Functionalized Waveguide with Diffractive Coupling for Transparent Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transparent surfaces, such as windows or windshields, lack additional optical functionalities beyond basic protection from environmental influences.
Innovation Solution
A functionalized waveguide with partially transparent input and output regions, incorporating diffractive structures to deflect and couple radiation efficiently while maintaining transparency, allowing for optical imaging and detection without additional imaging elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a transparent base body is used for protection, then transparency is maintained, but additional optical functionality is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (protection, imaging, detection, projection) into a single transparent base body by integrating diffractive structures directly into it. This merging approach allows the base body to serve both as a protective element and as an optical component with additional functionalities without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent base body is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides physical protection, enables optical imaging through diffractive input regions, allows detection via detector integration, and supports projection through output regions. This multi-functionality is achieved by incorporating various diffractive structures into different areas of the same base body.
2Adaptability or versatility
If diffractive structures are added to the transparent base body, then optical functionality is enhanced, but transparency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies diffractive structures only in specific local regions of the transparent base body rather than uniformly across the entire surface. The input regions contain diffractive structures for coupling radiation, while other regions remain transparent. This localized application allows optical functionality to be enhanced in specific areas without compromising the overall transparency of the base body.
3Productivity
If coupling efficiency is increased, then radiation coupling is improved, but transparency in the coupling region decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts reduced transparency in specific coupling regions as a necessary trade-off to achieve high coupling efficiency where needed. The diffractive structures in input regions are optimized for maximum radiation coupling, while other regions maintain high transparency for viewing purposes. This spatial differentiation of optical properties resolves the contradiction by allowing both high coupling efficiency and high transparency to coexist in different locations.
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
Enables enhanced optical functionality, such as imaging and detection, with high transparency and efficiency, suitable for various applications including detector systems and projection systems.
Implementation Method 1
The partially transparent input region comprises a diffractive structure in the form of an input relief grating, with which the transparency of the input region is maintained under normal viewing conditions over a wide angular and wavelength range. Thus, only a portion of the radiation incident on a front face of the transparent base body can be deflected by means of the transparent input region, such that the deflected portion propagates as coupled radiation into the base body
Implementation Method 2
The reflections can be, in particular, total internal reflections at the front and/or back of the transparent base body
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a functionalized waveguide for a detector system. The waveguide (1) comprises a transparent base body (6), which has a front side (7) and a rear side (8). The base body (6) has a semitransparent incoupling region (4) and an outcoupling region (5), which is spaced apart from the incoupling region in a first direction (R1). The incoupling region (4) comprises an incoupling relief grating, which deflects only a part of radiation coming from an object to be detected and hitting the front side (7), in such a way that the deflected part propagates as incoupled radiation in the base body (6) up to the outcoupling region (5) by means of reflections and hits the outcoupling region (5). The outcoupling region (5) has an outcoupling relief grating, which deflects at least a part of the incoupled radiation hitting the outcoupling relief grating, in such a way that the deflected part exits the base body (6) via the front side (7) or the rear side (8) in order to hit the detector system (2).