Dynamic Concentrator Tracking for Fast Laser Beam Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser technologies face challenges in focusing laser beams effectively over long distances due to beam divergence, necessitating concentrator lenses that increase capacitance and reduce response times, which is undesirable in applications requiring minimal noise and fast response times.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic concentrator system that synchronizes a fiber collimator with the focus spot of an incoming light beam using a tracker platform and actuators, minimizing moving parts and enabling fast response times, even with significant angle deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a concentrator lens is used to focus the laser beam onto the detector, then the beam can be focused onto a small spot over long distances, but the capacitance increases and response time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the concentrator lens from the optical path entirely, extracting the problematic component that caused the capacitance increase and response time degradation. The system achieves beam focusing without this element by using a detector that can track and follow the moving focus spot directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic tracking system where the detector aperture is affixed to a tracking stage that can move in real-time to follow the focus spot. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal coupling with the diverging beam without requiring a fixed concentrator lens, thereby reducing capacitance and improving response time.
2Length of stationary object
If a concentrator lens system is used to focus the beam, then long-range performance is achieved, but the system complexity and capacitance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the concentrator lens system from the optical path, eliminating the complexity associated with lens mounting, alignment, and capacitance management while maintaining long-range operational capability through detector tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the static mechanical concentrator lens system with a dynamic detector tracking mechanism. This substitution shifts the focusing function from a passive optical element to an active tracking system, reducing overall device complexity and capacitance while preserving long-range performance.
3Device complexity
If the detector aperture is fixed, then the system structure is simpler, but it cannot maintain focus when beam angles vary significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed detector aperture into a dynamic system by mounting it on a tracking stage that can move to follow the focus spot. This dynamic configuration enables the detector to adapt to varying beam angles while maintaining optimal coupling, effectively increasing beam angle tolerance without substantially increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously tracks the focus spot position and adjusts the detector aperture position accordingly. This real-time feedback control allows the detector to maintain focus despite significant variations in beam angles, enhancing adaptability while keeping the structural complexity manageable.
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 achieves long-range performance by concentrating light onto a small active area of a receiver with real-time synchronization, maintaining focus despite varying beam angles, suitable for applications like LiDAR and laser communications.
Implementation Method 1
a concentration lens system configured to concentrate and focus an incoming light beam on a focus spot on an active area of a receiver
Implementation Method 2
an actuator configured to move the fiber collimator
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A dynamic concentrator system having a concentrator lens, a tracker platform and a receiver. In an embodiment, the concentrator lens is configured to receive an incoming light at an entrance angle α and concentrate the light beam on a focus spot. The tracker platform has a detector optical aperture and one or more actuators. The detector optical aperture can be configured to receive the concentrated light beam. The actuators can move the detector optical aperture in a spatial plane to a location of the focus spot. The receiver has a detector optically coupled to the detector optical aperture to receive the concentrated light beam from the detector optical aperture.