement detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a complex optical system is used for displacement detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical components (polarization beam splitter, diffraction grating, and polarization altering elements) into an integrated optical system where the polarization beam splitter serves multiple functions: splitting the laser beam into orthogonal polarized beams, guiding the beams to the diffraction grating, and recombining the reflected beams to form interference patterns. This integration reduces the number of separate components while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The polarization beam splitter is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs beam splitting, beam guiding, and interference pattern formation. The diffraction grating also serves dual purposes by diffracting the polarized beams and providing positional reference information. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while preserving measurement capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If a complex optical system is used for displacement detection, then measurement precision is improved, but the size of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the polarization beam splitter and diffraction grating into a compact arrangement where components are closely coupled and share optical paths, the overall apparatus volume is reduced. The polarization altering elements are positioned to work in conjunction with the beam splitter and grating without requiring additional space for separate adjustment mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If assembly accuracy is reduced to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but distortion occurs in the optical system reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into modular components (polarization beam splitter module, diffraction grating module, polarization altering elements) that can be manufactured and assembled separately with standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of individual components while maintaining overall system reliability through precise modular integration.
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 solution reduces the size of the apparatus while ensuring high reliability and accuracy, minimizing distortion and maintaining precise displacement measurements over time.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization beam splitter provided as a unit with at least the two polarization altering elements, the polarization beam splitter including a polarizing and splitting surface configured to split the laser beam to generate the two polarized beams
Implementation Method 2
a reflective diffraction grating configured to receive the two polarized beams
Implementation Method 3
two polarization altering elements configured to alter the polarization states of two diffracted beams of the two polarized beams obtained at the diffraction grating
Implementation Method 4
two mirrors configured to reflect the beams whose polarization states have been altered at the two polarization altering elements and to guide the reflected beams to the two polarization altering elements
Implementation Method 5
configured to detect a displacement on the basis of the received-light intensity of an interference beam of two polarized beams obtained by splitting a laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
A displacement detection apparatus, polarization beam splitter, and diffraction grating are provided. A displacement detection apparatus configured to detect a displacement includes a light source, a reflective diffraction grating configured to receive the two polarized beams, two polarization altering elements configured to alter the polarization states of two diffracted beams of the two polarized beams obtained at the diffraction grating, two mirrors configured to reflect the beams whose polarization states have been altered at the two polarization altering elements and to guide the reflected beams to the two polarization altering elements, each of the mirrors corresponding to the polarization altering elements, and a polarization beam splitter provided as a unit with at least the two polarization altering elements, the polarization beam splitter including a polarizing and splitting surface and a transmissive area.