Faraday Isolator Spring Mounting Without Glue Outgassing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Faraday isolators rely on glue to secure optical components, which can fail under certain conditions, causing contamination and reducing the lifetime of optical systems, especially in UV and high-power lasers.
Innovation Solution
A glue-free Faraday isolator design using plate springs and coil springs to mount optical components within a housing, eliminating the need for adhesive materials and reducing outgassing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If glue is used to secure optical components, then component positioning is stable, but outgassing occurs causing contamination and reduced system lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful glue material from the optical system entirely, replacing adhesive bonding with mechanical spring mounting. This extraction of the outgassing source eliminates contamination while maintaining component positioning through the elastic force of plate springs and coil springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (glue) with a mechanical mounting system using plate springs and coil springs. The mechanical elastic force of the springs provides both positioning stability and stress compensation without introducing outgassing contaminants.
2Ease of manufacture
If glue is used to secure optical components, then manufacturing is simplified, but additional manufacturing steps are required and reliability decreases under certain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic spring mounting systems that can adapt to thermal expansion and mechanical stress variations. The plate springs and coil springs provide elastic compliance, allowing the optical components to maintain secure positioning under varying temperature and stress conditions without requiring complex assembly procedures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If glue is used to prevent mechanical stress, then component positioning is maintained, but stress concentration occurs at glue interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mounting mechanism from rigid adhesive bonding to flexible spring mounting. The springs provide distributed elastic force that accommodates thermal expansion and mechanical stress without creating concentrated stress points at interfaces, thereby maintaining positioning stability while reducing stress concentration.
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 design maintains secure component positioning without stress, reduces contamination risks, and enhances the longevity and performance of optical systems by preventing outgassing.
Implementation Method 1
A first holder is configured to mount the first optical component to the housing via a first plate spring, and a second holder is configured to mount the second optical component to the housing via a second plate spring. A construct having a tubular spring, for example, a coil spring engaging a cylindrical crystal, is configured to pass through a bore hole in the central optical component and mount the central optical component between the first holder and the second holder.
Implementation Method 2
The design maintains secure component positioning without stress
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 3D
AI summary
A glueless optical device includes a housing having a first optical portal and a second optical portal opposite the first optical portal. A first optical component is within the housing adjacent to the first optical portal, and a second optical component is within the housing adjacent to the second optical portal. A central optical component is positioned within the housing between the first optical component and the second optical component. A first holder is configured to mount the first optical component to the housing via a first plate spring, and a second holder is configured to mount the second optical component to the housing via a second plate spring. A construct having a coil spring at least partially wrapped around a cylindrical crystal is configured to pass through a bore hole in the central optical component and mount the central optical component between the first holder and the second holder.