Optical Fiber Buckling Actuation for Wider Scan Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scanning devices typically trade off scanning range for frequency, limiting the ability to increase both simultaneously, which is desirable for applications requiring high resolution and wide field of view.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical fiber scanning systems that combine buckling and whirling motions induced by piezoelectric actuators to increase the field of view without sacrificing size, form factor, or frequency, by applying compressive forces to optical fibers to enhance their deflection and oscillation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If scanning frequency is increased, then resolution and refresh rate are improved, but scanning range decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is subjected to dynamic buckling motion combined with whirling motion. The buckling frequency is modulated to be lower than the whirling frequency, creating a dynamic system where the fiber alternates between buckled and unbuckled states during each whirling cycle, enabling increased scanning range without sacrificing frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the optical fiber by applying compressive forces to induce buckling. By controlling the buckling frequency parameter to be lower than the whirling frequency, the fiber's deflection characteristics are modified to achieve larger scanning angles while maintaining high operating frequencies
2Length of moving object
If scanning range is increased, then field of view is improved, but frequency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The buckling force is applied periodically at a frequency lower than the whirling frequency. During each whirling cycle, the fiber experiences periodic buckling that amplifies its deflection range, allowing the system to achieve large scanning angles while maintaining high whirling frequencies for resolution and refresh rate
3Length of moving object
If maximum deflection of optical fiber is increased, then field of view is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber itself serves as the buckling element. By applying compressive forces to the fiber, it naturally buckles and deflects to increase the scanning range, eliminating the need for additional mechanical components or complex actuation mechanisms to achieve large deflections
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 approach allows for an increased field of view in scanning systems while maintaining high frequency and resolution, making them suitable for applications like scanning fiber displays with improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
The optical fibers are oscillated in a whirling motion by way of a mechanical actuator, such as a piezoelectric actuator (piezo)
Implementation Method 2
the buckling increases a maximum deflection of the optical fiber, which may increase the field of view of the system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Described herein are embodiments of fiber scanning systems and methods of scanning optical fibers. The disclosed systems and methods advantageously provide an improvement to the scanning range, the oscillation amplitude, and/or the maximum pointing angle for an optical fiber in a fiber scanning system by inducing a buckling of a portion of the optical fiber.