Interconnected Semiconductor Laser Emitters for Uniform Line Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Scanning lidar devices face challenges in achieving high optical power output with semiconductor lasers, as high power density can damage the radiation sources, and the use of multiple emitters increases the complexity of laser drivers and beam-shaping optics, making it difficult to achieve uniform line illumination.
Innovation Solution
A transmitter unit with directly interconnected semiconductor laser emitters, allowing for optimized laser geometry and optics, using a series connection of emitters and compact beam-shaping optics such as aspherical lenses to generate a uniform laser line with reduced driver requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the power density on the emission surface is increased to achieve higher optical power output, then the power output is improved, but the radiation source is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single high-power laser source into multiple individual semiconductor laser emitters (at least two) that are interconnected. Each emitter operates at a safe power density level while collectively achieving the desired total optical power output through their combined emission, thus preventing damage to individual radiation sources.
2Power
If multiple semiconductor emitters are used to increase power output, then the power output is improved, but the driver complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual semiconductor laser emitters into a single integrated transmitter unit with a unified driver interface. The driver controls the interconnected emitters as a coordinated system, merging their individual control functions into a single control unit, thereby reducing driver complexity while maintaining high power output capability.
3Ease of operation
If multiple semiconductor structures are positioned at larger distances to reduce driver demand, then the driver requirements are reduced, but the transmitter unit height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from positioning emitters primarily in the vertical dimension (stacking them vertically) to arranging them in a planar configuration with lateral spacing. This dimensional shift allows adequate spacing between emitters for separate current supply while maintaining a compact overall height of the transmitter unit, as the emitters are distributed across a plane rather than stacked vertically.
4Illumination intensity
If individual lenses or lens arrays are used to form beams separately, then uniform line illumination is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the beam formation functions for multiple emitters into a single optical system. Instead of using separate lenses for each emitter or complex lens arrays, a unified optical system processes the combined emission from all interconnected emitters to produce the uniform laser line, thereby reducing optical component complexity while maintaining illumination uniformity.
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 a compact, cost-effective transmitter unit that achieves high power output with simplified beam-shaping, eliminating the need for complex lens arrays and reducing driver complexity, while maintaining beam quality and safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least two radiation sources, which take the form of semiconductor lasers and are for generating and emitting electromagnetic beams in a scanning region
Implementation Method 2
compact beam-shaping optics such as aspherical lenses to generate a uniform laser line
Data Source
AI summary
A transmitter unit of a lidar device for a scanning system includes at least two radiation sources in the form of semiconductor lasers for generating and emitting electromagnetic beams in the form of a line in a scanning region, the at least two radiation sources being individual emitters directly interconnected mechanically and electrically.