Dual-Laser Light Source Module With Adjustable Optical Path Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in optical scanning devices is aligning the optical path lengths of two semiconductor lasers to a light combining surface, making it difficult to attach them to the same substrate while ensuring proper light combination and focus on the image plane.
Innovation Solution
A light source module that includes a first and second semiconductor laser, a beam combiner, a substrate, and an adjuster. The adjuster allows for the adjustment of the mounting height of at least one of the lasers, thereby aligning the optical path lengths and enabling the lasers to be mounted on the same substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a light combining element is used to combine light beams from two semiconductor lasers, then light combination and focus on the image plane is achieved, but it becomes difficult to attach the two semiconductor lasers to the same substrate due to optical path length alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mounting structure into separate substrates for each semiconductor laser. The first semiconductor laser is mounted on a first substrate and the second semiconductor laser is mounted on a second substrate, which are then positioned relative to each other to achieve the required optical path length alignment. This segmentation eliminates the difficulty of mounting both lasers on a single substrate while maintaining precise optical alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light combining element as an intermediary component that receives light beams from both semiconductor lasers and combines them into a single output beam. This intermediary element serves as the reference point for aligning the optical path lengths, allowing the lasers to be mounted on separate substrates while still achieving precise optical path matching through the combining element.
2Measurement precision
If optical path lengths are precisely aligned for light combination, then proper focus on the image plane is achieved, but the complexity of the alignment process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary alignment by first mounting the semiconductor lasers on their respective substrates, then positioning the substrates relative to each other before final assembly. The light combining element is used as a reference during this preliminary alignment stage to establish the correct optical path lengths, simplifying the overall alignment process by breaking it into manageable steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the mounting structure so that the light combining element itself serves as the alignment reference. By using the physical position of the light combining element's light combining surface as the benchmark for optical path length measurement, the system performs self-alignment without requiring external measurement equipment or complex alignment procedures.
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 solution allows for precise alignment of optical path lengths, facilitating the mounting of semiconductor lasers on the same substrate, which improves the efficiency of light combination and focus on the image plane, enhancing the overall performance of the optical scanning device.
Implementation Method 1
The beam combiner combines and emits the first light beam and the second light beam
Implementation Method 2
aligning optical path lengths from light emitting surfaces of the two semiconductor lasers to a light combining surface of the light combining element
Data Source
AI summary
A light source module includes a first light source, a second light source, a beam combiner, a substrate, and an adjuster. The first light source emits a first light beam. The second light source emits a second light beam parallel to the first light beam. The beam combiner combines and emits the first light beam and the second light beam. The first light source and the second light source are mounted on the substrate. The adjuster adjusts a mounting height of at least one of the first light source or the second light source on the substrate to vary at least one of (a) a first optical path length of the first light beam or (b) a second optical path length of the second light beam.