Eccentric Lens Holder Layout for Compact Quantum Cascade Lasers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The beam radiation angle of laser light emitted from a quantum cascade laser element is large, requiring a small lens to effectively concentrate the light while minimizing waste, and existing semiconductor laser devices struggle to efficiently utilize the lens's effective region.
Innovation Solution
A quantum cascade laser device with a lens holder design featuring eccentric hole portions and a counterbore surface, where the lens is positioned to minimize movement and maximize the effective lens region, and a shared heat spreader to stabilize the lens holder and suppress optical axis offset due to temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a small lens is used to concentrate laser light from a quantum cascade laser element with a large radiation angle, then the package size can be reduced, but the effective region of the lens cannot be efficiently utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the hole portions in the lens holder eccentric rather than concentric. The first hole portion (for lens mounting) and second hole portion (for light passage) have different central axes, creating an asymmetric structure that allows the lens effective region to be positioned optimally within the compact package while maintaining efficient light concentration capability
2Device complexity
If the lens is disposed at the central portion of the second hole portion, then the structure is simplified, but the lens may move due to surface tension of the resin adhesive agent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the lens in an asymmetric location within the hole portions before the resin adhesive agent is applied. The lens is initially placed at a position that anticipates the surface tension forces that will act during adhesive application, allowing for compensatory positioning that prevents subsequent movement and maintains optical alignment reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If the lens effective region overlaps with the counterbore surface, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the effective region of the lens is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a localized asymmetric configuration where the lens is positioned specifically within the eccentric hole portions. This local positioning strategy allows the lens effective region to be optimally oriented relative to the counterbore surface, ensuring that the high-value light-concentration function occurs in a region free from counterbore interference while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity
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 device efficiently uses the lens's effective region, reducing package size while maintaining optical alignment stability and enhancing adhesion and airtightness, allowing for compact and reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
At least a part of the side surface is fixed to an inner surface of the second hole portion through a resin adhesive agent
Data Source
AI summary
A quantum cascade laser device includes a QCL element; a lens; and a lens holder having a small-diameter hole, a large-diameter hole, and a counterbore surface. At least a part of a side surface of the lens is fixed to an inner surface of the large-diameter hole in a state where an edge portion of an incident surface of the lens is in contact with the counterbore surface. A central axis of the small-diameter hole is eccentric from that of the large-diameter hole. The side surface of the lens is positioned with respect to the inner surface of the large-diameter hole along a direction from the central axis of the large-diameter hole toward the central axis of the small-diameter hole. A central axis of the lens is disposed at a position closer to the central axis of the small-diameter hole than to the central axis of the large-diameter hole.