Internal Facet Orientation Validation Using Light-Guiding Optics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current state-of-the-art techniques for validating the orientation of internal facets in transparent optical elements require high-end optical components and complex alignment procedures, making them unsuitable for mass production.
Innovation Solution
An optical-based method and system using a light guiding arrangement with a light folding component and coupling infrastructure to redirect light beams, allowing for the measurement of angular deviations to determine the actual inclination angle of internal facets relative to external surfaces without the need for high-end components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measurement techniques (contact methods, radiography, CT scans) are used to measure internal facets, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems (contact probes, radiography equipment, CT scanners) with an optical measurement system. The LGA redirects light to illuminate internal facets, and optical sensors detect the reflected light patterns to determine facet orientations and deviations from nominal positions, achieving measurement without mechanical contact or complex imaging equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system consisting of the LGA and light beams as mediators between the external measurement apparatus and the internal facets. The LGA acts as an optical mediator that redirects light into the sample to illuminate internal facets, enabling indirect optical access to internal structures that would otherwise require complex penetrating measurement techniques.
2Measurement precision
If conventional measurement techniques are used, then internal facet data can be obtained, but measurement time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic scanning of light beams across the internal facets using the LGA. By systematically directing light beams at different angles and positions through the LGA's light redirecting capability, the system efficiently collects optical data from multiple facet locations in a structured sequence, enabling rapid comprehensive measurement without requiring slow sequential probing or lengthy imaging scans.
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurement techniques are combined to achieve comprehensive internal facet validation, then measurement completeness improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal optical measurement system where the LGA performs multiple functions: it redirects light to illuminate internal facets from various directions, enables orientation measurement, detects positional deviations, and works with different types of optical sensors. This single multi-functional optical system replaces the need for multiple specialized measurement techniques (contact measurement, radiography, CT scanning), reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.
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
Provides a fast, simple, and precise method for validating the orientation of internal facets, reducing the complexity and cost of metrology processes while maintaining high precision.
Implementation Method 1
providing a light guiding arrangement (LGA) configured to redirect light, incident thereon in a direction perpendicular to an external surface of the sample, into or onto the sample, such that light impinges on an internal facet of the sample nominally normally thereto
Implementation Method 2
obtaining a first returned LB by reflection of the first incident LB off the external surface, and a second returned LB by redirection by the LGA of the second incident LB into or onto the sample, reflection thereof off the internal facet, and inverse redirection by the LGA; measuring an angular deviation between the returned LBs
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method including: providing a light guiding arrangement (LGA) configured to redirect light, incident thereon in a direction perpendicular to an external surface of the sample, into or onto the sample, such that light impinges on an internal facet of the sample nominally normally thereto; generating a first incident light beam (LB), directed at the external surface normally thereto, and a second incident LB, parallel to the first incident LB and directed at the LGA; obtaining a first returned LB by reflection of the first incident LB off the external surface, and a second returned LB by redirection by the LGA of the second incident LB into or onto the sample, reflection thereof off the internal facet, and inverse redirection by the LGA; measuring an angular deviation between the returned LBs and deducing therefrom an actual inclination angle of the internal facet relative to the external surface.