Holographic Beam Combiner for Common RGB Wavefronts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for reconstructing white image holograms using RGB LEDs or white LEDs face challenges in achieving identical wavefronts for red, green, and blue light, leading to diverging images and color fringes, while white LEDs result in inefficient light diffusion and susceptibility to ghosting due to broad spectra.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a holographic element that diffracts red, green, and blue light beams into a common wavefront, using gratings exposed for specific wavelength ranges to combine them efficiently, optionally with collimation and polarization, eliminating the need for separate optics units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If RGB LEDs with three spaced emitters are used, then separate current control for red, green and blue luminous flux is achieved, but converting light from individual emitters into identical wavefronts becomes difficult requiring complex optics units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple separate optics units (collimating lens, focusing lens, beam combining element) into a single integrated optical element. This optical element has different functional zones: a first zone for receiving and collimating light from the first emitter, a second zone for receiving and focusing light from the second emitter, and a third zone for combining the collimated and focused light beams. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate optical components while maintaining the ability to control RGB luminous flux separately through current control.
2Device complexity
If white LEDs with single emitter are used, then simplified structure is achieved, but light diffusion efficiency decreases and ghosting increases due to broadband spectrum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical processing for different wavelength ranges within the white LED's broadband spectrum. The optical element has distinct functional zones optimized for different wavelengths: the first zone handles blue/violet light (400-480 nm) for collimation, the second zone handles green/yellow light (480-560 nm) for focusing, and the third zone combines these beams. This segmentation allows efficient directional control of specific wavelength components while maintaining the structural simplicity of a single white LED emitter, thereby improving light diffusion efficiency and reducing ghosting effects.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate optics units are used for each emitter, then precise wavefront control is achieved, but device complexity and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optics units into a single integrated optical element that performs collimation, focusing, and beam combining functions simultaneously. This optical element is positioned at a specific distance from the LED emitter package and receives light from multiple emitters at defined angles. The integrated design eliminates the need for precise alignment between multiple separate optical components, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining precise wavefront control through the carefully designed functional zones within the single element.
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 enables precise overlay of RGB colors, reducing color fringes and enhancing color saturation, while minimizing light loss and ghosting, allowing for high-quality white or colored image reconstruction.
Implementation Method 1
The holographic element is configured to diffract a first light beam, which is from a first wavelength range and is incident on the holographic element from a first direction, and a second light beam, which is from a second wavelength range that differs from the first wavelength range and is incident on the holographic element from a second direction that differs from the first direction, into a common third direction
Data Source
AI summary
A device for combining light beams with a holographic element is provided. Moreover, systems are provided in which a device for combining beams is used to illuminate a white image hologram.