Flexible Light Diffraction Unit With Planar Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light diffraction elements using flexible resin films as base materials struggle to maintain a planar shape due to their inherent flexibility, which affects the accuracy and functionality of optical computing devices.
Innovation Solution
A light diffraction element unit with a flexible base material held by a holding part that encompasses the light diffraction structure, using a configuration that maintains the planar shape and includes absorption layers to reduce stray light, and a housing that accommodates multiple units to enhance structural integrity and reduce stray light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a flexible resin film is used as the base material to reduce thickness and meet the interval requirement, then the thickness requirement is satisfied, but the planar shape of the main surface cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a flexible resin film base material with a rigid holding part to create a composite structure. The holding part provides structural support to maintain the planar shape of the main surface, while the resin film maintains its flexibility and thinness to satisfy the thickness requirement. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by allowing each material to contribute its advantageous property.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding part acts as an intermediary between the flexible resin film and the external environment. It provides the necessary structural support to maintain planarity without directly compromising the flexibility and thinness of the resin film. The holding part mediates between the conflicting requirements of thinness and shape stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the base material is made flexible to enable thin film construction, then manufacturing ease is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where the flexible resin film is combined with a rigid holding part. The resin film provides ease of manufacture and flexibility for thin film construction, while the holding part provides the necessary structural integrity. This composite approach allows both conflicting requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the base material structure into two functional segments: the flexible resin film layer that provides ease of manufacture and thinness, and the rigid holding part that provides structural integrity. This segmentation allows each segment to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
3Productivity
If multiple light diffraction structures are periodically disposed to achieve optical computing, then computational capability is improved, but the complexity of maintaining precise spacing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding part serves multiple functions: it maintains the planar shape of the main surface, provides precise spacing for periodically disposed light diffraction structures, and ensures proper alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity by consolidating multiple structural requirements into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a specific interval D (e.g., D=40λ) between light diffraction structures based on the wavelength of signal light. By defining this parameter relationship, the patent simplifies the design and manufacturing process while maintaining the computational capability of the optical computing device.
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 solution effectively maintains the planar shape of the base material, reduces stray light, and enhances the performance of optical computing devices by improving structural integrity and light absorption, thereby ensuring accurate optical computations.
Implementation Method 1
The light diffraction structure optically executes predetermined computing by causing mutual interference of signal light beams that have passed through the respective microcells
Implementation Method 2
a holding part holding the base material, the holding part including a layer member or plate-like member provided with an opening that penetrates through a pair of main surfaces of the layer member or plate-like member
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the pair of the main surfaces of the holding part has a higher absorption rate for light having a specific wavelength as compared to an absorption rate of aluminum for the light
Data Source
AI summary
A light diffraction element unit includes a base material including a light-transmissive and flexible layer member, a light diffraction structure including microcells and disposed on a portion of a main surface of the base material, and a holding part holding the base material and including a layer member or a plate member having an opening that penetrates through a pair of main surfaces of the layer member or the plate member. The holding part holds an annular portion of the base material such that the light diffraction structure is encompassed in the opening. The annular portion surrounds the portion of the main surface of the base material.