Iterative Fourier Transform Unit for Light Waveform Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for modulating light pulses using spatial light modulators often lead to local solutions rather than optimal results, particularly when trying to achieve arbitrary temporal waveforms, due to limitations in iterative Fourier transform methods.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an iterative Fourier transform unit that performs a Fourier transform on a waveform function including intensity and phase spectrum functions, followed by replacements in both the time and frequency domains to constrain these spectra, using a coefficient that minimizes the difference between the transformed waveform and the desired waveform, thereby preventing local solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the iterative Fourier method is used to calculate the modulation pattern, then the calculation can be performed, but the solution may be led to a local solution and an optimal solution is not necessarily obtained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaveform accuracyVSAvoidsolution optimality
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of the replacement operation by introducing a coefficient (initially 0.1) that controls the extent to which the desired waveform replaces the calculated waveform. This parameter adjustment prevents the algorithm from converging to local solutions by gradually adapting the replacement strength, allowing the system to escape suboptimal solutions and achieve better waveform accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a large difference exists between the desired waveform and the waveform after Fourier transform, then the iterative method may converge faster, but the solution is more likely to be led to a local solution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvergence speedVSAvoidwaveform accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics into the iterative process by making the replacement coefficient variable rather than fixed. The coefficient starts at 0.1 and increases progressively (e.g., 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, ..., 1.0) across iterations. This dynamic adjustment allows fast initial convergence while preventing premature convergence to local solutions, ultimately achieving both speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the desired waveform and the waveform after Fourier transform are greatly different, then the replacement operation may be more effective, but the iterative Fourier operation may still lead to a local solution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaveform accuracyVSAvoidsolution optimality
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a small coefficient (0.1) at the beginning of the iterative process. This preliminary gentle replacement prevents large abrupt changes that could lead to local solutions, while still progressing toward the desired waveform. The gradual increase of the coefficient ensures optimal solution attainment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3296804B1Modulation pattern calculation device, light control device, modulation pattern calculation method, modulation pattern calculation program, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP3296804B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3296804B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3296804B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

An iterative Fourier transform unit 22a in a modulation pattern calculation apparatus 20 performs a Fourier transform on a waveform function including an intensity spectrum function and a phase spectrum function, performs a replacement of a temporal intensity waveform function based on a desired waveform after the Fourier transform, and then performs an inverse Fourier transform. The iterative Fourier transform unit 22a performs the replacement using a result of multiplying a function representing the desired waveform by a coefficient, and the coefficient has a value in which a difference between the function after the multiplication and the temporal intensity waveform function after the Fourier transform is smaller than a difference before the multiplication of the coefficient. As a result, a modulation pattern calculation apparatus, a light control apparatus, a modulation pattern calculation method, and a modulation pattern calculation program capable of preventing a solution from being led to a local solution during an iterative Fourier operation and accurately calculating an intensity spectrum or a phase spectrum to bring a temporal waveform of light close to a desired waveform are realized.